Amsterdam is probably not the first city that comes to mind when you’re thinking of family-friendly destinations. That’s understandable since the city’s red-light district is just as famous as its museums and luxurious private canal boat tours.
Believe it or not, Amsterdam has plenty to offer for families who are looking to have some wholesome fun. There are exciting museums, kid-friendly restaurants, and many more.
Before flying to Amsterdam with your family, check out these helpful tips.
A trip to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without seeing its world-famous canals. The history may go over your kids’ heads, but they would surely enjoy the captivating sights during private canal boat tours.
Private Canal Boat Tours Packages
Since it’s private, you can also rest assured that you and your family will be safe in a peaceful environment. Some packages include unlimited beverages onboard for your utmost enjoyment. If you’re travelling with a large group, don’t worry because the boats can accommodate up to 12 passengers.
Private Canal Boat Tours Amsterdam
Choose the Right Hotel
First things first: you have to make sure you book a room at the right hotel. Look up the hotel’s address and find out if the location is a quiet place for a good night’s sleep. To save time and energy, it would also be a good idea to get a hotel near famous attractions.
If you want to keep your kids preoccupied during downtime, book at hotels that offer bike rentals and free tours. Two popular hotels that have this are Ecomama and Yays Zoutkeetsgracht.
Book Ahead of Time
There are now plenty of attractions that you can enjoy despite the presence of COVID-19. However, many of them require you to book well in advance. This is to make sure that guests can be accommodated properly at any given time. To avoid hassles and tantrums from your kids, make sure you have your tickets in order before leaving the hotel.
Visit Museums and Zoos
It’s no secret that Amsterdam boasts many fascinating museums. There is, however, a couple that would be perfect specifically for kids.
One of them is NEMO, the science museum. Let your kids roam free and explore the museum’s interactive exhibits. Another is the Anne Frank House. While the subject matter is heavy, a visit here can ease kids into learning about unsavoury historical events. For animal lovers, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Artis Zoo. Not only is it the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, but it is also home to a whopping 900 species of animals.
Dine at Kid-Friendly Restaurants
Children can be picky when it comes to food, and that becomes a problem when travelling. Of course, when travelling, you would want to sample the local food. Kids being kids, they tend to stick to their comfort zones.
To keep you and your kids happy, there are kid-friendly restaurants around Amsterdam that serve scrumptious adult dishes as well.
If you ever find yourself in the mood for Indonesian food, Lunchroom Lastig is the place to go. If your kids get impatient before your meal ends, they can run off to the game room in the meantime. For local dishes, check out The Pool or Cafe-restaurant Amsterdam. Both have special kiddie menus that are as unique as their adult counterparts.
With accommodations, activities, and dining laid out, you’ll surely have a memorable and seamless Amsterdam trip with the whole family.
Boat tours can be good for mind and soul. The sense of stillness and serenity while quaking the water waves through the boat is beyond imagination. Few hours on a sunny day on a boat ride will not only soak you into a fair amount of vitamin D but also will revitalize your mind and body.
Why Should You not Miss a Private boat Tour Amsterdam
Private Boat Tour Amsterdam – historic Saloon boat Undine from 1920.
Exploring Amsterdam by boat is perhaps the most exciting thing you can experience while being in this wonderful city. Riding through the water canal and floating on the water boat in Amsterdam is truly an indelible moment for everyone visiting the city.
With a backdrop that is stunning in every way, the Amsterdam water canal is the finest way to discover the whole city. You might have walked around the city hundreds of times, but everything in and around Amsterdam seems more magical when you set eyes on from the boat.
While there are loads ofprivate boat tour in Amsterdam and boat trips, you can also hire a boat personally and enjoy the self-guided ride. Don’t stress out! you don’t have to be an expert to rent a boat and ride it by yourself. Both ways, you will be able to dive into the maze of this beautiful city with a private boat tour Amsterdam.
Tips to recommendations for safe a boat tour
Here are 18 handy tips that will guide you and let you experience your water ride utterly. We have put together simple yet very practical tips that will ease your boat ride in Amsterdam. Either you hire a private boat and make your own ride or choose to join a group tour, in both cases these tips and recommendations will turn out to be equally helpful.
Choose you boat wisely
Before renting a boat for the ride, do some research. Try to figure out the best fit for you and your team. Be precise about what size of the boat and what kind of boat you look for. There are a lot of boats to consider.
Save money with Amsterdam city card
The I Amsterdam City Card is a great way to save money during the Amsterdam visit. With this card, you get to visit a lot of attractions in Amsterdam and also allows you to have a canal boat ride. The card includes a free canal ride which is a perfect opportunity to discover Amsterdam from waterways.
Carry an Identification Document
Carrying a valid identification document is necessary by law in Amsterdam. If you are a non-EU resident, it is recommended to have a valid passport with you. Not having so might make you liable for the fine.
