Amsterdam Tourist Attractions & Plazas

Amsterdam is a perfect city to explore, small enough to be manageable and yet large and vibrant enough to provide plenty of interest. Walk the squares, plazas and beside the canals lined with historical buildings; explore the art, the history and the mercantile and maritime tradition. The vibrant nightlife of Amsterdam draws as many visitors as art and history, and you can combine the pleasure with education at attractions that focus on alcohol, drugs and sex.

Art Attractions

• Museumplein plaza, south of the main ring of the canals, is the focus for Amsterdam's best art museum: Rijksmuseum (rijksmuseum.nl), Van Gogh Museum (vangoghmuseum.nl) and Stedelijk Museum (stedelijk.nl). The former, revamped for 10 years and reopened in April 2013, houses a collection of staggering riches, starting with the iconic Night Watch, plenty more Rembrandt, as well as works by Vermeer, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Jacob van Ruisdael and other artists of the Dutch School. The Van Gogh Museum has a permanent, chronological displays of Vincent's works as well as excellent temporary exhibitions and some of his post-impressionists contemporaries. The Stedelijk collection is unashamedly modern, with works by the Dutch greats including Willem de Kooning and Piet Mondrian, alongside Rosenquist, Warhol and Malevich.

City Squares

• The Dam square sits at the center of modern Amsterdam, a lively plaza packed with pigeons, tourists and street entertainers, as well as a location of the National Memorial, erected to remember the Dutch dead of WW II. The heavy bulk of the Royal Palace, or Koninklijk Palace (paleisamsterdam.nl), dominates the western side of the Dam. Nearby, the Nieuwe Kerk, where Netherlands' royals are customarily inaugurated, holds art exhibitions between the events.

  Clubs, cafes and other entertainment concentrate around Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein, both in the Grachtengordel, or Canal Ring area that surrounds the oldest part of the city.

Cityscape

• After the art treasure-houses, perhaps the biggest attraction of Amsterdam is simply its urban fabric, an enchanting cityscape of tall-gabled houses, high-pinnacled churches and canals spanned by humpback bridges. Walk, cycle or best of all, take a ride on one of the canal buses (canal.nl) for the variety of views. If you fancy a peek at the historical interiors of a grand bourgeois townhouse, visit Museum Van Loon (museumvanloon.nl) or Museum Willet-Holthuysen (willetholthuysen.nl), while Museum Het Rembrandthuis (www.rembrandthuis.nl) will afford an intimate glimpse of life of the great artist. Take in the atmosphere of Begijnhof (begijnhofamsterdam.nl), an unexpected haven of peace in the middle of the city bustle.

History

• Amsterdam Museum (amsterdammuseum.nl) gives a broad and interestingly presented background to any visitor's explorations of the city's past. Dive deeper into The Netherlands' maritime history at Scheepvaartmuseum (hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl), learn about the heritage of the Jewish community at Joods Historisch Museum (jhm.nl) and discover the complex story of Dutch people during the WW II in the excellent Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam (verzetsmuseum.org). For many tourists, the poignant highlight of their Amsterdam tour is a visit to Anne Frank's House (annefrank.org), where the sad story of the young writer brings the tragic reality of the Holocaust vividly to life.

Thrills and Spills

• Many attractions capitalize on the more hedonistic streak in the city's culture. Take your pick from among the beer, celebrated in a high-tech style at the Heineken Experience (heineken.com), the herbal delights explored at the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum (hashmuseum.com) and the Dutch gin and liqueurs to be sniffed and tasted at the House of Bols (bols.com). In the heart of the Red Light District, the Prostitution Information Centre (pic-amsterdam.com) focuses on the protecting the rights of the sex workers, but also has a mini-museum with a historic brothel room. Tours of the area are offered on Saturdays.

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Norway's Biggest Tourist Attractions

Despite Norway being one of the least densely populated places in Europe, the Scandinavian country is globally renown for its Viking history, snowy sports and thriving artistic legacy. Although Oslo remains the country’s biggest hub for tourists, there’s a lot more to explore once you step outside its walls -- such as Norway’s inspiring natural scenery, its smaller settlements, and its abundance of leisure activities.

