Two Days in Amsterdam: Art, Canals, and Tulips

We spent a couple of days in Amsterdam in early April 2018. The city felt just as you'd picture it, with canals everywhere lined by historic buildings and houseboats. We spent most of our time just walking, crossing bridges and taking in the atmosphere. It was cool enough for jackets under a bright, overcast spring sky.

A main event for us was visiting the Rijksmuseum. The building itself is impressive, and inside we finally saw Rembrandt’s 'The Night Watch' in person. The scale of it is hard to capture in photos; it really does command the room. We also explored the museum's research library, a stunning multi-story space with arched ceilings and walls filled with old books.

Being spring, we couldn't leave without seeing the tulips. We found an indoor hall that was a sea of vibrant reds, pinks, and yellows. The girls were happy just to be surrounded by all that color, and one of them left with a small, perfect bouquet.