Planning a trip to Europe and will stay a couple of days in Amsterdam, I need help on where to stay and what to see. I don't want to break the bank, but still have a great room. Any ideas?

How much is "breaking the bank" for you?

For what to see, start with the destination guide on this site.

My last several trips, I've done the following:

1)Get the Moevenpick for less then $100 all-in by bidding for a 4* on Priceline - - check recent successful bids at www.biddingfortravel.com

2) Got a nice 3* for 50 Euro on a random check with www.trivago.com - - it was far from the center but still on a tram line, which is perfectly fine with me; it turned out to be a special on the Australian version of Orbitz; the deal was soon gone - - it might pay to check frequently.

3) Stay out near the airport for short stays by Priclining the Courtyard for around $60 US - - but it's actually better for Haarlem (and Schiphol of course) than for Amsterdam.

http://www.iamsterdam.com/

The Amsterdam Tourist Office has a comprehensive search thing for zillion of hotels.

I would like to keep it under $200. US, but if the location is good more would be OK. Are prices lower in Oct. or Nov?

Prices can vary a lot, depending on what's happening. Amsterdam has some really big conventions in October, which will drive prices up and availability down.

Do you want big modern hotel or small local place? Hotel Fita is an example of the latter that I've been happy with. Just a block or two from Van Gogh Hotel and tram stops. The trams make getting around Amsterdam very easy.

Well the IBIS at the train station should certainly I would think be in your price range and is a modern hotel in a great location - www.accorhotel.com or www.ibishotels.com - you can bookI believe without obligation this far out.