Amsterdam invested in a 50-year project during the 17th century to develop the city. The result was a city four times larger and its rise to the 3rd largest city globally. Today people marvel at the city as a piece of ingenuity. The city is recognized as a hub for culture, maritime power, trade, and economy. There are plenty of interesting storing, amazing architecture, spellbinding art, modern infrastructure, and well-preserved history. The best part about all these is that people who visit the city can get a chance to enjoy the scenes and history thanks to the free public transport, free attractions, as well as discounts.
This post discusses a few of the things you could enjoy on your visit to Amsterdam.
1. Amsterdam Museum
When visiting a country with such a rich history, it is only natural to be curious about its past. People often want to know about the famous structures, the culture, the infrastructure, history, and the architecture. If you belong to this group of people, then Amsterdam Museum is a must-visit. The venue for the museum itself has history having formerly been a convent then an orphanage during the reformation period. This museum gives you an in-depth look into the past of the city through interactive stations accompanied by ambient effect and well-preserved artefacts. The museum also has the World-City exhibition which delves into the relationship of the city to the rest of the world through time.
2. Vondelpark
This park is the preferred choice by residents of Amsterdam seeking tranquility. Its design consists of undulating laws, strips of ponds, and mature trees. The venue hosts the Openlechttheater that is actively busy hosting a flurry of events ranging from cabaret, musical theatre, to live music events. Even better is the fact that the events are free. It is advisable though to secure an online booking for the sake of reserving a place. The park has a centrally located rose garden which was first planted in 1936 and is home to more than 70 varieties of roses. Furthermore, the park has a sculpture, The Fish, which was done by Pablo Picasso in 1965. You can grab a bottle or something to drink at the Vertigo Case at the base that also has terrace seats.
3. Bike tour
There are more bikes in Amsterdam than there are people. The city is regarded as amongst the most cycle-friendly cities in the world thanks to its well-planned infrastructure and terrain. With every street having bike lanes, you can safely and quickly get around town. You do not have the complete Amsterdam experience if you have not taken a tour around town in a bike. The best part is that ferries allow bikes on board free of charge, so you do not have to worry about that. There are differential rental centres that provide the city so getting access to the bikes is relatively easy.
4. Canal cruise
Amsterdam is known for the network of canals in the city. These concentric canals are so iconic that they are recognized and listed by UNESCO. It therefore goes without saying that one of the things you must try if you visit the city is the canal cruise. With water very much a part of the city, a canal cruise gives you awesome views of the patrician houses, historic churches, innumerable bridges, and houseboats. The canal cruises are available day or night offering a variety of choices to accommodate the diverse needs and preferences.
5. Hortus Botanicus
The botanical garden is the plantage neighbourhood that is always leafy and spacious. Having existed since 1638, it is considered one of the oldest botanical gardens. Furthermore, there are a lot other attractions in this area such as the hexagonal pavilion with the 17-century design and the Plan House cycads of 1915. Initially the garden was for cultivation of medicinal herbs to combat plague outbreaks. In 1682 the garden was relocated to its present location and species collected globally planted on it. Today, the garden is home to at least 6,000 plant species.
6. ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo
The zoo which is the oldest in the country was founded in 1838 and is in the Plantage neighbourhood. It contains animal collections, historic buildings, aquarium, and a library. Animals include lions, Alaskan wolves, lynxes, jaguars, giraffes, chimpanzees, among others. It also has a botanical appeal with at least 200 different tree species.
7. Johan Cruyff Arena Tour
Formerly known as the Amsterdam ArenA, the facility which is home to AFC Ajax was in 2018 renamed to John Cruyff. The renaming was done to honour Johan Cruyff who was a famous football player and manager. With the rich history of football associated with Ajax, they only found it fitting to honour a legend of the football sport by renaming the stadium after him. The 55,000-seater stadium with a fully retractable roof has existed since 1996 since it was completed. A tour of this great facility reveals a culture developed by the football team in producing exciting young talent who have gone on to grace international footballing platforms. The visit entails an all-access tour that takes 75 minutes. During this time, you get access to the dressing rooms, which are normally out of bounds on matchdays, you access the tunnel and dugout, press conference room, the control room, and the Ajax Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
Amsterdam is amongst the best places to live and visit. The few activities and attractions mentioned above are just but a few. For a great experience, one must make it to the city. It is important to bear in mind that while some of the facilities may be freely accessible, others require a fee. It is for this reason that it is advised that you check ahead of the place you have in mind and possibly make reservations even if it is free. However, it is guaranteed that you cannot be bored if you find yourself in Amsterdam city. AmsterdamYEAH is a perfect guide if you are looking to get something really interesting out of Amsterdam Trip.