Discover the links between Amsterdam and USA

An American history tour in Amsterdam may sound a bit odd in the first place, but the contrary is true! American traces are all around in Amsterdam – or Holland – today: Starbucks, Apple, Coca Cola, Santa Claus, Hollywood – just to name a few.

This tour is in reverse: you are about to discover the Dutch traces in American history. We have to warn you: there is more Dutch in the USA than you expect! You may have heard about New Amsterdam, the name of the Dutch settlement that later became New York. We will show you the origins of New Amsterdam and the Dutch roots of New York. And it doesn’t stop there! There is a lot more American history to uncover in Amsterdam. Join us for this tour and you will be surprised. You might want to take some extra time for it, because these stories generally turn out to be starting points for interesting and lengthy conversations. What is the Amsterdam story behind the declaration of independence, the Louisiana purchase and the cult movie Pulp Fiction?

America’s origin

The story of the origin of the United States begins in 1609 when Henry Hudson sets sail from Amsterdam. His voyage of discovery would lead to the foundation of New Amsterdam, later called New York. But how did a British sailor with a bad reputation end up sailing for the Dutch East India Company? And if he was employed by the Dutch East India Company, why did he sail to the west? We will visit some of the places Hudson visited and tell you the fascinating story of icy seas, mutiny and early settlements on wild and unexplored coasts.

Amsterdam: the cradle of capitalism

Markets and trade are as old as mankind. Modern day capitalism with stocks and brokers, bonds and shares has a clear origin: it was invented by Amsterdam merchants in the early 17th century and it would change the world completely. The world’s first share was issued in Amsterdam. We will visit the places where capitalism was conceived and tell you the incredible story of how this invention became the driving force of the USA. If possible we can include a visit to the vaults of the city archive to search for the world’s first share. Is it still there? Or was it stolen by George Clooney and his gang in the movie Ocean’s Twelve?

New Netherlands, the historic connection between Amsterdam and North America

The Dutch settlement on the North American coast included more than just Manhattan. It included parts of what is now called the state of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware. The colony was governed from Amsterdam by the West India Company. On our walk we will visit the former headquarters of this company, with the statue of Peter Stuyvesant. We will talk about the Dutch presence in North America, how The New Netherlands colony developed and flourished and what the Dutch influence was on present day America. By the time the colony was taken over by the British and New Amsterdam became New York, the Dutch had left their mark permanently on this area. Many things that we regard as typical New York DNA can be traced back to Dutch and Amsterdam origins. We will walk past a few examples of Amsterdam DNA and tell you how it became part of the American DNA. And how some of it ultimately shaped the USA.

America’s independence

What is the connection between Amsterdam and America’s independence struggle? When the young United States fought their battle of independence with the British empire, the Dutch played a vital role in America’s success. One man is at the center of this story. He is known as founding father John Adams. He lived in Amsterdam as an ambassador for the American revolutionaries. We will show you his house on one of the canals and tell you the story how one man changed the destiny of the United States, resulting in major and severe consequences for the 18th century Dutch Republic…

Hollywood film locations

While you walk around Amsterdam you’ll notice her beauty. They know that in Hollywood too – several times, our scenic city has been used as a location for some well known and lesser known Hollywood productions. Amsterdam was not only a backdrop for some movies, it was also the inspiration for some others. Depending on our route we will show you some key role spots that you might recognize from the big screen.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?
Once we are in touch through email to plan this tour, we will get to the details of where to meet and where to end.  

I have particular interests and/or special needs. Can this tour be customized?
Yes. Please contact us, and we will be happy to come up with a tailor-made tour for you.

Is the tour suitable for young children?
This tour is suitable from the age of 12. 

Is this tour suitable for people with reduced mobility?
The tour is appropriate for guests with good mobility. We can adjust the walking pace and include short breaks if necessary.

Can this tour be done by car?
No, as the historical center of Amsterdam is best covered by foot.

The weather is bad, what happens now?
Amsterdam Odyssey tours will take place under any weather conditions, unless a formal warning regarding the weather has been issued by the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI). Dutch weather can be unpredictable. Make sure to pack and dress accordingly!