You're here for Rails World. But if you've got a few hours, or days, to spare before or after, Amsterdam is compact and easy to get around. You don't need a checklist, but you may need an umbrella.

Walk the canals

The best way to get a feel for the city. The canal belt around the Jordaan and De 9 Straatjes is worth a wander, especially early in the day. Stop for a coffee or sit by the water.

Image from the Bloemgracht

Visit a park

Amsterdam has loads of parks you can visit for free:

• Vondelpark is central and easy to get to.
• Westerpark is a bit quieter, especially on weekdays.
• Oosterpark is nice if you're staying in the east.

All three are good spots to reset if you've been sitting in conference chairs all day.

Take a canal tour

Yes, it's a tourist thing, but a great way to see the city. Especially nice if you're jet-lagged or just want to sit down for an hour. To avoid ending up on a party barge look out for smaller operators like Those Dam Boat Guys or Blue Boat Company.

Explore a local market

The Albert Cuypmarkt is the busiest, but the Noordermarkt (especially on Saturdays) has a better mix of vintage, food, and books.

Check out a local brewery or brown cafe

Amsterdam has plenty of traditional brown cafes and craft breweries where you can soak up local vibes without the tourist crowds. Try places like Brouwerij 't IJ or pop into a cozy brown cafe like Cafe Chris for a laid-back beer and some people watching.

Visit a Museum

Amsterdam is full of great museums. If there is a museum you really want to visit, we recommend making a reservation beforehand, as tickets can sell out fast. Here are just a few of our recommendations:

1. Rijksmuseum

Yes, it's a tourist staple. But for good reason. The Rijksmuseum's collection covers Dutch history from the Middle Ages through the 20th century, including Rembrandt's The Night Watch. Expect crowds, but if you go early, it's manageable. It's also close to the Stedelijk and Van Gogh Museum, so you can combine them if you've got the stamina.

2. Stedelijk Museum

Directly next to the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk focuses on modern and contemporary art and design. The collection includes pieces from artists like Mondrian, Rothko, and Rietveld. The building is also architecturally interesting as it's part 19th-century palace and part bathtub-shaped annex.

3. NEMO Science Museum

Geared toward families but still engaging for adults, especially if you like interactive exhibits and clean, techy architecture. The rooftop terrace has one of the better views in central Amsterdam. Located just a short walk from Centraal Station, it's a good option if you have limited time or a train to catch.

4. Verzetsmuseum (Dutch Resistance Museum)

A thoughtful, well-curated museum on life in the Netherlands during WWII, with clear English translations throughout. It's not a flashy experience, but it's compelling and well organized. Located near Artis Zoo and a bit removed from the main tourist grid, which can be a plus.

5. FOAM (Photography Museum)

A small photography museum that rotates exhibitions regularly, often showcasing documentary work and contemporary photographers. It's a quick visit but consistently strong. Close to the canals and walkable from most parts of the city center.

Explore the Netherlands (or Europe!)

Amsterdam is easy to explore. So is the rest of the country. Trains are fast, frequent, and don't require much planning.

A few nearby cities worth a half-day trip:

• Haarlem - 15 minutes away. A quieter, smaller city with solid food and walkable streets.
• Utrecht - about 25 minutes. A student city with plenty of canals to explore with a huge variety of independent shops.
• Rotterdam - 40 minutes with the high speed train. Modern architecture, a good food scene, and a different feel from Amsterdam.
• The Hague - roughly 50 minutes. Government buildings and museums and you can visit the beach via tram.

You can even take a train and be in Belgium or France within a few hours. Brussels is about two hours by train, and Paris is a little over three. Both are served by Eurostar, and NS International trains ride as far as Brussels. You can book your trip via NS International.

Use the NS Journey Planner to check domestic train times. No reservations are needed for Dutch trains. You can check in and out with your credit or debit card or buy a ticket using the NS app or any station machine.