Heading to Amsterdam in April for my buddies 50th. Never been, and would appreciate some recs on things to do and places not to be missed. Looking to partake in all the local customs...when in Rome and all... thanks in advance!
It is a beautiful city full of beautiful tall women though. I found the whole party scene pretty tame unless there is some novelty to smoking weed I no longer get.
although I hear the window shopping is fun. At my stage in life I'm not looking for an insane party scene, I'm looking to chill in a cool town, eat some good food, and hang with my buddies.
I wrote this for a friend two years back who was to be in Amsterdam for an 8 hour lay over.
Exit baggage claim and turn to the left. You are heading to the train ticket counter. Forget getting a cab to take you into town (assuming you are staying in the old town area), take the train. The train is like 4 euros, cab 45. The train provides better view.
Attached is a map showing the tram lines, their route and tram number. Walk around for sure, but when you want to move greater distances hope on the tram and save your feet. Consult the map and the tram number as to where you want to go. Possibly tram #1, #4 or #5 head that direction. You now know you can jump on any of the three to get where you want.
It is somewhat hard to recommend what to go and see, being your there for a day. If you get on a tram at the central station a day ticket or hourly ticket can be purchased. The hourly pass might be 5 Euros (?). Do know these are smart cards; by that I mean they have a running clock with in the card. Once you purchase the ticket, you swipe it to activate it. Be sure to swipe it when you are exiting the tram. This stops the clock. A hour long card, can last the entire day, if your careful. No big deal if you forget.
Depending on what you all like and care to do. The Keukenhof tulip garden will be in bloom soon. This does require a bus and tram ride out of Amsterdam.
https://keukenhof.nl/en/
The Rijks mmuseum is well worth a stop. Lots of Dutch history, art, ships guns and etc..
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en
A good overall website for events going on with in the city.
http://www.iamsterdam.com/
March events:
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/whats-on/monthly-event-calendar/march
Here are a list of attractions:
http://www.amsterdam.info/sights/
I would suggest, from the central station take the 1, 2 or 5 tram towards Leidseplein. Get off at the Spui stop and walk up toward the flower market which will be on your left (on the map 4/B). Walk up and back along the Singel canal. Continue on the 1, 2, or 5 to Leidseplein. If you get on the 2 or 5 this tram will take you to Museumplein.
Side comment. if you're standing at the end the of the flower market, on Leidenstraat, there is a grocery store across the street. If you need some water or a snack, this is a good spot. You will now be on the correct side of the street to continue to head to Leidseplein and onto Museumplein. You can walk up to Leidseplein, if you like, it will only take about 10-15 minutes.
Why Museumplein? The Von Gogh museum is located on the large park, as well as three other museums. If you take the 2 or 5 back heading toward the central station get back off at the flower market, walk along the flower market to the end and turn to your left. You will still be heading back toward the central station at this point. You can walk or catch the 16, 24 or 25 tram and get off at the Dam. This is a large square where the Queen's palace resides. Correction, now the Kings palace. Cost for a tour is like 8 Euros. There is a national monument is the square. It is interesting but avoid sitting on the very top step. When festival are in the square, the monument actually becomes a large urinal. Odd sounding I know, but it is the truth. Be respectful and remove you hat when going inside a building.
If you walk toward the monument stay to the right side decent place to sit and eat some food. As is the Leidseplein area. As you continue past the monument, you will be at the top of the red light district. This area will be down to your left, turn at any canal, you like. Know that at this point you are a 20-30 minute walk from the central station or back to the trams and your there is 3 minutes.
Had you continued through the Dam square on your walk, not the ballards, in the center of the street. They are formed of various blocks, these where designed by Von Gogh. The symbol of Amsterdam, is not 3 X's, but 3 crosses turned on there sides. How ever they do look like X's.
A small place to take your buds. small out of the way place. While in the Dam turn toward the NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, walk toward the hotel and go down the alley on the right. You will pass through a vestibule and exit. There will be a genever establishment on your left has been there since 1679. Give it a try. They are flavors shot of gin. Worth while stop.
Depending on time you can walk back toward the central station where the canal tours start. If you choose a tour, get a map where the canal tours drop people off. If you are running short on time you can always get off the canal tour and hope on the tram heading back to the central station. You just have to plan a little ahead and see where the canal drops off close to a tram line.
Know that communication, while in Holland, is not a problem. They honestly speak better English then we do. If you need assistance feel free to ask or spot a person wear a red vest or hat with the Iamsterdam logo. They are city provided tourist helpers.
