Mid-Day to Early Evening: Eastern Districts
The Eastern Districts of Amsterdam host a wide array of museums and activities that serve all ages. The districts include the areas of Waterlooplein, Eastern Docklands, Weesperbuurt, and Plantage. Get in touch with nature at the Botanical Garden or ARTIS, Amsterdam's famous zoo. Experience some hands-on learning at the NEMO Science Museum. See where the famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt, lived and created some of his most famous works. It might not be the most well-known area of the city but there is plenty to explore!
NEMO Science Museum
Explore Five Stories of Hands-on Exhibitions in the Largest Science Center in the Netherlands.
Using a variety of exhibitions, the NEMO Science Museum introduces people of all ages to the world of science and technology. The museum is filled with continuously updated and changing exhibitions, theatre performances, films, workshops, and demonstrations. Everything is interactive, so everyone can join in on the fun and learning, especially in NEMO's Laboratory. When you've exhausted your hypothesis, the Center maintains a lovely cafe on its roof with great views of the city.
Rembrandt House
Wander through the restored 17th-century house where Rembrandt lived and worked for 20 years.
The famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt, was at the height of his fame when he moved into this house with his beloved wife Saskia. He mingled with the wealthy and powerful and was awarded the most prestigious commissions by merchants, nobles and clergymen. However, it was a turbulent time in the house where bad times followed the good in quick succession. The Night Watch was painted in the house. Saskia gave birth to three children in the home, all of whom died within a few months, before their son Titus, who lived to adulthood, was born. Soon afterward Saskia died in the same bed, probably from tuberculosis, leaving Rembrandt to raise their infant son.
In total, Rembrandt owned and lived in this house between 1639 and 1660. A modern annex has been built next to Rembrandt’s house and, together, are a museum of Rembrandt’s life and work. While he was most renown for being a painter, this museum also shows the other sides of Rembrandt. In the museum, you will see him as a teacher, collector of art, entrepreneur and “Amsterdammer.”
National Opera House
Visit the elegant home of the Dutch National Opera and Ballet.
Get a Dutch take on the performing arts in the home of the Dutch National Opera and Ballet. Both groups rehearse and perform the majority of their works at the venue, housed uniquely in the same building as Amsterdam's City Hall. The institution is celebrated for its diverse repertoire, ranging from classic to contemporary works, attracting talent and audiences from around the globe.
Botanical Garden
Grow calmer in one of the world's oldest botanical gardens.
Amsterdam’s Hortus Botanicus is located on the eastern side of the city. Established in 1638, it was originally home to an herb garden filled with medicinal plants; today, Hortus Botanicus is home to more than 6,000 different flora. By the time the garden moved to its current location in 1682, it had collected many specimens unknown to Europeans. The Dutch East India Company, the organization that made the Netherlands such a economic powerhouse at the time, often brought exotic plants back that would be housed in the botanical garden, including Europe’s first Coffea Arabica plant and two small oil palms. Some of the original varieties brought here went on to populate Europe.
ARTIS Zoo
Visit the animals in this Royal Zoo, one of Europe's oldest .
ARTIS Zoo in Amsterdam, established in 1838, is the Netherlands' oldest zoo and a beloved destination for both locals and tourists. This historic zoo offers an immersive experience into the animal kingdom, housing a diverse collection of species from around the world, including exotic birds, mammals, reptiles, and marine life. Beyond its role as a wildlife sanctuary, ARTIS also emphasizes education and conservation, providing visitors with insights into animal behavior and habitat preservation.
Evening: Oost District Dining
Eating out in Amsterdam Oost district has never been more popular as it is now, with all its new hotspots. There are so many great options for food and drinks that any foodie will see this district as it is …the place to be! Whether you are looking for fine dining for a family dinner or a great burger for lunch, you can find everything here, from a quick bite to an Instagrammable spot for brunch.
Oost has its charm, a district with a nice mixture of everything: busy streets, green parks, historical boroughs or modern cultural gems and of course everything is very diverse and colorful. The neighborhood is continuously developing and is an ideal place to witness the city's lifestyle. Oost is where the first movements in Amsterdam started – a once shady Javastraat is full of the most exciting bars, restaurants, and places to hang out. In Oost, you can find a good mix of different cultures, brown cafes, hip hotspots, and young creatives.