Oslo

• Oslo is Norway’s beating heart, being the center of its government and a bustling economic hub in its own right. Although the city often is considered to be one of the world’s most expensive to visit, it’s equally regarded as offering some of the best quality of life in Europe. Experience some of its graceful culture at the Vigelandsparken Sculpture park, made up of 212 sculptures -- all created from either bronze and granite materials. The park is an excellent location for picnicking during the summer, or taking a brisk walk when the weather gets a little chillier.

  If you’re interested in discovering more of Oslo’s cultural heritage, think about visiting the Akershus Fortress in the city center. Traditionally a seat for Norway’s kings, and a center of its government, the fortress has been standing strong for nearly 700 years, ensuring its place as a national landmark and hotspot for visitors to explore.

Other Areas

• The Hadeland Glassverk in Jevnaker is famous for being the country’s oldest industrial company, and upon visiting, you’ll quickly appreciate why this glass-producing factory has been so successful in attracting visitors and business throughout the years. You can view an extensive collection of the factory’s pristine glass work, and even see glass-blowers create new pieces right in front of you. If you find yourself near the city of Trondheim, the Nidaros Cathedral makes a fascinating place to visit. While its construction started in 1070, constant renovations have enabled its grandeur to prosper well into modern times. It’s particularly worth visiting during a musical event, as its high arches create an exquisite listening environment.

Nature

• Norway has been called “the land of the midnight sun,” and this in no small part is because of its long, constantly-light summers, and its reputation as a marvelous place to observe the Northern Lights. If you’re looking to see the lights in all their glory, be prepared to travel quite some distance. Disconnected from the mainland, Svalbard is popularly considered to be the best observation spot in the country -- and flights to Svalbard from Oslo take just under three hours. Despite the distance, the lights’ legendary beauty continues to pull tourists in from across the world. If you’d like to observe the lights from somewhere a little easier to access, head to the North Cape, Europe’s northernmost point.

Amusement Parks

• Norway isn’t only about seeing elegant sights and experiencing rich culture; it’s also about letting your hair down and having fun.. TusenFryd is close to Oslo and features the country’s most renown roller coaster, the Speed Monster. The area also is packed with restaurants, and features a water park, which is great for enjoying as a family during warm weather. If you’re interested in animals, the Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park is a good choice, featuring tropical environments and areas such as “Nordic Wilderness” and “Realm of the Tiger.”

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Tourist Attractions in St. Charles, Missouri

The "Old Town" area of historic St. Charles, Missouri, with its red-brick buildings, old-style lamp posts and restored homes and businesses that date back to the 19th century, transport visitors back to another time. This suburb of St. Louis was once a city in its own right. Among other things, St. Charles was the starting point for the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804. The city was also Missouri's first state capital. Today, it is home to a variety of tourist attractions, from historically significant buildings to modern festivals.

General Entertainment

• The Family Arena's 50,000 square foot venue has something for just about everyone. The arena puts on a variety of events throughout the year, including trade shows, concerts, circuses and high school and college level sports tournaments. It is also home to the St. Charles Chill, the area's very own minor league hockey team, and an arena football team called the Missouri Monsters.

  For those in search of something a bit more low-key, the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles offers a variety of options, such as luxury accommodations as well as a full service day spa open to the general public. Ara Spa offers manicures, pedicures, deep tissue massages and access to an indoor/outdoor pool. If gambling is your thing, visit the huge casino floor with 24-hour slot machines and gaming tables of every type. Seven gourmet restaurants, each with a distinct style and flavor, and live entertainment venues round out the resort's entertainment options.

Historic Sites

• Visit the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center for a look at dioramas and art work that tell the story of the famous expedition that opened the American West. The exhibits, including a full-scale replica of the boat used by the adventurers, explain what life was like along the Missouri River and some of the dangers the expedition faced as it continued its journey westward. A trip to the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, located in the heart of St. Charles, lets you explore the two-story building which served as the temporary state capitol from 1821 to 1826. The site is comprised of 11 rooms, an early 19th-century general store and a visitors center with exhibits covering the time period.

