2025: Amsterdam

From May 20th to the 23rd, we visited Amsterdam. It was a breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively.

Getting there was part of the fun. We flew on Lufthansa’s A380 from Denver to Munich. The sheer size of the double-decker plane was impressive, and the kids were thrilled to be onboard such a massive aircraft.

We stayed at YAYS Amsterdam Prince Island by Numa. Getting settled meant navigating a classic Amsterdam feature: incredibly steep stairs. Hauling the bags up was a challenge, but the apartment itself was great. We were close to public transit and restaurants, but tucked away enough to enjoy the view. We loved opening the doors and windows to let the cool canal breeze in. It was mostly peaceful—except for the one night a drunken neighbor decided to pound on the hallway doors trying to find their room!

Windmills & Wooden Shoes

We took a day trip out to Zaanse Schans, and man, was the wind going full steam. It was freezing! Abbey hadn’t brought a warm enough jacket, so she ended up in mine, leaving me braving the elements in just a t-shirt.

The absolute highlight was the working saw windmill. Watching it pull logs directly from the river and slice them up using nothing but wind power was an incredible feat of engineering. The kids were mesmerized by the machinery.

We also watched a demonstration of how classic wooden clogs are carved. It was fascinating to see, but in the end, we decided to stick with our Adidas and On-Clouds rather than trading them in for wooden shoes.

Canals & Culture

Back in the city, seeing Amsterdam from the water is the only way to go. We booked a 90-minute tour aboard the Tzar with the Boat Boys, and it was excellent. Cruising the canals gave us a front-row seat to how the architecture leans in (sometimes literally) and tells so many stories.

• Anne Frank House: We went here specifically because Abbey had read the book. Seeing the actual space made the story become very real; it was a deeply moving experience to stand right there where history happened.
• Vondelpark: This was a great spot to let the kids run free and burn off some energy.

Dutch Delicacies

You can’t leave Amsterdam without trying the pancakes. We went to Pancakes Amsterdam, and the food was amazing. We went all in on the traditional Dutch pancakes, and they did not disappoint. Huge, thin, and loaded with toppings—the perfect fuel for a day of walking.

Peaks & Pits

The Peak: The People of Amsterdam. Everyone we met was so friendly and genuinely took pride in their city. It made every interaction—from the canal boat ride to exploring Zaanse Schans—feel welcoming and special. We just love Amsterdam.

The Pit: Too Short! Three days just wasn’t enough. We easily could have spent another day or two soaking it all in. Navigating the bikes was also a bit tricky at first, but honestly, leaving so soon was the hardest part.