For my thirty-first birthday I wanted to gift myself with a trip, after much decision Dustin and I finally decided on Amsterdam. We flew out Monday March 6th, which had us arriving in Amsterdam on Tuesday March 7th around eight or nine in the morning.

Accommodation: Amadi Park Hotel, this hotel was more of a boutique hotel but in my opinion it was beautiful, I have no complaints. The location was walking distance from everything we wanted to see.

Getting to/from the airport: When we arrived in Amsterdam we took the public transportation: a train and then a tram to get to our hotel. Leaving Amsterdam we called an uber to get to the airport. I highly recommend public transportation here, the tram system is easy to figure out and they’re also great for sight-seeing!

Weather in March: Okay, I don’t care what you’re seeing on tiktok and IG Amsterdam is COLD in March. So don’t even think about wearing that mini skirt without tights or that crop top – you will regret it. I packed a heavy jacket, sweaters and tights and a hat… and i still ended up buying mittens! I’m from Chicago so let me tell you it was cold. Also, pack an umbrella.

What to See/Do/ Attractions

Anne Frank Haus: I cannot believe I had not visited sooner, this was the absolute most incredible experience I have had in Amsterdam, it tops most sites I have visited traveling overall. We visited the house that Anne Frank and her family lived in hiding from persecution from the Nazis during WWII. The house has since been turned into a museum and is where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary. As someone who read Anne Frank’s diary as a young girl and had a very in depth history lesson on WWII and Anne Frank in eighth grade I was starstruck to be in the actual house that Anne Frank wrote her diary in. I cannot recommend to visit during your time in Amsterdam enough. I do recommend buying tickets in advance because they tend to sell out.

Heineken Brewery: This is a super fun experience if you drink or even if you don’t (Heineken offers an alcohol free option) this is an interactive tour of the huge heineken factory, filled with history, games, and beer. The tour has changed over the years since the last time I visited, personally I enjoyed the tour more seven years ago, but what can ya do.

Canal Boat Tour: A great way to talk a break from all of the walking (and perhaps biking?) I imagine it would be beautiful on a sunny day but we had to make do with what we were given and on our final day in Amsterdam it was rainy (I also was hungover *see Excalibur*) so the canal boat tour was the perfect opportunity to sit, relax, and take in the sites.

Rijksmuseum & Gardens: One of the most popular museums in Amsterdam and a great place to learn about the history and arts of Amsterdam. The gardens and area surrounding it are beautiful and a great place to just stroll around and enjoy the weather, and sometimes live music.
* The I AMSTERDAM sign used to be located here but I found out that it was moved closer to the airport because the sign was accused of promoting tourism (?)

Vondelpark: Get in your steps and take in the beautiful views, we walked the entirety of the park (and them I’m pretty sure we walked back…. we did a lot of walking in Amsterdam.)

Van Gogh Museum: We did not visit the Van Gogh museum (this time) but I had visited in the past. I love Van Gogh, he is probably my favorite artist but the museum is depressing IMO (If you know about Van Gogh’s life I’m sure you will understand) but it is a great place to visit and learn about him and his life.

Explore the outdoor markets: The farmers market Le Marche aux fleurs d’Amsterdam is a great place to just stroll and enjoy taking everything in. You can also stop and buy some tulip seedlings to take home.

Rent a bike & Go see the tulips (seasonal)– this was not an option for March. If you’re a confident bike rider you can also just rent a bike and ride it around the city, I however, am not a confident enough rider and seeing two bike crashes while visiting I became even less confident.

Red Light District: They have many museums and other activities in this area, I find the museum of Prostitution very informative and interesting, there is also the erotic museum and the museum of sex. I do believe that all visitors should visit Red Light Secrets (or the museum of Prostitution) and please also, be respectful. The reason I love visiting this area? Excalibur. A bar that I have had the best times in, and seven years later my favorite bartender was still working!

Time to Eat !

Okay, so in the past I was thoroughly disappointed by the food options in Amsterdam but they definitely upped their game in the last seven years (or I just have gotten better at finding good restaurant options, probably this one).

