Amsterdam is a city that has so many different things you can do that it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you only have a few days to see the city. When traveling it is not always necessary to see every site and wait in every line to see what every other tourist will see. Before you go, do a little research and make a ranking list. List all the things you want to see and rank them in order of things that you could not miss and things you would like to see, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if you missed.
With list in hand, look at a map and see where all these sites are. If there are 2 things you really want to see that are near each other plan to see them both in the same day. WARNING: Do not plan too much in one day or you will be more concerned with making to the place and not really enjoy what you are seeing. Typically one site/event should be planned a day as to not overwhelm you and remember, you're on vacation, enjoy the time off.
When travelling, making a meal your daily focus can be fun. Pick a fun restaurant and sit for 2 hours with some food and a drink. It's not like it is in America that you eat your food with lighting speed and the wait staff is trying to turn the table over to get money from the next customer. In Europe there is no rush, you need to ask to have your check and tip is usually included in the bill. Do some research and read about the eating/tipping customs of Holland before you go.
There are some must see's that should be on everyone's list when you visit Amsterdam. In no particular order: Anne Frank's House http://www.annefrank.org/, Dam Square and Vondelpark. http://www.amsterdam.info/ is a great site to do a little research. Don't forget to ditch all the tourist stuff one day and just walk around. Stop at a take out stand to grab a snack, find a side street and stroll.
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