Amsterdam Central Canal Ring

The grand buildings in the center of the canal ring, architectural landmarks themselves, house some excellent historical museums as well as galleries highlighting more cutting-edge culture.

FOAM Photography Museum, Keizersgracht 609 (☎055 165 00; www.foam.nl), Foam—the Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam—showcases photography exhibits on pretty much every topic imaginable, from ultramodern, gritty documentary shots to glossy fashion photos. Both renowned and up-and-coming photographers are shown here in a sparse wood-and-metal space. A place for study as well as exhibition, the cafe reading room has books and magazines for your perusal. No need to feel ashamed for simply grabbing a coffee and feeling like one of the artsy Dutch students who hang out here though. Tram #4, 16, 24, or 25 to Keizersgracht. FOAM is about 50m east of the stop. €8, students and seniors €5.50, under 12 and with Museumjaarkaart free. Open M-W 10am-6pm, Th-F 10am-9pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm. Cafe open daily 11am-5pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Museum Van Loon, Keizersgracht 672 (☎062 452 55; www.museumvanloon.nl), The Van Loons have been so integral to the city's history, their family tree might as well be drawn on a map of Amsterdam. One of the family's earlier members was a founder of the Dutch East India Company, and since then many have been mayors, political advisors, and the like. However, this house was not originally owned by this powerful lineage. Its first resident, Ferdinand Bol, was Rembrandt's most famous student. The house as you see it now, though, is clearly of the Van Loon tenure, with family portraits lining the walls. Indeed, while here, it's easy to feel as if you're creeping around someone's house (which, really, you are). Set up to look like the elegant, upper-class home it was when the Van Loons still lived here, the museum preserves a record of what traditional wealthy Dutch life was like, as per the intentions of the family when they donated their residence to the city. Weird last name or no, you'll wish that you had grown up a Van Loon after seeing this pla Tram #4, 16, 24, or 25 to Keizersgracht. The museum is about 50m east of the stop. €7, students €5, with Museumjaarkaart free. Open M 11am-5pm, W-Su 11am-5pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.
Golden Bend, Herengracht, between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat If the tiny, teetering canal houses of Amsterdam are beginning to make you feel a bit claustrophobic, head to this scenic stretch of the Canal Ring. In the 17th century, the ring canals were extended all the way to the Amstel. This required a fair bit of cash, so in order to encourage investment, the city decided to loosen restrictions on house width and allow Amsterdam's rich to build homes that were twice as wide as had been previously allowed. Termed the “Golden Bend” for the wealth that subsequently flocked here, this is a grand and beautiful stretch of former residences, all featuring Neoclassical facades and glimpses of sparkling chandeliers through latticed windows. Today, most are inhabited by banks, life insurance agencies, and the occasional philanthropic organization, though you can sneak a peek inside one at the Cat's Cabinet. Otherwise, during just a few days in June, it's possible to tour many of the houses' gardens on the Open Garden Days. For m Tram #1, 2, or 5 to Koningsplein. Wheelchair access.
Museum Willet-Holthuysen, Herengracht 605 (☎052 318 70; www.willetholthuysen.nl), Not technically on the “Golden Bend” but still an extremely elegant canal house, this building has been preserved by the Amsterdams Historisch Museum to demonstrate what wealthy Dutch life was like in the 19th century as seen through the eyes of Abraham Willet and Louisa Willet-Holthuysen, the house's last inhabitants. Three opulently decorated floors feature many of the pieces acquired by this couple of avid art collectors. Painted by Jacob de Wit, the ceiling in the Blue Room was poached from a house on Keizersgracht. Throughout the museum, small paragraphs detail the culture and customs of life in the Willets' time. The top floor contains the most specific information about the Willets themselves and their circle, including audio recordings (available in English) of excerpts from a friend's diary. It makes a striking contrast to some of the other historic house museums such as het Rembrandt due to its grandeur and scal Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. Walk down Utrechtsestraat and make a left. €7, students and ages 6-18 €3.50, under 6 and with Museumjaarkaart free. Open M-F 10am-5pm, Sa-Su 11am-5pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.
Cat's Cabinet, Herengracht 497 (☎062 653 78; www.kattenkabinet.nl), J. P. Morgan shows up as an important figure in many museums. No exception here—oh, except that this J. P. Morgan is a tabby cat who lived an illustrious life from 1966-83. His devoted owner (and we mean really devoted) dedicated two floors of this canal house to his less historic fat cat and all things feline-related. By now, the museum has racked up a pretty interesting collection of artwork involving cats: there are statues from Ancient Egypt, those Toulouse-Lautrec posters that adorn every college student's wall, a drawing by Picasso, and a series of paintings by Karel Appel. Look for Morgan's portrait in the fake dollar bill on the staircase, which was given to the tabby on his 15th birthday. Six real-live cats roam throughout the exhibits. Even if you're more of a T dog person, a visit to the museum provides your best chance to get inside a building on the Golden Bend. The rooms are deco Trams #1, 2, or 5 to Koningsplein. Walk to Herengracht and make a left. €5. Open M-F 10am-4pm, Sa-Su noon-5pm. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access.