Anyone been to Amsterdam?

[mrquackers]

Posted this a day or so ago in the "advice" forum - which, upon further reflection, probably wasn't the right place. My apologies for the dual post, but I still welcome any input.

Hey all,

My wife and I are headed to Amsterdam in a couple of weeks and are trying to together an agenda of... um, fun things to do, beyond the museums, Anne Frank Haus, etc. Anyone have some good experiences they can share?

I don't smoke weed, but I'm sure we'll stop by a coffee shop so she can light one up - she says it makes her extra horny, so that works out well for me. We may hit one of the live sex shows afterward, just to make the evening more electric.

We're there for five days, though - and any suggestions you could make - adult themed or tourist themed - would be appreciated.

[jmf1234]

Except for a stop at the airport, i haven't been. It looks like a cool city and im sure you two will have fun. Here's the amsterdam tourist site: visitamsterdam.nl

[Mad_Gecko]

Well, I understand you can visit the Amstel brewery. (I have never been there, but LOTS of my friends have)..

Coffee shops: I heard the Grasshopper is good.

A definative is to check out the Sex Museum, all sorts of wierd stuff.

Stay close and DON'T talk to touts.. Allegedly you'll get a lot of shite from "lookie, lookie men"... "pssst, y'wanna buy some X, how bout some Coke", etc..

I hope its changed a bit but I doubt it..

[zfleebin]

I dont know bout you but I got tired of the bus tour after the first 20 minutes of the tourguide translating everything into 5 different languages so I wouldnt recommend that unless you really need to. I spent a lot of time at a place called rokerijje(thats not the right spelling but its got a cool blue sign and everyone knows about it) they had some crazy KB's and some royal palm hash that you might like if your into that kinda stuff. Other than that I think I was more amused by just journeying and talking with people. I have to tell you though seriously to keep all your important stuff in the safe at your hotel because people can get stuff out of your pockets like nothing youd believe and your room isnt much safer. Boat tours are nice and I have heard the raves are crazy but I wasnt impressed by any DJ's so I never checked the scene. Tell me what your into and Ill tell you more.

[Radio Monk33]

Just be careful and watch your back there. It's a pretty seedy city there. Fairly dirty and dangerous as you can imagine, given it's lax laws..

[Jack Ruby]

If it's your first time on weed, don't go nuts with it - especially if you don't smoke tobacco either. Nearly everyone gets sick the first time.

[manalone]

go to the ReijkMusem and see the "Night Watch" by Rembrandt. It's amazing.

Everyone should see De Wallen (The Red light district) once.

The Leidseplein houses the opera, which you might like (conceivably).

The Heineken Brewery tour is also good. Heineken in Amsterdam actually tastes good so give it a shot.

[Dragonlich]

Originally posted by Radio Monk33
Just be careful and watch your back there. It's a pretty seedy city there. Fairly dirty and dangerous as you can imagine, given it's lax laws..

Sure... I've been a student in Amsterdam for over six years, and I can guarantee that it's not fairly dirty and dangerous, even with the "lax laws". That's just bullocks. Perhaps you saw the mess after a national holiday or something...

I do agree that you need to watch your belongings. Also make sure you do NOT respond favorably to shady figures offering to change your foreign money - they're usually easter-European criminals trying to pick your pockets. If you do want to change cash, try a bank - they're everywhere.

The Rijksmuseum might be an idea, were it not for the fact that it is partially closed because of rebuilding/cleaning up. You can still see the Night Watch and other selected masterpieces, but it's not as big as it normally is. No worries, though - there's the van Gogh museum nearby, and the Stedelijk museum, which are both top-notch too.

The red light district is kinda silly - lots of tourists go there, and the rest of us (dutch people) can't understand what is so bloody interesting... It's just a bunch of semi-naked prostitutes and loads of sex shops. Wheeee.

Other cool museums: The Amsterdam History museum, near the Dam square, which has some cool things to see. Then there's the torture museum, which is decidedly, er, sick. The Sex museum is apparently overrated. You might be able to check out the royal palace, though - very cool and pretty. Otherwise, you could try the church next to it - kinda expensive, but very pretty.

non-museum stuff... er... dunno, really. Perhaps you could try and hire a boat somewhere, to see the canals, and even go out to the "countryside", which is quite pretty. It'd be advisable to get a local expert to steer the ship, though...

[livingitup101]

The sex museum is definitely overrated. The cannabis museum is pretty cool though.

There is a pretty cool park in the center of the city.

[Radio Monk33]

I felt less safe in Amsterdam than most other major european cities. I didn't have any bad experiences though.

And it's still nicer than the rough areas of New York.

[ghorsepower]

Amsterdam rocks!

