Im planning my first overseas trip (im in the US) to amsterdam to coincide with some business travel. I will basically have all day Sunday,Monday,Friday,Saturday, and Tuesday-Thursday nights free. With the rough winter weather there does anyone have any recommendation on what to do? Also, how is safety in the city, can I let my girlfriend alone to wander around while im working?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

I have been to Amsterdam several times and only in the winter. I will be there next in about three weeks from now. It sometimes is cold and/or damp this time of year, but never as cold as where I live in the US.

There is an endless list of things to see and do that is too long to list here. Just walking around the city is an attraction in itself.

The city is a safe as any American city for both you and your girfriend. Just use common sense.

Nearly everyone is friendly and speaks English.

Read some travel guides like Frommers and go for it.

Happy travels

I always look on the winter weather in Amsterdam as a good excuse to drop into another café for a spot of people watching.

But anything you might want to do allows for the weather, apart perhaps from strolling along the canals (though if you wrap up warm enough, that can have its charms if it's cold enough to freeze them) - museums, shops, canal tour boats - they do have heating!

Apart from all the usual stuff, may I suggest you take in a film at the Tuschinski, just to see the interior decor and observe the different way the Dutch go to the movies.

My first visit to Amsterdam was for 5 days, solo/female, and I had a fine time. My observation was that some part of the city feel safer than others, the 'atmosphere' can change suddenly with the turn of a corner. I never felt UNsafe, but some areas definitely I felt the need to be more aware about my surroundings.

I particularly enjoyed the Leideseplein district and was totally comfortable there. Between shopping, museums, cafes, and restaurants they'll be plenty to do in the winter.

Since you mention should you <let> your girlfriend go out on your own... I wonder has she ever traveled before? Is she comfortable with the idea herself? Does she live in a city in the US? All things giving her the necessary travel savvy to stay safe.

Thanks for the great advise. We are both from Miami, FL, which is a good sized city (and quite a bit warmer). Neither of us have ever traveled outside the US so I have no idea what to expect (but I think its gonna be great).
I was maily wondering if there are alot of people out walking around the city when its cold and rainy out?
As far as saftey, I feel a bit foolish now, the more I read the more it is like every other city, just be aware and you probably will not have any problems.

This was a last minute thing (found out friday that Im leaving next friday(the 28th)) so Im trying to rush and book hotels and other attractions quickly. So any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the help. This site (and people on it) are awesome.

My first trip to Amsterdam was business and my travel partner had a few days to keep herself entertained. She booked a couple of day excursions. That way she got to see some interesting stuff and didn't have to be alone (which she was uncomfortable with).

The good news is English is widely spoken in Amsterdam and it's a very tourist friendly city. Be sure to take a canal tour. The trams are also very easy to use.

If you haven't chosen a hotel yet I would suggest The Canal House or Hotel Toren in the part of the city known at "The Canal Zone". Lots of pleasant restaurants and shops, not as touristy as some of the other areas. As a woman I would not wander into the Red Light district by myself but the rest of the city seemed fine to me. Get some good walking shoes and some clothes to stay warm in (will be a bit of shock after Miami) but I think all in all you will love Amsterdam - a very unique city. Your girlfriend may want to take the train to Harlem or Delft as day trips - easy to do and safe. Those cities are much quieter and very picturesque. SueC1

If you like classical music, see if the Royal Concertgebouw is playing while you are there; we here in Pgh. are still mourning the loss of our Pgh. Symphony Orchestra director, Mariss Jansons, to the Amsterdam post last year.

If I read you correctly, kref1, you have Friday and Saturday completely free and I presume you are returning on the Sunday. If I'm correct, I suggest the following:

Leave Amsterdam on Friday morning and go by train to Brugge in Belgium. Stay there Friday and Saturday night and then return to Schipol airport on Sunday for your return to the US.

Weather is usually not that severe; today it's very beautiful and sunny, just around freezing. The canals do not usually freeze over (it's very rare if they do). Amsterdam is as safe as any US city (probably safer); I really cannot think of an area in central Amsterdam where I would not dare to go on my own, especially during the day.

I don't know what you like to do, but if you like art, you will find it easy to occupy your time. Get a guidebook asap, and read it on the plane.

I like the area around the major museums; the best shopping is there too (PC Hooftstraat), although staying near the canals has its charm too; Amsterdam is not that big, and it's easy to get around on foot.

