Full of cheese stores, clogs, and eclectic neighborhoods, Amsterdam is a city that should not be missed. The food is amazing, the locals are extremely nice and the city itself is beautiful, making Amsterdam the perfect place to explore while abroad. Here are some of my favorite highlights from my visit to this amazing town. Enjoy!
Museumplein is a square full of different shops, museums, food stands, and other amazing treasures. It is also a beautiful spot to have a coffee and enjoy the view. When I was in Amsterdam, one of the museums was having an exhibit on the British street artist Banksy and Andy Warhol which was excellent, but the Van Gogh museum is also located in this plaza and is supposed to be exceptional. In addition, this is the place to take a lot of pictures with the “I am Amsterdam” sign!
A trip to Amsterdam would not be complete without a visit to the Anne Frank house. My tip for this historical site: go online and get your tickets early. There are many time slots to go to the house but they fill up fast, so book it as far in advance as possible. If you don’t have a reserved spot, you could spend hours in a long line (that goes on for at least two blocks), and even then it isn’t a guarantee that you’ll make it inside. Plan ahead on this one!
Although the canal cruises are a bit touristy, it is a beautiful way to explore the city and learn about its history. The canals are a unique feature of Amsterdam and are out of this world when lit up at night. This tourist attraction is completely worth your time!
Amsterdam is known not only for the canals but also for the thousands of bikes that ride along the streets every day. Biking is an awesome way to explore the town plus you get some exercise AND feel like a local! There are many parks and benches along the canal for when you need to stop and refuel with some raw herring or, my personal favorite, Dutch fries with all kinds of different sauces.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jolie Blair is a rising senior at Emory University from Sun Valley, Idaho. She is double majoring in Theater Studies and Public Health and has a passion for the arts, writing, and traveling. She studied abroad for the 2016 fall semester in Rome, Italy and had an experience of a lifetime, which she loves to share with those who want to listen (and even those who don’t like her 140lb Great Dane!).