Amsterdam

[Clamp]

No, this isn't about healthcare in Europe, or hookers & hash, I'm taking a business trip to Amsterdam, but only for 3 days. Most of the time I'll be doing...business stuff. :)

Anyone have any ideas for some quick "1-2 hour" sight seeing? I may get some small chunks of free time, so I'm making a list...

All I have so far are the Van Gogh Museum & the Anne Frank house. I really don't know anything about Amsterdam except what you see on TV. :(

[johnrocks]

No, this isn't about healthcare in Europe, or hookers & hash, I'm taking a business trip to Amsterdam, but only for 3 days. Most of the time I'll be doing...business stuff. :)

Anyone have any ideas for some quick "1-2 hour" sight seeing? I may get some small chunks of free time, so I'm making a list...

All I have so far are the Van Gogh Museum & the Anne Frank house. I really don't know anything about Amsterdam except what you see on TV. :(

I think Throwcop has been there, perhaps a PM to him would get some good ideas. I'm jealous, I always wanted to go there.;)

[Clamp]

Jolly good. :)

I wish I was going for longer. A few friends have gone on vacation there, and I've never heard bad about the place... :)

[johnrocks]

I watched Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel and she did a piece on Amsterdam, anyway, this might help.
http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Samantha_Brown/ci.Amsterdam%2C_The_Netherlands.show?vgnextfmt=sho w

[Army Wife]

I have no idea how long it takes to go through this place but it seems to go hand in hand with your visit to the Ann Frank house.

The Resistance Museum (Amsterdams Verzetsmuseum)
Jewish Historical Museum (Joods Historisch Museum)
Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House)


From what I read they are all fairly close to each other and if I understood correctly the Ann Frank house as well.

[Clamp]

I watched Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel and she did a piece on Amsterdam, anyway, this might help.
http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Samantha_Brown/ci.Amsterdam%2C_The_Netherlands.show?vgnextfmt=sho w


Thats got some good info...

I just read elsewhere there are more canals there then Venice...

[johnrocks]

When you going Clamp?

[Clamp]

I have no idea how long it takes to go through this place but it seems to go hand in hand with your visit to the Ann Frank house.

The Resistance Museum (Amsterdams Verzetsmuseum)
Jewish Historical Museum (Joods Historisch Museum)
Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House)


From what I read they are all fairly close to each other and if I understood correctly the Ann Frank house as well.

Wow! I just did a "quick read" on these places and had no idea they were even there...

Rembrandt? Me in a Rembrandt museum? I can see Van Gogh, but Remmy? :)

[Clamp]

When you going Clamp?

This Saturday around 4PM, arrive there at 6AM Sunday...just in time for the internal clock to tell me to go to sleep. :)

Fly back on the 21st around 10:30AM their time.

Can't wait for the lag. :(

[johnrocks]

lol, hope you have a lot of fun though, be safe!

[hatman]

This Saturday around 4PM, arrive there at 6AM Sunday...just in time for the internal clock to tell me to go to sleep. :)

Fly back on the 21st around 10:30AM their time.

Can't wait for the lag. :(

The "red light" district (couple square blocks or so as I recall) was kinda entertaining. Ten times more tourists than 'potential customers'.

The coffee houses have quite a variety of "coffee", too. ;)

[Army Wife]

Wow! I just did a "quick read" on these places and had no idea they were even there...

All I did was put Amsterdam in Ask.com and took just these few from the long list of things to see going with things that might compliment your visit to the Ann Frank house. There were WAY more to choose from but not knowing what you would like to see I kept them to museums.


Rembrandt? Me in a Rembrandt museum? I can see Van Gogh, but Remmy? :)

LOL well you could go stand outside the place and have a photo taken and play up the fact that you were broadening your horizons and actually went in. :cool:

[PeterGriffin]

Space Cake.

[DLaw911]

The "red light" district (couple square blocks or so as I recall) was kinda entertaining. Ten times more tourists than 'potential customers'.

The coffee houses have quite a variety of "coffee", too. ;)It's a lot more than a couple of "blocks" since there are many narrow streets. It's would take about 30-45 minutes to walk the perimeter.

[DLaw911]

I have no idea how long it takes to go through this place but it seems to go hand in hand with your visit to the Ann Frank house.

The Resistance Museum (Amsterdams Verzetsmuseum)
Jewish Historical Museum (Joods Historisch Museum)
Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House)

From what I read they are all fairly close to each other and if I understood correctly the Ann Frank house as well.I was disappointed to learn that the Anne Frank House is just a recreation. The real house is not open to the public.

