Amsterdam
 

I will spend about 2 days in Amsterdam in July, and I know that I'd like to check out the Anne Franks House and the Van Gogh museum and possibly the Heineken Brewery. Other than that, where should I go? Thanks for your help!

The Rijksmuseum. If you like chinese food, have dinner at Szechuan food - it has a michelin star and is fantastic.

My favorite little museum in Amsterdam is the Amstelkring (Our Lord in the Attic), a wonderful little church tucked away into an attic. Located on OZ Voorburgwal (#40), it's right in the heart of the Red Light District, which is absolutely lovely during the daylight. Of course, you should wander back at night, just to see how different the neighborhood looks - as different as night and day.

I also recommend the Sex Museum, located on the Damrak (#18). For only a few Euro it is an interesting, strange, provocotive, and tittalating experience.

If you like flea markets, check out the Waterlooplein. I always walk away with something after visiting this market. While you are in the area, you can walk through the Stopera (stadhuis) and check out the Normaal Amsterdam Peil. This shows you the actual sea level in Amsterdam, and just how far below sea level you are standing.

I would suggest looking into the Amsterdam Pass, good for entrance to most museums (NOT Anne Frank House), 2 canal rides (take one by day, one by night), and transportation on the trams and busses. The pass is available at the VVV, directly across from Centraal Station.

There are so many wonderful restaurants to choose from in Amsterdam, cuisine from around the world, but I wouldn't think of stopping in the city without eating Tappan Noodles with Vegetables at the Nan Kee (Zeedijk #111), located in the Chinatown section.

And of course, while you are in Amsterdam, if you are so inclined, don't be afraid to check out a "coffeeshop". Look for the green & white sign in the window, which means the shop is part of the "coffeeshop cooperative" and adheres to their guidelines and standards.

I could go on, and on, and on....there is so much to see. Hope this helps get you started. Peace.

Robyn

With only two days you don't need much more than you already mentioned. Maybe a walk around the Leidseplein district in the evening (street performers on the square) and a daytime stroll thru Vondelpark. A quick walk-around in the red light district and sex museum are interesting. Maybe a canal boat tour.

The sex museum didn't appear to me to be anything more than a porno shop without the sales force.

Give yourself time to just stroll, and/or take the circle tram 20 to give yourself an overview, and/or a canal tour.

Wow -thank you all for the replies :) I wish that I had found this website sooner! Did anyone check out the diamond tour?

Anne Frank House is open in the evening and is less busy then. Most of the Rijksmuseum is closed for renovations but one wing is open with an excellent collection of the best of the Golden Age. Take some time to simply walk around the city.

h2babe -

We've been to Amsterdam 5 times, and each time we put a diamond tour on our itinerary, but we have yet to take it. There always seems to be something more interesting to see or do. The free drink that goes with the free tour wasn't even enough enticement to get us there. I too would be curious if anyone has taken the tour and what they thought of it. Peace.

Robyn

Gavin- thanks for the tip on the Rijksmuseum, so I wouldn't be too bummed out when I found out they're under renovation.

Robyn- I have the Diamond Tour my options list to do to. I'd let you know how it goes if I ended up going :) In your earlier note, you mentioned about the flea market. I checked on holland.com and found out that most of them close at 5PM. Is that true for summer too? And I assume they only take cash? I'd definitely love to go so I could pick up some cool souvenirs to bring home.

Yudith

have dinner at Szechuan food

Is "Szechuan food" the name of the restaurant? Also, is there a particularly good place to go for Indonesian food? (We'll have 3 days in Amsterdam in early July)

'Szechuan food' is the name of the restaurant - assuming it still has a star you can find the address from the Michelin website restaurant search section; www.viamichelin.com.

There are loads of Indonesian restaurants, it's fun to have a reistafel (spelling probably wrong) where they bring lots of small dishes to try.

it's fun to have a reistafel (spelling probably wrong)

That's why I asked about "Indonesian food" (no idea how to spell "rice table" in its native language!) Thanks.

It's spelled rijsttafel (rice table)... I just looked it up in my Let's Go Amsterdam city guide :-)

The Rijksmuseum was being renovated when we were there last fall, but what we saw was still wonderful. I suspect the best stuff is still being displayed, so don't write it off. I think you'd regret it. Besides, the area around the Rijksmuseum is quite lovely.

I grew up in Indonesia, but I have never had "rijsttafel" before, so I'd definitely try that :) Let me know if you can recommend a good one for me.

There is a pretty good Indonesian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen in NYC called "Bali Nusa Indah", I was just there for Easter.

h2babe -

Most markets in Amsterdam are open between 9:00-10:00 am and usually close at 5:00. I'm not sure about summer hours as I've only been in Amsterdam during the Spring.

May I suggest the following, which are usually open Monday-Saturday:

Waterlooplein - Flea Market
Single - Bloemen Market (Flower)
Albert Cuypstraat - Albert Cuypmark (fish, veggies, textiles)
Oudemanhuispoort - Bookmarket
Looiersgracht 38 - Rommelmarket (Flea Mkt)
Elandsgracht 109 - Antique Market (Closed Friday?)
Noordkerk - Vegetable Market (not sure if it's daily)
NZ Voorburgwal & Spui - Stamp Market on Wedenesday 1:00-5:00; Bookmarket on Friday

Have a wonderful holiday in Amsterdam. I wish I were going with you. Peace.

Robyn

Thank you again for the information. I'd definitely check out the flea markets, I am sure that I'd find some neat stuff that I could take home as souvenirs!

Yudith

h2babe -

When we're in Amsterdam a couple of days, we usually check out the Waterlooplein a couple of times. We have discovered that most vendors are permanent, but on the outside perimeter the vendors seem to change almost daily. I saw something one day that I should have bought, and went back the next day to get it, and the vendor was gone. While I kicked myself for missing out on a neat souvenir, I ended up with something I think was much better (old Dutch advertising labels, which I have since framed). Happy hunting...Peace.

Robyn

You might want to check out the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, which is next door to the Van Gogh Museum. As for Indonesian food, the best restaurant we found was Tempo Doeloe at 75 Utrechtsestraat. Have a great trip!