Amsterdam is an amazing city! If traveling with a 5 year old, it is almost easier to list the stay-away locales first, because Amsterdam can be very much a "vice city." No coffee shops (indicated by green sticker in window) obviously this is where marijuana is smoked in large amounts by tourists and locals alike. The red-light district, aside from the half naked prostitutes hanging out in windows the size of doors, the crime and drugs are rampant here, as well as tourists getting into drunken fights.

Now for the "to-do's": The Rijn museum and Van Gogh! Great pieces of art, the Heinken spot, I think theres even a rollercoaster. Dam square has people doing the statue routine and tons of pigeons, lots to lok at.

Restaurants and other activities are a plenty, grab a guide book!

Posted By Chris on October 22, 2007, 11:48 AM

Of course, no trip to Amsterdam would be complete without a sobering trip to the Anne Frank house. Would be an opportunity to have a discussion with your child about the holocaust and anti-semitism.

Posted By Jensaysthis on October 22, 2007, 12:34 PM

I would take your day trip to the Hague (about 50 min. by train). Your son is probably old enough to enjoy the MC Escher museum, and you could take a tour of the gorgeous Peace Palace, the site of the International Court of Justice. The train ride there and back is quite scenic -- it's totally flat and you'll pass by a number of famous windmills. At the train stations on either end (but especially in the Hague) your son should get a kick out of bicycles as far as the eye can see.

Posted By Natalya on October 22, 2007, 1:00 PM

I've been to Amsterdam many times in February and it can be bitterly cold and wet, so bring lots of warm, waterproof things.
It can also, on a moment's notice, turn spring like, at which time everyone dashes outside and basks in the sunshine.
There is a place outside A'dam called "Zaanse Schaanz". It has working windmills and is a wonderful peek into traditional dutch lifestyle.
Again, outside A'dam - a scenic train ride away, are Edam and Gouda, famous for cheese, are also worth a visit ( if you like cheese).
My favorite museum in A'dam is called "Katten Kabinet". Located at Herengracht 497. All the exhibits are related to or about cats. There is even a resident cat, who will follow you around the museum.
Artis Zoo on Plantage Kerklaan is a geat place to visit, maybe more than once.
And for finding absolutely adorable kid things, try Hema stores. Large dep't stores, which sell everything - all top quality and good prices. You can buy food there, as well as clothing and housewares.
Check out the flea market at Waterlooplein, too. That's outdoors though, so it's not so pleasant on a wet cold day.
the Dutch people really like children and are friendly to them and to their parents( not always the case here at home, eh?)
Hope you have a great time in this most delightful of cities.

Posted By michelle on October 22, 2007, 1:15 PM

The Van Gogh museum is definitely worth a visit. Since you have a child with you, I would suggest a boat trip along the canal. For a short trip outside the city, you should visit Maudurodam, a minature scale view of the Netherlands. Many important buildings have been scaled down and visitors walk around the buildings. Children will love this as they get to insert coins for unique souviners such as mini delft porcelain shoes.

Posted By Tracy on October 22, 2007, 1:26 PM

I would take my five year old to Madurodam, a minature city. Also, on one of the tours, one can see working windmills and the facory that makes wooden shoes. We took our seven year old a while back, and he loved both of those places. The Zuider Zee is also fun for kids as many people dress in traditional outfits. The Allard Pierson Museum is good for kids, as well.

Posted By Larry Adams on October 22, 2007, 1:41 PM

On basic travel info, February is very rainy & windy. Don't expect an umbrella to help, wear a hood. Amsterdam is still a smoker's haven (cigarette), restaurants are starting to add non smoking sections but they are often one or two tables tucked into a corner. If you eat earlier, it shouldn't be too bad.

FYI, the Heineken Experience is closed from the end of this month thru next June.

For children, NEMO is very popular. It is a science museum in a building shaped like a half a sunken ship. Many of the exhibits are in English as well. Two other ideas are TunFun, an underground playground and DeKrakeling. It is a children's theater, some programs can be enjoyed without understanding Dutch.

You'll want to shop on the 9 straatjes (streets), a few streets between the ring canals known for specialty shops and boutiques. P.C. Hoofstraat is the upscale shopping street, Utrechtsestraat also has some interesting shops.

Amsterdam is a beautiful city, enjoy!

Posted By Sheila on October 22, 2007, 4:07 PM

I forgot to mention the most important part -
shopping for you, Suzanne!
Try Cora Kemperman.
The clothes are unique, stylish and comfortable and are made w/ luxurious fabrics ( often machine washable ) and interesting details.
At that time of year there are often good sales too.
However, Cora Kemperman is definitly worth checking out, even if not on sale.
There are several shops around the city.

Posted By Michelle on October 22, 2007, 4:32 PM

If the weather permits renting bikes in Amsterdam is a wonderful way to explore the city. There are several rental places all over the city. This is also a great way for young children to burn off some extra energy.

Posted By Lindsay on October 22, 2007, 4:37 PM

We visited Amsterdam a couple years ago with our 5 and 7 year old. They loved watching diamonds being cut right infront of them in jewelers row. They also enjoyed taking a water taxi all around the canal system. The one thing they still talk about was that there are parking garages in the city just for bikes. This amazed them.

