Contrary to some people’s vision of the Dutch city, Amsterdam isn’t all roaming packs of British stag parties and college-aged tourists. These days, it’s a stylish, laid-back cultural hub filled with knock-your-socks-off art, chic boutiques that would make any Brooklynite jealous, and innovative, seasonally driven food served in restaurants that look built for Instagram feeds. It’s also a small enough city that you can feasibly see what you want to see in three days. Plus, with the new Eurostar route—which is set to add even more new trains in June 2019 to meet demand—it’s only about four hours from central London by train.

Checking In

The quirky-chic Pulitzer Amsterdamis a complex of 25 canal houses in the the hip Nine Streets neighborhood. The jewel-toned rooms (renovated in 2016) have huge windows, the gorgeous central garden is the ideal place for a drink, and it’s an easy walk to any of the sites in the historic center. You could also opt for Hotel 717, a 19th-century mansion turned boutique hotel on the Prinsengracht canal that still feels like an impeccably decorated aristocratic home, with nine suites kitted out with antiques, big brass beds, and overstuffed couches. We love the aptly named Room at The Top, with its beamed ceiling, soothing blue walls, and city views. A little farther from the historic center in the Museum Square district, the Conservatorium Hotel—a former music conservatory—has been done up in a sleek, contemporary style with a full-service spa and multiple high-end restaurants. If you’re all about the major art museums, this is your spot: The Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam are all literally steps from the entrance.

Day 1: Take a Boat Tour

It’s called “the Venice of the north” for a reason. Amsterdam’s city center consists of 90 small islands connected by a network of canals, so the best way to get the lay of the land is by getting on the water. On sunny days, you’ll see locals and tourists alike cruising around on little motor boats, paddleboats, and the occasional rowboat. Sloep Delen has 12-seater electric boats that you can drive around yourself (no captain or license required). For something a little fancier, Rederij Belle has a fleet of captained turn-of-the-century “saloon boats” that you can hire for a sunset cocktail hour. Make a quick stop to walk around the touristy Centrum borough, which includes the red light district (as seedy as you would think, but worth a quick glance) and many of the infamous “coffee shops” (if you’re into that, Green House Centrum is a low-key and non-intimidating option). As the sun goes down, have the boat drop you off near Frankendael Park for dinner at De Kas, a drop-dead-gorgeous restaurant in a towering greenhouse that serves delicate, seasonally driven cuisine (a lot of which is grown on site).

Day 2: Do the Major Museums