Other Significant Sites

The Heineken Experience is a must-do for ale lovers. It gives an overview of how the yeast was discovered that gives Heineken its unique taste, as well as an explanation of how the brewing facilities changed from 1867 to 1988. The admission price includes two servings of Heineken beer and a souvenir glass.

 

Hortus Botanicus is Amsterdam’s famed botanical gardens, containing some 250,000 flowers and 115,000 plants, plus more than 8,000 tree varieties. Many of the plants are native to places the Dutch discovered and settled during the exploration days.

 

Established in 1838, Artis is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, and it is a joy for adults and kids alike. It houses over 6,000 animals. Artis also has a Planetarium, an Aquarium, and a Geological and Zoological museum.

 

No Amsterdam travel article would be complete without mentioning the seedy, yet touristy Red Light District. Rather than trying to outlaw the inevitable, Amsterdam simply made it legal, and thus the Red Light District is the center of the city’s legalized prostitution. Some visitors are appalled by it; others go simply to gawk at the women in the windows. Still others participate in the activities. Enough said.

 

For much more standard recreation, Vondelpark is the spot to go. This is the place for all kinds of outdoor pursuits including soccer, in-line skating, basketball, and Frisbee-tossing. The park is beautiful and often quite crowded in the summer.