Summer Festivals

• Every 4th of July, St. Charles lets loose during Riverfest. This one-day festival takes place on the banks of the Missouri River at Frontier Park. The celebration begins with a parade followed by live music and food in the park until the evening fireworks show over the river finishes things off.

  In mid-August, residents welcome the annual Festival of the Little Hills. This three-day event, centered around Main Street and Frontier Park, celebrates the anniversary of Missouri's statehood. It draws nearly 400 craft vendors from across 30 states, who come to sell pottery, jewelry and wood crafts. Visitors can enjoy blues, jazz and other live musical performances.

Winter and Fall Celebrations

• A fall visit to St. Charles may have you wondering if you somehow landed in Germany. The annual Oktoberfest treats residents to a host of beer gardens scattered throughout town. Besides the beer, the Main Street parade, 5K run, wiener dog race, costume contest and antique car show are the main highlights during this three-day affair in late September.

  Every winter, the Old Town area is transformed with an eclectic collection of holiday traditions from around the world, including Victorian carolers, Santas from around the world and the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's difficulties in finding lodging during the days leading up to the birth of Jesus. This last event is known as Las Posadas because of its Spanish origins. More than 30 different characters dressed in period-specific costumes help residents celebrate the holidays from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve.

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Tourist Attractions Close to Orangeburg, South Carolina

Orangeburg, a city in central South Carolina near the Edisto River, was first settled by a small group of Swiss, German and Dutch immigrants in 1735. Today, the county seat of Orangeburg County is home to two universities, South Carolina State and Claflin, and plays host to the Festival of Roses each May. The area's primary tourist attraction, Edisto Memorial Gardens, lies within the city limits, and several other attractions are within a short drive. If you'd like to stay overnight, the town has a number of lodging options.

Edisto Memorial Gardens

• Orangeburg's Edisto Memorial Gardens, founded in the 1920s, lies along the banks of the Edisto River near the heart of downtown. Free and open to the public, the gardens typically have more than 600,000 visitors each year, and include walking paths, fountains, numerous flower beds, river views and memorials to soldiers who fought in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Among the attractions are butterfly, serenity and sensory gardens, along with more than 80 rose beds that include more than 75 varieties and 4,800 plants. A 2,600-foot boardwalk leads to the river, a gazebo and boat dock through tupelo and cypress wetlands. Each holiday season, the park's 60 cherry trees are lit, and dozens of animated and still displays ranging from 6 to 20 feet tall line the garden's pathways.

Orangeburg National FIsh Hatchery

• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery, one of only about 60 federal fish hatcheries nationwide, is just outside Orangeburg's city limits and has been open for more than a century. Open Monday to Friday for free public tours, the hatchery raises freshwater fish. The Orangeburg hatchery raises striped bass, sunfish and shortnose sturgeon in earthen ponds and tanks, including three to four million striped bass annually. The fish are released into lakes, reservoirs and streams across the southeastern U.S. The hatchery also includes a nature trail and bird-watching area.
• Orangeburg Drag Strip

• The Orangeburg Drag Strip, set in the small community of Neeses, about 8.5 miles northwest of downtown Orangeburg, is a 1/8-mile concrete track where weekend races have been going on for more than 50 years. The drag strip received an overhaul in 2006 that included construction of a new racing surface, scoreboards, restroom facilities and a cafe. A variety of drag-racing events are held on weekends from May to October, ranging from pro modified to junior dragsters and motorcycle races.

Other Nearby Attractions

• The Branchville Railroad Shrine and Museum, 17 miles south of Orangeburg, marks the site of the world's first railroad junction, a spot visited by U.S. presidents William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The restored depot and museum includes a miniature replica of a steam engine that made its inaugural trip in 1830, as well as other railroad memorabilia. Tours should be scheduled in advance by calling the Branchville town hall. Santee State Park, about 28.5 miles east of Orangeburg, provides swimming, boating and fishing access to South Carolina's largest lake: 110,600-acre Lake Marion. The park also has hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and overnight options that include camping and cabins.

