First time in Amesterdam. Please help with a 3 day agenda. We won't have a car, we prefer small hotels or B&B's. Any must do's or must sees? Thanks in advance.

The Rikjmuseum, Vondelpark, Canal cruise, Lots and lots of walking!! Enjoy yourself and just see what things in the Fodor's section hit your fancy. Three days is a good amount of time to spend in A'dam and you should have no problem finding just the right amount of things to fill the time...Best Wishes.

Don't know your age or preferences, but here's my list:<BR><BR>Rijksmuseum and/or Van Gogh Museum<BR>(If you have younger children, look for a book in the VGM bookstore called<BR>"Camille and the Sunflowers". My six-year old is a Vincent fan now.)<BR><BR>Canal Cruise<BR>(day or night, both great)<BR><BR>The Palace at Dam Square<BR><BR>Anne Frank House<BR><BR>Kalverstraat<BR>(shopping street, runs the length of the Centrum)<BR><BR>Tulip Market<BR>(if you into that)<BR><BR>Indosian rijsstafel at Tempo Doeloe<BR>(regarded as the finest in A'dam, in fact, Europe)<BR><BR>Three hour dinner extravaganza at The Five Flies <BR>(de Vijf Vhliegen)<BR><BR>Red Light District<BR>(very safe to walk, interesting culture shock)<BR><BR>Those are my first choices, there are many more, dependent on your tastes.<BR>(and of course, cofeeshops, if so desired). <BR><BR>

Don't know your age or preferences, but here's my list:<BR><BR>Rijksmuseum and/or Van Gogh Museum<BR>(If you have younger children, look for a book in the VGM bookstore called<BR>"Camille and the Sunflowers". My six-year old is a Vincent fan now.)<BR><BR>Canal Cruise<BR>(day or night, both great)<BR><BR>The Palace at Dam Square<BR><BR>Anne Frank House<BR><BR>Kalverstraat<BR>(shopping street, runs the length of the Centrum)<BR><BR>Tulip Market<BR>(if you into that)<BR><BR>Indosian rijsstafel at Tempo Doeloe<BR>(regarded as the finest in A'dam, in fact, Europe)<BR><BR>Three hour dinner extravaganza at The Five Flies <BR>(de Vijf Vhliegen)<BR><BR>Red Light District<BR>(very safe to walk, interesting culture shock)<BR><BR>Those are my first choices, there are many more, dependent on your tastes.<BR>(and of course, coffeeshops, if so desired). <BR><BR>

ps<BR><BR>Some links:<BR><BR>http://channels.nl/<BR>(best A'dam site, reviews and ratings, very helpful)<BR><BR>http://www.hotelbrouwer.nl/<BR>(read the reviews at channels.nl for this place)<BR><BR>http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/.171662/176/?s=q<BR>(a page I put together after my last visit)<BR>

Jeff, I agree with Dave's suggestions. Other great possibilities include: <BR><BR>the Van Gogh Museum<BR><BR>the Flower Market on the Singel canal (easy to incorporate into canal-strolling)<BR><BR>the Red Light District (stunning at night when it's illuminated, plus it's in the oldest part of the city, so there are many smaller canals and bridges, and gorgeous canal houses)<BR><BR>the Sex Museum (a lot of fun)<BR><BR>the many excellent cafes, restaurants, bars, and smoking coffeeshops<BR><BR>As for hotels, like many other posters here, I'd go along with the Brouwer as the best deal in Amsterdam. It costs 80 Euros for a double room, including a delicious breakfast. It's on the Singel canal, and our room (the Rembrandt room) had a corner location with stunning views from the windows. It is a very cosy, very well-run hotel. The owners are lovely.<BR><BR>As the Brouwer is well booked-up in advance, you MAY have problems securing accommodation there. Give it a try, and if you have no joy there, I'd recommend these small hotels:<BR><BR>Fantasia on Nieuwe Keizersgracht<BR><BR>Adolesce, also on Nieuwe Keizersgracht<BR><BR>Kap on Den Texstraat<BR><BR>Maes B&B on Herenstraat, quite near to the Brouwer<BR><BR>Any more specific information you may want, eg on eating and drinking recommendations, just post again on this same thread, and I'll try and help.<BR><BR>Hera

I recommend a visit to the Amsterdam Historic Museum to learn a great deal of history in a short time. It is a small, well-appointed museum in a restored building that once housed an orphanage. Right next door is the Bejinhof, another glimpse of historic Amsterdam.

Not sure when you are planning on going. I have just spent 3 days in Amsterdam (think it's just about the right amount of time). Agree with all the previous suggestions, with a couple of others:<BR><BR>On your first day, visit the tourist office near Centraal Station. There is a 3-day pass you can get which includes public transport, a canal cruise, museum admissions etc. etc., and could be worth your while. Even if you don't get the pass, you should buy a strip-card for the trams. You can go just about anywhere within the city with one just by punching two strips, which is then valid for an hour. There is a circle tram that takes about an hour to complete one loop which would give you a good orientation. It leaves from the front of Centraal Station. From memory, it's number 20 - but you might want to check that.<BR><BR>After you go to the Anne Frank Huis, spend some time wandering about the canals and side-streets of the Jordaan. Notice I say "after". Believe the guide books when they say go early, the queues don't get any shorter.<BR><BR>You also might want to consider hiring bicycles and doing as the locals do. If you are there over summer, you may be lucky enough to catch a free evening concert in the Vondelpark.

Just returned from 3 weeks in Europe w/ the first 5 days solo in Amdsterdam. I very much liked the districts of Leidseplein, Vondelpark, and Jordaan.<BR><BR>Check www.amsterdamhotspots.nl<BR><BR>Stayed at Hotel Kap; mixed feelings about the room but great neighborhood location, friendly front desk, and good breakfast in small sweet dining room included.<BR><BR>Hotel Toren in the Jordaan in a Rick Steves favorite and often recommended here, but have no personal experience with it.<BR><BR>Hotel Zandbergen looked good on website and prompt, polite email reponse to my inquiry but was a bit more expensive and non-smoking.<BR>

www.hotel-zandbergen.com<BR><BR>93Euros single en suite<BR><BR>looked nice from the street and pleasant location

I've stayed at the Rokin Hotel just a short walk from Dam Square. Inexpensive local hotel...very friendly staff and nice breakfast....just don't get a room in the front on Rokin...too noisy. They have an annex building a short distance away that is very quiet and very private.

I agree with the suggestions above. Don't miss the Van Gogh Museum though and make sure you get one of those audio devices. It's a very interesting museum! My husband and I also stayed three days in Amsterdam in May of 2001 and we thought 3 days were enough to get a good feeling of the town. We absolutely LOVED it! We're an young couple and usually like staying at B&B. I higly recommend the B&B we stayed at, The Hotel Washington (ph: 20-679-7453). Very comfortable, clean, have wonderful hosts and offer a nice breakfast and reasonable rates! Plus it's in a good location (not too central) but you have to realize that everywhere you go in Amsterdam is not more than a 20 -30' walk and is so enjoyable!<BR><BR>Have fun!<BR><BR>Ana (P.S. Hotel Washington is recommend by Fodors)

topping for Karen