A Girl’s Weekend in Amsterdam: Food and Fun
I went to Amsterdam with my 81 year old mom and 22 year old niece for a weekend getaway. It was my niece’s first time in Amsterdam so we wanted to make sure she saw a lot of what Amsterdam had to offer. Unfortunately, it was a last minute trip and a I had a really difficult time finding a place to stay for 3 people. Hotels were really expensive and all the tickets to the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House were sold out. I found out later that all the ‘Swiffters’ were in town to see Taylor Swift in concert. Note to myself: do not go where Taylor Swift goes if you do not plan on seeing her show. In the end I was able to find one ticket for my niece on ticketswap. So it is possible to find tickets to Anne Frank House, but 1/ you have to wake up super early on Tuesday’s morning when they release new tickets a few weeks in advance or 2/ you have to constantly look on ticketswap and hope someone has to bail out at the last minute. For Van Gogh, I wasn’t as lucky so we didn’t go. We could have gone through a pre-booked tour, but I didn't feel the additional cost was worth it as my mom and I had already seen it. I do think it's worth it 1/if tickets are sold out and you really want to go 2/ if you want to skip the line and have never been. The tours don’t work for visiting the Anne Frank House.
Now. Back to our trip.
Since I arrived late on Friday night, our girls’ weekend started at the lively De Hallen Amsterdam. This former tram depot has been transformed into a cultural center with a food hall, restaurants, cinema, and hotel. As it was already late, we went straight to the FoodHallen, a bustling covered market with a variety of food stalls. My mom and niece really enjoyed the tasty crepes. I wanted to try the famous bitterballen from De Ballenbar, owned by Michelin-starred chef Peter Gast, but they were already closed so I drank a beer instead.
The Maker Store was closed so we didn’t get the chance to discover the locally-made products that are sold there.
We sat around watching people dance then went to the hotel and called it a night.
We stayed at the Hotel Espresso City Center
Saturday: Market Adventures and Canal Cruising
Our Saturday began with a delicious breakfast at Uncommon, where we enjoyed banana bread with the most delicious toppings, cinnamon buns and sipped on flat whites. Energized and ready to explore, we took a train to the Lindengracht Market. We were amazed by the variety of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and especially the beautiful (and affordable!) flowers and regretted that we didn’t have a kitchen to cook in.
We strolled east along Lindengracht to the picturesque Brouwersgracht, where we climbed the Lekkeresluis bridge. 
The neighboring Noordermarkt was another highlight, with its organic produce, antiques, vintage jewelry and clothes. I bought a 10 euro pair of Levis and my niece bought some cool sunglasses. Afterwards we walked along the scenic Prinsengracht canal and soaked in the beauty of Amsterdam.
In the afternoon, we took a relaxing boat tour with Those Damn Boat Guys to get a better view and a bit of history of the Canal Belt (Grachtengordel). Side note: this tour was completely sold out when I tried to reserve the night before, but I sent an email and they quickly responded that there were spots left on a boat that wasn’t listed on their website.
For a late lunch, we stopped at Café Hegeraad for some cheese, raw sausage and apple pie. Later, we took a quick walk through the red-light district, which offered an interesting glimpse into Amsterdam's diverse culture.
After a brief rest at our hotel, we headed to Vondelpark to have dinner at Proeflokaal 't Blauwe Theehuis in the middle of the park. The Netherlands were playing in the Eurocup so we sat for a while just taking in the excitement.
Sunday: Historical Insights and Cultural Treasures
Sunday morning began with breakfast at Café van Zuylen, a cozy spot we all enjoyed. We then strolled through the charming Jordaan district.
At 10:30, my niece visited the Anne Frank House and said it was extremely moving and definitely worth going to get a glimpse into history and the life of Anne Frank.
For lunch, we headed over to A. van Wees Tasting Locality for some really delicious beef stew, fries and pea soup.
In the afternoon we took the tram over to the Museumplein and visited the Stedelijk Museum. The Marina Abramovic exhibit was captivating and my mom was surprisingly engaged.
We did not make it to Rijksmuseum, home to treasures like works by Rembrandt and Vermeer, as we had previously done a tour of the Louvre that showcased some of their work.
We finished our trip with a drink at Papeneiland Café, dinner and one last apple pie at Cafe Winkel 43
Additional Recommendations
If you have extra time
- consider a day trip to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and the last remaining wooden shoe factory powered by steam
- try an espresso macchiato or a "koffie verkeerd" (a Dutch latte)
- take a free ferry from Central Station to Noord, exploring the artistic hub of NDSM and the colorful murals at the Straat Museum
- for a special occasion, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants like De Kas or Vinkeles, would be a memorable experience
Amsterdam's vibrant culture, rich history, and delicious cuisine make it a perfect weekend getaway. Whether exploring the local markets, cruising along picturesque canals, or savoring sweets, the city offers an unforgettable experience for everyone.