Disclaimer: This isn’t a Rick Steves-esque guide to Amsterdam. Kind of like how I’ve never been inside the Louvre (despite visiting Paris five times), I’ve been a terrible ‘typical tourist’ in Amsterdam. No Anne Frank House, no Van Gogh Museum, no tulips or windmills onĀ a day trip outside the city. Thankfully, Bill and I are on the same page when it comes to our travel priorities: eat, drink, walk around aimlessly. And Amsterdam is where we do it best.
Most recently, we visited Amsterdam the weekend before our wedding week in France as a kind of pre-bachelor/ette with my sister & her husband and our friends Mike & Ben.
The most clutch move ever was booking a day rate at the airport hotel when we arrived on a red-eye at Amsterdam Schipol Airport. I found the hotel using the DayUse website, but ended up calling the hotel directly to confirm the booking since they had no record of the DayUse reservation. We were able to crash for a few hours, shower and then head into the city to check into our hotel/Airbnb rested and fully ready to take on Amsterdam for the weekend.
Where to Stay

We’ve done hotels and Airbnbs but nothing beats the first time we came to Amsterdam and we stayed on a houseboat on a canal. We could see swimmers float by holding glasses of wine at sunset through the porthole next to our king bed, and we woke up every morning to a fully stocked picnic basket with pastries, yogurt, bread, juices, coffee and fruit. Though the exact one we stayed in is no longer listed on Airbnb, there are plenty of other similar options.

My second favorite place we’ve stayed would be The Hoxton. It’s the only Hoxton property I’ve stayed at, but I get the feeling that they’re very integrated into their respective neighborhoods and the lobby bars & restaurants are frequented by locals as much as guests. At least that’s how it was at the Hoxton in Amsterdam. Don’t miss out on snapping a pic in the photo booth in the lobby.
Where to Eat

BAK: It’s been nearly 10 years since I’ve eaten here and I’m so happy to see they’re still open! This was a memorable tasting menu experience in a cool, industrial setting on the northern edges of what tourists like me would consider central Amsterdam.

Gitane: Most recently, on our first night in Amsterdam with Riona, Justin, Ben and Mike, we had dinner outside on the patio here and everything was really good. I think we ordered nearly the entire menu and shared everything.

Blin Queen: All-day brunch spot with really good espresso drinks and crepes.
The Craftsmen Kitchen: We grabbed sandwiches & coffees from this cafe and ate outside on their lofted sidewalk seating.
Where to Drink

De Luwte: I’ve been obsessed with porn star martinis for a few years now and I wish they were as ubiquitous here in the US as they are in Europe. A combination of vanilla vodka, passion fruit liqueur, passion fruit puree and lime juice, they’re served up a martini glass with a shot glass of prosecco on the side. It’s not entirely clear to me what you’re supposed to do with the prosecco, so I’ve done it all – drink it like a shot, pour it into the cocktail, offered it to a stranger, etc. This place does a porn star martini tower so obviously, I’m a fan.


Where to Smoke & Other Things to Do
I’m not personally a huge fan of the smokeable weed scene, but when in Amsterdam you know?
DeKroon: This place had a fun, lively, upbeat and social vibe on a Sunday night when we stopped in for Cokes and a joint.

PureBoats: We booked a nighttime cruise through the canals with an open bar. Highly recommend.


