Amsterdam

Travel tip for Amsterdam:
If you are going to see a bunch of sights and use the tram, it's worth it to buy an IAmsterdam Card. You can buy a 24-hour card for 38 euro. It gets you into numerous museums for free (not the Anne Frank House, though) and all transportation is included. Even a canal boat tour is included. Check out the link for more information and a list of all museums included (look under "practical information" for places you can buy the card). Another bonus besides free admission is skipping long lines at the Van Gogh museum and others - look for the separate line for IAmsterdam Card holders. If you're going to be in Amsterdam for 2 days, I'd suggest buying the 24 hour card and doing the things that are not included in the card on the morning of the first day and afternoon of the 2nd day, or just fitting all the included sights into one day and the not included sights into the 2nd day. (Joordan, Anne Frank House, shopping, flower market, etc. are not included.)

Some great places to visit in Amsterdam:

1. Leidsplein - a small square worth a visit, the three dessert carts on the square (possibly only there on the weekends) are definitely worth a look!
2. Anne Frank House - book tickets online before you go for a specific visiting time, remember to print and bring your tickets... this avoids a VERY long line at all hours
3. Van Gogh Museum - they have a Colors of the Night exhibit there now
4. Rijksmuseum - Dutch paintings and history lessons on the walls, very close to the Van Gogh Museum which makes it easy to see both without much hassle
5. Canal tour - good thing to do if you are really tired. there are multiple companies running canal tours, some of which are located right outside the central station. definitely get a window seat if you want to take pictures
6. Joordan - a quiet neighborhood not far from Central Station, so you can walk here. small shops (not chains that you find in the city center) and cafes. on Saturday there is a great market with lots of bread, cheese, crepes, old books, clothing, etc. for sale
7. Jewish History Museum - two synagogues were turned into a museum with very good discriptions of Jewish history in Europe. the museum is across the street from the Portuguese Synagogue, which still has services on Saturdays (you can pay to go inside the other days of the week)
8. Bloemenmarkt - a small flower market along one street in the city, very accessible by foot or tram (there is a Dutch pancake house along the street that is pretty good)

Good food in Amsterdam:

1. Restaurant Lieve - Belgian food, can order family-style or pre-fix or individual servings, (http://www.restaurantlieve.nl/)
2. Farmer's Market in the Joordan - Saturday morning
3. Harkema
4. 't Zwaantje - a friend says "they have traditional (nice) Dutch food and a great ambiance. Staff is old Amsterdam style, just like the furniture, haha. Great place to feel at home in the Netherlands" (map - http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=nl&geocode=&q=restaurant+zwaantje,+amsterdam&sll=52.37104,4.884152&sspn=0.012944,0.027466&gl=nl&g=berenstraat+7,+amsterdam&ie=UTF8&ll=52.370647,4.888058&spn=0.012315,0.027466&z=15)
5. FEBO - I've been told this is the place to be if you want an "after-party-midnight-snack" (inexpensive fast food you buy from vending machines)
6. Humphrey's restaurant - Dutch restaurant with good food and wine, not very expensive but not cheap either, set menu or a la carte, a nice place to go with visitors because of the nicer atmosphere (http://www.humphreys.nl/)