Planning on going from Paris to Amsterdam on the train. Where will the train station be in Amsterdam that I will end up at? Also, need the name of an inexpensive hotel to spend the night. How cold is it there in February, and are you able to take a canal ride? Thx for the info.

You arrive at Amsterdam Centraal Station. I don't know many hotels there since I stay with a friend in Haarlem. It will be between freezing and 45F max. More importantly, it will probably be raining and blowing for several days a week. I disdain the canal rides but nearly everybody else on Fodor's thinks the boats are silver schooners — your choice. If the canals are frozen, ... well, do you ice skate?

Centraal Station is right in the middle of Amsterdam. You step out of the station and you are right in the center of town, unlike some cities whose rail stations are on outskirts or in seedy neighborhoods.

I stayed at the Hotel Brouwer (www.hotelbrouwer.nl) last March. Loved it. Only 50 € single and 80 double. Great location and view. Ten minute walk from the station. Right on a canal.

Don't know about the weather in February but the 3 days I was there in March was absolutely horrible. Very hard rain and so windy that umbrellas were useless. We got the Amsterdam pass which includes two canal boat rides (they are covered and heated) and most museums as well as unlimited tram use. We liked Amsterdam even in crappy weather.

I was in Paris/London last February and got great weather for that time of year. 40/50's and no rain. But I went expecting bad weather. I'm from Indy so 30-40's in the winter is fine because our weather can be like that or just plain awful with lots of snow. I pick Feb. because it's less $$$ and not crowded. I've ordered a guidebook for Amsterdam because I know nothing about the city but I find I get most of my great info from this website.

blondiepopo, I did that same trip at the end of February this year. The weather really wasn't that bad (and the canals weren't frozen, either.) Overall, I would say it's a lot like...Oh, maybe.... Indianapolis.

www.amsterdamhotspots.nl

Also need an idea of where to get lunch and dinner. I'll have my teenage son with me so nothing so exotic we don't know what we're eating. We'll be there on a Sat night, and would like to take him somewhere with music playing. He's hardly sheltered but I don't want something so raunchy it will embarrass me since I'll be with him.

You could try one of the scores of eateries around the Leidseplein. For specific recommendations try the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum.

You can always make one meal at (gasp) Hard Rock Cafe, just off Leidseplein near the Casino.

We ate at Puri Mas Indonesian restaurant (up one flight of stairs) and it was quite good. They line up the little tasting dishes according to 'heat' and tell you what each one is. Nothing bizarre there, pork, chicken, vegetables, rice - it's the preparation and sauces that make it unique. The most basic tasting menu is about 18-20E per person dining.

Otherwise, you can easily find Italian, Argentinian (steaks) and fast-food places.

You might have to 'adjust' to the typical prices for hotels - it is very expensive compared to other cities, IMO.

Some decent inexpensive options (not dives or hostels) are:

Owl Hotel ***
http://www.owl-hotel.nl/

Hotel Bellington **
http://www.hotel-bellington.com/
http://www.amsterdamby.com/bellington/

Acro Hotel ***
http://www.acro-hotel.nl/index2.php

In February you can get big big discounts online in Amsterdam.
A good discount site is hotels.nl - please be aware that these discounts are mostly not available at the hotels own sites, so use the discount sites.
Febtuary is typically cold but dry & bright.
Hotel Maas is inexpensive & OK.
Hotel Doelen (far better) is more expensive but gives very good discounts in Feb.
Feb is a good time to look for a deal.

Italian and Greek food are easy to find and well done in Amsterdam around the Leidseplein. That's also a good area to walk in the evening, possibly catch street performers (I saw a fantastic futuristic fire-dancers duo there by chance).

Once you arrive pick up a free weekly entertainment guide (they're everywhere) and you'll find listings for shows and music. I'm not sure exactly what you mean by raunchy but unless you seek out a strip club or something, I'm sure you can easily find a normal club or music venue somewhere near where you are staying.

I would definitely stick to the Leidseplein area for eating and nightlife. Many menus have English translations. During three days in Amsterdam, we never encountered a person who didn't speak English. Kind of amazing.

We really enjoyed our canal boat ride, too. We went at night, and it was fun peeking into the lighted windows of canal houses and houseboats.

Travelnut, I went into the Hard Rock Cafe, bought a T-shirt gift for my daughter, and went elsewhere to eat. I prefer the Luden or the Cafe Luxembourg depending on the time of day.

There are a number of reasonable hotels in the Leidseplein area which is very well located for a quick Amsterdam visit. Easy to museums, wide food selection, lots of music. Boom Chicago is a comedy club begun by expats from Chicago Second City troup. Very funny shows and in English. If you're with a teenager, I would include a visit to Ann Frank House and the interactive center. Actually, I would include it for anyone. An easy walk from the Leidseplein. Easy tram (or walk) from Centraal Station to the area. I have stayed at the Hotel Maas, Park Hotel and Maes B&B. Satisfied with all. Location was important in making decision to stay there. A rijsttafel would be very Dutch (see prior post re Puri Mas). Try the bitterballen, another truly Dutch treat.

Forgot to include in prior post:

I have visited in January and February. Have never taken my normal "Michigan winter" coat, rather layered with shirt, sweater and leather jacket and gloves and scarf. Have always been warm enough. Canal trips work all year. When did the canals last freeze? Have the city canals ever frozen? Canal boats are covered (glass topped) - only inconvenience is that the windows may be a bit foggy because of humidity. At that time of year, you don't see much on the evening cruises.

It was raining lightly when we took a canal cruise at night but we loved it because the bridges are outlined in lights. I thought it was enchanting. We didn't find the weather that bad when we were there in February, and the nice part is that there weren't big lineups or crowds anywhere.