Print out the attached map, and keep it with you and you will be good to go. Even if you just walk, Amsterdam is a nice city and easy to get around.
Ps. Suggestions. The Anne Frank house usually has long lines, I would skip it. Rembrants museum is not located in Rembrant square. Ho ever it is a good place to pass through on the way toward the river and then walk along the river. if you keep track of where you are on the map, you can manage your time fairly well.
If you have any questions feel free to ask and I will try to answer them.
Not 100% sure how to add an image. Trying to upload the map.
Best thing to do in Amsterdam is to rent bikes for a day or two and just ride around. Stop at a coffee shop or bar, then take a ride through Vondelpark, and ride along the canals. Everyone in Amsterdam rides bikes and their streets are designed to protect bicyclists unlike our cities.
Other highlights.... Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum are both excellent. and can give you a couple hours break from the coffee shops and bars. Heineken tour is fine, can ride the canal boats. Other than that, hope for good weather and just walk the city. It's a really beautiful city and very walkable. Tons of architecture and history.
If you go touring the red light district, which is easy as it is not to big. Know, that photos are not allowed. You will get hassled if you try to take a photo. Be mindful of what is in your pockets, as there are pick pockets around.
all in all, easy city to tour, walk and enjoy. There are some quite nice places to eat, just a block off the tram lines. Great city to come back and visit time after time.
You can smoke pot outside if that is your thing. Just be mindful and respectful of who is around. Just walk along a canal and stop stand there and you will be good. Just dont' fire up right next to a family.
A number of coffee shop sell pre-rolled joints and what not. As mentioned earlier there is no tobacco smoking in coffee shops. Typically, coffee shop and alcohol are not mixed together.
Just have a few euros in your pocket before getting there so you can buy a tram ticket.
Do let your bank know you will be traveling abroad so they do not cut off access to a debt card. US debt cards work in Holland, so no need to carry large sums of money with you. Not travelers checks, don't even know if those still exist.
Be careful when crossing the streets. There are bike lanes. These are used and often very busy. You think you have crossed the street and avoid the cars, trucks and buses; only to now be standing in a bike lane. You might hear a bell or two saying get out of the way.
If you do enjoy a coffee shop and stop in understand this is world class stuff. It is not uncommon when people smoke that their blood sugar drops. Then when they try to stand and walk out they get light headed. The higher class establishment (no pun intended), you might notice have a small bowl of chocolate on the counter or by the door. If any one start to feel dizzy, ask for a chocolate or gum or coke. Just ingest something with sugar and with in a few minutes all will be good.
Is an alleyway that is narrower than all the others, this is called Hottie Alley and well deserving of its name. Worth it just to sightsee, you can thank me later
Also there is a Comedy Show there called "Boom Chicago"
Generally, you won't need to look hard for coffee shops. Can just walk around and drop inside and try one.
Amsterdam is great.
It is totally different, and delicious, in Amsterdam.
Exit baggage claim and turn to the left. You are heading to the train ticket counter. Forget getting a cab to take you into town (assuming you are staying in the old town area), take the train. The train is like 4 euros, cab 45. The train provides better view.
Attached is a map showing the tram lines, their route and tram number. Walk around for sure, but when you want to move greater distances hope on the tram and save your feet. Consult the map and the tram number as to where you want to go. Possibly tram #1, #4 or #5 head that direction. You now know you can jump on any of the three to get where you want.
It is somewhat hard to recommend what to go and see, being your there for a day. If you get on a tram at the central station a day ticket or hourly ticket can be purchased. The hourly pass might be 5 Euros (?). Do know these are smart cards; by that I mean they have a running clock with in the card. Once you purchase the ticket, you swipe it to activate it. Be sure to swipe it when you are exiting the tram. This stops the clock. A hour long card, can last the entire day, if your careful. No big deal if you forget.
Depending on what you all like and care to do. The Keukenhof tulip garden will be in bloom soon. This does require a bus and tram ride out of Amsterdam.
https://keukenhof.nl/en/
The Rijks mmuseum is well worth a stop. Lots of Dutch history, art, ships guns and etc..
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en
A good overall website for events going on with in the city.
http://www.iamsterdam.com/
March events:
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/whats-on/monthly-event-calendar/march
Here are a list of attractions:
http://www.amsterdam.info/sights/
I would suggest, from the central station take the 1, 2 or 5 tram towards Leidseplein. Get off at the Spui stop and walk up toward the flower market which will be on your left (on the map 4/B). Walk up and back along the Singel canal. Continue on the 1, 2, or 5 to Leidseplein. If you get on the 2 or 5 this tram will take you to Museumplein.
