With our feet dangling in black nothingness, Peter and I buckle in for a new look at his native country. Soon we are soaring over amazing Dutch landscape in our comfy seats as we sway and dip and fly, seeing bird’s eye views of this unique land. Dazzling acres of brilliant red and yellow tulips in bloom pass by followed by contented cows grazing on emerald-green grass. Next we see Amsterdam with its spiderweb of canals and then tiny figures skating on a frozen lake beneath us.

We’re not really flying over these iconic Dutch scenes. We’re on an interactive ride called “This is Holland,” a 5-D flight experience highlighting the country’s most stunning scenes. It’s just one of the many attractions that lure tourists to this popular European city every year. Peter and I are fortunate to spend summers in the Netherlands, and when guests come to visit, taking them to Amsterdam is a must-do.

We’re not alone. This bustling capital city with a population of 920,000 attracted 23 million tourists in 2023. They come to see its iconic museums, tour the tangle of canals by boat, walk on its cozy streets, and relax on terraces enjoying a refreshing beverage. In summer the city is at its shining best with pleasant temperatures, tree-lined canals, and lots of sunshine. But, if you visit during the summer months, you’ll easily see why Amsterdam is grappling with “overtourism.”

Nevertheless, when friends visit in summer, we have no choice but to fend our way through the crowds if we want to show off this storied city. Last summer our friends, Lene and Jørn, came to visit us from Denmark. They only had three days to spend in Amsterdam, and we were determined to enjoy some of our favorite experiences with them. Plus we looked forward to trying new attractions. And trust me, fun and surprises await around every corner.

iAmsterdam Card: A Great Value

I always recommend visitors get an iAmsterdam card when they come to visit. Besides offering free or discounted admission to some of its best museums and experiences, the card also includes public transportation on trams, buses, and the metro. You can choose among cards that last from one to five days, and the benefits definitely outweigh the cost. It’s a great value.

Since getting around the city is so easy with the card, we stayed outside the pricier center in a Marriott-brand Element in Amsterdam South. Located in a quiet neighborhood, the hotel offered an excellent rate that included a free breakfast, and we loved our room as well the nearby shopping mall. The closest tram stop was only a short walk, and we enjoyed the easy commute to Central Station.

One day we hopped on the free ferry to Amsterdam North, where “This is Holland” is located near the dock. It was a highlight of our visit. After the 5-D flight experience, an informative display explained the various cities and places the movie highlighted and how the film was made. Skilled helicopter pilots swooped and whirled over the entire country, and the resulting cinematic montage was exhilarating and fun!

Another iAmsterdam card attraction just next door is the A’dam Lookout, atop an 22-story office building that offers 360° views of the city. After a brief elevator ride, we emerged on the observation deck, where lots of comfy chairs lie scattered about for anyone who wants to chill and enjoy the view. Peter and I spent most of our time walking around and looking for church steeples and landmarks in the city to the south. Exhibits point out many of the sights as well as the waterways and rivers that converge nearby.

For a thrill, visitors can ride on the “Over the Edge” swing, which swings out over the edge of the observation deck 300 yards high above the ground. There’s also a virtual-reality rollercoaster ride through Amsterdam available. Dining options include a revolving restaurant called the Moon that slowly turns while you dine, giving you a new view every minute.

Exploring Amsterdam’s Neigborhoods

For an up-close view of the city, boat tours are a popular option. Many canal boats offer glass-topped roofs so you can see tall buildings as you pass by. We chose an open boat or sloop for our tour (also included in the Amsterdam card). A cozier option, these sloops only hold a max of 20-25 people, and instead of a narrated tour, the guide offers his own commentary on the city’s sights. Seeing Amsterdam from the water provides insight into the importance of the canal network and the multitude of bridges (1700!) needed to enable cars, bikes, trams, and pedestrians to criss-cross the city in every direction.

We learned more about the canals in the Amsterdam Canal Museum, an interesting, often-overlooked attraction. Located in a 17th-century house, the museum tells the history of Amsterdam while showcasing the infrastructure and importance of these waterways to its development into a world-class city. Audio guides available in nine different languages enable visitors to tour at their own pace. Don’t miss seeing the pastoral murals in the Andriessen room (named after the painter) dating to the 18th century. A more recent painting on the ceiling completed in 2022 is a dreamy piece depicting a young man’s vision of a harmonious world.

One of our favorite neighborhoods to explore is the Jordaan. Built in the 17th century as housing for immigrants and the working class, it’s home to an eclectic collection of small boutiques, hip eateries, and art galleries. The neighborhood is less visited by tourists, which gives you a chance to see what day-to-day life is like for Amsterdammers. We stopped for drinks at Café Nieuw Amsterdam housed in the West-Indies House, former headquarters for the Dutch-West Indies Company. Dating to 1617, the classical building is a work of art. Inside, you get a sense of its elegant past with the café’s art-deco lighting, beautiful woodwork, and marble tabletops.

Swirling Paintings

Westerpark is a relatively new attraction located on the site of the city’s former gas works. Old brick factory buildings and acres of lush parklands are now a favorite venue for cultural events, concerts, and picnicking. It’s also the home of a newish attraction called Fabrique des Lumiéres, currently hosting a fabulous show called “From Vermeer to Van Gogh, Dutch Masters,” an immersive art exhibit in which paintings seem to come to life.

From twirling snowflakes to a star-studded night sky, animated paintings of favorite Dutch painters cover the walls, ceilings, and floors inside an old brick factory. You can sit and watch the paintings swirl around you or walk through the large open spaces to see them from a different perspective. Music accompanies the various components of the show, which features 325 artworks from 25 different painters. It’s mesmerizing.

Our last stop is another favorite destination in Amsterdam: Wijnand Fockink, Amsterdam’s oldest distillery, where distillers have been producing jenever and liqueur since 1679. Visitors line up in the crowded bar, waiting patiently for their turn to taste a variety of flavored liqueurs. We always opt for the jenever, a classic Dutch drink served straight up in small tulip-shaped glasses.

“You have to lean down and sip it first,” Peter explained to Lene and Jørn. It’s traditional to fill the glass above the rim of the glass, so you have to lean over and take a good slurp to avoid spilling it. We leave the small bar with our slightly slurped drinks and find a table in the alleyway just off Dam Square. As we enjoy our jenevers surrounded by a happy crowd, we make a toast to each other and to more adventures in this remarkable city.

Tourist Info: www.iamsterdam.com/en