Will be heading there for a day later in the summer. Where is a good place to park that is really central? Whats the best way to get around to see stuff?

Any recommendations for stuff to do would be good. Not remotely interested in red light district and cannabis related stuff.

I have daughters in tow so cycling around definitely not an option.

Give the locals a break and go somewhere else?
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.dw.com/en/how-amsterdam-is-fighting-mass-tourism/a-47806959

With your caveats I cant advise on things to do unfortunately 😉. Perhaps park close to the central station ? I’ve only ever walked around the place, if your only there for a day you’ll find plenty of things to do without needing transport.

I wouldn’t attempt to drive into the centre at all. Park on the outskirts and use the train or tram

We went for a few days recently, Haarlem is a million times nicer than Amsterdam. Perhaps start there – then catch the fast train into the city for the afternoon.

We enjoyed just wandering around. It’s difficult to get too lost, although we got muddled up with some bridges/squares that all seemed to look the same.

I’d go back, but to Haarlem.

We parked in the johan cruyff arena park and ride and got a GVB ticket for 4 for around 8 euro i think, with 1 euro parking on top.
Good value i thought.
Took around 20 mins to get into central area

Its an easy drive up from Duinrell too (saw your other thread). Im not keen on driving abroad, but i found it a stressless journey. IME dutch drivers are more tolerant than us too
Just watch the variable speed limits, although saying that i didnt see a single police car all week ( had visions of the pair from the fast show sat next to the main roads) 😁

Just head to the grasshopper and get wrecked.

Not remotely interested in red light district

From a sight seeing perspective I’d say thats a mistake.  Its actually a pretty amazing area, not dirty or as sleazy as you’d think.  Just go during the day to avoid any English piss-heads.

Can’t you hire one of those kid bucket bikes and cycle?

Agree about Harlem. If you can use the train it is stress free. Probably to far the other side of Amsterdam but well worst is Naarden and Muiden. Castles, cobbled streets, boats, walled town and v safe for kids running about. Got relatives who live close to here and I never get sick of pottering about there.

Modern art gallery is pretty good and the science museum is quite fun.

We’ll be heading from Duinrell to Ams one day this week Lodders, probably drive to the PnR at Bos en Lommer and get the tram from there.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Road from Ijmuiden ferry port was a breeze this morning.

How old are the girls? https://www.bodyworlds.nl/ is fascinating.

This place for pizza

IME dutch drivers are more tolerant than us too

We moved to Holland in 2004 and were shocked at how impatient and aggressive Dutch drivers were. But having now moved back to the UK, it seems like you are correct, and UK drivers are really bad.

To the OP, I’d agree with others and try to avoid parking. Haarlem is a nice small town, interesting museum, but obvs more limited than Amsterdam. If you’re looking for days out from Duinrell don’t discount Rotterdam, and of course join the crowds at Kinderdijk.

Unless you have something specific that you want to see in Amsterdam ( eg Rijksmuseum ) then I’d give it a miss, the centre has quite a Blackpool vibe to it.

Delft or Leiden are nicer towns to have a stroll around.

the centre has quite a Blackpool vibe to it.

Haha, it definitely doesn’t!

Some terrible advice on here. Amsterdam is an amazing city – lived there for many years, so I think I have a better overview on it than some on here who obviously haven’t seen it properly.

If you’re driving I’d park on the road in the New South near the WTC and get the number 5 tram into the centre.

There’s loads more to do in Amsterdam in comparison to the other cities/towns mentioned (with the exception of Rotterdam, which is large but nowhere near as attractive).

I’d head to the Jordaan for sightseeing, have a drink at De Jaaren and maybe take in a museum at Museumplein before a wander through the Vondelpark,

JP

I’ve heard that in Amsterdam where the sailors all meet there’s a sailor who eats only fishheads and tails.

Sounds good to me.

Doomanic. Great shout. Was planning to take them to see this in London but I think I’d rather see it it over there.

No chance of me trying somewhere else. Wife has been banging on about Amsterdam for years and was one of the main reasons we chose Duinrell this year. Will probably go a couple of times whilst we are there.

How much are the trams? Is it possible to buy a day ticket rather than a single fare?

Lodders, had a cracking morning, cycled into the Hague, ran a 10k and cycled back. What an amazing city to cycle in, incredibly well thought out, courteous drivers, and lovely countryside on the way.

You’ll love it.

How much are the trams? Is it possible to buy a day ticket rather than a single fare?

Can’t remember how much a ticket is, sorry. There is a quite confusing set of cards available. I bought an Oyster-like thing as I go fairly often, but a day or 2 day card is probably better value – lots of info in English via google.

Buy some edibles and wander round. Soak it all up. I love the Amsterdam accent it’s so much more than the usual Nederlands accent.

We spent a long weekend there last year. The parks to the north have a really nice feel and usually have something going on. Nice old craft breweries there as well, to erm… rehydrate. Jordaan I can reccomend and also get the free ferry opposite the train station over to the industrial bit… there’s a wonderful Cuban bar that often has live music on.

Buy some edibles and wander round.

Did this.

Tripped balls.

Auditory and visual hallucinations, extreme dry mouth, racing heart, hot and cold sweats, anxiety. Vertigo. No munchies. Could barely speak for a good while. 1/10 would not recommend.

Trip back in the back of a mates convertible with sober friend driving, then the ferry crossing wasn’t fun at all.

Did this.

Tripped balls.

Auditory and visual hallucinations, extreme dry mouth, racing heart, hot and cold sweats, anxiety. Vertigo. No munchies. Could barely speak for a good while. 1/10 would not recommend.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Me and the Mrs went a few years ago – bought a

https://www.dutchmuseumcard.com/index.html

when we were in the rijkmuseum

Exceptional value for money as there are so many very interesting museums in Amsterdam. Quite often small one or two rooms with a great story and essentially free after you have bought the card

I recall it was valid for a year as well

Otherwise just wander round, there’s plenty to see.

I would miss the hermitage though – I thought it very poor

If you head over to IJplein go for a ride at “This is Holland”. Not for those suffering vertigo.

If you’re in Duinrell it’s a quick and easy train ride from Leiden.

We’d been a few times but when we went with our kids for the first time we took a boat tour (which Id always poo pooed in the past) which was actually really good and very informative.

What Chomp said, bus or cycle to Leiden then train to Amsterdam!