Dam Square and other Amsterdam, Netherlands General Tips

Favorite Thing: Dam Square is the heart of Amsterdam. The square gets it name from the obvious fact that there was at onetime a dam here that impeeded the flow of the Amstel river. Today Dam Square is a whirlwind of tourists and business people clammering about to get to the city's attractions and shops. Such major attractions as the Royal Palace, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and the Nieuwe Kerk flank the square. From Dam Square there are many pedestrian malls stretching out through out all of the Central Amsterdam. Also the Red Light district and the Central train station are just a short walk away. In fact I took this picture as I was rushing off to the train station like so many other Amsterdam communters.


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Favorite Thing: Okay I do not advocate drug use. In fact I have not been a regular user of marijuana in quite some years. But when in Rome....
Anyway visiting a smoking coffeeshop is something that you should give a try if you are open minded towards such activities. Besides pot, beer, coffee or tea are also served.

Fondest Memory: My only trip to a smoking coffee was to a place just one block Northeast the Leidseplien. It had an Indian motif(always a draw for me) but I cannot remember. I got so high I think that it might have been just a dream. All I can remember was that it was across the street from a really good Mexican restaurant. I cannot remember the name of that place either. Thank God my hotel was nearby or I would have never have found my way back.

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Favorite Thing: In no other city in Europe is the Red Light District approach such notoriety and in no other city would likely to find so many people touring such a district without actually intending to purchase any of the merchandise. Such is the fame of Amsterdam's Red Light District. Tourist flock to it just to have a look and to awestruck by the sight of seeing half naked young women standing behind a storefront window revealing their assets. The sight of this is quite surprising at first if you are not prepared for. I was walking and checking out my city map when I glanced up and saw this scantly clad young lady jesturing to me for attention. The neighborhood does not seem that extraordinary at first as it flanks two canals, the Vooburgwal and Achterburgwal, that crisscross each other. It is the famed window brothels that quickly gather your attention and the sight of seeing hundreds of women selling themselves in this manner is quite remarkable regardless of what you might think morally.
There is a down side to the Red Light District. It is also the main scene for Amsterdam quantitative drug trade. Not just pot but heroin and cocaine can be bought here. This makes the neighborhood dangerous after dark and a no go if you are alone.


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Favorite Thing: Take a canal boat tour of the gorgeous city if you can. In fact if you are on a layover at the Airport I would recommend that you hop on a quick train to the city centre and take a canal tour. They are only about two to three hours long and are a great way to become aquainted to this lovely city. There are several stops where your can board the boats through out the city including at the Amstel Train Station. There are also day tickets that you can purchase and use through the day as an alternative means of transportation.
While on the boat a cruise guide will give you information on the various sight that you pass as you snake your way around the canals. They also give you information about the canals themselves and how they periodically flush the water out back into the sea.

Fondest Memory: The canal boat tour of Amsterdam is a photographers dream. Do not forget you camera and bring lots of film on your voyage. There will be lots of photo opportunities.

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Favorite Thing: The Nieuwendijk/Kalverstraat Strip is a pedestrian walkway that seemingly bisects Amsterdams old quarter. It features outstanding shopping. For this reason it can get quite crowded on weekends and after work hours.

Fondest Memory: I am not really a big nut for buying clothing abroad but there are a great number of clothing stores here and not just the usual franchises like the Gap but independent shops too. I also found some very good music shops and the best book shops that I have seen in Europe.

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Favorite Thing: One of the more attractive aspects of Amsterdam is the array of houseboats. When one thinks of all the canals in Amsterdam and consider the fact that there is actually little in the way of space in the city centre, one should not be surprised that thousands of locals have decided to live on the canals themselves. There are more than 2,400 families now living in these houseboats. They are quite lovely homes and most are located in the more picturesque neighborhoods of Amsterdam. This of course means they are quite expensive to own considering their location along with the expense of maintaining them.
It is possible for tourists to stay on a houseboat during their stay in Amsterdam. Personally I would only recommend this if you are staying Amsterdam for an extensive period as rates are considerably reduced over the time of your stay. There are seemingly countless internet connections to wevsites offering deals for houseboat stays.


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