Anyone visited Amsterdam

[mermaid]

Off to Amsterdam in 12 days time for a conference -
will be there for 4 days so should get some free time -
would anyone recommend things to do/visit

Thanks

[monkeehanger]

Depends on your outlook really, Amsterdam is a nice city, but also a bit seedy in bits.

Canal trips are a good place to start.

[Chelle27]

It depends what you are after - definately go to an Indonesian restaurant for a meal - they're excellent. Anne Frank's house is heart breaking, but well worth a visit, Madame Tussaud's is quite good, you'll have to walk around the red light district, go into a brown bar, there's so much to do!!

[monkeehanger]

There are some great Indonesian restaurants - I'd recommed the rijstaffel (lots of little dishes - bit of everything with rice)

[Scotsmomma]

I love Amsterdam..sounds seedy...but you still must go for a nosy around the redlight district....we caught the train to Zaanse Schans....it's only 20 mins from Amsterdam Central....it's a gorgeous wee village....with green wooden houses and windmills....museums and shops....on a nice sunny day...it's a lovely getaway from the bustle of Amsterdam

[SteveR]

When we were there in February we went to Boom Chicago which is like a comedy club (all done in English) which is a mix of improvised and sketch comedy. We really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.
See the website below for more info.


http://www.boomchicago.nl/


Steve

[ukdiva]

I can definately recommend a canal cruise, we did a 3 hour one, and you could get off at stops along the way and then get back on another one, a bit like those hop on/hop off bus tours but on a boat! The weather was great and it was really nice sailing along looking at all the interesting designs of the houses and the amazing huge houseboats!

Red light district is a definate must, you won't feel weird, it's a popular tourist attraction! Madame Tussauds i don't believe is worth the money, we went there only because i used to work for them over here so i get free entry into all of their attractions worldwide, but i wouldn't pay to go in there to be honest!

[fumbo]

I am a complete artistic heathen but even I thought the Van Gogh musuem and the Reichsmuseum (?) were very good.

The maritime musuem was also interesting and so was the holocaust museum.

Heineken brewery tour is also OK.

Recomend buying a rough guide to Amsterdam for tips on bars and restaurants.

[scottfeltham]

go to the dampking is the best coffee shop there
scott

[mermaid]

Thanks - will definitely try a canal trip and maybe some of the museums
will see what work colleagues want to do but don't fancy either the red light area or the coffeeshops

[Meezers]

don't laugh...I went into a bar to get a cup of tea....guys came in behind me...asked for beer....the bartender said "coffee...tea...and hashish"....got my behind outa there quick...was military at the time :)

Aren't diamonds fun to buy in Amsterdam?

[faeristar]

we stayed in amsterdam this year on a" kid free" weekend with friends, for the best night out try NOMADS they have a web site, the best place to eat ever, great atmosphere and not snobby or intimidating, all in a morrocan tented room, brill, also the canal cruise is a good way to get a feel for the place.
the only downsides are restarants close early! lots of people drinking and sitting in pavement bars and cafes but all food service stops at about 10pm, unlike say spain or italy,
and the biggest is the bikes!! cyclists rule in amsterdam and if you dont get run over by a bike the silent trams make for an interesting road crossing experience!!

have a great time, we loved it, and the seedy side is well..seedy but dont take it too seriously, the people who work there dont !!

[Jay66UK]

Best thing for me was Anne Frank House - a bit dark and depressing but a fascinating insight into a terrible time. Not been for nearly 20 years, though :(