A 4-Day Amsterdam Itinerary the Whole Family Will Love

Embark on a free walking tour to get acquainted with Amsterdam's historic center (Binnenstad). Learn about the city's rich history, iconic architecture, and local culture from a knowledgeable guide. A great way to stretch your legs and get an overview after arrival.

"Great tour with Yasmien. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Good level of information and interaction. Great tips for food and coffee. Lovely introduction to Amsterdam for our family weekend. Thanks, David"— David Dunlop

Relax on a scenic canal cruise through Amsterdam's famous waterways. Admire the charming gabled houses, historic bridges, and vibrant canal life from a unique perspective. This activity fulfills a Tier 1 'Canal Ring Exploration & Cruises' must-have experience.

"What a lovely canal boat ride. Captain-Tallon and Hostess Raffaella were amazing. A gorgeous day for a ride. Trip was just the right length. Very informative and educational. Would highly recommend this trip. Convenient location and good value for the money."— Doug Dolsen

Discover the peaceful Begijnhof, a historic enclosed courtyard dating back to the Middle Ages. This tranquil haven offers a glimpse into Amsterdam's past, featuring traditional houses and a hidden church, providing a quiet and reflective historical experience.

"Really interesting place with free entry. It is an historical place of the town. People still live in this place and there is a church with really interesting paintings. It is a sacred place and silence is mandatory. Inside there church musical events take place."— emanuele boscari

Explore the Netherlands' national museum, home to a rich collection of Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer, as well as an extensive historical art collection. This is a must-visit for art and history lovers and is also recognized as kid-friendly.

"The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is an outstanding museum and an absolute must-visit. The collection is beautifully curated and takes you on a fascinating journey through Dutch art and history. Seeing masterpieces like Rembrandt’s The Night Watch in person is truly unforgettable. The building itself is stunning, spacious, and well organized, making the visit enjoyable even when it’s busy. The staff is professional and helpful, and all facilities are well managed. I highly recommend booking the museum’s guided tour (costing €7.50). It lasts about one hour and offers an excellent overview of the main masterpieces, providing deeper insight and context that truly enhances the experience. It’s definitely worth the small additional fee. Plan to spend at least a few hours here to fully appreciate everything. A highlight of any trip to Amsterdam!"— Vania Venuti

Delve into the world of Vincent van Gogh at this museum dedicated to his works. Witness his iconic paintings, drawings, and letters, offering a profound insight into his life and art. The museum is considered kid-friendly, making it suitable for families.

"This is without a doubt one of the best museum experiences I've ever had in all my years of travel. It's expensive, around €50 for 2 tickets, but I really felt that it was totally worth it. It took us about 90 minutes to make our way through the museum and it was such a wonderful use of time. I've always been really intrigued by Van Gogh but to see his work up close, it was overwhelming. My advice is to pay the extra €3.75 for the audio tour. It's so completely worth the money. Amazingly well done and immersive and just ties everything you're seeing together with interesting information. Lockers are provided free of charge which is a nice touch. It had been raining the morning we went and it was nice to be able to leave our coats and bags in a locker and be comfortable walking around. There are bathrooms in two locations that I seen and they were clean. The gift shop was also really reasonably priced, which was a surprise because they can be quite expensive!"— Chyrelle McAlister

Visit the poignant hiding place of Anne Frank and her family during WWII, exploring the secret annex and learning about her powerful story through personal effects and historical documents. Book tickets well in advance as they sell out quickly.

"Buy tickets way in advance. Tourist prime time purchase months prior, in off season weeks prior. They sell out everyday. When you walk in they have free coat check. You get a listening device and get to walk through with a self guided tour. This is not handicap accessible. (Narrow stairs). Very limited chances to sit. All standing and takes a little over an hour. Overall very unique museum experience. No cameras allowed. Very friendly staff. Nice gift shop. This is a must see when visiting Amsterdam. I would not do it again. It's a one and done experience."— Melissa Witt

Explore the historic ARTIS zoo, one of the oldest in Europe, set in a beautiful park-like environment. Discover a wide variety of animals, a planetarium, and an aquarium, providing an engaging experience for the whole family.

"The zoo is very beautiful. It was incredible to walk through the zoo while canals surrounded it everywhere; it felt like being on an island. The surroundings with all the plants are very well designed. The animal enclosures are also very species-appropriate. The hall with the butterflies and the sea lions was my highlight. The aquarium building was still under construction, but that will probably be worth visiting as well. We were very surprised by how many animals there were. The only thing is that the restaurant, which only serves vegetarian food, should be labeled more clearly. We didn’t realize it was vegetarian until we tried the food, although that wasn’t a problem at all. There are playgrounds, children’s paths, seating areas, plenty of toilets, etc. There really is something for everyone, from students to families or couples. We could walk there directly from the city center. The prices were also affordable."— Thomas

Engage with hands-on science and technology exhibits in a unique ship-like building, perfect for all ages. It offers panoramic views from its rooftop plaza, providing a fun and interactive learning experience.

"NEMO Science Museum was a partial experience for me because I did not go inside. I went mainly to explore the building itself and the rooftop. When I arrived and saw the number of children, it became clear that this is primarily a family and science oriented museum, probably much more enjoyable for kids and interactive group visits. My visit was solo, so I focused on the architectural side. Designed by Renzo Piano and completed in 1997, the building is impressive when you think about its time. This was before advanced parametric modeling and the tools we rely on today. The ship like form rising from the water is bold and confident. The oxidized green copper cladding gives it a strong identity, and the aging of the material adds character rather than weakness. The rooftop is the real gift. A public terrace with solar panels, planted areas, and panoramic views over Amsterdam. Even without entering the museum, the architectural gesture and the city experience from above make the visit worthwhile."— Ibrahim N

Explore centuries of Dutch maritime history through interactive exhibits, ship models, and a full-size replica of an 18th-century East Indiaman ship docked outside. A great way to learn about the Netherlands' seafaring past.

"Very entertaining museum. We arrived a little bit too late, since we didn't expect so much content inside the museum. You can see a replica of XVIII century ship "amsterdam". Plenty of interactive elements inside and a lot of interesting information on board. The museum itself (building) is also very interesting and you can see a lot of paintings, sea equipment, and get a lot of information about Dutch maritime history. Please remember to arrive at least 2 hours before closing!"— Jakub Reszke

Transfer to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for your international flight home to New York, NY. Allow ample time for airport transfer, check-in, and security procedures for your 9:00 PM flight.

"Amsterdam Schiphol is one of my favorite airports to travel through. It’s impressively efficient, with clear and intuitive signage that makes navigating the terminals easy—even during busy travel times. Everything feels well organized and thoughtfully laid out, which takes a lot of the stress out of flying. The abundance of food options is another big plus, with something for every taste whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a proper sit-down meal. On top of that, the airport is beautifully designed, with a clean, modern aesthetic that makes spending time there genuinely pleasant. Overall, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol strikes the perfect balance between functionality and atmosphere. It’s an airport that consistently makes travel feel smoother and more enjoyable."— Frank Garcia