JKline1229

HI all, I'll be in Amsterdam at the end of the (29th through the 4th) staying in De Pijp...

I was wondering about booking tickets in advance to museums, namely Anne Frank House and Van Gogh. We have a pretty solid plan on seeing Van Gogh on the 30th but I'm not sure about what day we'll see Anne Frank.

The plan is to go too Anne Frank as early as possible, and make our way back(after explorig Joordan a bit), hitting the Amsterdam History Museum, Royal Palace, and the Amsterdam dungeon(I know some people might poo-poo that last one but I have such fond memories of the London Dungeon and I think my bf would love it!)...

And since we're right by Van Gogh, the plan is just walk over there and go around the museums in that area. We plan on getting the iAmsterdam Card/Museum card, but I also know with Anne Frank and Van Gogh you need to book ahead. I was shocked to see Anne Frank is already full, but I also see that they haven't even released tickets for the 9am tickets(which is when we'd go). When do the early tickets go on sale? How crazy busy will it be(either maybe the 31/1st of December on the 3rd of January) And with Van Gogh, if I have the iAmsterdam card, do I really need to book in advance?

menachem

the iAmsterdam Card is different from the Museum Card

Mind that on the 31st of december everything will close early, and that the 1st of January is a public holiday. And yes, book in advance. On the Museumkaart site, visitors are urged to book "even if you have a museum card"

Which iAmsterdam card are you buying. The 72 hr one includes train travel to and from Schiphol. That aside, I still feel it is of less value than a museum kaart and a multi day GVB pass.

I suggest you use the 31st to wander around the city during the day and sample the weird new year's eve atmosphere that takes hold of it. Jordaan will be nice, as well as the Nine Streets Area.

And here's a listing of NYE parties.

https://www.iamsterdam.com/nl/uit/ou...sten-amsterdam

My venue would be the NYE party at PLLEK, at NDSM (ferries run all night)

But book your tickets early. You'll have a spectacular view of the fireworks, and none of the hassle. They include dinner, for which you'll have to book.

https://www.iamsterdam.com/nl/uit/cl...ud--nieuw-2017

menachem

Also "staying in De Pijp". I'm assuming you're in an AirBnB or some such, because there are few hotels there. Be aware that the City of Ams is cracking down in AirBnB operators who use rent controlled social housing. Also tenant associations and anyone living in the apartment block can call the authorities to report an illegal outfit: although you're not liable as a renter, you may find that your choice of apartment suddenly vanishes, and even, in rare, but extreme cases, that the City Gov people turn up at your door and ask you to vacate the apartment.

JKline1229

THanks for the reply about NYE! Those are some great suggestions that I'll definitely be looking more into.

And also, for the warning on AirBNB. Did some research and it seems like we should be good given we're the only two renting the apartment, for a short stay, and we're quiet. And the owner mentioned the neighbor would likely let us in...

menachem

Gladly done. Just a word of warning though: I wouldn't rely on the owner/keyholders word. It's the number of days/year he lets the property. And if you're in a rent controlled block of apartments, the neighbours might be fed up with renters by now. Nothing against you personally.

NYE is crazy anywhere in the Netherlands, because people are allowed to light their own fireworks. Which they do.

A'dam tower also has an interesting party in its basement club. Across the IJ from the Central Station: in any case, Noord is where I would go.

If you plan to visit museums on the 1st of january, do check if they're open.

PalenQ

you loved the London Dungeon - don't dare say that very much - everytime I mention it as a possibiity for London I get met with a barrage of unbelievable condemnations for so doing - there are so many neat museums in Amsterdam that the regular museum card covers and valid for your whole stay:

https://www.amsterdam.info/museums/museumkaart/

And no waiting in ticket lines at many but not all.

menachem

Museumkaart covers almost any museum, while iAmsterdam card only covers a select few, and even then only as a discount.

But with a museumkaart you can just wander into any museum in the city and there are many. For instance, Museum van Loon and Museum Willet Holthuysen both are patrician mansions that serve as museums. A rare chance to see behind the façades. Another gem is the Biblical Museum, which is housed in a spectacular mansion with a beautiful formal garden.


Also a good bet is Huis Marseille (photography), the former Fodor Art Collection.