#1 Hunting for street art
Amsterdam is a creative city and you will find great street art in various places. Look for street art in the Spuistraat and the surrounding area. And it’s not just about graffiti. Also look at the decoration of the bicycles, small public libraries and other small objects. You can also marvel at the supersize street art in Southeast. The walls of colossal apartment blocks, passages and residential complexes have been transformed into true works of art here. You can join an alternative tour about subcultures, the hidden life in Amsterdam such as prostitution and drugs, street art and much more. But exploring the neighborhood on your own is of course just as fun! Another recommendation is the new STRAAT Museum on the NDSM site in Amsterdam North.
The largest weapon of Amsterdam
#2 Put on your detective hat and do an Escape Room
Ever heard of an Escape Room? An escape room is a room full of riddles and puzzles. Together with your friends you have to find the solution and finally the key to escape from the room. It is a perfect activity for a rainy day.
Enter a themed room such as The Gallery or The Orient Express. Perhaps the coolest escape room is Locked in Amsterdam. The story is simple: 20 years ago, the Russian submarine K-129 mysteriously disappeared in the North Pacific. A journalist studying the incident suddenly disappears and the situation becomes serious. Find out what happened to the journalist, the submarine and stay one step ahead of the Russian secret service…
#3 Mini Golf in the dark
Mini Golf. It’s simple, fun and cheap. And actually anyone can play it. Play a 45 minute game at Glow-In-The-Dark Mini Golf.
What does that mean? It’s actually not pitch dark, it’s magical blacklight that creates an exciting effect. This is a perfect activity for families with children, birthdays and maybe even a date. It costs less than 10 euros and takes 45 minutes. Perfect for a rainy day in Amsterdam.
#4 SWING on the highest swing in Europe
You can jump on the highest swing in Europe here; over the edge, on top of the A’DAM LOOKOUT Tower. You’ll be strapped onto the Over the Edge swing at nearly 100 feet. Here you have the best view of Amsterdam. Because the city is quite flat, without too many high-rises, you can identify so many points of interest.
Whether you jump on the swing or not, here you can enjoy a 360° skydeck with a view over Amsterdam!
Over The Edge
#5 Free music, comedy and shows in Vondelpark
In the Vondelpark you can do much more than have a nice picnic. In the summer there is an open-air theater called “Openlichttheater”. There are shows, workshops, cabaret and other special events. The schedule varies. Be sure to check out their website for the schedule.
#6 Discover the Albert Cuyp market
The Albert Cuyp is the largest daily street market in Europe. Here you will find everything; from food, second hand, souvenirs, smoothies, art, fashion and so on. A nice market to spend some time.
#7 Ice Ice Baby: de ijsbar
Walk into the coolest bar in town and grab a jacket and gloves so you can tolerate the -10° while sipping your cocktail or beer. Everything here, even your chair and your glass, is made of ice.
It is not necessary to bring an extra warm jacket yourself. The ICE Bar takes care of everything. The perfect way to start or end your evening on the town!
#8 Heineken experience
After the extra cold ice bar, the Heineken Experience is also a lot of fun. Especially if you like beer. Come and discover what lies behind the doors of the former Heineken® brewery and learn all about the world’s favorite beer. Here you can see how Gerard Adriaan Heineken’s beloved beer has been drunk for more than 150 years and you get a look at his vision, innovations and the ingredients that go into the beer!
#9 Spend a day in Haarlem
You can cycle to Haarlem, a picturesque village west of Amsterdam, near the Keukenhof. It’s the local small version of Amsterdam. It gives you an idea of the authentic Netherlands. Because believe us, when we say: Amsterdam is not the typical Netherlands. From Haarlem you can easily cycle to the beach and get lost in the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.
#10 Sleeping on piles of money at Youseum
Ever wanted to dive into a literal sea of likes and sit back on piles of cash in the International Bank of You? How about getting married in an LGBTQ chapel? These immersive exhibits are all about you! Discover a little about yourself and a lot about art, identity and the power of social media in this truly unique experience!
Sleeping in a trendy hotel
The city is dotted with several options to stay. Hostels, Airbnb, apartments. And in Amsterdam you will find thousands of hotels. So many, that it can be difficult to choose just one. A tip for a great boutique hotel is definitely Innside Amsterdam . Conveniently located on the Zuidas, next to the WTC, in the heart of Amsterdam’s thriving business district. Modern and clean. There is a Spanish restaurant and a sky bar on the 19th floor, where tapas, cocktails and panoramic views await. A state-of-the-art fitness center on the 18th. A so-called Big Idea Space for brainstorming, meeting and making contacts. And not unimportant: an excellent price-quality ratio. A brand new home for curious minds.
