Vondelpark is undoubtedly the most well known park in Amsterdam, and probably the Netherlands.  Located not far from the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, and Van Gogh Museum, it gets tons of visitors every year.  Although you can find quiet areas in the park to relax and chill out, that’s not why most people come here.  This is a park for people watching (and for me, dog watching), and biking, of course. 

Chilling out with friends by any of the ponds in the park is certainly a common activity. 

I love biking in this park.  You can do a big loop around the park and see everything the park has to offer.  

I personally like the western side of the park for biking.  There’s a big canopy of trees on that side, and it’s less populated.  I think it’s the prettiest side of the park. 

I’ve been here with all of the friends who’ve come and visited me here.  When I took Brad here in 2013, we came here.

When my good friend Robb came and visited, we hung out here and also did some biking. 

When I went to Mexico with Robb, he met a guy named Julio with whom he hung out a lot.  I was once hanging out with my partner Mark in Vondelpark during Pride, and we stumbled upon a big outdoor party.  We went, and ran into Julio!

Two years ago, my college buddies visited me in Amsterdam and stayed for a few days.  Yes indeed, we hung out here as well. 

Of course, the first time I came here was the first time I was in Amsterdam, in 1998.  I met Udi at a street party, and we became inseparable.  Twenty three years later, he’s one of my best friends.  

The picture above was at an outdoor movie in the park.  I’ve been to a few movies there, as well as a concert.

Last time I went, by myself, to see a concert.  Unfortunately, it started to rain.  But people in Amsterdam are so nice, and a woman sitting nearby with her young daughter offered to let me get under their blanket until the rain subsided. 

On my recent trip last August, while on the far side of the park, I noticed a pathway off the main bike path that had a nice canopy made up of small trees.  The light at the end of the pathway was a nice setup for a photo, so I waited until the right subject came along.  This photo of a cyclist, with the hat and the saddle bags, has a similar appearance of a cyclist you’d see in Vietnam, with bags on the bike and the classic Vietnamese hat. It’s one of my favorite shots from that month in Amsterdam.

Going to Vondelpark when you visit Amsterdam is like going to Central Park when you visit New York.  It’s on your “gotta do” list, and it certainly should be.  One of my favorite parks in the world.