going to amsterdam today, what to see and do
- Thread starter wedrum
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The "Wallen" is the red light district. Can be done in half an hour as it's been cleaned up and is now managed properly by the government. Only a few streets remain, more of a token thing than the place it once was.
Don't waste your time with the Heineken Experience or De Beers Diamond tour, they've just little tours trying to get you to buy stuff, in fact last time I went was with my wife who'd never been to Holland before and I was seriously ****** off with how much they ruined it. The sex museum is crap too, it's just a few rooms full of sex toys and stirrups and whatnot.
The pleins are usually decent on weekends, Museumplein in particular usually has a nice buzz to it and there are loads of bars and restaurants around. The same goes for the Dam, Waterlooplein, Rembrandplein, and more. Actually, this might come in handy.
If you're taking the ladyfriend and she enjoys seeing special shops, then the Bijenkorf is a must. Think of it as Holland's Harrods. Not quite as glammy and glitzy but worth a wander through.
If you're looking to do a canal tour, then use Rederij Plas, they are the best and also quite affordable, and often they'll dish out random restaurant vouchers and stuff on the boat so you might get lucky.
If you want a proper whole day tour, then go to the tour stand on the main walk from Amsterdam Centraal, it's about 200m on the right and ask for a Zaanse Schans tour. It's great, they'll take you through a bit of the countryside and show you some windmills with a bit of history, you'll see how "klompen" (clogs) are made, as well as cheese and usually a tulip farm (season dependent). Really nice day out which shows you some of Holland's culture, which isn't blow and brass.
If you want a puff, then go to Abraxas. Lovely little place which we went to when I lived there and you get to keep the ash trays as souvenirs (not sure if they still do this, but they did when I used to go there). It's away from the robbing touristy places and has a nice atmosphere.
For junk food, you must try Febo. Preferrably after a puff. Amazing food for £pittance.
Have fun
Don't waste your time with the Heineken Experience or De Beers Diamond tour, they've just little tours trying to get you to buy stuff, in fact last time I went was with my wife who'd never been to Holland before and I was seriously ****** off with how much they ruined it. The sex museum is crap too, it's just a few rooms full of sex toys and stirrups and whatnot.
The pleins are usually decent on weekends, Museumplein in particular usually has a nice buzz to it and there are loads of bars and restaurants around. The same goes for the Dam, Waterlooplein, Rembrandplein, and more. Actually, this might come in handy.
If you're taking the ladyfriend and she enjoys seeing special shops, then the Bijenkorf is a must. Think of it as Holland's Harrods. Not quite as glammy and glitzy but worth a wander through.
If you're looking to do a canal tour, then use Rederij Plas, they are the best and also quite affordable, and often they'll dish out random restaurant vouchers and stuff on the boat so you might get lucky.
If you want a proper whole day tour, then go to the tour stand on the main walk from Amsterdam Centraal, it's about 200m on the right and ask for a Zaanse Schans tour. It's great, they'll take you through a bit of the countryside and show you some windmills with a bit of history, you'll see how "klompen" (clogs) are made, as well as cheese and usually a tulip farm (season dependent). Really nice day out which shows you some of Holland's culture, which isn't blow and brass.
If you want a puff, then go to Abraxas. Lovely little place which we went to when I lived there and you get to keep the ash trays as souvenirs (not sure if they still do this, but they did when I used to go there). It's away from the robbing touristy places and has a nice atmosphere.
For junk food, you must try Febo. Preferrably after a puff. Amazing food for £pittance.
Have fun
Caporegime
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OP I think you missed out an 'e' in your username
Yep agreed. As for the museums, I enjoyed both the Rembrandt and Van Gogh ones around there.....from what I can remember....I think I enjoyed the Rembrandt one more...was a while ago though...so my memory is a bit foggy.... with age....
Soldato
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Go to the Red light district in the evening. Most of the windows are occupied then. Theres a few bars/pubs you can sit at and watch the show very entertaining.
Went in one of the smoking establishments and left within 5 mins. Was full of very roudy russians.
