Author: KipC
Date: 02/07/2004, 03:28 pm

Message: We will be in Amsterdam this April on Queens Day and I am wondering what is and is not open. We were in Milano during a holiday and even the subway was shut down.

Will the museums, churches, shops, restaurants, transit, etc. be open.

Thanks,
Kip

Being as how Queen's Day is the biggest party day of the year in Holland you better come prepared to join the party. If you are in A'dam on April 30 I can hardly believe that you will have any interest in museums, churches, shops, etc. About the only things open are the bars and cafes, and the stands on the Damrak and elsewhere around town. The Damrak is ankle deep in crushed beer cans; from the water to the buildings it is a shoulder to shoulder human mass. Get into town before it starts or forget it. Sometimes the railway in and out of Amsterdam is shut down, depending on the attitude of the management and how many frolickers are falling onto the rails.

April 30 is a Friday this year. May 1 is a holiday in most other countries of Europe. It could even be pretty crazy on Saturday. Most A'damers will be hanging over, at the least.

Be ready to have the party of your life.

I believe all businesses will be closed. Transportation still runs though. There was heavy down pour last year, but there was still a big turn out..

Hey, is Kip your formal name by the way? It translates to "Chicken" in Dutch. In case you weren't aware of that or give a hoot. So if you constantly hear "Kip" shouted in the market or restaurants you're not being paged

In my experience, most restaurants are open. You won't believe what a mad house it will be. Don't forget your orange clothing!

My understanding is that the main rail way station in town will be closed and that if you want to arrive/depart via train that day, you will routed via Schipohl.

Thank all of you for your input. We will be staying in Amsterdam and will be ready to party. I just wanted some idea of what to expect.

Thanks,
Kip (Just a nickname I may not use in Holland)

I'm also going to be in Amsterdam on Queen's Day this year. I'm staying in the central part of the city, but attending an event at the RAI center. Does anyone know about how long this trip would normally take, and a suggestion on what to allow on Queen's Day?

Normally, a trip from Amsterdam central area to RAI should take about 15 minutes by tram. On Queens Day, there is *no* above-ground public transport in downtown Amsterdam. So take the subway/underground/metro or ask your hotel for the nearest operational tram stop.