WHERE TO STAY: This five-star heritage hotel is a glorious maze of 25 connected 17th and 18th century canal houses with a destination bar that bustles on weekends. Rooms come stocked with bike repair kits, and cute design touches include little gold windows in the bathrooms that look as if they belong on houseboats. The history of these quintessential Dutch buildings is an attraction in itself and concierges give walking tours of the canals. From €399

WHERE TO STAY: Located in an impressive 19th century building that used to be a bank, the 129-room luxury hotel could easily be confused for one of the neighboring cultural institutions, like the Van Gogh Museum. Label hounds will love the nearby P.C. Hooftstraat shopping street, lined with stores such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, while tulipophiles can swoon to the property’s own orangey-red, double-flowered varietal and book helicopter sightseeing tours when everything is in bloom. From €795

WHERE TO STAY: A new addition to the city’s hotel scene, Pillows opened in November next to the Oosterpark, where fit Amsterdammers work out with personal trainers and young families push strollers around while sipping coffee on sunny mornings. The soft, earthy color palette of the hotel’s lobby and stairwells gives it a spa-like atmosphere, away from some of the hustle and bustle of the canal areas. From €320

WHERE TO EAT: In a striking plant-covered tower reminiscent of Jenga blocks, the smart, modern design of the dining room, with its light, airy atmosphere and open kitchen, is as memorable as its seasonal, fire-kissed cuisine. Sit at the chef’s counter to watch as peppers are roasted or pizzas are thrown in the wood-burning oven, and make sure to save room for the tiramisu with coffee “caviar” as a dessert.

WHERE TO EAT: This local-recommended option for Indonesian food is cheap, cheerful and under the radar. The chicken satay with a mild peanut sauce for €11 was a highlight, alongside plenty of vegetarian options like the gado-gado with crunchy vegetables and jammy egg. It’s on the Kinkerstraat, a five-minute bike ride from the Pulitzer.

WHERE TO EAT: Art lovers can pair world-class exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum with Michelin-starred Dutch fine dining. A €105 six-course menu focuses on local ingredients, with dishes such as venison with red cabbage, sloe gin sauce, chestnuts and crispy black pudding.

WHERE TO DRINK: This buzzy bar comes from spirits maestro Ryan Chetiyawardana, named world’s best bartender by Tales of the Cocktail. Near Centraal Station, it has a glam and moody atmosphere, with pink neon lights surrounding the bar and service and drinks that lean more playful than precious. Try the Pine Pole 75 for €14, made with Woodford rye, Lillet Blanc and pine “champagne.” It tastes like a smokier version of a French 75.

WHERE TO DRINK: A cozy little boîte that serves natural wine (mostly French) in the bohemian De Pijp district, alongside bar snacks like cheesy gougères. It’s walk-in only, with friendly servers who are passionate about good pours at reasonable prices: A glass of fruity Beaujolais is €6.

WHERE TO DRINK: The crowd runs young and trendy in the hipster Oost district—especially at this all-day spot named for the famed American artist. Fuel up with a coffee and a warm cinnamon roll before a morning visit to the Tropenmuseum. Or afterward grab a tall glass of the local Basquiat Session White beer, offered along with the usual Heinekens, Amstels and simple cocktails for under €11.

WHAT TO DO: The crown jewel of Amsterdam's art museums is now having a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition showcasin Johannes Vermeer's output. Running from Feb. 10 to June 4 and titled simply “Vermeer,” its 28 paintings are the largest gathering ever showcased, with loans from around the world.

WHAT TO DO: Over in trendy Oost, the Tropenmuseum (Museum of the Tropics) collection dates back to 1864 as a display of colonial might featuring artifacts from places such as Indonesia. In June, a powerful permanent exhibition opened with a more reflective narrative. “Our Colonial Inheritance” starts with a video display featuring interviews about what colonialism means to people in the modern world, and is an expansive, informative exhibition on the history of colonialism in the country.

WHAT TO DO: eclectic Dutch design store Moooi opened the doors of its Utrechtsestraat shop in December. It's a charming shop, complete with quirky bedding with patterns featuring extinct animals, lighting fixtures that look like large marshmallows on chopsticks and smoky-scented candles.