As said above avoid all the museums (didnt go in art ones admittedly) the Heineken one is just an overpriced joke and the sex musem was only good for a few laughs.
Really beautifull place (we went in december so all the canal was lit up etc) Dont think id ever go back tho to be honest was one of those "to do list" locations. Altho may reconcider if im ever single!
Went in one of the smoking establishments and left within 5 mins. Was full of very roudy russians.
As said above avoid all the museums (didnt go in art ones admittedly) the Heineken one is just an overpriced joke and the sex musem was only good for a few laughs.
Really beautifull place (we went in december so all the canal was lit up etc) Dont think id ever go back tho to be honest was one of those "to do list" locations. Altho may reconcider if im ever single!
Soldato
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As Diddums says really.
Canal tours are nice on a good day, the Brewery experiences are overpriced and will feature a segment when they ask if anyone is English followed by a short yet scientifically incorrect explanation why Beer should be served with several inches of head. Anne Frank Museum is normally very busy and is booked in advance during the busier seasons. There is an ice bar if you fancy a novelty drink in a freezer.
If you get bored, there is some decent shopping to be done near the main square, though not so much that youl feel the need to dedicate more than a few hours max.
If you smoke, make sure you ask the establishment if they are okay with tobacco indoors.
Canal tours are nice on a good day, the Brewery experiences are overpriced and will feature a segment when they ask if anyone is English followed by a short yet scientifically incorrect explanation why Beer should be served with several inches of head. Anne Frank Museum is normally very busy and is booked in advance during the busier seasons. There is an ice bar if you fancy a novelty drink in a freezer.
If you get bored, there is some decent shopping to be done near the main square, though not so much that youl feel the need to dedicate more than a few hours max.
If you smoke, make sure you ask the establishment if they are okay with tobacco indoors.
Soldato
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Go to bodyworlds
Soldato
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Hires bicycles and take a ride around Vondelpark
When wondering around redlight just be careful to stay in main bit..my wife wasn't impressed when we walked past the ladyboys ... even more so as I tricked her in to walking past 4 times . I'd get a wink she'd get dirty looks
lots of places to go and drink and eat away from main tourist parts
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/
lots of places to go and drink and eat away from main tourist parts
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/
Permabanned
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You can go to the Heineken museum
High username to post content correlation
Soldato
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Body World, one of the most interesting things I've ever gone to. Go to one of the live sex shows, ours was hilarious and while I wouldn't go to another one (whole thing was a bit weird) it was definitely an experience.
Soldato
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Torture museum was quite good as well, would recommended that.
Soldato
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Rijksmuseum was very impressive and the Amsterdam history museum is usually good.
Soldato
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Will add there are 2 kinds of shows, you want the one for tourists. There are not so many laughs in the other kind
Soldato
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Dutch trad and craft beers: http://www.arendsnest.nl/
It is good fun.
I found Anne Franks underwhelming but it is next to a really nice pancake house. Swings and roundabouts.
If you'd like coffee shop recommendations. Greenhouse and Barney's are my favourite stops. Especially Barneys uptown as they sell really nice food too.
Any Betty Boops for a shmoke
Show up at break of dawn for Anne Franks house
Rembrandts house is amazing and well worth a walk around there if you like art - nice place to walk around canals
Van Gogh gallery was ace - there was a cool diamond place opposite/nearby
Flower markets
Spend an evening in The Wildeman bar for lots of awesome beers http://www.indewildeman.nl/index.php?lang=en
The trams are cool and the touristy travel passes are good value too.
Have a great trip.
Show up at break of dawn for Anne Franks house
Rembrandts house is amazing and well worth a walk around there if you like art - nice place to walk around canals
Van Gogh gallery was ace - there was a cool diamond place opposite/nearby
Flower markets
Spend an evening in The Wildeman bar for lots of awesome beers http://www.indewildeman.nl/index.php?lang=en
The trams are cool and the touristy travel passes are good value too.
Have a great trip.