PreetK

Hi There,

We are a couple in our early 30's living in New York and its our first trip to Amsterdam. We are planning this trip in mid August. (24 to 27). We are arriving Amsterdam on 24 August in the morning ( after an overnight train from Zurich).

We will be in Amsterdam on 24, 25,26 and have a flight back on 27th morning. We have booked a house boat for 3 nights. We will be there for the weekend and I was looking for the best places to go in the day and the clubs for the night life.

Can you please let us know some places and areas where we have the best cafes, night clubs and any other happening places. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

Thank you in advance.

Best Regards,

PK.

Gariem

We're in our 50's and just spent 5 nights in Amsterdam this month. We get to bed early, so I can't recommend any clubs, but we really enjoyed a classical music concert at the Concertgebouw, which has among the best acoustics in the world. There's everything from jazz to Beethoven for your dates of August 24 to 26. www.concertgebouw.nl. I had no trouble booking tickets online even though I don't speak Dutch.

Our favorite restaurant was Restaurant de Kas, a bit pricey but worth every Euro, one fixed price menu using seasonal ingredients. There's a stork's nest atop the chimney outside in the garden where they grow all their vegetables. We spent some time watching the stork family at sunset while nursing our aperitivos on the terrace - sublime. Dinner is served in the greenhouse - fabulous decor and service. Take tram #9 from the city center. www.restaurantdekas.nl. This restaurant has been recommended by Mark Bittman, food critic for the New York Times.

Our favorite cafe was a converted Bank, Cafe de Jaren, high ceilings, wonderful outdoor terrace on the canal.

The best apple taart was at Winkel 43. I learned this from my pre-journey web searches, and it was true for our tastes. www.winkel43.nl. Noordermarkt 43.

Definitely take a canal cruise to orient yourselves. We took the Blue Boat. They all follow similar routes. You might consider the iamsterdam card which includes the price of a canal cruise. www.iamsterdam.com.

Don't miss the VanGogh and Rijksmuseums during the day; that goes without saying if you appreciate fine art at all. We had visited the Anne Frank house on a prior visit, so did not go again. The line ups are long. Go early am or buy the museum caart which permits you to bypass the line. We found that the card pays for itself if you visit three museums. www.museumkaart.nl.

For a great elevated view of the city get tickets to climb the Westerkerk, 288 steps, not difficult. We had to purchase tickets in the am for a 4pm climb. Only six people can go at a time, so tickets sell out quickly. This was one of the highlights of our stay! It is close to Winkel so you can reward yourself with the appletaart afterwards.

Finally, two Anthony Bourdain suggestions:
the Pancakehouse Upstairs, small but charming and Tempo Doeloe for Indonesian rijkstafel. Enjoy Amsterdam!

gwan

Bookmarking. Great info Gariem. I'm off to Amsterdam for a few days next week

spaarne

My favorite for lunch is the Cafe Luxembourg at Het Spui. To mix with real Amsterdamers be at the Hoppe after work hours weekdays, say 6PM to 8PM. It is a traditional brown bar a few doors from the Cafe Luxembourg. If Sunday is sunny take the train over to Zandvoort and splash in the North Sea. On the way back to Amsterdam stop in Haarlem and enjoy jazz at the cafe In Den Uiver across the street from the Grote Kerk, "Big Church." Cafe Brinkmann on the Grote Markt in Haarlem serves good food.

PreetK

Thank you for your great suggestions!

We will definitely go to the cafes and cruises which you have mentioned. Can you give us some suggestions on the places where we can find a good nightlife?

Best Regards,

PK.

PreetK

Hi There,

We are staying in a house boat there.

We would like to explore cafes, restaurants, markets in the daytime. Are there any cruises or scenic views which are not to be missed.We would like to visit one museum or monument.

We are looking for dance clubs , bars and some other happening areas to visit during nights. Are there any markets or areas with the live music?

I have heard that Amsterdam is a good place for party people and that's the reason we planned to be there on the weekend to get the best of it!

Thank you in advance!

Regards,

PK.

PalenQ

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ite-things.cfm

Like I posted on the other thread but should have posted here!

PreetK

Thank you PalenQ! This is very helpful!!

gwan

Thanks for the info on the other thread PalenQ. Someone (not you) mentioned gevulde speculaas, which I have fond memories of from when I used to go out with a Dutch guy years ago. You wouldn't happen to have a recommendation of where to buy it, would you? I see online it may only be available in autumn/winter I don't care for normal speculaas/speculoos, but the gevulde variety is yummy!