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Tourist Attractions in Sullivan County, New York

Sullivan County, New York, boasts a healthy tourist economy thanks to natural attractions, such as the Catskill Mountains, farming and wine producing and the recreational and seasonal draw of the Delaware River. Sullivan County is located in the southeastern portion of New York with proximity to the border communities of New Jersey and Pennsylvania and the metro areas of New York City and Albany. Tourists can find open attractions, recreational activities and entertainment in any season in such towns as Livingston Manor or Monticello or within such areas as Lake Superior State Park or Holiday Mountain Ski area.

Fall Foilage in Autumn

• The tourist who each year enjoys the blanket of fall color as it descends on the natural mountain and river valley features in the communities within Sullivan County, New York, can try taking in the scenery from a "bird's eye" view. Glider, antique biplane or power scenic aircraft rides are available at Wurtsboro Airport that will take viewers up to 3,000 feet above the Catskill mountains to take in the autumnal scenery. As of 2010, a half-hour scenic flight on a fully restored and maintained pilot flown Cessna 172 is available to tour the seasonal colors from the air for $110 per person

  Wurtsboro Airport
  50 Barone Rd.
  Wurtsboro, NY 12790
  845-888-2791
  wurtsboroairport.com

Antique Shopping in Any Season

• Antiquing is a popular tourist draw for those visiting the Sullivan County, New York area. Privately owned shops run by collectors themselves dot the area such as The Country Bum'Kin shop, which is located in the Monguap Valley. Jenny and Jim Vielandi of Bethel, New York, decided in the year 2000 to make a business out of their long time hobby of collecting antiques and now run a shop featuring a collective bunch of collectors themselves. Great variety can be found as each collector features or specializes in different collectibles.

  The Country Bum'Kin
  1040 Rte. 17B
  Bethel, NY 12762
  845-583-7937
  thecountrybumkin.com

Trout Fishing in the Summer

• For the avid angler looking to enjoy some relaxing fly fishing summer weekends at their favorite Sullivan County, New York, fishing spot a good place to check out is Catskill Flies in Roscoe, New York. This fly fishing trip outfitter specializes in experience tested fishing gear for sale, fly casting and fly tying lessons and daily stream condition reporting. Trained guides are familiar with the Sullivan County area and the favorite fishing spots within it such as the Delaware River, Beaverkill, Neversink and Willowemoc.

  Catskill Flies
  Stewart Ave.
  Roscoe, New York 12776
  607-498-6146
  catskillflies.com

Skiing in the Winter

• Winter time in Sullivan County, New York brings cold weather and plenty of snow so travelers who enjoy snow sports should visit Holiday Mountain Ski and Fun Park. Holiday Mountain is open May through September as a fun park with summer activities, such as go karts and rock wall climbing. But once the snow begins and the temperature drops below 0 degrees then skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing takes over. There are seven trails and slopes, four lifts and two chalets. Nightskiing is offered.

  99 Holiday Mountain Rd.
  Quickway Exit 107
  Monticello, NY 12701
  845-796-3161
  holidaymtn.com

Tour a Cider Mill in Late Spring

• A Sullivan County, New York, tourist attraction that showcases the heritage of New York state is the milling tradition and museum shops now run keeping the history alive. One area milling tradition still today very much alive as an industry is cider mills turning various locally grown New York apple varieties into cider, vinegar and sauces. At Sonoma Falls Cider Mill and Country Market in Livingston Manor, New York, visitors can tour the grounds and the mill area and purchase jams, jellies, maple service products and bottles of cider for gifts.

  Sonoma Falls Cider Mill and Country Market
  140 Old Liberty Rd.
  Livingston Manor, NY 12758
  845-439-4949
  sonomafallsny.com

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