Stuff to do in Amsterdam (aside from the obvious)

steveland?

OK, So I'm going to Amsterdam on the 28th (pending booking of flights) for 5 days.

Just wondering what the city has to offer other than the obvious of drugs and hookers...

Been there, done that with the drug thing back home and this'll be my first little holiday without my parents (last time out of the country I was 14 with my parents). Is there any particular places in Amsterdam people have been to and enjoyed?

I'm big into the world beers thing so if anyone could suggest some beers to try (preferably stuff only available in the country, I work in an off licence so have access to lots of world beers), any places of interest.

What's the city like? Should I expect nice friendly people or will I be getting mugged ten times a day (btw I want no racist answers... just an inkling of the vibe around the town)

We're staying in a hotel that's €397 for 4 nights for 4 people so is that an indication of how "pleasant" the hotel will be?

Opinions, musings, details... :v:

C_Breeze

drugs and hookers - what more do you need!

beer wise try - 'SANWALD' .......then get stoned and go get some hookers , its the only logical thing to do

finlma

The tour of the Heineken Brewery is pretty good - plenty of free beer.
If you're into art, the museum there is pretty good.

Go to Hill Street Blues for your smokes - its the best coffee shop in the city centre.

Keyzer

Anne Frank House...
Pancake Factory...
Van Gogh museum...
A canal boat ride around the city...

MiCr0

whats the hotel called?

i've been over to amsterdam about a sozen times - and it was always very calm and chilled

some areas get a little messy on saturday nights - similar to temple bar - but like temple bar its all tourists

garthv

Aye Heineken brewery is top-notch,
You;ve always got the hemp museum or the sex museum,
Then there's Madame Tussauds, but of a rip-off but its a good laugh
There's a savage chinese restaurant that floats on the canal down beside the train station, real nice food and real cheap too.
Other than that you can take a walk around Vondelpark or the huge casino down in Ledeisplein.
Oh and if you go into a cafè I suggest Orange Bud, very nice

Beruthiel

one piece of advice, if you're going down to have a look at the red light district, do it during the day, night time down there can be a tad on the scarey side

jester77

Beruthiel wrote:

one piece of advice, if you're going down to have a look at the red light district, do it during the day, night time down there can be a tad on the scarey side

bad experience, eh

Definetly recommend Heineken Brewery, but get there early or the tours will be booked up.
Van Gogh museum is excellent.
Red light area is lively and good fun, been to Amsterdam 4 times and never any trouble... lots of crazies around alright! One of my trips involved a guided tour of the area, good tour but haven't any info on it as I didn't organise that part. Were show the oldest hooker there, in her mid to late 60's :eek:
If you are up for a show, then the banana club one is good, can even interact which can be fun if you are with mates, you'll then find out how the club got it's name
Someone recommended Hill Street Blues above, I'll second that, best coffee shop, even if a little rough looking!
Magic mushroom gallery is worth a vist as well, very informative... seriously!
City is generally safe, I've never had a problem there, bigger chance of getting hit with a tram or a bike than getting mugged... oh and be very careful of the trams, alot of people get hit by them! and the bloody bikes will drive you nuts but it's all part of the fun!

tirl

Ha ha.Banana Club, that brought back a blast from the past.....yes defo worth a visit if only for the laugh and it's not true what they say about black men!:eek: and it's amazing what you can do with a pair of high heel and some ribbon.......
The floating chinese restaurant is well worth a visit. It is shopping heaven for boots and shoes. Red light district is best visited in a crowd and try not to stray away from the main path,, can get a bit scary. There is plenty to do there and your hotel should be able to advise

Enjoy

Omnipresence

If you can do it in time book the supper club for a night with a difference..

It is essentially a restaurant... with a difference (dont worry nothing seedy or dodgy) just amazing food in amazing surroundings...

Very unique...

I try to go back to Amsterdam and make it to the supper club at least once a year since I lived there...

Very popular place, so you have to book early...

Here for more info and reservations :

http://www.supperclub.nl/open/eng_index.html


No problem taking bookings from here and english not a problem as with anywhere in Holland

steveland?

Cheers for all the info folks.

I'll definitly try the floating Chinese restaurant, Hill Street Blues and I want to make it to at least one informative thing before the dope kicks in

Magic Mushroom Museum should sort out the needs for some culture and free me up for some real Dutch Fun...

Yeh don't think we'll be going to the red light district after dark at all...

Going with two girls and one guy and don't think the girls will be up for the strip clubs at all...

Only thing I'm worried about now is that I'll only be there for 3 days (plus one to get there and one to get home)... don't know if I'll be able to fit it all in...

garthv

Only thing I'm worried about now is that I'll only be there for 3 days (plus one to get there and one to get home)... don't know if I'll be able to fit it all in...

Sure I was there for less and I got to see most of the city, its not all that big really, about the same size of Dublin City really

tirl

If you look at the strip clubs as a bit of a laugh then the girls will be fine. I went with my partner and thought I would be uncomfortable and it does do what it says on the tin......everything they advertise you will see and if you don't take it seriously then it's fine and it will blow the myth of " is it true what they say about coloured men" ( can;t do a Mary O Rourke) well no it's not true......