Amsterdam
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Amsterdam

30 Posts
27 Users
0 Reactions
94 Views
Posts: 9
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Will be heading there for a day later in the summer. Where is a good place to park that is really central? Whats the best way to get around to see stuff?

Any recommendations for stuff to do would be good. Not remotely interested in red light district and cannabis related stuff.

I have daughters in tow so cycling around definitely not an option.


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 1:26 pm
 kilo
Posts: 6666
Full Member
 

Give the locals a break and go somewhere else?
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.dw.com/en/how-amsterdam-is-fighting-mass-tourism/a-47806959


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 1:38 pm
Posts: 58
Free Member
 

With your caveats I cant advise on things to do unfortunately 😉. Perhaps park close to the central station ? I've only ever walked around the place, if your only there for a day you'll find plenty of things to do without needing transport.


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 1:44 pm
Posts: 44146
Full Member
 

I wouldn't attempt to drive into the centre at all. Park on the outskirts and use the train or tram


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 2:52 pm
Posts: 7114
Full Member
 

We went for a few days recently, Haarlem is a million times nicer than Amsterdam. Perhaps start there - then catch the fast train into the city for the afternoon.

We enjoyed just wandering around. It’s difficult to get too lost, although we got muddled up with some bridges/squares that all seemed to look the same.

I’d go back, but to Haarlem.


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 3:00 pm
Posts: 2737
Free Member
 

We parked in the johan cruyff arena park and ride and got a GVB ticket for 4 for around 8 euro i think, with 1 euro parking on top.
Good value i thought.
Took around 20 mins to get into central area


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 3:29 pm
Posts: 2737
Free Member
 

Its an easy drive up from Duinrell too (saw your other thread). Im not keen on driving abroad, but i found it a stressless journey. IME dutch drivers are more tolerant than us too
Just watch the variable speed limits, although saying that i didnt see a single police car all week ( had visions of the pair from the fast show sat next to the main roads) 😁


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 3:42 pm
Posts: 13192
Free Member
 

Just head to the grasshopper and get wrecked.


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 4:15 pm
Posts: 27603
Full Member
 

Not remotely interested in red light district

From a sight seeing perspective I'd say thats a mistake.  Its actually a pretty amazing area, not dirty or as sleazy as you'd think.  Just go during the day to avoid any English piss-heads.


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 5:09 pm
Posts: 91000
Free Member
 

Can't you hire one of those kid bucket bikes and cycle?


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 6:13 pm
Posts: 949
Full Member
 

Agree about Harlem. If you can use the train it is stress free. Probably to far the other side of Amsterdam but well worst is Naarden and Muiden. Castles, cobbled streets, boats, walled town and v safe for kids running about. Got relatives who live close to here and I never get sick of pottering about there.


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 6:40 pm
Posts: 953
Full Member
 

Modern art gallery is pretty good and the science museum is quite fun.


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 7:49 pm
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

We'll be heading from Duinrell to Ams one day this week Lodders, probably drive to the PnR at Bos en Lommer and get the tram from there.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Road from Ijmuiden ferry port was a breeze this morning.


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 8:49 pm
Posts: 5222
Free Member
 

How old are the girls? https://www.bodyworlds.nl/ is fascinating.


 
Posted : 06/07/2019 8:54 pm
Posts: 30
Free Member
 

This place for pizza


 
Posted : 07/07/2019 8:33 am
 DrJ
Posts: 13416
Full Member
 

IME dutch drivers are more tolerant than us too

We moved to Holland in 2004 and were shocked at how impatient and aggressive Dutch drivers were. But having now moved back to the UK, it seems like you are correct, and UK drivers are really bad.

To the OP, I'd agree with others and try to avoid parking. Haarlem is a nice small town, interesting museum, but obvs more limited than Amsterdam. If you're looking for days out from Duinrell don't discount Rotterdam, and of course join the crowds at Kinderdijk.


 
Posted : 07/07/2019 9:00 am
Posts: 28
Free Member
 

Unless you have something specific that you want to see in Amsterdam ( eg Rijksmuseum ) then I'd give it a miss, the centre has quite a Blackpool vibe to it.

Delft or Leiden are nicer towns to have a stroll around.


 
Posted : 07/07/2019 9:07 am
Posts: 2980
Full Member
 

the centre has quite a Blackpool vibe to it.

