I've got a 10 hour layover in Amsterdam next week, and am looking for some suggestions. I'll be travelling alone. Thanks.

aari

please do a search here, lot's of info.

The train runs out of the airport to Centraal station in the heart of Amsterdam every 10-15 minutes and it only takes about 15 minutes to get there. Depending on your interests you have plenty of time to sample canal rides, museums, the Anne Frank house, coffee shops, the red light district or whatever you like. Just be sure to leave time to go back through security before your flight. Enjoy your trip.

<i>I've got a 10 hour layover in Amsterdam next week, and am looking for some suggestions. I'll be travelling alone. Thanks.</i>

Looking for what you are interested in. Pot, company, drink, food, art, history, ....?

If I recall, the major museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum) are a short walk from Centraal Station. I don't know if the Rijksmuseum is open, but I'm pretty sure the Van Gogh is.

<i>If I recall, the major museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum) are a short walk from Centraal Station.</i>

Not.

A fun way to see the city is w/ Mike's bike tours.

http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com/

Oops, I'm wrong about the walk - it's about three miles. Directions for getting there by tram are here:
http://rijksmuseum.nl/info/route?lang=en

Well worth a trip into the city but be SURE you have a map, its very easy to get lost as the centre is on a circular grid which will defy even the best sense of direction.Plenty to see/do within walking distance of Centraal Station.

Pick up a map at the airport VVV Tourist Office - Holland Tourist Office before setting off.

My flight arrives at 11:00 am and I leave at 9:40 pm. I'm most interested in art and history. Ideally, I'd probably like to chill a bit at one of the pot bars and then see some art or if there is some other &quot;shouldn't miss&quot; attraction, grab dinner someplace nice, but not stuffy and head back to the airport. Thanks all.

aari

Try coffeshop Rusland - one of the originals (they claim to be the first but so do others), not a chain. Address is 14 Rusland, in the old city.

I've done research on who was first and yes it is murky

but i think Rusland may be the oldest coffeeshop pere say

The Bulldog i believe traces its pot-selling history to an outdoor festival

Mellow Yellow has a claim

But Rusland, right in the neat University district is one of the grand dame coffeeshops and not on the usual tourist trek.

Your arrival and departure times mean you have something more like 6 hours in the city, assuming you arrive on time. Don't get so chilled out that you forget the time and get back to the airport late!

I hope to not spend the whole aftenoon in Rusland. Any particular art or historical sights that I shouldn't miss? Maybe a canal tour if the weather is ok? Also, if anyone has a restaurant recommendation - kind of casual, but good food - I'd appreciate it. Thanks again.

aari