Danna

We are middle aged folks, is a walk in the Amsteram Red Light District interesting or just to much. We have plans for this trip to take day trips, and so this won't be the be all and end all! LOL!

rex

You can find a variety of interesting info and opinions about the Red Light district on www.ricksteves.com

I think it is safe and interesting to walk there, but make no mistake about what is there and why. Very open prostitution operations, essentially with the women, minimally dressed, in ways intended to advertise that they are there to have sex with customers for money. It is not some Disneyland pretend prostitution district, as far as I can tell.

I am not trying to disparage. Just trying to tell it as I perceived it.

But did not "partake".

Best wishes,

Rex
[email protected]

Danna

I did not edit that message well. Oh well, can a Minnesotan walk thru there and not be too embarassed? Probably not. Oh well, it's a good thing We figured out the tram and train schedules!

Patrick

Your title says it all. Yes the Amsterdam red light IS for tourists. That's really why it exists. What would a trip to Amsterdam be without a stroll through the district?

Danna

Rex and Patrick... how kind of you both!
My hubby and I are both tourists, and we don't mind (or can't help) appearing as such. Thank You! I really would like to walk through this area, and then go onto other fun stuff. Thanks for your insights!

Belinda

Danna, I wasn't embarrassed but was pretty surprised. The funniest thing is that there are groups of tourists following their leader with the raised umbrella.

Take a peek then move on the the tons of wonderful things to see and do in Amsterdam.

Patrick

One other thought. I've heard that some tourists think it is great fun to go up to one of the girls and try to arrange a price and discuss what it will include then walk away. No matter how terrible or disgusting or low you think these girls might be, they are not nearly so low as people who would do that just to make fun of them.

Xenos

On our first visit to Amsterdam a few years ago, I was walking a narrow street with my husband. On my side of the street were some really interesting looking little bakeries and grocers' shops. When we got to the end of the street my husband turned to me and asked what I thought of it and I said I might have liked to have had a look inside some of the places. After he'd picked his jaw up off the floor, we realised that whilst I'd been admiring all the different foods on my side, he'd been looking at the prostitutes' windows on the other side of the street. We had to go back down the other way so I could have a look. The most embarrassing thing about it was that I'd managed to walk all the way down the street and not even noticed.

JmVikmanis

As a Minnesotan I managed to get through the AMS red light district without problems. We were interested to note on a Sunday morning that the girls were open for business while the church across the street (onto which they faced) was not. As a claustrophobic the hardest thing for me was imagining how hard it must be to sit on a tall stool for hours on end inside a tiny little glassed in phone booth-like space. For sure understand that you must never take or even appear to be taking a picture of any of the women. Apparently that is strictly forbidden and could cause you to lose your film or your camera or even more unpleasant possibilities. It's a highly interesting experience and one you shouldn't miss if you have any interest in doing it. Prostitution and advertising of same is not, however confined to the AMS red light district. We were walking in some relatively residential area and came upon a woman in a corner window advertising her services. Since I was not prepared for the experience at that particular moment I'm sure my jaw dropped a mile and typical Minnesotan, I worried that my reaction might have offended the woman in the window. Walking about Haarlem we also stumbled into their much smaller and less defined red light district. So even if you choose not to go, you could get a glimpse of the trade. But go, it's interesting.

MHS

The museum Church in the Attic is located in that area -- go there during the daytime hours it is open; it's a lovely museum. And as the last poster indicated, there are some nice shops in the area.

MaggieOB

It is definitely worth a walk-through. We went late in the afternoon and there was certainly plenty to see!!! I assume at night is even more "active". What sort of amazed us was that "regular" life goes on in the same area. We saw several young mothers with babies in strollers and others out doing grocery shopping. All in all, I think it's part of going to Amsterdam. Have fun!

mrwunrfl

I'd say it's interesting & not too much, but I'm not from MN.
Great story, Xenos! I hope you took a look inside one of the places.
You know, if they do spend hours and hours on a stool, then they might think about moving on to a newer profession.

yeadonite

I was just there in November. Watch your handbag and your money as you walk through. The thing I found most interesting was women on their cellphones while waiting for business.

Danna

They were all great stories. Thanks so much, I don't think we will try to check out prices, take photos or like Xenos peek inside. I can just see your husband's jaw drop! LOL... I think I'll see if the hubby will stroll that way once. Thanks much!

suze

I strolled thru it (solo, female, 40's, american) on a long walk one afternoon. Sure it was interesting to see, but I wouldn't plan my day around it! Although I did get a big hoot out of visiting the Sex Museum (on one of the main streets, near that district and not too far from the train station).

More my comment would be that I didn't find the central parts of Amsterdam very pretty (more dull, dirty, gray). So be sure to get out and around the museums, Vondelpark, the Leidseplein, canal districts, etc. Much more beautiful and charming residential neighborhoods.

Tango

I ended up driving through in a taxi which was fine, since I was going somewhere anyway. But I was able to gawk at everything from prostitutes to sex shops without feeling embarrassed. That might be the way to go.