We are planning a trip to Amsterdam next spring. one of us can't walk long distances? how easy is it to get cabs in the city? would be visiting the obvious sites. any particular area would make more sense to stay (near the museums)?

also for trips out of the city - use train? or are there tours?

thanks

There are plenty of cabs, but a more cost-effective approach is to use the extensive public transport network. There are bus tours available and I would expect just about any hotel to have brochures or you can visit one of the tourist information centers. Trains are an option for travel out of the city and costs are reasonable. When using public transport, use good sense to prevent pick-pocketing. (I don't want to OVERDO this caution, but it's something to be aware of.)

Amsterdam is a very walkable city because it is so compact. The museum area isn't a bad choice, but stay INSIDE the canal rings. That's the Amsterdam that you are going to see.

sounds like there is a better choice of where to stay, which is?

Jordaan, on the western canal ring, is nice. Rembrandtplein and Leiseplein, just north of the museum quarter are areas we enjoyed. We've stayed in the Nieuwezijde area the last couple of times and enjoyed it, but I know some people find that a little too close to the "seamy side" of Amsterdam. (That said, we've never experienced any problems there, either.)

Another vote for Leidseplein, also the Jordaan, and the Vondelpark area. These are close in but *much* prettier than the central area around the train station, the Dam, and RLD (IMO).

I only was on foot. There are trams (streetcars) going everywhere. You might also enjoy one of the canal boat tours. Can't help about taxis.

and because of the trams, there is nothing wrong with staying in the Museum Quarter...

In the museum area, things are just a little bit further apart. I don't know what you mean by 'long distances', but I would recommend staying on one of the horeshoe-shaped canals (Prinsengracht, Keisersgracht, Herengracht), not too far from the Leidsestraat which is a main tram artery. That way you can easily get a tram to the museums, the train station, the opera house & flea market, the zoo, many squares & terraces, but also be walking distance from shopping and restaurants.

The trams will work out just fine for travel within the city. To get elsewhere in the Netherlands, use the trains from Centraal Station.

Renting a bicycle is another great option in Amsterdam (assuming the non-walker can tolerate a bike ride). Amsterdam is probably the most bike-friendly city in the world. And with a bike, you will never have to worry about waiting for public transportation. Nor will you have a problem with a lack of door-to-door service.

just to sidetrack a bit from the original question, where can one rent a bike for a number of weeks straight (if theres such a thing)?

i will be in amsterdam for 8 weeks at least from mid-august to october, and will try to go as far as i could during nice weather.

NathanCLA: It would be much cheaper just to buy an inexpensive used bike for an eight week stay than to rent one. When you leave Amsterdam, you can sell it back and recoup much of your original investment. Bikes get stolen a lot, however, so don't buy anything flashy!