A spare day at the end of a business trip is a gift, as long as you do not lose it to queues and indecision. Here are three ways to spend it, depending on how much energy you have left.
Culture in half a day
Amsterdam’s great museums sit close together on the Museumplein, a short ride from both the centre and the Zuidas. Pick one, the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, and book a skip the line ticket in advance. Half a day is enough to enjoy it without rushing, leaving the afternoon free.
The canals
The simplest way to feel the city is on foot and on the water. Walk a stretch of the canal ring, then take a short cruise. It is relaxed, it is scenic, and it needs almost no planning.
Out of town
If you want air and a change of pace, Amsterdam makes for easy day trips. Haarlem is a short train ride and offers a handsome, quieter Dutch town. The Zaanse Schans, with its windmills, is a classic half day outing. Both are simple to reach by train.
Make it easy
Whatever you choose, book tickets ahead. Prebooked, skip the line entry is the single best way to keep a short window from disappearing into a queue.