3 Days in Amsterdan - an Itinerary

Based on my post about a last minute Spring Break trip to Amsterdam, I thought I'd summarize our thoughts with a Sample 3-Day Long Weekend Itinerary for Amsterdam. Enjoy!
 
3-Day Long Weekend Itinerary for Amsterdam:

Day 1 (Thursday):

• Morning Arrival
• Head towards the city for lunch at a café in the Jordaan
• Afternoon wine and cheese cruise
• Visit the Anne Frank House*
• Dinner at: Bar Gui

 
*Note about the Anne Frank House: It is a small museum and only sells a limited number of tickets each day. Tickets go on sale every Tuesday at 10:00am for a visit 6 weeks out. I strongly advise purchasing your Anne Frank tickets as soon as they become available.
 
Day 2 (Friday):

• Museum morning at the Museumplein (Museum Park):
• Start with the Van Gogh Museum (NOTE: pre-purchase your tickets as soon as you plan your trip – the museum in now limiting the number of guests each day.)
• Take a coffee break
• Visit the Rikjsmuseum later in the morning (Remember to book a private tour for the docent’s expertise, and to skip the line. We found ours through Get Your Guide)
• Have Lunch at the museum café or outside along the park (weather permitting)
• Afternoon: rent bicycles and explore Vondelpark and along the waterfront
• Dinner at:  Tujuh Maret (Indonesian cuisine)

 
Day 3 (Saturday):

• Ride your bicycles to the Jordaan for the Saturday morning Noordermarkt and explore the stalls.

·      Options for the afternoon:

• After the market, ride toward De 9 Straatjes. Here you can have lunch at a café and do some shopping.

       OR

•  Take the train to Zaanse Schans for the windmills and the restoration village.

 
Additional Options to Consider:

• Depending on the season that you are there, do not miss the Keukenhof Flower Festival in the Spring, (we were there too early). My husband has been there twice and its amazing! (Note: for 2025 the dates are March 20 – May 11)
• The Rembrandt House Museum is another one worth visiting, especially after the Rijksmuseum.
• The L’Adam Lookout swing is something I haven’t done yet, but is on my list.
• The Heineken Brewery Tour is just down the street from the Van Gogh museum, so it is centrally located. It is informative and fun, with lots of interactive activities and great lighting for the IG.
• The NEMO Science Museum is must see if you’re traveling with the kids.
• If you are there during the warmer weather, try out one of the paddle boats in the canals. It’s a very different experience than the wine and cheese cruise, and it is super fun.

 
Food Not to Miss:

• Stroopwafels (at Van Wonderen, or Landskroon)
• Bitterballen
• The Pancake Bakery
• Artisan Fries (at Heertjefriet, Mannekenpis, Vleminckx, or Ter Marsch & Co.)
• Stubbe's Haring, located on the Singel canal
• Coffee at De Haven van Texel (great canal views)

And as you plan your trip, be sure to visit my list of Top 10 Travel Essentials.