amsterdam museum
The Amsterdam Museum is housed in the former city orphanage. This monumental building dates from the 17th-century and has a beautiful courtyard. It is located just of Kalverstraat, one of Amsterdam's main shopping streets, but the entrance is a bit hard to find, tucked away in a little alley as it is. The museum illustrates the historical growth of Amsterdam from a tiny village to the present day metropolis. If you think this sounds boring pay this museum a visit, because the combined archeological exhibits, the interactive displays and the paintings by the 'Dutch Masters' really liven up the subject.