[MacGnG]

friend went to the various smoke shops to browse the merchandise lol

livingitup101: "The cannabis museum" woah! thats just awsome lol

[andyc]

Boat tours are nice, well worth giving a go. It is a fun city BUT last time I was there my friend had a gun pointed in his face and all his money nicked.

One of the fun things is to have a few drinks in a cafe and time how long a guy is with a prostitue, you can see them go into the rooms. The average time a guy was with with a prostitiute was 7:30, those girls are VERY fast. Oh and if someone lasts more than 20mins and you give him a round of appaluse when he comes out, just make sure you can run faster than he can !

[wolfpack0102]

how much are the ladies in teh red light district?

[tommylee02]

Just make sure to bring your common sense with you. Like stated above, it is a seedy city. People still try to sell you drugs on the street, I just said no and kept walking. Don't trust strangers. I know that is sad to say, but it probably keeps you safest, especially in a city like that. Stay away from the dark lonely alleys. Smoke weed! The Grasshopper is good and the Bulldog, too. Be careful though, I was so high I didn't know how to pay for my coffee and leave, and I consider myself experienced! HAHA. Good times. Take a day trip out of Amsterdam to see the tulips and windmills. I had a good 4 days there, I still want to go back, HAVE FUN!

[tiltedbc]

I stayed for a few days and will give my own tips;

- don't eat more than one hash bonbon or spacecake unless you've done this sort of thing before. Overdosing on this stuff is not the best experience you'll ever have.

- the red light district isn't that big of a deal although there really are hookers in the windows and the coffeeshops serve plenty of extras. Step out of the fenced area of that district and things can get very interesting if you step into an even seeder area. I survived fine.

- even the hostel type thing I stayed at was very clean. I wouldn't drink out of one of the canals, but Amsterdam is a really beautiful city overall.

- the most fun I had was just hanging out with the locals at corner cafes drinking beer out of mugs the size of what I'd call a pitcher of beer.

[fatbob]

amsterdam is amazing.
don't worry about violence or anything it is no worse than any other big city and much better than many...just the usual tourist rip off merchants.
the redlight district is the opposite of seedy. seedy implies something hidden from view and threatening...granted i wouldn't go there at 2 in the morning but during the evening it is fine, just lots of prostitutes in windows, sex show adverts and guys trying to sell you drugs by whispering "charlie, x" as you walk past them. really i have never found it seedy, or sexy for that matter, how can it be when there is a famliy and a bus group of tourists walking along next to you?

the coffee shops are great. just like anything if you haven't done it before take things easy, but you're not going to get yourself in trouble...just chill and have a good time. if you can i'd avoid the big coffee houses like the bulldog and head for places like barnies, the greenhouse effect, area 51 and the dolphin but everywhere is going to be fun.

otherwise enjoy what is a great city. check out some great museums and galleries, brilliant parks and boutiques, bars, restaurants, etc, etc. one of the best things about the dam is the lack of cars, it is great to be in a city where most people get about on their bikes and it appears to work wonders for the women's bodies

[tiltedbc]

there's free bikes scattered all over the city and you can use those if you dare. I walked or took the trolley. Riding through the canals on a boat was also great fun.

nice people too.

[avernus]

The transport system is fantastic. You can catch a river bus, hire a boat of your own, hire a bike, take a tram or drive (I got clamped on a road trip visit ). Makes crossing the roads difficult - bicycle lane, road, tram, road, bicycle lane - all coming from crazy directions. More than once a *bring bring* stopped a collision!

I was warned to be careful of the shady characters and it can seem seedy. Otherwise its a great city with lots to see and do.

[raveneye]

I've been there twice as a tourist. If you're into jazz, there are many great clubs with music every night. The Alto Jazz Cafe, Bourbon Street, and Heeren van Aemstel are all hopping places.

As far as the coffee shops go, I'd recommend just exploring, there's quite a variety.

Also don't forget the Anne Frank House. That was one of the main attractions for me.

[la petite moi]

Originally Posted by Dragonlich

The red light district is kinda silly - lots of tourists go there, and the rest of us (dutch people) can't understand what is so bloody interesting... It's just a bunch of semi-naked prostitutes and loads of sex shops. Wheeee.

It's cos a lot of tourists are from countries where prostitution is not legal. It's like...wow! It's just...there! Also, sex shops are typically hidden from view in America, at least.

[tommylee02]

Hit the museums, of course! Make sure you are stoned when you visit Mr. VanGogh. Beautiful city, though a bit shady sometimes. Just be aware of your surroundings, stay where the people are, and don't buy drugs on the street!

[lukethebandgeek]

The Sex Museum is a must. Really interesting stuff there.