Several of my fondest memories as a child involved traveling with my family; whether it was to Mexico, India or other destinations, these moments fueled my passion for traveling at a young age that has only grown as I have gotten older. One location I remember in particular was Amsterdam. We would spend hours in the airport, waiting for our connecting flight to Bombay, India, where my mother is from. Because we never ventured out, I decided to head back to the City of Canals, first in 2017, and most recently, January 2019 before catching the Thalys Train to Paris.

Beginning 2019 with a trip that means so much to me was special. I remembered certain streets, as well as stores, shops and bakeries. I knew to avoid the bikers, who ride determinedly and often, cold weather be damned. But most importantly, I remembered how I feel at home in the Dutch capital. Below, I’ve selected my favorite spots to visit while in the city of canal, even if you are only there for 48-hours ( like I was!).  

Walking:

Navigating Amsterdam is relatively easy, partly because the city is quite small. I suggest walking, or renting a bike, when visiting to get the most out of the city. If not, there are trams, buses and trains that run on time and can take you pretty much everywhere you need to go. 

Neighborhood:

As a New Yorker, I love neighborhoods. When visiting other cities, I enjoy learning about a particular area and its demographics; who lives there, what they do, how many restaurants, cafes and bars are nearby and more. For me, this makes it easier to understand a city and the way it works. One of my favorite neighorhoods in Amsterdam is the Joordaan. Trendy, fashionable and conveniently located near the center of the city, you can find several restaurants and cafes, as well as some of the most beautiful homes ( especially when you peek into second floor residences and notice the most amazing chandeliers and ceiling treatments! )

Museum: 

Being an exhibition designer, museums are important to me: I love them, I want to design them, and I love a good exhibition. However, when on vacation, I often find that I would rather spend my time exploring the city, rather than pursuing through a Museum’s collection. However, I highly recommend visiting the Remembrandt Museum while visiting Amsterdam. Located in his former house, visitors can experience his home in an intimate setting, with small tours provided. Another favorite of mine is Rijksmuseum, with its extensive and impressive works of art on display, as well as beautiful architectural structure.

Food:

Amsterdam has some of the best bread I have ever had. One of my favorite spots to visit is Cafe de Jaren located right on the canals. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, with large seating areas and an upstairs restaurant as well. Make sure to relax and peruse their magazine and newspaper selections on display as well. 

Amsterdam is an extraordinary city in the Netherlands that is relatively small, making for an easy trip in which you can see many sites and experience all the city has to offer. An aded bonus: take the train to nearby Rotterdam, Amsterdam’s lively and diverse sister city located just an hour away, for more activities and authentic Dutch experiences to be found. Thanks for reading!