Art & Design

Amsterdam is a modern design Mecca. Playful Dutch Design is everywhere. The resulting wave of new furnishings, buildings, galleries, and even whole new neighborhoods, gives a palpable air of exuberance and excitement to the city. The Eastern Docklands has become an architectural showpiece. Stunning modernist gems are sprinkled throughout the revitalized area with its man-made islands and peninsulas, creating an eye-catching contrast to the city’s 17th and 18th-century masterpieces.

Hundreds of museums and art galleries clamor for your attention throughout the city. Big names such as the Rijksmuseum and the van Gogh Museum are must-sees, of course, but concentrations of lesser known-delights can be found in The Pijp, Jordaan, and the Eastern Docklands. Don’t miss The Hermitage, the first true satellite of the St. Petersburg museum, which opened in June 2009.

HELPFUL TIP: The big three -- The Rijksmuseum, The van Gogh Museum, and The Hermitage -- are open seven days a week. All three stay open later one day a week. The Rijksmuseum (Fridays, till 8:30 p.m.), The van Gogh (Fridays, till 10 p.m.), The Hermitage (Wednesdays, till 8 p.m.)