When we were at the train station in Amsterdam, hanging out just outside the Amsterdam Central airport, I saw the giant swings on top of a building. Casually, I said to Dann “do you think that is swings?” and he said “oh yes. I would never do that” but I knew, I would totally do that. I then made it my mission to do that. The A’Dam Lookout is a very touristy, very interesting venue with beautiful views of the main city, which you can book tickets to view during the daytime, sunset, or evening. We booked going in one of the evenings, right after sunset, which was fantastic.
When getting to the bottom of the A’Dam Lookout, you enter through the side of a gift shop and head to an elevator up some stairs. This elevator is running after few minutes (after you get an entry ticket). Inside the elevator, which goes quite quickly, there is a sort of light show on your way up, as the elevator itself is clear and there are fun lights on the outside. Then, you end up at the first floor. This floor contains a large bar, a restaurant, a VR-experience that you can book tickets too, and a free cinema. We did not do the VR roller coaster experience, which had you sitting in a VR chair and everything, due to having a VR at home and not finding it that interesting. We did check out the bar and the view around the bar, which was fantastic! You are completely closed in glass, so this is a bit less scary than outside on the deck. There are also lockers here where you can place your items if you want too! The cinema view movie had comfortable seating, but was basically a small history on the building and an ad for the hotel at the base of the lookout.
We went up the stars at A’Dam Lookout, heading towards the actual sky view deck. You cannot take glass to this viewing area, but otherwise are free to go up there whenever. This are is open air, with a ton of netting around it. There are a bunch of different spots that do not have netting, allowing you to look out there and see a bunch of the view without actually having the netting there. This is a great spot for pictures! Along the outside is a timeline of the area, adding more historical info, along with an outdoor bar, a few photo areas including a horse you can hop on for a picture, and of course the swings.
By the time Dann and I got to the top of the A’Dam Lookout, Dann had fulfilled his quest of not wanting to go on the big swing, which is totally fine! Instead, I got to go on twice as I had already purchased two tickets, but you can hold off on purchasing the swing tickets and purchase them at this level as an add-on. Getting on the swing, you are sort of strapped in with a metal bar, and then it moves up and swings you! The swing only lasts for one minute, which is long enough to start relaxing if you are a bit scared. The view was absolutely stunning – which I really enjoyed. It’s a great time to reflect and really just enjoy the breeze. This is one of those once in a lifetime, life changing for me, reflective experience that I am so glad that I got to do. I really loved every moment!
It is worth mentioning that there are viewing decks up here, where you can see the front and side of the swings on. You can bring a friend to record you or ask the staff (who were all super lovely and willing) to record you. I watched a few even do fun transitions for those that wanted them. There is a paid photo pass, which are attached to the front of the swing, but these are not available in the evenings as there isn’t enough light.
You can check out our other Days Out to see what else we’ve been up too!