Haha, it definitely doesn't!


 
Posted : 07/07/2019 9:56 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Some terrible advice on here. Amsterdam is an amazing city - lived there for many years, so I think I have a better overview on it than some on here who obviously haven’t seen it properly.

If you’re driving I’d park on the road in the New South near the WTC and get the number 5 tram into the centre.

There’s loads more to do in Amsterdam in comparison to the other cities/towns mentioned (with the exception of Rotterdam, which is large but nowhere near as attractive).

I’d head to the Jordaan for sightseeing, have a drink at De Jaaren and maybe take in a museum at Museumplein before a wander through the Vondelpark,

JP


 
Posted : 07/07/2019 10:12 am
Posts: 2256
Free Member
 

I’ve heard that in Amsterdam where the sailors all meet there's a sailor who eats only fishheads and tails.

Sounds good to me.


 
Posted : 07/07/2019 10:12 am
Posts: 9
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Doomanic. Great shout. Was planning to take them to see this in London but I think I’d rather see it it over there.

No chance of me trying somewhere else. Wife has been banging on about Amsterdam for years and was one of the main reasons we chose Duinrell this year. Will probably go a couple of times whilst we are there.

How much are the trams? Is it possible to buy a day ticket rather than a single fare?


 
Posted : 07/07/2019 12:11 pm
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

Lodders, had a cracking morning, cycled into the Hague, ran a 10k and cycled back. What an amazing city to cycle in, incredibly well thought out, courteous drivers, and lovely countryside on the way.

You'll love it.


 
Posted : 07/07/2019 1:01 pm
 DrJ
Posts: 13416
Full Member
 

How much are the trams? Is it possible to buy a day ticket rather than a single fare?

Can't remember how much a ticket is, sorry. There is a quite confusing set of cards available. I bought an Oyster-like thing as I go fairly often, but a day or 2 day card is probably better value - lots of info in English via google.


 
Posted : 07/07/2019 2:49 pm
Posts: 5448
Free Member
 

Buy some edibles and wander round. Soak it all up. I love the Amsterdam accent it's so much more than the usual Nederlands accent.


 
Posted : 08/07/2019 3:34 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

We spent a long weekend there last year. The parks to the north have a really nice feel and usually have something going on. Nice old craft breweries there as well, to erm... rehydrate. Jordaan I can reccomend and also get the free ferry opposite the train station over to the industrial bit... there’s a wonderful Cuban bar that often has live music on.


 
Posted : 08/07/2019 5:40 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Buy some edibles and wander round.

Did this.

Tripped balls.

Auditory and visual hallucinations, extreme dry mouth, racing heart, hot and cold sweats, anxiety. Vertigo. No munchies. Could barely speak for a good while. 1/10 would not recommend.

Trip back in the back of a mates convertible with sober friend driving, then the ferry crossing wasn't fun at all.


 
Posted : 08/07/2019 10:51 pm
Posts: 1781
Free Member
 

Did this.

Tripped balls.

Auditory and visual hallucinations, extreme dry mouth, racing heart, hot and cold sweats, anxiety. Vertigo. No munchies. Could barely speak for a good while. 1/10 would not recommend.

🤣🤣🤣🤣


 
Posted : 08/07/2019 11:04 pm
Posts: 785
Free Member
 

Me and the Mrs went a few years ago - bought a

https://www.dutchmuseumcard.com/index.html

when we were in the rijkmuseum

Exceptional value for money as there are so many very interesting museums in Amsterdam. Quite often small one or two rooms with a great story and essentially free after you have bought the card

I recall it was valid for a year as well

Otherwise just wander round, there's plenty to see.

I would miss the hermitage though - I thought it very poor


 
Posted : 09/07/2019 6:57 am
Posts: 13164
Full Member
 

If you head over to IJplein go for a ride at "This is Holland". Not for those suffering vertigo.


 
Posted : 09/07/2019 8:02 am
Posts: 42
Free Member
 

If you’re in Duinrell it’s a quick and easy train ride from Leiden.

We’d been a few times but when we went with our kids for the first time we took a boat tour (which Id always poo pooed in the past) which was actually really good and very informative.


 
Posted : 09/07/2019 8:04 am
Posts: 961
Free Member
 

What Chomp said, bus or cycle to Leiden then train to Amsterdam!


 
Posted : 09/07/2019 11:15 am

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!