Cary & Zoe's guidebook

Cary
Cary & Zoe's guidebook

Food scene

Excellent traditional Dutch restaurant, with great apple pie and old-world ambiance.
52 locals recommend
Haesje Claes Restaurant
275 Spuistraat
52 locals recommend
Excellent traditional Dutch restaurant, with great apple pie and old-world ambiance.
Tiny bakery selling only one type of cookie, but it’s an excellent cookie! Dark chocolate with a gooey white chocolate center. Go early in the day, because when they sell out of the 3000 cookies for the day, they close. Be prepared to stand in a line on the street.
41 locals recommend
Van Stapele Bakery
4 Heisteeg
41 locals recommend
Tiny bakery selling only one type of cookie, but it’s an excellent cookie! Dark chocolate with a gooey white chocolate center. Go early in the day, because when they sell out of the 3000 cookies for the day, they close. Be prepared to stand in a line on the street.
Great traditional Dutch pancakes, both savory and sweet, and omelets. Each table has its own bucket (yes bucket) of syrup.
63 locals recommend
The Pancake Bakery
191 Prinsengracht
63 locals recommend
Great traditional Dutch pancakes, both savory and sweet, and omelets. Each table has its own bucket (yes bucket) of syrup.
Indonesian food with a great “rijst tafel” (assortment of Indonesian dishes served family style).
69 locals recommend
Kantjil & De Tijger
291 A Spuistraat
69 locals recommend
Indonesian food with a great “rijst tafel” (assortment of Indonesian dishes served family style).
What is called a “brown bar”: traditional Dutch food and drinks in a rustic bar setting.
18 locals recommend
Bistro Bij ons
287H Prinsengracht
18 locals recommend
What is called a “brown bar”: traditional Dutch food and drinks in a rustic bar setting.
The Dutch love their French fries, and these are some of the best in the city.
8 locals recommend
Manneken Pis
41 Damrak
8 locals recommend
The Dutch love their French fries, and these are some of the best in the city.
Exquisite handmade chocolates, located at the base of the Oude Kerk in the Red Light District.
Canna Health Amsterdam
26 Nieuwe Nieuwstraat
Exquisite handmade chocolates, located at the base of the Oude Kerk in the Red Light District.

