Amsterdam is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, and rightly so. The Dutch capital has charming canals, great museums and is worth a visit at any time of year. Apart from that, many beautiful beaches and picturesque fishing villages can be found in the surrounding area.
Amsterdam is home to many historic merchants’ houses dating from the Dutch Golden Age. The narrow facades of the houses, the shapes of the gables and the hooks, which are still used today to transport bulky furniture in and out, are particularly characteristic.
However, architecture and history may not be the first things that come to your mind when visiting the Dutch capital with children. Amsterdam is an incredibly walkable city and has a lot to offer. Continue reading to learn more about the best things to do in Amsterdam with your family. Admission tickets to these attractions can be found in Tours & Tickets Amsterdam office, situated in the very heart of the city.
Madame Tussauds
Amsterdam is famous for its many museum but this attraction is perfect to explore with the whole family. The wax replicas of stars and celebrities are highly detailed. Thanks to multimedia technology and high-tech animatronics, meeting your favorite celebrities here will be a dynamic experience for all. Pose next to the Dutch king, meet Beyoncé or record a duet with Adele!
Artis Royal Zoo
The Artis Royal Zoo lies in the heart of the Dutch capital and is the oldest zoo of the country. It actually dates back as far as 1838! Today, it is home to more than 550 different animal species and hundreds of different types of plants and trees. Watch giraffes graze next to zebras, visit the Butterfly House or learn more about giant elephants. The zoo is perfect for a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Body Worlds Amsterdam
This attraction is truly unique and gives children a fascinating look into the human body. Using the example of real human bodies that have been conserved through plastination, they give a good idea of what our anatomy looks like and how the human body works.
The current exhibition’s theme is The Happiness Project and shows how our daily decisions affect our happiness and well-being. This makes Body Worlds an equally fascinating and educational experience.
NEMO Science Museum
Another fun, interactive and educational museum is the NEMO Science Museum. In multiple exhibitions visitors experience science and its history in an exciting way. Hundreds of games show how chemistry, biology, physics and engineering work from up-close. At a chemistry laboratory visitors can even perform their own experiment under supervision.
Pancake Cruise
A canal cruise is a must when visiting Amsterdam! There is no better way to explore the historic city center and its many canals. If you want to combine sightseeing with lunch or dinner, we highly recommend a Pancake Cruise. Plus, the Dutch are known for their great pancakes.
This cruise experience combines a boat tour on the IJ river with an all-you-can-eat pancake buffet. The Dutch pancakes can be loaded with all your favorite toppings, including Dutch cheese, bacon, fruit, chocolate, syrup and many more. Kids can enjoy the scrumptious pancakes and also play at the enormous ball pit at the back of the boat.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
The world of the unbelievable and bizarre! Attraction and museum at the same time, Ripley’s collection features some of the world’s most unique oddities. Hear extraordinary stories, make your way through the only Space Tunnel in the Netherlands and play around with optical illusions. This is the place to be for lovers of odd facts!
In case you want to see what Ripley’s Believe it or not is like, I have a blog post reviewing it, read it here.
Johan Cruijff ArenA Stadium Tour
This stadium tour is a must-do for any football fan. The audio guide takes visitors on a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour in the Netherlands’ biggest stadium. You will see the dressing rooms, walk through the players’ tunnel, the pitch and much more, giving you an exclusive look at how the stadium in the southeast of Amsterdam works.