Side comment. if you're standing at the end the of the flower market, on Leidenstraat, there is a grocery store across the street. If you need some water or a snack, this is a good spot. You will now be on the correct side of the street to continue to head to Leidseplein and onto Museumplein. You can walk up to Leidseplein, if you like, it will only take about 10-15 minutes.
Why Museumplein? The Von Gogh museum is located on the large park, as well as three other museums. If you take the 2 or 5 back heading toward the central station get back off at the flower market, walk along the flower market to the end and turn to your left. You will still be heading back toward the central station at this point. You can walk or catch the 16, 24 or 25 tram and get off at the Dam. This is a large square where the Queen's palace resides. Correction, now the Kings palace. Cost for a tour is like 8 Euros. There is a national monument is the square. It is interesting but avoid sitting on the very top step. When festival are in the square, the monument actually becomes a large urinal. Odd sounding I know, but it is the truth. Be respectful and remove you hat when going inside a building.
If you walk toward the monument stay to the right side decent place to sit and eat some food. As is the Leidseplein area. As you continue past the monument, you will be at the top of the red light district. This area will be down to your left, turn at any canal, you like. Know that at this point you are a 20-30 minute walk from the central station or back to the trams and your there is 3 minutes.
Had you continued through the Dam square on your walk, not the ballards, in the center of the street. They are formed of various blocks, these where designed by Von Gogh. The symbol of Amsterdam, is not 3 X's, but 3 crosses turned on there sides. How ever they do look like X's.
A small place to take your buds. small out of the way place. While in the Dam turn toward the NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, walk toward the hotel and go down the alley on the right. You will pass through a vestibule and exit. There will be a genever establishment on your left has been there since 1679. Give it a try. They are flavors shot of gin. Worth while stop.
Depending on time you can walk back toward the central station where the canal tours start. If you choose a tour, get a map where the canal tours drop people off. If you are running short on time you can always get off the canal tour and hope on the tram heading back to the central station. You just have to plan a little ahead and see where the canal drops off close to a tram line.
Know that communication, while in Holland, is not a problem. They honestly speak better English then we do. If you need assistance feel free to ask or spot a person wear a red vest or hat with the Iamsterdam logo. They are city provided tourist helpers.
Print out the attached map, and keep it with you and you will be good to go. Even if you just walk, Amsterdam is a nice city and easy to get around.
Ps. Suggestions. The Anne Frank house usually has long lines, I would skip it. Rembrants museum is not located in Rembrant square. Ho ever it is a good place to pass through on the way toward the river and then walk along the river. if you keep track of where you are on the map, you can manage your time fairly well.
If you have any questions feel free to ask and I will try to answer them.
Not 100% sure how to add an image. Trying to upload the map.
Can not seem to figure it out.
link to map with tram numbers - ( New Window )
Other highlights.... Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum are both excellent. and can give you a couple hours break from the coffee shops and bars. Heineken tour is fine, can ride the canal boats. Other than that, hope for good weather and just walk the city. It's a really beautiful city and very walkable. Tons of architecture and history.
all in all, easy city to tour, walk and enjoy. There are some quite nice places to eat, just a block off the tram lines. Great city to come back and visit time after time.
You can smoke pot outside if that is your thing. Just be mindful and respectful of who is around. Just walk along a canal and stop stand there and you will be good. Just dont' fire up right next to a family.
A number of coffee shop sell pre-rolled joints and what not. As mentioned earlier there is no tobacco smoking in coffee shops. Typically, coffee shop and alcohol are not mixed together.
Just have a few euros in your pocket before getting there so you can buy a tram ticket.
Do let your bank know you will be traveling abroad so they do not cut off access to a debt card. US debt cards work in Holland, so no need to carry large sums of money with you. Not travelers checks, don't even know if those still exist.
Be careful when crossing the streets. There are bike lanes. These are used and often very busy. You think you have crossed the street and avoid the cars, trucks and buses; only to now be standing in a bike lane. You might hear a bell or two saying get out of the way.
Other wise, good or bad, enjoy yourself.
If you do enjoy a coffee shop and stop in understand this is world class stuff. It is not uncommon when people smoke that their blood sugar drops. Then when they try to stand and walk out they get light headed. The higher class establishment (no pun intended), you might notice have a small bowl of chocolate on the counter or by the door. If any one start to feel dizzy, ask for a chocolate or gum or coke. Just ingest something with sugar and with in a few minutes all will be good.