Amsterdam

[Delthefunky]

I'm heading there for 4 day's in mid-Jan. Besides the sex and drugs, what is there to do and see there? I'm 26 and single, and will be there with a buddy from work.

[3 Justin 3]

Well all I did was drugs so...


But there is a lot to see, a lot of cool museums, some good tours to get the back story of Amsterdam (look for "Free Tours"). There was a lot to do, but I can't remember since my 2nd visit was basically all in Coffeeshops.

As a heads up, it'll rain everyday your there.

[Cowperson]

The Anne Frank House museum is mesmerizing.

Walk everywhere.

I loved all the museums. Rembrandt House was interesting.

Stay off the bike paths if you're a pedestrian . . . . they'll run you over without a second thought.

The city is kind of a touristy place in a lot of ways, more so than a lot of European cities . . . . and expensive.

I'm not a party-guy so I wouldn't know about that part of the city. I was passing through from somewhere else and stopped to run the half-marathon with 25,000 of my closest friends.

Just walk. Things will emerge.



Below, raining in Amsterdam.



Cowperson

[COGENT]

Museums are great... Van Gough, Rembrandt, Sex. Have a tour of the Heineken Brewery and check out Dam Sqaure (hard to miss).

I lived near Amsterdam for 4 months and what I found to be the best part about it was (as Cowperson said) that you can just walk around the city and be entertained for weeks... such an interesting place. The people are really cool and love to talk to Canadians but you have to get away from the touristy hot spots for that to happen.

Prepare yourself to see tons of sex related stuff and the smell of pot.

[Matata]

The 'Flying Pig' is supposed to be the best hostel in the city, I regret not staying there.

[troutman]

Be sure to try Dutch fast food - frites with mayo, and deep-fried croquettes.

Try to see Ajax play in the new stadium if possible.

If you have time, go to Brugges for a day.

[Oil Stain]

Heinenken Brewery.

[Coys1882]

Try to get to a soccer game if you can. While soccer/sports may not be your thing - I've never heard of people not liking amazing atmosphere and that alone would worth two hours of your time.

[cmyden]

It's actually quite a nice little city outside the red light district....from what I've heard.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by cmyden

It's actually quite a nice little city outside the red light district....from what I've heard.

Its a beautiful city with very friendly people. The Red Light District is pretty cool. I only wish I would have visited before I was married.

[Machiavelli]

Great shopping on that one street.....if only I could remember the name.

Edit: Kalverstraat. SUPER super busy though

[COGENT]

Originally Posted by troutman

Try to see Ajax play in the new stadium if possible.

A little tid bit for yeah. They have to replace the sod in the stadium every month because of a flaw when building it, the grass can't grow.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by COGENT

A little tid bit for yeah. They have to replace the sod in the stadium every month because of a flaw when building it, the grass can't grow.

I thought the turf was on wheels, and is rolled outside the stadium during the week to grow?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_ArenA

[COGENT]

Originally Posted by troutman

I thought the turf was on wheels, and is rolled outside the stadium during the week to grow?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_ArenA

Ahh yes you're right. I lived there in 2002 so my memory was a little vague about it (that will happen while living there). I now remember some of my family telling me that replacing the sod became to expensive so this was their solution.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Great shopping on that one street.....if only I could remember the name.

Edit: Kalverstraat. SUPER super busy though

I didn't think it was all that different to malls in North America.

[Old Yeller]

"Rent" a bike (or tell the guy that offered you heroin that you're looking for a bike), stop by a coffee shop for a quick pre-rolled joint and then just get lost on the bike.

Amsterdam is set up so well for bikes... I biked so long I ended up outside the city in a field of a flowers... it was quite amazing.

[Locke]

Check out the Museums, skip the Van Gogh museum though, it was a waste of time the setup is bad, if you're dead set on going though, either get an iamsterdam card or buy tickets to the museum at your hostel or something, the line to get tickets at the museum is ridiculous.

The Reijksmuseum is worth it, really awesome.

Heineken brewery is sweet.

Walk everywhere, its actually a very small city and you can cover a lot of it on foot. For the love of God do NOT have a car, having a car in Amsterdam is the single most ######ed thing you could do.

Have fun. Be safe. Amsterdam is a great place, in the midst of all the history, culture and drugs, it is a city that has a prevailing attitude of "do whatever you want so long as you dont bother anyone."

But be safe. When I was there a bunch of Americans at my hostel were irate because they got robbed. I spoke with one of them, a nice quiet guy who didnt get robbed and asked what the deal was, yeah they got loser drunk and passed out in the street and were stunned that their wallets got stolen. Its a big city like anywhere else.

[COGENT]

Originally Posted by Locke

But be safe. When I was there a bunch of Americans at my hostel were irate because they got robbed. I spoke with one of them, a nice quiet guy who didnt get robbed and asked what the deal was, yeah they got loser drunk and passed out in the street and were stunned that their wallets got stolen. Its a big city like anywhere else.

Well said Locke! I myself was looser pissed in Amsterdam (1 of many times) and nearly got mugged. Long story short,
Huge obnoxious American I was with - 1
Cracked out Amsterdam muggers - 0.
We were doing everything but wearing signs that said "mug me" to ask for it.

[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Its a beautiful city with very friendly people. The Red Light District is pretty cool. I only wish I would have visited before I was married.

Don't worry about it next time you visit... just remember: WWTD

(What Would Tiger Do?)

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Hammertime

Don't worry about it next time you visit... just remember: WWTD

(What Would Tiger Do?)

Tiger would "Tap, tap, tap...it in!"