Amsterdam is home to some world class museums and some more off beat places. There are enough to keep everyone happy and for real fans there are various museum cards that offer free entry to the big places.

Museum Tickets
There are daily passes available in Amsterdam but it's impossible to see every museum in one day. At €39.95 (or just €22.45 if under 24) you get free access to all permanent exhibitions in the entire country of the Netherlands. This includes the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Amsterdam Historic Museum, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art and many others. The Museum Year Ticket, museum-kaart, is definitely worth considering if you want to spend more than a couple of days going through the museums. If you want to squeeze in as many places as possible then the IAMsterdam card for 1 day is €33, including use of public transport (2 days €43, 3 days €53 available from Tourist info in front of Centraal Station).

Amsterdam Historical Museum
The former city orphanage houses the city museum which covers all of Amsterdam's history from peasants fighting the sea to the city's modern problems. Extra attention is paid to the 17th to 19th centuries and maritime history and there is a good collection of militia portraits, though the most famous example, Rembrandt's Night Watch, is in the Rijksmuseum. The layout is confusing so try to follow the signs from room to room. Mon-Fri 10 am - 5 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am - 5 pm, €7. Nieuwzijds Voorburgwal 357. www.ahm.nl

Anne Frank House
Anne Frank’s harrowing story is world famous and her former hiding place, turned museum is an equally famous tourist destination. The rooms where the Frank family and friends hid are small so only a few visitors fit in at a time and consequently there can be long waiting times to get in. Best option is either to bring an umbrella and hope for rain to wash away the crowds or come later because, thankfully, the museum is open until 9 pm (7 pm in winter). The exhibition is challenging and thought provoking. Daily from 9 am (closed Yom Kippur), €7.50 - not included on the museum card. Prinsengracht 263. www.annefrank.nl

Heineken Experience- closed for renovations until July 2008
Gone are the days of 15 minutes run around the brewery then 45 minutes free bar. The brewery has moved and in its place is a multimedia extravaganza (which does include three free beers and a glass). Learn about the brewing process and the history of Heineken; Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm, €10. Sometimes huge busloads of tourists get dumped here in one go and there can be long lines to get in, so bring a couple of bottles and start getting to know this famous Dutch beer as you wait. Stadhouderskade 78. (020) 5239666. www.heinekenexperience.com

New Church (Nieuwe Kerk)
No longer a church, this museum holds lots of changing exhibits and the occasional royal wedding. This is also the place where the Dutch kings and queens are crowned. Visiting the church costs €3, unless a special exhibition puts up the price. Don’t miss the panels about the church itself, upstairs from the shop. The exit takes you into the somewhat overpriced café which compensates the cost of your coffee or sandwich by offering you a fantastic view of the Dam Square. Daily 10 am - 6 pm. (020) 6386909. www.nieuwekerk.nl

Old Church (Oude Kerk)
Another church turned museum, this is the oldest stone building in Amsterdam, most of it from the 14th century. The main hall is used for changing exhibits and art shows with the occasional concert. It is also possible to take a tour up the tower (Monday to Saturday, every half hour between 1-5 pm, €5). The view of the Red Light District from the top is spectacular. Monday to Saturday 11 am - 5 pm, Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm, €4.50 (more for special exhibits). (020) 6892565. www.oudekerk.nl

Rijksmuseum
The national museum of Holland is home to Rembrandt's most famous painting: The Night Watch, which justifies visiting the museum alone. There are also great exhibits from the Golden Age of the 17th Century when tiny Holland was a superpower. Most of the museum is closed for renovation until 2008 but the good stuff is still on display and the entrance has been moved to the side door. Open daily 9 am - 6 pm (Fri 10 pm), €10, under 18s free, (worthwhile) audio guide €4. Jan Luijkenstraat 1. (020) 6747000. www.rijksmuseum.nl

Van Gogh Museum
However you (mis)pronounce his name there's no denying that this is the world's best collection of his work. Spanning all his career from beginnings to descent into madness, minus half an ear. On display are some greats like the early The Potato Eaters, one of the Sunflowers paintings and the sinister, unnerving Wheatfield with Crows. The museum also contains some paintings by a few contemporaries like Gaugin, Anton Mauve and others. Open daily, 10 am - 6 pm (Fri 10 pm), €10 (change to €12.50 starting July 1st, 2008) . Paulus Potterstraat 7. (020) 5705200. www.vangoghmuseum.nl

 
Smaller Museums
There are many small, interesting museums in Amsterdam whose titles are usually self explanatory:

Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum: Oudezijdsachterburgwal 148. (020) 6235961. www.hashmuseum.com

Houseboat Museum: in the canal, opposite Prinsengracht 296. (020) 4270750. www.houseboatmuseum.nl

Jewish Museum: Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1. (020) 5310310. www.jhm.nl

Photography Museum: Keizersgracht 609. (020) 5516500. www.foam.nl

Rembrandt House Museum: Jodenbreestraat 4. (020) 5200400. www.rembrandthuis.nl

Sex Museum: Damrak 18. (020) 6228376. www.sexmuseumamsterdam.nl

Tulip Museum: Prinsengracht 112. (020) 4210095. www.amsterdamtulipmuseum.nl