Things to do with your parents when they visit Amsterdam

Swot up before they arrive

It’s always satisfying when your parents remark on how clever you are, and we’ve got just the thing to impress them. Memorise as many facts and dates as possible from these themed walking routes and lead them on a private tour of the city’s architectural heritage or maritime history. Of course, it’s customary to tip the guide, and the more fascinating details you can recall, the more likely they are to buy you a coffee. Most routes include suggestions for pit stops along the way, but we’d recommend De Koffieschenkerij - a hidden tea room in the cloister garden of Oude Kerk.

Judge other people's homes

Surely, an unspoken rite of passage in older life is becoming obsessed with the property market, because parents seem to love looking at houses wherever they go. Start with some serious interior design inspo at some of the city’s spectacular canal house museums - many of which have impressive secret gardens to snoop in. Then, lead them on a stroll past the mansions surrounding Vondelpark for some in-real-life property porn. When you’re done eyeing the manicured lawns and sprawling facades, walk along any stretch of the canal ring to rate the houseboats. You can even pay a visit to the Het Woonboot Museum (The Houseboat Museum) to see how the Dutch really live on the water.

Help them feel down with the kids

Not everyone has parents hip enough to bring to an underground techno party during ADE. However, Amsterdam still offers a brilliant array of bars and cafes that perfectly balance lively and parent-appropriate. Get the conversation flowing at one of the best wine bars in town, or soak up the sky-high views from a rooftop terrace. Alternatively, pulling up a stool at one of the city’s many breweries will be a sure-fire hit and an excellent opportunity to show them Amsterdam’s trendy, craftier side.

Pull out all the stops

If your parents are firmly in holiday mode, you can go all in with them and splurge on a swanky dinner. Amsterdam has one of Europe's most exciting gastronomic scenes, with dozens of Michelin-rated establishments, gorgeous restaurants and standout lunchrooms in exquisite and unique settings. The view from the lakeside terrace at Aan de Poel is as breathtaking as the Franco-inspired dishes. Or, impress your in-laws with a knock-out meal overlooking the flamingos in the elegant conservatory of Cafe-Restaurant De Plantage. Alternatively, the expansive dining room and high ceilings of Café Restaurant Amsterdam never fail to delight, housed in the former engine room of a 19th-century pumping station.

Take them on a cruise, of course

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that parents love a good cruise. Exploring the canals by boat is a leisurely way for those not so swift on their heels to get an overview of the city’s iconic sights. This dedicated page includes the most popular canal cruises to book with and some more alternative options. Might they enjoy drinking Bloody Marys along the way courtesy of G’s Brunch Boat or some added comedy from Those Dam Boat Guys?

Expand their culinary horizons

All out-of-towners should experience some traditional Dutch cuisine on their trip. There are many fantastic, typically Dutch restaurants to try, and the city’s street markets are some of the best places to sample herring, eel or kibbling. Proeflokalen (tasting bars) like Wynand Fockink or ’t Nieuwe Diep in Flevopark are an atmospheric place to slurp jenever (a clear spirit flavoured with juniper berries). But it’s not all bitterballen and booze in Amsterdam; the city has a diverse culinary scene with restaurants like Lalla Rookh and Aarti 2 serving mind-blowing Surinamese roti. Kantjil & De Tijger or Hotel Jakarta are great spots to tuck into an Indonesian rijsttafel (a selection of small dishes from all over the Spice Islands). It is definitely advisable that the uninitiated go easy on the sambal (a very spicy chilli condiment).

Go retro

Oldies are always keen to indulge in some nostalgia, and Amsterdam has plenty of options for “back in my day…” conversation starters. See if your parents can still manoeuvre the joysticks like they used to at TonTon Club - an arcade gaming paradise for adults with locations across the city. Parents love a bargain, and they’ll be sure to bag one at IJ-Hallen - a colossal monthly flea market for vintage clothes, furniture and records from decades past. There couldn’t be anything more old-school than a night at the movies, and Amsterdam’s independent cinema scene is strong. You could even send them off on a date night to Pathe Tuschinski - an exquisite Art Deco film house that still has retro love seats for them to cuddle up on.

See some typical (and less typical) Dutch scenery

From national parks and nature areas to scenic cycle routes, taking a day trip in the Amsterdam Area is the best way to show your parents some essential Dutch countryside. The spectacular Zaanse Schans Open Air Museum is a massive parent trap, with all the windmills, old-timey houses and lush greenery they could hope for. Likewise, Naarden is one of the best-preserved towns in Europe if they fancy absorbing some military history by walking around the unique star-shaped fortifications. In Spring, the rainbow-hued tulip fields of the Flower Strip are a must-visit. Or for something they perhaps might not expect, head into Zuid Kennemerland National Park to witness the windswept dunes and a thriving bison population - no, seriously.

Have a jolly day out on the water

Before your parents go full midlife crisis, buy a boat, retire to the coast, and test out their sea legs by renting one yourself. As they argue about who gets to hold the map (hopefully not upside down), keep shouting “Are we nearly there yet?” with this list of the best waterfront bars to moor up at. Even though it's always amusing watching them trying to find a spot to park, if the canal belt is too busy, you’ll find numerous quieter lakes and rivers ideal for boating outside of the city, where you can rent a sailboat, motorboat or even a canoe.

See some quirky exhibits

The culture never stops in Amsterdam, with unusual museums hiding in unexpected locations. Even on your metro transfer, you can peek at dozens of archaeological finds in Rokin station’s Below the Surface exhibit. They'll undoubtedly love this fascinating collection excavated during the North/South line construction - pray that it doesn’t inspire them to buy their own metal detector. For something a bit different, Artis Micropia is an entire interactive museum dedicated to weird and wonderful microbes and is honestly great fun for all ages. Or, if you’re feeling a bit cheeky, take them over to Museum Tot Zover (The Funeral Museum). Located in a cemetery, it’s the perfect setting for an uncomfortable conversation about your inheritance.