Two other worthwhile ideas are TunFun, an indoor playground (located under the Mr. Visserplein traffic circle, 011-31/20-689-4300, tunfun.nl, kids $12, adults free), and De Krakeling, a children's theater where you don't have to understand Dutch to enjoy the performances (Nieuwe Passeerdersstraat 1, 011-31/20-625-3284, krakeling.nl, $14).

No visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a sobering trip to the Anne Frank House. It could offer an opportunity to have a discussion with your child about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism (Prinsengracht 267, 011-31/20-556-7100, annefrank.org, $12). Right down the street from the Anne Frank House, The Pancake Bakery is a great kid-friendly place to eat. It offers all different kinds of pancakes, both sweet and savory (Prinsengracht 191, 011-31/20-625-1333, pancake.nl, from $8).

Edam and Gouda, two towns famous for cheese, are both scenic train rides away. Our favorite city outside of Amsterdam was Kinderdijk, which is just east of Rotterdam. It has 19 windmills, several wooden-shoe shops, bike trails, very friendly people, and great food. You can tour a few of the windmills. Even just sitting at the bus stop and watching old folks pedal by in their wooden shoes can be entertaining. Children always seem to love Kinderdijk.

The Hema, C&A, and V&D are all big department stores with great and affordable selections of clothes. Don't miss the markets: Albert Cuyp and Dappermarkt (both closed on Sunday). The Jordaan neighborhood has several boutiques and nice places to eat. You'll definitely want to shop along De Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets), a collection of streets known for its great specialty shops and boutiques (theninestreets.com). P.C. Hoofstraat is Amsterdam's upscale shopping street, and Utrechtsestraat also has some interesting shops. Be sure to check out the clothes at Cora Kemperman. They're unique, stylish, and comfortable, and they're made with luxurious fabrics that are often machine washable. The store frequently has great sales during the winter months, so you might be in luck (Leidsestraat 72, 011-31/20-625-1284,corakemperman.nl).

Thanks to these readers for their Amsterdam tips: Kim Dillan Eich, St. Cloud, Fla.; Sheila Pizur, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Jennifer Katz, New York, N.Y.; Priscilla Emery, Longwood, Fla.; Michelle Willson, Ayer, Mass.; Jacki Harris, La Canada, Calif.; Kim Dillan Eich, St. Cloud, Fla.; Sheila Pizur, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Michelle Willson, Ayer, Mass.

Dear BT Readers...
For my long weekend in Knoxville, Tenn., I need advice on absolutely everything. Where should I eat? What should I do while I'm there? Are there museums or galleries I should see? And I'd love to find a small, charming hotel or B&B to stay in. Liz Ozaist, Senior Editor

Be sure to spend some time in the Old City and Market Square, near downtown. There are some great little restaurants and shops to visit. The Tomato Head is a popular spot to grab some fresh and inventive pizza or sandwiches (12 Market Sq., 865/637-4067, thetomatohead.com, entrées from $8). The staff at Downtown Grill & Brewery is wonderful, and the food and beer are delicious. It has outdoor seating, so we were even able to bring our dog (424 S. Gay St., 865/633-8111, downtownbrewery.com, entrées from $8). For an excellent sandwich, head to Sam and Andy's (11110 Kingston Pike, 865/675-4242, sandwiches from $4.25). Everyone loves the barbecue at Calhoun's (10020 Kingston Pike, 865/673-3444, entrées from $8).

I was in Knoxville last year for a conference, and I appreciated how compact it was. In my free time, I spent a nice couple of hours at the smallish Knoxville Museum of Art, just between the university campus and downtown. I was the only person in the gallery, and a University of Tennessee art student working there gave me a tour (1050 World's Fair Park, 865/525-6101, knoxart.org, $5).

You can stay in a quaint little B&B close to downtown called Maplehurst Inn (800 W. Hill Ave., 865/523-7773, maplehurstinn.com, from $79).

Thanks to these readers for their Knoxville tips: Emily Utt, Maryville, Tenn.; Kimberly Yavorski, Ambler, Pa.; Stephanie Fox, Woodstock, Ill.; Mark Doig, Corryton, Tenn.; Paul Prew, Eagan, Minn.; Clay Greene, Knoxville, Tenn.

Dear BT Readers...
My friends and I will be in New Orleans for New Year's. Can you suggest swamp or plantation tours? Super restaurants? Do we need to rent a car the entire time? Amy Chen, Assistant Editor

To see the swamps, nothing beats Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours, about 20 minutes from downtown (6601 Leo Kerner Lafitte Pkwy., Marrero, 504/689-4186, jeanlafitteswamptour.com, $24). If you only have time for one plantation, go to Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie (3645 Hwy. 18, 225/265-2151, oakalleyplantation.com, $15). San Francisco Plantation in Garyville is also unique (2646 Hwy. 44, 985/535-2341, sanfranciscoplantation.org, $15), and Nottoway Plantation in White Castle has the absolute best food in its restaurant. Order the Cajun Two-Step—shrimp creole and jambalaya—and the bread pudding (30970 Hwy. 405, 866/527-6884, nottoway.com, admission $15). Gray Line offers a tour of areas affected by Hurricane Katrina (800/535-7786, grayline.com, $35).