This may come as a shock to you, but there’s more to do in Amsterdam besides prostitutes and weed.  Behind the neon blaze of the Red Light District and the haze of smoke from the ubiquitous coffee shops, there’s a refined city that attracts 4.2 million visitors to its historical monuments, museums and architecture every year.  Here’s a list of things to do in Amsterdam…

Anne Frank House

We all had to read the harrowing story of Anne Frank in school.  She was the 15-year-old girl who hid from the Nazis with her family and another family in a secret chamber in a building in Amsterdam.  Today, you can visit the hiding place she documented in her diary, as well as read stories and review artifacts from other Jews who were captured by the Nazis during World War II (of the 107,000 Jews abducted and shipped to concentration camps, only 5,000 survived).  The museum also features exhibitions highlighting various forms of persecution and injustice, some of which still exists today.  It’s best to buy your tickets online so you don’t have to wait in line for hours.

The Resistance Museum

Continuing with the theme of depressing history, the Verzetsmuseum is an exhibition that recreates the everyday life of the citizens of Amsterdam during the Holocaust and the uprising against Nazi occupation.

Van Gogh Museum

The Vincent Van Gogh Museum chronicles the life and work of the mentally unstable German artist who spent some time living in Holland perfecting his expressionist style before he committed suicide in France at the age of 37.  The museum houses over 200 paintings and 600 drawings, the largest collection of Van Gogh’s work in the world (noticeably absent is his severed ear).

Rijksmuseum

The Dutch National Museum features an extensive collection of artwork from Dutch artists such as Rembrandt (his most famous work on display is “The Night Watch”) and Vermeer, as well as craftwork and artifacts from Dutch history.  The museum is housed in the largest and most elaborate building in Museumplein, a museum square that also features the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum (a modern art museum), the Diamond Museum (an exhibition of diamond jewelry), and the Concertgebouw (regarded as one of the finest concert halls in the world).

Heineken Experience

This is basically one long advertisement for Heineken, but if you love beer, you’ll probably love the Heineken Experience.  The tour charts the history of the company and walks you through the brewery, and, yes, you get to drink a few samples along the way.  There’s also an interactive exhibit that gives you the perspective of actually being brewed (you feel heat and get sprayed with water and bubbles) as well as a couple of rooms designed like nightclubs, including the elaborate World Bar, which features panoramic views of major cities around the world on giant video screens.

Rembrandt House

From 1639 to 1658, Rembrandt lived and worked in this 4-story house in Amsterdam.  But don’t expect to see a huge collection of works on display here; instead, this is a place to learn about him.  The Rembrandt House is a recreation of what Rembrandt’s house used to look like before he went bankrupt.  It also features a step-by-step demonstration on how to create etchings and paintings.

Jordaan

This kitschy neighborhood in the center of Amsterdam is packed with art galleries, specialty shops, designer clothing stores and unique restaurants in buildings that surround inner courtyards.  Jordaan is also home to the Noordermarkt, a square that features a popular market every Monday and a farmer’s market every Saturday.

Vondelpark

Amsterdam is already a relaxed city, but Vondelpark takes relaxation to a hedonistic level.  It’s got everything you’d expect from a 120-acre park: trees, hills, ponds, benches, plenty of places to picnic.  It also contains the Netherlands Film Museum, a free open air theater, several bars and restaurants, and even a few noteworthy statues, including one by Picasso called “The Fish.”  But what characterizes this park as uniquely Amsterdam is the open use of drugs and people having sex in the park.  Although sexual activity is discouraged, it still takes place in the not-so-secluded bushes.  But, hey, at least the wafting marijuana smoke will make your picnic lunch taste better.

Bloemenmarkt

Located on the Singel canal, the Bloemenmarkt is the world’s only floating flower market.  There are 15 shops that sell souvenirs as well as seeds and bulbs of every kind of flower imaginable, most notably Holland’s world famous tulips (you can also find cannabis).  But check your country’s regulations before bringing home any bulbs; most countries don’t allow agricultural imports (and don’t even think about trying to sneak cannabis home).

Dam Square

The hub of central Amsterdam is the popular Dam Square.  The square is enveloped by great sights such as the Royal Palace (a 17th-century neoclassical marvel that used to be a town hall and now serves as an event center for the Dutch Royal Family), the National Monument (a memorial to the victims of WWII), and the Nieuwe Kerk (a 15th-century Gothic church that frequently hosts exhibitions and organ recitals).

There’s also the overpriced and overrated Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and the upscale department store De Bijenkork (meaning “The Beehive”).

Canal Cruise

The canals of Amsterdam are best appreciated by boat and there are tons of companies that will take you on a tour of Amsterdam from the water.  Amsterdam is a small city that’s easy to navigate, but it’s still best to take a canal cruise early in your trip to understand the city’s landscape and individual neighborhoods, and to gain an appreciation for the intuitive city planning and well-preserved architecture.  Choose a company here.

Kalverstraat

This is the most popular shopping street in Amsterdam.  Kalverstraat is a long, winding, well-trafficked street lined with brand name stores and boutiques (don’t be surprised if you see the same store twice).  It’s also home to the Amsterdam History Museum.

If you have time, check out Amsterdam’s other interesting sights, such as the ING House (the headquarters of the ING Group is stationed in a giant structure that looks like a floating, futuristic shoe), the Jewish Historical Museum (the entrance fee also includes a free audio tour), the Museum of Bags and Purses, and the NEMO science center (located directly next to the Netherlands Maritime Museum).

You can also sample one of 200 varieties of beer in Cafe Gollem, shed your inhibitions in the highly rated Sauna Deco, pay homage to our feline friends at a cat museum called KattenKabinet or dance the night away in one of Amsterdam’s largest and most popular nightclubs, Escape.