Amstelveen's main draws are its parks and its excellent modern art museum. The Cobra Museum is the standout cultural sight, the Jac. P. Thijssepark is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the country, and the vast Amsterdamse Bos forest, mostly within Amstelveen's borders, offers boating, riding, goat-petting, and miles of cycling.
For anyone staying near Schiphol or wanting a calmer base than central Amsterdam, Amstelveen also makes a comfortable place to eat, shop, and unwind for a day or two between sightseeing.