Amsterdam

Amsterdam got its name from a dam. In the 1200s, settlers built a barrier across the Amstel River to stop flooding, and a village grew up around it.

In 1275, Count Floris V gave residents a special deal: they could travel and trade throughout Holland without paying tolls. That tax break helped a tiny fishing village grow into a major trading hub.

By the 1600s, Amsterdam had become the wealthiest city in the Western world. The Dutch East India Company, founded in 1602, became the first multinational corporation and created the world's first stock exchange.

Ships sailed from Amsterdam to Indonesia, Africa, and the Americas, bringing back spices, silk, and riches. Merchants built grand canal houses that still line the waterways today. Artists like Rembrandt painted masterpieces in studios just blocks from the busy harbor.

During World War II, Nazi Germany occupied the Netherlands. Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager, hid with her family in a secret annex behind her father's office for over two years.

She kept a diary that later became one of the most widely read books in history. The Anne Frank House, where you can see her hiding place and original diary, tells her story with care and honesty. It's best for kids around 10 and older.

Amsterdam's Golden Age wealth faded centuries ago, but the city kept its beauty. Today, over 100 kilometers of canals wind through the city, earning it the nickname "Venice of the North."

Take a canal cruise and watch bikes, houseboats, and historic buildings glide by. Kids get pirate-themed audio guides on some boat tours.

At NEMO Science Museum, shaped like a giant ship, five floors of hands-on experiments let kids blow enormous bubbles, build bridges, and explore how things work. The rooftop has free water fountains for splashing and sweeping city views.

Rent bikes and ride through Vondelpark, Amsterdam's biggest green space, with playgrounds, ponds, and cafes.

Stop at a market stall for warm stroopwafels, caramel-filled waffles best eaten gooey and fresh. Try poffertjes, puffy mini pancakes dusted with powdered sugar. Watch the vendor flip dozens at once in a special dimpled pan.