Travel Made Joyful

Trip Recap: Amsterdam like a Local


Three Days of Canals, Culture & Kid-Friendly Finds

The Basics

Who: Me, my colleague (and native Dutchie!) Annelot, and my 11-year-old son — the perfect trio for this trip, since Annelot’s local insight paired with a kid’s-eye view gave us a much fuller picture of the city.

What: Three days exploring Amsterdam on foot and by public transit, digging into authentic experiences, standout dining, and kid-friendly activities.

When: August 2026

Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Why: Purely in scouting mode — I wanted to experience the city’s authentic experiences, great dining, and family-friendly options firsthand so I can plan it with confidence for clients, especially those looking to add Amsterdam to a European itinerary.

Learnings

What I Loved

Amsterdam is wonderfully compact — the city is easy to explore on foot or by public transit, which made it low-stress even with an 11-year-old in tow. We loved wandering past the independent shops, restaurants, and cafes tucked into nearly every block, and there’s genuinely something for every age when it comes to exploring the culture. It’s also incredibly well-connected, making it an easy add-on stop whether you’re coming from elsewhere in Europe or straight from the US.

A few experiences stood out above the rest:

  • Our food tour with Hungry Birds — a fantastic way to get oriented and eat well on day one.
  • The Anne Frank House — a moving, essential experience for the whole family.
  • A canal boat cruise — the classic Amsterdam view, and a hit with my son, who got to drive the boat! We love Pure Boats, but we tested out Off Course Amsterdam this time and they were fantastic as well.

And of course, we had some genuinely great meals along the way.

A plate of layered cake slices displaying alternating chocolate and vanilla stripes, served on a white dish inside a bamboo steamer.
A young boy holding a chocolate cookie while looking down at it, with trees and buildings in the background.
A woman and two children holding stroopwafels in front of a colorful backdrop featuring a windmill and a greeting from Amsterdam.
Three servings of pickled herring on paper trays, garnished with chopped onions and pickle slices, alongside small flags.
Three sandwiches on metal plates, featuring layers of meat and coleslaw, on a wooden table.
A slice of apple pie topped with whipped cream on a small plate, placed on a wooden table.

What I’d Change

Not everything lived up to the hype. The WONDR experience felt more like an Instagram trap than a meaningful activity — pretty for photos, but not much substance behind it. The Rijksmuseum is undeniably beautiful, but the kid-friendly audio guide didn’t hold my son’s attention the way we’d hoped; it’s a better fit for clients who are serious art aficionados than for families looking for an engaging, interactive visit.

Next time, we’d also look at staying somewhere with a bit more boutique charm, ideally right on a canal. We used IHG points to stay at the Kimpton De Witt, which was convenient, modern, and pleasant — but not quite the classic Amsterdam canal-house experience we’d want to offer clients chasing that specific vibe.

Tips for Travelers

  • Book Anne Frank House tickets early. They go on sale at 10am every Tuesday, six weeks in advance, and sell out fast — don’t wait.
  • Skip the cabs and Ubers. Amsterdam is made for public transit and walking; expensive rideshares just aren’t necessary.
  • Wander De Pijp and 9 Streets. Both neighborhoods are packed with local shops perfect for vintage finds and unique souvenirs.
  • Explore the global food scene. Beyond classic Dutch fare, we loved digging into Indonesian and Surinamese cuisine — both deeply woven into Amsterdam’s culinary identity.
  • Skip the trendy TikTok stroopwafel stands and go straight to Rudi’s originals instead — worth every euro.
A woman and a boy smiling for a selfie in front of picturesque canal houses in Amsterdam, with a cloudy sky in the background.
Two women stand on a cobblestone street in Amsterdam, looking into the distance. One woman is wearing a blue jacket and a red bag while the other is dressed in a striped outfit. There are traditional Dutch buildings and a canal in the background, under a cloudy sky.
A group of three people smiling together inside a bar, with shelves of bottles in the background. Two women, one wearing glasses and the other with a red bag, stand next to a boy wearing a black t-shirt.

Final Words

Three days in Amsterdam was just enough to fall for the city’s easy walkability, rich culture, and incredible food scene — while also gathering exactly the kind of firsthand knowledge that makes recommending it to clients feel personal and genuine. Whether it’s a standalone city break or a stop on a larger European itinerary, Amsterdam has something for travelers of every age and interest.

Ready to explore Amsterdam and the Netherlands? Let’s start planning.

Two people standing in front of a historic brick building with large windows and green doors in Amsterdam.
A self-portrait of a man with a beard, wearing a hat and a coat, set against a textured blue background.
A girl sitting on an oversized teal chair with a boy standing beside her in a brightly lit room featuring geometric wall designs and a large window.

Katie Hensel

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