I just moved back to the US after 7 years in a small town outside of Amsterdam. You've gotten some great advice - definitely look at Brugge for a weekend trip. It's lovely! Dutch people tend to hunker down this time of year and spend lots more time indoors, but the streets in town will still be full. Bring layers because museums and cafes will be warm inside. Make sure your coats have good hoods - umbrellas are useless thanks to the winds. I'm happy to share any info I can - feel free to mail me offline at [email protected]

Prettige reis (have a great trip)

kref1, thanks for checking back in and telling us a little more. i hope i didn't sound harsh scolding you about letting your girlfriend out!

that said, i was less comfortable in the area around the central train station and The Dam. it was very crowded and kind of dirty and rundown looking to my eye. compared to, as i mentioned in my earlier reply the Leidseplein, canal rings, Vondelpark.

it's a unique city and i think a wonderful place for a first trip. i found Let's Go Amsterdam a perfect travel guide with all the usual listings but also good background info about "only in amsterdam" topics.

You'll be having too much fun to care about the weather, the layering advice was right on. For a cocktail I suggest the Hotel L' Europe (LHW.COM) Bar, right in the middle of the action and a great dutch experience, the real Freddie Heineken owned the place up to his death a few years back, great people watching a a quite refuge from the streets. DO watch for bikes in ALL directions AT ALL TIMES or you will regret it, it is amazing to me that in 123 visits to amssterdam i have never seen a collision! Sounds crazy but if you want great chinese food AND great people watching, go to ORIENTAL CITY on O Z Voorbugwal 177-179, go to the second floor and grab a window seat ONLY! super food and watching the throngs walk by is a great time. i recommend the noodles and of course a cold heineken. around the corner a couple blocks is Margarita's, they serve South American style food, great soups and red chile ribs, not hot, just great. If your into checking out a coffeshop, go to the Green House just around the corner from Oriental City. Our favorite Hotel is the Sofitel Grand, (www.thegrand.nl) comfy beds and a homey vibe all in a five star hotel, VERY NICE. scope out the Van gogh before going so you don't end up behind a couple of dozen tour busses, if you go at an off time you will enjoy it much more. Indonesian food is BIG. Be prepared to walk your brains out, no matter what direction you head, you will find a new experience around every corner, HAVE NEVER HAD A NEGATIVE ENCOUNTER, great city, we're going back in sept, can't wait. enjoy your trip.

That is definately true about the walking..We walk all day in Amsterdam and yes around every corner you do find something interesting..We don't usually plan anything when we go there, just see what happens..We always try and do one thing that we haven't done before and 1 day trip. When we go back in April, we are doing a bike trip through the tulips!! Haven't done that before. Sometimes if it is rainly and cool, we take a canal boat tour. I personally will spend a few hours in De Bijenkorf shopping when the weather gets bad. Sipping on a cup of hot chocolate with tons of whipping cream, sit in a coffee shop and chat with people from other countries or the locals...It is endless, just depends what you like to do..

In winter enjoy the pea soup, <i>erwtensoep</i>. Wild game might also still be available. Raw herring <i>haring</i>is my favorite snack. Visit the Hoppe bar and the Caf&eacute; Luxembourg at the Spui. Dutch cigars are excellent.

There are plenty of things to do and plenty of guidebooks. What things are you interested in?

The city is safe except for close encounters with the pickpocket industry. Guard your wallet and luggage at all times. Also, watch out for bicycles in the bicycle lanes. They are everywhere.

amsterdam is awesome.
Ive been here 3 days so far, taking it nice and easy. Ive got work for the next 3 so I can sit and plan out what else to do for the end of the week.
We stayed at the Estherea hotel on the singel canal, pretty nice, great price. An have been to Amsterdam Historical Museum, Anne Frankhous, the Palace, Dam square, van Loon house, and the Tuschinski theater. And done a lot of walking, sitting, and eating.
We are planning on seeing the vanGogh museum and the heiniken factory.
I just wanted to checkin with u guys and see if there was anything major that I am missing, what do you think would be a shame if I didnt do while I was here. Thanks for all the advise so far.

If you are going to VanGogh Museum, nearby Rijksmuseum is really worth a viist: although still under renovation, the limited displayed masterpieces are a must to me even after numberous visits. One thing nice about visiting museums in the winter is hardly anyone around. Two weeks ago, I was there one late afternoon, had &quot;Night Watch&quot; all to myself.

Do you like contemporary architecture? Bus #42 from Central Station goes to KNSM Island where many interesting buildings located. VVV sells a small booklet &quot;Exciting architecture in the archipelago&quot; for euro 1.50.