Head to Zaanse Shans, a quintessentially Dutch district complete with wooden clogs, brightly coloured tulips, and functioning windmills. This charming area, an open-air museum, is just a 15-minute train ride (followed by a 20-minute walk) from Amsterdam. You'll be smitten by the 18th- and 19th-century wooden houses lining the roads and the traditional Dutch treats offered up by the vendors.
Amsterdam’s ‘little sister’, Rotterdam, is a buzzing city and just a 35-minute train ride away. It holds its own when it comes to food, nightlife, and entertainment, and because it's so close, makes for the perfect day trip from Amsterdam. Likewise, the city of Gouda is only 55 minutes by train from Amsterdam. Between April and August, you can visit the cheese market there and watch cheesemakers demonstrating their craft.
If you have a bit more time, travel to Keukenhof, the world's largest flower garden. The tulips, in full bloom from March through May, spread across nearly 80 acres of land. You can also take in flower shows, art exhibits, and other events during your visit.