Talk to me about Am...
 

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Talk to me about Amsterdam

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Off there in a few weeks and would like some ideas for what to see and do.
Only got 3 days there so want to use the time well.
Edit, whilst strictly it's a "lads trip", we're all far to old and boring for red light district type fun and cafes. A bit of culture would be preferred!
Thanks!


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 10:52 am
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The obvious ones are the Rijksmuseum ( loved the miniatures – fascinating paintings but loads to see), Anne Frank's house, boat trips and a walk around the red light district just for a laugh.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 10:54 am
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You need to pre-book Anne Frank museum - ticket's released 6 weeks in advance and they sell out fast. Van Gogh also - pre-book.  The trams are good - use either the app or pick a ticket up at the airport (pre-order. We needed 6 days travel so pre-booked the tram tickets, as well as the train - takes 20 minutes into Central Station.

Despite the tram tickets, we still managed to walk about 40 miles.  Adam Lookout is worth a visit - best in the evening, but do it on a clear day.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 10:58 am
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Boat trips good - we picked one up a short walk from Central Station - not the ones right near it - paid 13 euro each.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 10:59 am
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You need to pre-book Anne Frank museum – ticket’s released 6 weeks in advance and they sell out fast.

Crikey, that's changed since I was last there (but it must have been 15 years ago). We just walked up and paid.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 11:00 am
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Day's Stonegrill 1870 is really good for steak

Krua Thai good for Asian.

Be aware beer is expensive !


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 11:04 am
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Van Gogh museum is good.

The Brouwerij'Tij brewery.

General wandering around and cursing at the cyclists.

If the weather's nice, Vondelpark. Also good for running.

If you do decide to take a "special" brownie, get it from a proper coffee shop and not the 10€ specials from the infinite tourist shops all around the old part of town.

Indrapura on Rembrandtplein was nice for eating. There's a nice bar opposite, too.

The Red Light District is just seedy and crap. You'll end up going, as you "have to", but it's crap.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 11:14 am
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Try the rijsplatter


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 11:18 am
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Do be careful of the bikes - just look before you cross anywhere. For some reason they all seem to zoom about and not crash into each other. It's organised chaos.

We 'did' the red light one evening - has to be done. The girls looked bored stupid. TBH it was mad busy with families, all ages wandering round.

Even booking 6 weeks in advance, I could only get evening admission to Anne Frank.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 11:20 am
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Do hire bikes though. Better than walking. Lots of hotels hire them out by the hour.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 11:20 am
 DrJ
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FOAM if you like photography exhibitions.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 11:40 am
 ton
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been 3 times now,

the first 2 were great. had a great time.

went 2 months ago. the place is really dirty and smelly now, like proper filthy.

the whole place stinks of skunk and fried food.

but this place saved the weekend.

https://www.gebrouwendoorvrouwen.nl/en

also, just come back from a 2 week tour of belgium and holland.

Delft, Breda and Rotterdam are all premier division compard to amsterdam, who is now a north west counties league member.   ;o)


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 11:45 am
 a11y
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We enjoyed this while there pre-kids: https://bols.com/cocktail-experience/house-of-bols


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 11:47 am
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Do be careful of the bikes – just look before you cross anywhere. For some reason they all seem to zoom about and not crash into each other. It’s organised chaos.

Its classic dutch - there are rules, everyone local knows them and obeys them.  However the rules are a secret not told to incomers. this means they get to swear at you and tut when you don't obey the rules.

this is how the netherlands is organised.  Got to keep that feeling of smug superiority 🙂


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 11:52 am
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I was there in February.

1st time in a few years.

It was worse than I remembered, very dirty, incredibly busy. Stinks of  skunk.

Loads of groups of young lads, mainly Brits, mostly off their heads.

Go to Haarlem instead.

Or jump on a train for an hour and go to Arnhem and Oosterbeek.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 12:02 pm
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went 2 months ago. the place is really dirty and smelly now, like proper filthy.

the whole place stinks of skunk and fried food.

yeah, was chatting to a rando Dutch guy in the pub a while back, he convinced me Rotterdam was the way forward for my forthcoming trip to the Netherlands! Amsterdam is only 40 mins by train anyway if you want to go there for the day to tick off the tourist stuff.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 12:05 pm
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I try to go every year. I was last there for a few days in April and as usual had a great time. Rijksmuseum for the Vermeer exhibition, Foam, Walhalla Taproom, Garage Noord, Eddy Bar, Oedipus Taproom,  Hermitage Amsterdam (no longer connected with Hermitage in Saint Petersburg), Café Gollum, Café de Druif, Hiding in Plain Sight, Café Chris, Café Pieper, Mikkeller at Morebeer were all good. The weather wasn't good so the Brompton stayed folded.

And thanks, Ton, I'll have a look at De Bar next time.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 12:46 pm
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If cycling, follow locals through junctions, they're horrible to negotiate on your own.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 12:49 pm
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Went to Hiding in Plain Sight - couldn't remember where we were once I came out - some mad cocktail I think - only one !

Food Hallen food market is good for choice, but it gets very busy.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 12:50 pm
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Go to Haarlem instead

This. It's 15-20 mins from Central Station on the train. Far less touristy but plenty going on. If you want to go further afield Alkmaar is great too.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 1:01 pm
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I lost my expensive waterproof hat after leaving Hiding in Plain Sight. Pic taken in De Druif.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 1:04 pm
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but most bars seem to be near the red light district and off Rembrandt Square ?  Where is OP staying ?


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 1:24 pm
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Proeflokaal Arendsnest is a nice bar too, between Centraal and Anne Frank museum.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 1:46 pm
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Moco the modern art museum is pretty good, boat trip quite interesting.


 
Posted : 20/06/2023 2:14 pm

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