The Rijksmuseum is probably something to miss because it is under renovation. When you go inside, now, you only see a fraction of the museum and it's not worth the time. Many of the masterpieces are loaned out to other Museums around the world.

The other recommendations are a good idea and well worth it.

TIP: - Don't take pictures of the prostitutes in the Red Light district unless you want your rear end kicked and your camera smashed.

Another TIP: Look both ways before crossing the street and look out for bicycles at all time. They WILL run you down!

[hatman]

It's a lot more than a couple of "blocks" since there are many narrow streets. It's would take about 30-45 minutes to walk the perimeter.

I stand corrected.
It's been 10 years and I'm getting old. :)

[ThrowCop]

I have been to Amsterdam many times & enjoyed it every time. My best friend lives in the Netherlands (Den Hagg). Seeing as how I don't partake of the coffeeshops, I can't say much about them except that they are clean & not at alll like you might think. There was one I used to go to that served the best danish I've ever had. :) You should grab a shirt or something from the world-famous Bulldog. Just reading the menu for weed is funny as heck. :lol:

The Dutch people even in this tourist trap are very polite & helpful. Most speak good English. A lot of TV is in English with Dutch subtitles.

If your time is limited, you really should hit the touristy places first. Amsterdam has several world class museums and I think they still have a discount pass to see many of them.

The Van Gogh Museum: Although I think the building is a post-modern eyesore, the collection inside is outstanding. To see so many works that you are familiar with from books, etc. is a great experience.

The Rijksmuseum (The National Museum): Here you will find works from all the Dutch masters. It is currently under construction but they have condensed the collection so you can see a lot of good stuff in a limited space. Seeing the sheer scale of some of Rembrant's work was awesome. A little picture in a textbook that I liked as a kid turned out to be a massive 25 X 35 foot billboard-sized painting. Johannes Vermeer is another great one with a lot of works there.

The Anne Frank Huis: Small (of course) and emotional look at what she & her family and so many others went through during the Holocaust. Not the original structure but it is still a powerful thing to see.

The Dutch Resistance Museum: I really liked this one. It shows you the many ways that the less powerful Dutch fought back against the Nazis.

For a "bruin café" experience (brown cafe - named for the smoke stained walls normally present before the smoking bans) experience, go to De Staalmeesters if you are near the Centrum. It has some great snacks & great beer. You can sit outside as they have heaters scattered throughout. The cafe culture is one of the most endearing aspect of the Netherlands for me. Try getting out of the Centrum to Pijp or in the Leidseplein district - fewer tourists & much more quiet.

You should really head to Pannenkoeken Huis to partake of the Dutch pancakes. They are great. Huge, thin pancakes serves with a variety of toppings. I like the sweet strawberries myself. :) The serve them everywhere but this place has a nice atmosphere.

See beer being made at the Heineken brewery. You even get samples. :dance:

Ask your hotel about their recommendation for a canal boat tour. They are a great way to see the place.

If you're there over the weekend, The Albert Cuyp Street Market is pretty cool. Mostly local vendors selling everything from produce to hand-made jewelry.

And if you are so inclined you can visit the Hemp Museum. No sales, just history & really funny souvenirs.

And no visit to Amsterdam would be complete without seeing the Red Light District. Here you will find almost entirely tourists (many of them very drunk, young Brits) but the sights are uhm... interesting. It is right in the city center. And if you're feeling peckish, look out for big yellow signs that say, FEBO. It is a shop that has an automated wall of various bad snacks (heated & not). Put a bit of money in the slot & take your chances. :lol:

If you are out at night, one thing to be careful of is that in central Amsterdam, everything looks alike - the streets, the alleyways, the canals, the buildings, everything. Don't be like be me & get what my friend referred to as, "hopelessly, irretrievably lost."

Lastly, Amsterdam is a safe place for the most part. Some obvious areas (Red Light being chief among them) have crime but it is mostly of the pick-pocket variety - be mindful of your wallet - carry it in your front pocket just to be safe. The Amsterdam police are quite good & they patrol pretty much everywhere both in cars & on bikes. They don't miss much. In some areas, you will be approached by con-men supposedly trying to sell you drugs or other things. Pretend they don't exist or just mumble something in an obscure foreign language & they'll leave you be. They won't harass you since they know that the cops are right around the corner. Be careful of drivers and bicyclists - they are everywhere & they will hit you. And don't even think about renting a bike in teh City Center. I am a very good cyclist & that scared the crap outta me!

If you have more time, then I could recommend some other places near to Amsterdam that will get you a look at the real Netherlands, not just the tourist stuff.

[livia]

My personal recommendations would be the Van Gogh Museum, the Dutch Resistance museum and also the Maritime Museum is pretty cool.