Sightseeing

Even if you don’t go inside, you should go to the free roof terrace for a nice view of the city. Though it is geared most toward children, adults find it fun as well. It is focused on science education through hands-on activities.
603 locals recommend
NEMO Science Center
2 Oosterdok
603 locals recommend
Even if you don’t go inside, you should go to the free roof terrace for a nice view of the city. Though it is geared most toward children, adults find it fun as well. It is focused on science education through hands-on activities.
You need a timed reservation to enter, which sells out quickly, but they release a few new tickets each day at 9am, 10am, and 12pm. As you probably know, this is where Anne Frank and her family and friends hid during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam before they were betrayed.
2776 locals recommend
Anne Frank House
20 Westermarkt
2776 locals recommend
You need a timed reservation to enter, which sells out quickly, but they release a few new tickets each day at 9am, 10am, and 12pm. As you probably know, this is where Anne Frank and her family and friends hid during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam before they were betrayed.
Houses most of Van Gogh's work in basically chronological order (except for Starry Night, which is at the Met in NYC). Tickets sell out quickly for it, so reserve online in advance.
2485 locals recommend
Van Gogh Museum
6 Museumplein
2485 locals recommend
Houses most of Van Gogh's work in basically chronological order (except for Starry Night, which is at the Met in NYC). Tickets sell out quickly for it, so reserve online in advance.
A very old, beautiful museum housing all kinds of stuff from Dutch history including Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings, as well as armor, boat models, artifacts, etc. Rembrandt's most famous painting, The Night Watch, is here.
3186 locals recommend
Rijksmuseum
1 Museumstraat
3186 locals recommend
A very old, beautiful museum housing all kinds of stuff from Dutch history including Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings, as well as armor, boat models, artifacts, etc. Rembrandt's most famous painting, The Night Watch, is here.
Similar to Central Park in New York City, with its expansive natural areas. Very beautiful park that is often filled with people on nice, sunny days. It is located in the Old South section of Amsterdam, a very affluent area.
4196 locals recommend
Vondelpark
4196 locals recommend
Similar to Central Park in New York City, with its expansive natural areas. Very beautiful park that is often filled with people on nice, sunny days. It is located in the Old South section of Amsterdam, a very affluent area.
Rembrandt’s actual home, with many old paintings and furniture. There are sometimes demonstrations, such as how paint was created back in his time.
301 locals recommend
Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House)
4 Jodenbreestraat
301 locals recommend
Rembrandt’s actual home, with many old paintings and furniture. There are sometimes demonstrations, such as how paint was created back in his time.
A gated community that only women can live in. During the day the gates are open though hidden, and people can enjoy the “secret” garden courtyard and church. The place is very unique and a bit mysterious as it sits in the center of busy Amsterdam, but feels like it’s miles away due to the quiet, tranquil atmosphere.
277 locals recommend
Begijnhof
1 Begijnhof
277 locals recommend
A gated community that only women can live in. During the day the gates are open though hidden, and people can enjoy the “secret” garden courtyard and church. The place is very unique and a bit mysterious as it sits in the center of busy Amsterdam, but feels like it’s miles away due to the quiet, tranquil atmosphere.
A full Catholic Church in the attic of a home on the edge of the Red Light District. It was a secret place Catholics could worship during a time when they were being persecuted.
172 locals recommend
Museum Ons'Lieve Heer Op Solder
38-40 Oudezijds Voorburgwal
172 locals recommend
A full Catholic Church in the attic of a home on the edge of the Red Light District. It was a secret place Catholics could worship during a time when they were being persecuted.

Neighborhoods

Jordaan is a pretty part of the city located on the west side of the center. The canal tunnels have lights that make the already gorgeous canals more beautiful and romantic at night.
756 locals recommend
Jordaan
756 locals recommend
Jordaan is a pretty part of the city located on the west side of the center. The canal tunnels have lights that make the already gorgeous canals more beautiful and romantic at night.

Day trips

Area with over a dozen functioning windmills, some of which you can go inside, plus a museum on the era of the windmills. (20 min by car, 1 hr by public transport)
651 locals recommend
Zaanse Schans
Kraaienest
651 locals recommend
Area with over a dozen functioning windmills, some of which you can go inside, plus a museum on the era of the windmills. (20 min by car, 1 hr by public transport)
World-famous gorgeous tulip garden, a must-see in March-May. (30 min by car, 1.5 hr train)
56 locals recommend
Keukenhof
166A Keukenhofdreef
56 locals recommend
World-famous gorgeous tulip garden, a must-see in March-May. (30 min by car, 1.5 hr train)
The closest castle to Amsterdam. A medieval castle and gardens. (20 min by car, 40 min by bike, 1 hr by public transport)
186 locals recommend
Muiderslot
1 Herengracht
186 locals recommend
The closest castle to Amsterdam. A medieval castle and gardens. (20 min by car, 40 min by bike, 1 hr by public transport)

Traveler advice

Getting around

Avoid the bike lanes unless you're on a bike!

Biking is a great way to see the city, though it can be a bit stressful when first starting out in the busy center. If you're not biking, though, be sure to stay off the bike lanes to stay safe! It can sometimes be hard to distinguish them from the sidewalks. Often they use reddish paving tiles instead of gray.
Don't miss

Go on a canal cruise

These are fantastic. You can see the city’s great architecture from the famous canals. Amsterdam has more canals than Venice, Italy, and smells way better!
Customs and culture

Tipping isn't expected in most places

With the exception of some of the more touristy places in the center, you will not be expected to tip at restaurants, nor in taxis, massage places, etc. You are welcome to tip if you want to, but the price you see is what you will pay.