Posted By Judi Plummer on October 22, 2007, 4:52 PM

Take your son and husband to the aircraft display at/near Schipol Airport and take a tourist boat ride on the river. If it's cold enough, rebt ice skates and go ice skating. These are simple things that are fun.

Posted By Barrie on October 22, 2007, 8:32 PM

As mentioned in earlier posts, there's a lot NOT for kids in Amsterdam. However there are a few great places! The Anne Frank house is a great experience. Age 5 may be a little young to grasp any of the magnitude of it, but to experience at least being there is good. The water taxis are good fun. I highly recommend going outside of Amsterdam. Our favorite city was Kinderdijk, which is just east of Rotterdam. They have over 1000 windmills & a lot of biking trails. It's a wonderful village, with very friendly people, great food - - & a couple of touristy places as well. There are a few windmills that you can tour through & wooden shoemaker shops to visit. Sitting at the bus stop watching the old folks pedal by - -with wooden shoes - -is quite a site. Kids seem to love it there.

Posted By Jacki on October 23, 2007, 2:38 PM

Thanks so much to everyone for the great suggestions -- all very helpful, and my excitement for the trip is building!

Posted By Suzanne McElfresh on October 23, 2007, 6:27 PM

My husband and I traveled to Amsterdam in March of 2007. We took the Easy Cruise and it was GREAT! The train in and out of airport is the easiest, cheapest and safiest I have ever seen. The Canals are great, if the weather is not so nice, rains alot, just hop on a canal boat and float around the city. The Ann Frank house is the best attraction. Anyone will love this moving story. Rent a bike and ride through the city, lots of bikes everywhere. Museums are fun and shopping is great too. So much, so little time to see it all!

Posted By susan driscoll on October 29, 2007, 12:22 PM

NEMO ! This is a repeat of info tucked away in a previous comment: For kids and adults alike: NEMO. Its one of those great hands-on places. A good half-day plus event.

Posted By Ed F on October 29, 2007, 1:04 PM

A great kid-friendly place to eat, though sometimes a little smoky, is right down the street from the Anne Frank House. The Pancake Bakery offers all kinds of pancakes, both sweet and savory. As mentioned before, some of the museums are interesting. The Rijksmuseum (sp?) has some kid-friendly activities that seemed to have children whirling about and learning to appreciate the exhibits from their perspective. The dollhouses are quite interesting. As for trains, I find the trams are even more fun than Metros. Since they are above ground, you get to see more of the scenery and the town. You can get tickets across the street from Central Station and if you plan to go to a variety of places you can get a discounted stripcard that can be shared between you. Amsterdam is one of my favorite places to visit. Have a great trip.

Posted By Priscilla on October 29, 2007, 3:56 PM

While not extremely fashionable you can check out the clothes at Hema. It is the major Target type store of the NL. While there you can buy a 30 euro rain suit to keep you dry. It is a jacket and pants. I hope your son likes trams as much as the metro since the metro may not be as useful to you as the trams.
I really loved this take out stir fry place in Amsterdam (Wok 2 Walk). It may not be Dutch, but it is a great meal for a great price. I took it back to my hotel a few nights. http://woktowalk.com/en/

Posted By Greg on October 29, 2007, 5:32 PM

Being from Amsterdam, I can tell you it is a great city for kids and adults. Although February might be cold, try a boat tour that takes you through the canals. My two year old found it fascinating and you don't know how beautiful the city really is unless you see it from the water. I love Artis, it is one of the oldest zoo's in the Netherlands. The Hema, C&A and V&D are all big department stores with a great and affordable selection of clothes. Ofcourse H&M's are everywhere. Don't miss the markets, you have the Albert Cuyk, Dappenmarkt and the Waterlooplein. For unique view and stores just browse through the Jordaan, you will find nice places to eat and boutique stores. Have a great time, i wish i was there now!!

Posted By Kim Eich on October 29, 2007, 10:02 PM

We visited Amsterdam with my daughter when she was 8. We went to the Anne Frank house-I talked at length to her before we went to increase her understanding, to the museums and a side trip to the Delft factory, which she enjoyed and she picked out a china Delft dog, which she still has. We took a boat ride, took a tour bus out into the country where we saw the dikes and an old restored village and bought her wooden shoes and cheese. One of the highlights for her was all the ducklings, who were very friendly.
She was also intrigued by all of the bicycles on the streets of Amsterdam. We did take a wrong turn and ended up on a street with naked prostitutes in the windows. I quickly turned her around and got out of there, but she told me recently she saw everything, but it didn't bother her.
We also bought chocolate. She enjoyed the trip very much.

Posted By KarenFLA on October 29, 2007, 11:49 PM

One of the problems we had in Amsterdam is that it's difficult to find an open restaurant late at night.
We located one by walking west towards Jordaan named (in English)the golden calf. The food was reasonable,delicious and there was Frank Sinatra memorabilia on the walls.
Note: We were there in May and I had to buy something extra to wear under my coat in the flea market.

Posted By Betty J. Acosta on November 5, 2007, 3:29 PM