You may not need to verify your identity all the time, but in some special cases, you will require proof of identity. When it comes to renting a boat in the Netherlands, usually you need to present a valid identification document like a valid passport, driving license or ID card, and a credit card.
Visit during the weekend for extra fun
Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in Europe. If you are looking to enjoy and discover Amsterdam through a boat ride, it is recommended to visit during the weekend where there is a lot of charm with lots of hustle and bustle in the city people. Weekday’s things look much quieter.
Wear sunscreen and lip balms
Most of the boat tours in Amsterdam turn out during the summer time. Though the summer in Amsterdam is not as brutal as other tropical summers, still it can give you a bad sunburn. It is always good to use some sunscreen to be on the safe side. The lip balm will help your lips from getting cracked by providing an occlusive layer on your lip surface to seal moisture. The cool breeze and dry air on the waterway can easily make your skin and lips look chapped. Sunscreen and lip balm will help you maintain a soothing skin throughout.
Remember to carry sunglasses and a hat
The harsh sun rays can sometimes be a real hiccup during the boat ride. Sunglass is one of the must-have for a summer boat trip. You can easily safeguard your eyeballs from the harsh sun rays and look classy at the same time.
Getting a hat with you will help you keep your hair safe from sun bleaching. The look of a straw hat for a boat outfit looks really cool. These things look minor but will matter a lot when you are on a watercraft.
Carry water bottles and snacks
Carry water bottles and other energy drinks such as sodas and sports drinks. This will help you remain hydrated during your ride in the sunny weather.
The fresh air and the cool breeze can ignite your appetites while on the board. make sure you have enough snacks and refreshing diets like fruits, nuts, or some chips. The moist atmosphere during the tour will make your eat more than you would expect.
Be careful about the safety
Safety is always the first: Make sure your boat is equipped with all kinds of safety equipment for all the riders. This can include things like a life jacket for the board member and an emergency kit. Simply having this basic can boost your peace of mind to the next level letting you enjoy with confidence.
Use flats and stripes
Flat shoes and sandals are easy to use during the boat tour. You can do good with sneakers as well but simply avoid the heel kinds of things. Rubber soles are the best for any kind of boat shoes.
Go with some plain outfits for a better boating experience. make sure your outfit is truly comfortable. Button-Down Shirt is usually more comfortable in the boat.
Take cameras and mobile phones
Remember to take a camera or simply a mobile phone with you. Photography around water is an awesome experience. Taking a photo in a boat trip can bring loads of fun. Especially when you are in a group and you want to capture the moments in action and the landscapes that are hard to bring into the frame from the land.
Don’t stand up in the boat when taking photos
I am sorry if this sounds awkward, but there are some novice boat riders who absolutely do not have a concept for this. Obviously, during the ride, there will be times when you want to stand up, but considering the general rule, the more you stand on the boat, the more you are likely to damage yourself or your belongings like camera, mobile, and lens.
Use the Internet
Take some time to surf the internet and find the necessary information. Do some quick research before the trip. Take full advantage of information and guides available on the internet. There are lots of internet resources that are free where you can figure out different tips and advice to make your boat trip more fruitful.
Plan for emergency
Make a plan to execute in an emergency. Having an emergency plan can turn out to be very handy in some cases. Make clear know-how of where your life jackets, swim tubes, or the first aid kits are. You never know when you need them.
Don’t forget the entertainment
Try to enjoy yourself as much as possible. Get relaxed and cheer up. When you strictly follow the safety standard and enjoy, the boating experience becomes a truly life-enriching experience
Be prepared for motion sickness
Even an iron man can fall prey to motion sickness when the day is windy and you are on a boat ride. Precaution is the best remedy. It is recommended to pack some motion sickness remedies when you leave for the ride. Some of the medicine for motion sickness can make you feel sleepy or drowsy. Take good advice and find the best option.
It is always good to pack some towels and extra clothes during the water tour. Sometimes you would want them during your boat ride or even after the ride is done.
A dry packing bag
This is one of the most overlooked items, but you seriously don’t want to skip this. This will help you keep your belongings like phone, wallet, camera, etc in dry protection when not in use.
Carry personal first aid kit box
Accidents are unpredictable. They can pan out at any time. So it is good to have a kit box with you during the trip. Your box can be packed with the following essential items in case of any accidental injuries during the boat ride.
Antiseptic solution
Band-aids
cotton and gauzes
tablet for vomiting
adhesive cut tape
motion sickness remedy
Final thought
A boat tour in Amsterdam is a true adventure for the mind and body. Whenever you are in this wonderful city, don’t waste any time and runoff for the boat ride experience.
Follow the rules, avoid alcohol and drugs during the boat trip, and play safe. You will immensely embrace the water adventure in Amsterdam.