Vlaams fritehuis “Vleminckx de Sausmeester”: Okay, so I love my frites/fries/chips, the last time I was in Amsterdam I believe I almost went on a chip only diet (Chipsy king still has a special place in my heart) this time visiting we decided to visit the famous Vlaams friehuis and it was delicious, the line is usually fairly long but it was a rainy day so we were able to order and receive our fries in no time at all.

Mondial Pancake House: I absolutely recommend to visit this place for not only you’re huge Dutch pancake cravings but for the poffertjes (my favorites). This place is awesome.

Van Wonderen Stroopwaffels: One of the best place to get a delicious dressed up stroopwaffel. The line here can also get quite long, and the stroopwaffels are huge! I had to share mine because I was too full of frites.

Foodhallen: This is a massive food hall that was a short walk from our hotel, it offered a huge variety of different types of food ranging from vietnamese to pasta, meatballs, indian, mediterranean, burgers, pizza, ramen, traditional amsterdam treats, Portuguese sandwiches, this isn’t even the half of eat. We ended up eating here twice during our visit. The first night I wanted a Banh mi sandwich but they had ran out of bread so instead I ordered a Banh Mi bowl and oh my god. I can still taste it when I think about it. So delicious. Dustin had a prosciutto sandwich from one of the first food stands when you walk in on the right and it was delicious too. The next time we came back we enjoyed the Dutch meatballs, a wrap from the Indian food stand, and some gyoza.

Cheese Shops: I always love stopping in and trying all the different types of cheeses, and of course buying some to bring home.

Gent aan de Schinkel: This is a super chill and awesome pub where we decided to grab some snacks and beers after exploring all day. We ordered some traditional dutch snacks ( the croquettes, some cheeses and raw sausage) and enjoyed the atmosphere. I really loved this place.

Pastai: Our last night in Amsterdam (I was definitely a little hungover from the night before) Dustin & I were craving pasta and wow this place really delivered. It was probably Dustin’s favorite meal. I ordered the cacio e pepe and he had the special with truffle, we also had the burrata. It was sooo good.

FEBO: oh god. Okay in the past I stopped at a Febo stand because it’s something you have to do. Now, what you don’t have to do is decide to just have your dinner from one. I know let’s just not…. We stayed out too late and by the time we realized we had forgone dinner everything was closed so I ended up with a cheeseburger from the FEBO stand. Just don’t do it. Try to croquettes and bitterballen, or even some chips but just don’t get the burger.

*Yeah, this visit to Amsterdam I have to admit the food was beyond amazing, like seriously. All of it…. but….

& Some places to drink

Gent aan de Schinkel: A chill pub with food and drinks, as mentioned above

Excalibur: An awesome motorcycle bar with great drink deals and the coolest of bartenders, (if you visit say whats up to my guy Skip). They’ve got a pool table upstairs and play great music. I love this place.

The Black Tiger: Across the street from Excalibur, this area just has really lively night life so we went bar hopping around here, beginning with and concluding with Excalibur.

The Old Sailor: This place was super busy. A very popular pub if you’re looking for some social life.

Cafe Bar the Pint / Cafe De Stoof: We grabbed a pint at one of these pubs but I didn’t pay attention and I am not 100% sure which one, so hey maybe stop in both and let me know which one had great beer and good vibes 🙂 thanks.

We went to two other bars after Excalibur closed but I have no idea what the names were, if you’re looking for a late night bar Cafe Bar the Pint and Door 74 are open until four AM. I am almost positive one of the bars Dustin and I ended up in before heading home was:

SOHO Amsterdam: A lively and crowded gay bar with drag shows, open until 4 AM. I have no idea how I was able to do the Nancy Drew work and find out that this was the last bar we went to because I had nothing to go off of besides the bathroom was located upstairs and there was a drag show, I can only go off the photos but I’m pretty sure this was the place, great vibes.

I absolutely love Amsterdam. Everything about it. I would go back any day in the blink of an eye, and if you visit I hope these recommendations help you out. If you have any questions feel free to reach out 🙂