If you are looking for any nightlife, I would heartily recommend Bourbon St which is a great blues club with regular "jam" sessions - best night out during any holiday I've ever had!

[Nevarwinter]

Watch Anthony Bourdain in Amsterdam if you can find the video. He actually runs into the seedier side of the city which is rife with drugs, gangs, and violence.

O.o

it's not all windmills and prostitutes.

[Clamp]

I have been to Amsterdam many times & enjoyed it every time. My best friend lives in the Netherlands (Den Hagg). Seeing as how I don't partake of the coffeeshops, I can't say much about them except that they are clean & not at alll like you might think. There was one I used to go to that served the best danish I've ever had. :) You should grab a shirt or something from the world-famous Bulldog. Just reading the menu for weed is funny as heck. :lol:

The Dutch people even in this tourist trap are very polite & helpful. Most speak good English. A lot of TV is in English with Dutch subtitles.

If your time is limited, you really should hit the touristy places first. Amsterdam has several world class museums and I think they still have a discount pass to see many of them.

The Van Gogh Museum: Although I think the building is a post-modern eyesore, the collection inside is outstanding. To see so many works that you are familiar with from books, etc. is a great experience.

The Rijksmuseum (The National Museum): Here you will find works from all the Dutch masters. It is currently under construction but they have condensed the collection so you can see a lot of good stuff in a limited space. Seeing the sheer scale of some of Rembrant's work was awesome. A little picture in a textbook that I liked as a kid turned out to be a massive 25 X 35 foot billboard-sized painting. Johannes Vermeer is another great one with a lot of works there.

The Anne Frank Huis: Small (of course) and emotional look at what she & her family and so many others went through during the Holocaust. Not the original structure but it is still a powerful thing to see.

The Dutch Resistance Museum: I really liked this one. It shows you the many ways that the less powerful Dutch fought back against the Nazis.

For a "bruin café" experience (brown cafe - named for the smoke stained walls normally present before the smoking bans) experience, go to De Staalmeesters if you are near the Centrum. It has some great snacks & great beer. You can sit outside as they have heaters scattered throughout. The cafe culture is one of the most endearing aspect of the Netherlands for me. Try getting out of the Centrum to Pijp or in the Leidseplein district - fewer tourists & much more quiet.

You should really head to Pannenkoeken Huis to partake of the Dutch pancakes. They are great. Huge, thin pancakes serves with a variety of toppings. I like the sweet strawberries myself. :) The serve them everywhere but this place has a nice atmosphere.

See beer being made at the Heineken brewery. You even get samples. :dance:

Ask your hotel about their recommendation for a canal boat tour. They are a great way to see the place.

If you're there over the weekend, The Albert Cuyp Street Market is pretty cool. Mostly local vendors selling everything from produce to hand-made jewelry.

And if you are so inclined you can visit the Hemp Museum. No sales, just history & really funny souvenirs.

And no visit to Amsterdam would be complete without seeing the Red Light District. Here you will find almost entirely tourists (many of them very drunk, young Brits) but the sights are uhm... interesting. It is right in the city center. And if you're feeling peckish, look out for big yellow signs that say, FEBO. It is a shop that has an automated wall of various bad snacks (heated & not). Put a bit of money in the slot & take your chances. :lol:

If you are out at night, one thing to be careful of is that in central Amsterdam, everything looks alike - the streets, the alleyways, the canals, the buildings, everything. Don't be like be me & get what my friend referred to as, "hopelessly, irretrievably lost."

Lastly, Amsterdam is a safe place for the most part. Some obvious areas (Red Light being chief among them) have crime but it is mostly of the pick-pocket variety - be mindful of your wallet - carry it in your front pocket just to be safe. The Amsterdam police are quite good & they patrol pretty much everywhere both in cars & on bikes. They don't miss much. In some areas, you will be approached by con-men supposedly trying to sell you drugs or other things. Pretend they don't exist or just mumble something in an obscure foreign language & they'll leave you be. They won't harass you since they know that the cops are right around the corner. Be careful of drivers and bicyclists - they are everywhere & they will hit you. And don't even think about renting a bike in teh City Center. I am a very good cyclist & that scared the crap outta me!

If you have more time, then I could recommend some other places near to Amsterdam that will get you a look at the real Netherlands, not just the tourist stuff.

Excellent rundown!

Now I just have to find out how much time I'll actually have to do some of these things... :)

Hopefully the trip won't be all work related.

Thanks!

[Clamp]

Interesting city... :)

I'm posting this from my blackberry while having a pint at some pub in the RLD. :)