They say you can never step into the same river twice, and the same goes for Amsterdam. This marks our fourth time returning to this beautiful canal city, and yet, it feels like we’re uncovering an entirely new map. There is an endless depth here that keeps drawing us back.
After a seamless train ride into Central Station, our first order of business was simple: fuel. We bypassed the standard tourist traps and dove straight into a stack of traditional Dutch pancakes—thin, crepe-like discs of perfection loaded with savory bacon and cheese for a proper welcome back. With the kids energized, we spent the afternoon scouting out some of the city’s wonderfully designed neighborhood playgrounds before heading down to the docks.

Surprising Roots in the Waterways

Having done the larger, glass-topped canal cruises on previous trips, we opted for a much smaller, partially open-air boat tour this time. It was easily the best we’ve had so far. Because the boat was nimble, our guide could take us deep into the quieter, narrower residential canals, cutting right past the lush greenery of the historic Artis Royal Zoo.
While drifting along the older waterways, our guide shared some incredible history about Amsterdam’s deep, foundational ties to the United States. It turns out, you can’t fully tell the story of America without looking at these very canals:

• The Blueprint of New York: In 1609, English explorer Henry Hudson set sail from Amsterdam under a Dutch contract, a voyage that led directly to the founding of a fur-trading colony named New Amsterdam—the settlement we know today as New York City. The early layout, commerce-first mindset, and even architectural styles of Lower Manhattan were directly imported from the streets of Amsterdam.
• The Cradle of Capitalism: The driving economic force of the early US—modern capitalism—was essentially invented right here. Amsterdam was home to the world’s first official stock exchange and the Dutch West India Company, which governed the early American territories directly from their headquarters in the city center.
• John Adams and American Independence: When the young United States was fighting for its independence from the British Empire, founding father John Adams came to Amsterdam as an ambassador to rally financial support. He lived right on the city’s canals, successfully negotiating massive loans from Dutch bankers that legally recognized and physically funded the survival of the infant United States.
  Learning how closely intertwined our home history is with these ancient waterways made the gentle glide through the city feel incredibly personal.

A City Painted Orange

You can’t walk a block in Amsterdam right now without being completely blinded by the color orange. With the World Cup in full swing, the city is experiencing a magnificent wave of football fever. Every tavern window, canal boat, and local jersey is wrapped in vibrant orange.

Why Orange? The color is the ultimate symbol of Dutch national identity, tracing back to William of Orange, the founding father of the Netherlands who led the revolt against Spanish rule in the 16th century. His ancestral name stuck, and today, Oranje represents the collective pride, unity, and spirited resilience of the nation.

But the local excitement isn’t just for the Dutch national team. The chatter at every outdoor café today is entirely centered on the upcoming Moroccan national team match. Amsterdam is home to a massive, deeply rooted Moroccan-Dutch population, and the cultural energy in the neighborhoods right now is electric. Flags are hanging from apartment balconies, kids are kicking soccer balls across the brick squares, and the entire city is bracing for a massive, joyful celebration. The way the city’s historic Dutch roots blend seamlessly with its modern, diverse communities is exactly what makes Amsterdam’s culture so vibrant.
We’re heading to bed early tonight to rest up for a massive itinerary of exploring tomorrow. Amsterdam, it’s good to be back.