This is Part II of my previous blog which highlighted what I did not like about my visit to Amsterdam during the Christmas season. You can find it here for balance.
Though Amsterdam isn't on my list of family friendly destinations, I can't deny that I enjoyed several aspects of our stay. Here they are:
Ice skating at Rembrandtplein felt like a total dream! You would have had to pinch me, to convince me I wasn't starring in a Hallmark Christmas movie. The ice skating rink lies in the middle of a lovely square with beautiful buildings towering over. Illuminated by Christmas lights beaming from various directions and set to the sound of cheerful carols, it's hard to call it anything less than magical. The setting reminded me a bit of New York’s Rockerfeller Center, but with European charm. The cost was also a win! We paid €10 per person for entry and skate rental. Protip: there’s a gorgeous “Rembrantplein” sign that provides a photo opp. There’s also lots of restaurants and shopping experiences available in the area. We really enjoyed an Asian restaurant called, Wok to Go. It was the best food we had in Amsterdam, plus it was casual & budget-friendly.
2. The Christmas Decor - my research told me that the Dutch style of Christmas decor leans towards the minimalist side. Compared to other countries, it definitely wasn't overdone and I appreciated its elegance. Light were everywhere but tastefully so, with various shapes and interesting arrangements.
The architecture is lovely- quite like Denmark the city's layout feels very open, luxurious and spacious. The buildings are also a site to behold!
3. Visit Vondelpark - this is a great free alternative and perfect place for families, even in the cold. Aside from enjoying nature, there's a pretty fun playground for kids.
4. The Winter Market at Museumplein - this spot is lively and buzzing with Christmas excitement. Though it can be crowded, it's definitely fun to stroll around. Stop by your booths of choice to enjoy Christmas treats. The churros were a win for us! Also try Poffertjes (mini Dutch Pancakes served with powdered sugar and butter).
5. The Light Show - I experienced a bit of this enchanting exhibit. A part of Amsterdam's Christmas appeal, is an annual Light Show along the canals. It's a beautiful thing really! Displaying illuminated 3D sculptures designed by artists. These works of art seemingly float along the canals setting the city a glow. There are downsides to viewing the attraction thought. First off is not knowing exactly where along the canals to find the pieces - after all, there are 165 canals in Amsterdam! Additionally, the displays can be quite far away from each other. Thirdly, in the winter it's very cold by the waterfront - the weather is definitely uninviting. For this reason, I highly recommend taking a boat tour to enjoy the lightshow. These are usually heated. Before visiting I had read that walking or cycling were fair options, but I wouldn't recommend those choices at all.
6. The Floating Flower Market- the sight of countless flowers hanging overhead was pretty and definitely provided a nice photo opp. Aside from buying items, there isn't much to do at this stop, but it may still be worth visiting especially, if you're looking for a free activity.
7. Visited The Vending Machine Restaurant- how can you visit Amsterdam without trying this fast food, vending machine phenomenon! It's quite intriguing! FEBO is a local eatery where various items: hamburgers, chicken and local foods are stored in tiny windows and can be purchased. It's quite cool, affordable and yummy!
8. Foodie Experiences: I experienced quite a bit of tasty foods in Amsterdam. Here are some recommendations: Krokette, Kasesouffle, Bitterballen, Churros, Poffertjes, Ollieballen, freshly made Stroopwaffel, Indonesian food (recommendeded in Amsterdam)
9. Visited a Food Market (Albert Cuyp)- this a great alternative to enjoy local foods at a more reasonable price. In other words, it's not a tourist trap like some of my other experiences. Try local cheeses (the Dutch are known for Gouda and Emmantaler), fruits, meats and definitely Poffertjes in this location! Why do I feel like I keep trying about Poffertjes?
10. The Chess Musuem- I searched high and low for free museums and we found one! Anne Frank Museum is of course very popular, but unfortunately from my research, it wasn't suitable for kids. So chess it was! If you're into chess, stop by this little museum. Finding the entry can be tricky but the employees were super friendly and very fluent in English (as most persons in Amsterdam were).
11. Shopping Districts- there are MANY of these just about everywhere! It's hard to miss. You can walk miles and miles just to shop! If Christmas shopping is your thing, you’re in for a treat!
12. Free outdoor exhibit at Moco Museum- the word “free” was music to my ears and pocket in Amsterdam. So I definitely stopped by savoured the exhibits and got my art museum fix!
So there you have it! Twelve things I enjoyed about Amsterdam during the cold season. What else would you add to the list?