Step off the train, enter Amsterdam! and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Things to Do Tips

If you pull in to Amsterdam by train, or of course take the train from the airport, you arrive at the Centraal Station, a wonderful piece of architecture in of itself. Step out of the station, and behold: Amsterdam! Right away you will notice the hustle and bustle of this unique and beautiful city. You also will take in the magnificent St. Nicolaas Kerk, an exquisite baroque church just on the other side of the square. Look around, snap some photos, and start your journey. It's only just the beginning!!!

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Website: http://www.ns.nl

Well, I'm not posting about Amsterdam coffee shops because I'm a blunt smoking pothead. I think that being from the United States, the strict drug laws that we have here, and the stigma attached to them, it is great to see a less conservative approach to the subject. No political agendas here, just an average middle of the road American that can appreciate a different culture's view on a subject. The atmosphere in the coffee shops that I visited was great. Not a wild and crazy drunkfest bar, or a disco with blaring drum and bass. Don't get me wrong, those places definately have their places on my social calendar. But if your looking for a relaxed atmosphere, a place to chill out ,strike up a conversation with someone, and listen to some good tunes, many of these coffee shops will suite you fine. One I visited was Rookies, great little place near the Leidseplein. And by the way, you don't have to smoke ganja at the coffee shops until you fall out. Most of them are great places to grab a beer as well! And oh yeah, they serve coffee, hence the name! :) So sit back, relax, and enjoy one of Amsterdam's distinctive experiences!

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Directions: Rookies Bar & Coffeeshop is on Korte Leidsedwarsstraat, near the Leidseplein

Walking along Rokin street up from the Leidseplein, my friend and I came upon Dam Square. The first thing that appeared in our field of vision was the Dam National Monument, the grand pilar situated in the middle of the square. But the next thing that caught both of our eyes were all the bikes that were parked in the square. Now granted, Amsterdam is the city of bicycles, and there are bikes being ridden all over the city. But I had not seen that many bikes grouped together since my visit to the Schwinn factory outlet (see my page on that visit, JUST KIDDING!). Anyways, after the intial bike trauma you may or may not experience, you will notice the lovely Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace), the Niewe Kerk church, and of course, Madame Tussauds. And don't leave without checking out some of the street performers, just make sure you tip 'em if you want to snap a photo!

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Well, what else can be said about this other than the fact that for 10 Euros you get:

-A self guided tour through the Heineken brewery, seeing all you would ever wish to see about the history of the beer

-3 free beers handed out at the two bar "rest areas" of the tour

-A free Heineken beer glass

A nice little tour, the beer alone makes it a good investment!

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Phone: +31-20-5239666
Address: Stadhouderskade 78
Website: http://www.heinekencorp.com

So your telling me that you are planning a trip to Amsterdam, and know nothing about the Red Light District. Well, than we may want to rethink our trip! :) The Red Light District is a must for anyone visiting Amsterdam, even if you don't plan on a big dose of SIN during your trip. There are great restaurants, souvenir shops, and tons of coffee shops, along with all the window candy that is for rent. The magnificent Oude Kerk church is also on the northern end of the district. Check it out, if you're a sinner or not!

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Directions: East of the Dam square, and south of the Centraal Station/St. Nicolaas Kerk

The Rijksmuseum is world renown for it's great works of art, especially it's many pieces of the Netherland's favorite son, Rembrandt. But all of it's paintings, sculptures, and artifacts allow you not only to admire the works themselves, and the artists that created them. They also allow you to take a trip into Dutch history, primarily it's colonial period, when their mastery of the sea allowed them to control a mighty empire that spanned the globe. From their old colonies in the East Indies, as well as the West Indies, to the very tip of southern Africa, you get a great sense of how widespread this small nation's iffluence was dispersed. Well worth the 9 Euros to enter. And bring a camera, they allow photos to be taken inside, without flash of couse.

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Phone: +31-20-6747047
Address: Stadhouderskade 42
Directions: Just east on Stadhouderskade from the Leidseplein
Website: http://www.rijksmuseum.nl

Leidseplein is an excellent area of Amsterdam for a number of activities you may be looking for. Our hotel was right across the street from it, so we spent quite a bit of time there. There are hundreds of restaurants, and any kind of cuisine you could wish for. Shopping will also not be a problem there, to say the least. Whether you are looking for that perfect souvenir, or a great pair of shoes, this is a great area to find them. The nightlife is great. Tons of bars and discos are to be found. The many coffee shops and street performers add to the Leidseplein's wonderful atmosphere. And if anything else, have a seat at a cafe and do some people watching. Definately worth spending some of your time at.

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