From the Old to the Odd: Amsterdam tourist attractions

The beauty of Amsterdam's attractions comes not so much from the city's one of a kind architecture, although Amsterdam certainly does have a lot to offer in that regard.  Instead, Amsterdam has so much to offer from the old Oude Kerk to the odd Hash Marihuana Museum that it's often difficult to know where to start a tour of the city. 

Well, why worry yourself about it when you can just roam around the city and be prepared for exciting surprises around the corner?  Along the way, you can discover little gems away from the well-trodden tourist track as well as big jewels that every tourist to the city must see to complete the Amsterdam experience.  

After your journey of discovery, make sure you book your Amsterdam accommodation in advance. You will find lots of different options of Amsterdam holiday apartments online. You want to be able to put your feet up in comfortable quarters and replenish your energy for another day of exploration tomorrow. 

Zipping Away 

The smallest but the most interesting thing visitors will see in the streets of Amsterdam is the Canta.  It is probably the world's smallest car, sufficiently small to fit in a wheelchair right through its rear and hence, making driving while sitting in a wheelchair possible.  There is no need to get a driver's license to be able to zip in and out of traffic, in bike paths and even in the shopping malls with the Canta!  

Blast from the Past 

Amsterdam is famous for its museums, which is not a surprise considering that the country itself has a long history worthy of being showcased.  What may be surprising is the variety of odds and ends that can be found in the museums such as the implements of smoking marijuana at the Hash Marihuana Museum.  Well, of course, there are high-brow museums along the lines of the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Rijksmuseum, to mention a few of the over 50 museums in the city.  

Water Bound 

Amsterdam is not known as the Venice of the North for nothing.  The number of canals crisscrossing the city provide for many pleasant excursions via a boat cruise and a canal tour, both of which combine relaxation by day and enchantment by night.  Take the tours in the four main city canals of Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel but make sure to discover the smaller canals of the Jordaan area to cap off your experience.

Relax in Open Space

One of the best attractions in Amsterdam is relaxing in open air in one of the city's many parks.  The parks are beautifully landscaped with picnic tables and chairs as well as green grass on which to pass the time.  Choose from the likes of Vondelpark, the largest park right smack in the city center, the Beatrixpark, Sarphatipark and Westerpark, to name a few. 

Shop Like Crazy 

You can also shop like the people of Amsterdam do - in the vast squares like the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein as well as the old markets of Nieuwmarkt, Westermarkt and Noordermarkt.  These places are entertainment and shopping centers perfect for buying souvenirs to take home. 

Amsterdam is not just about windmills, although it must be noted that there are 8 in the city!