The first week of November is a week off in the hockey world — a built-in stretch that always turns into a much-needed getaway. Amsterdam was one of the first trips we took during that break, and it's still one I think back on the most.
We drove from Bremerhaven to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, parked, and took the train straight into the city. It's an easy handoff — you're not dealing with a car once you're actually in Amsterdam, which is a city built for walking and biking, not driving. We stayed in an Airbnb right on the canals, and that location set the tone for the whole trip before we'd even unpacked.
What to Do in Amsterdam
The Anne Frank House is the one thing on this list I'd call essential. Walking through the actual rooms and learning the history up close hit differently than reading about it ever could — it's the kind of experience that stays with you well after the trip ends. Photos aren't allowed inside, which is part of why it demands your full attention rather than your camera.
The Van Gogh Museum is the other major museum stop, and it's worth the few hours it takes. What stuck with me most wasn't any single painting — it was seeing his work laid out chronologically, watching the progression from his early, darker pieces to the color and movement he became known for later. Seeing that evolution in person, room by room, is a different experience than any print or photo could give you.
The Heineken Experience is fun but skippable if you're short on time. It's a fairly quick, one-and-done kind of stop — interactive, a little touristy, and it ends with a fresh Heineken poured for you, which was a nice way to close it out. I wouldn't build a whole day around it, but if you're already in the area, it's an easy add.
Walking the canals doesn't need a plan, and it might be the thing I'd tell people to prioritize most. There's a particular beauty to Amsterdam's canal streets — the classic bikes parked along the railings with flowers tucked into their baskets, the sheer number of people biking past at any given moment, the water lined with narrow houses at every turn. Some of the best hours of the trip were just wandering without a destination, plus one unplanned stop into a small coffee shop along the way.
Where to Eat in Amsterdam
Pancakes & Burger Bar was our dinner spot — a burger for the main course, pancakes for dessert, in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. Both dishes delivered, which isn't always a given at a restaurant trying to do two things well.
Pllek is worth the extra effort to get to. It's across the water from the main part of the city, so you take a ferry over to reach it, and the restaurant itself is built out of old shipping containers right on the water. It was busy inside the night we went, but the atmosphere stayed cozy rather than chaotic, and the food matched the setting.
The Avocado Show was our last stop before heading home — a breakfast spot where, unsurprisingly, everything comes with avocado in some form. It was a strong way to end the trip.
Where We Stayed
An Airbnb right on the canals — the kind of location that made the whole trip feel more immersive the moment we walked in. Waking up to that view every morning is part of what makes Amsterdam's canal district worth booking, even at a premium over staying further out.
FAQ: Planning a Trip to Amsterdam
How do you get to Pllek in Amsterdam? Pllek is located in Amsterdam-Noord, across the water from the main part of the city, so you'll need to take the GVB ferry to reach it. The ferry is free and runs frequently, but it's still worth building the extra travel time into your plans, especially if you're going for dinner.
Is the Heineken Experience worth doing? It's worth doing once if you're already in the area, but it's a fairly short, self-contained experience rather than something to plan a full day around. It ends with a beer tasting, which is a nice payoff after the tour.
Do you need a car in Amsterdam? No — in fact, a car works against you. Amsterdam's city center is dense, walkable, and full of canals and narrow streets that aren't built for driving. Parking at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and taking the train into the city is the easiest way in, and everything within the center is reachable on foot or by tram once you're there.
How many days do you need in Amsterdam? Three nights was enough time to see the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, the Heineken Experience, and still have unhurried time to walk the canals and try a handful of restaurants without feeling rushed.