In a monumental (and gorgeous!) building on the Herengracht, lies the Museum of the Canals. A whirlwind tour will take you back to when Amsterdam flourished as a main city of the 17th century.
Upon entering, grab an audio guide and take a seat. Minutes later, the lights dim, and you're back in the year 1600, Amsterdam's heyday. Here, you'll get all the context you need to understand Amsterdam's famous (and UNESCO-protected) canals. Throughout your experience at the Museum of the Canals, you'll develop a deeper appreciation for this city and the waterways that define it.
This museum uses a broad set of tools - holograms, paintings, models, audio guides, and architecture (among others) to bring the significance and experience of Amsterdam's famous waterways to life. Their role in the prosperous commerce of this mercantile culture are highlighted, as well as the remarkable engineering achievement that they represent.
But it's not just the historical experience that is showcased here - Amsterdam's canals are a big part of daily life and civic celebrations, and that is also part of the museum here. The world famous Amsterdam Gay Pride Parade, the Beatles on their famous boatride through the canals during the height of 'Beatlemania', and the skating on the canals that takes place during the (now rare) cold winters. There also are incredible period-piece doll's houses to admire, and even an excerpt from the cult-classic B-movie, Amsterdamned to check out.
As the Museum of the Canals itself says, "This museum is for everyone who loves, or is just about to fall in love with the city of Amsterdam". So then, it's for everyone.
