Amsterdam, Netherlands — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Amsterdam
Not only is Amsterdam the capital of the Netherlands, but it is also the largest and one of the most historic cities in the country (and in Europe). Flat with a clear, crisp atmosphere, Amsterdam is perfectly navigable by bicycle, the transportation of choice for many Amsterdammers, or on foot. Bicycles are easily available for rent and the city's historic canals are well worth a sightseeing ride.
A culture of art appreciation pervades Amsterdam. Two of the city's museums are each dedicated to a world famous Dutch painter, the Van Gogh Museum and Rembrandt House. The Rijksmuseum hosts a collection of 17th century Dutch artists including Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals. Keeping with the rich history of the city, the very home in which Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazi's during the 1942 occupation is open to visitors. The girl's famous diary is preserved and on display. Popular among tourists is Amsterdam's Red Light District, where legalized prostitution and the sale of marijuana draw revelers perhaps not used to such activities back home.
Travelers wanting to make the most of their Amsterdam experience might want to invest in an I Amsterdam card, which allows for free use of public transport as well as discounts on restaurants, museums and attractions. The card is available at several Tourist Offices of Amsterdam or online at www.iamsterdam.com.
Shopping in Amsterdam
Being the bustling epicenter of Netherlands trade, Amsterdam is a cosmopolitan city hosting all of the world's leading brands at shopping malls spread across the city. There is an especially impressive variety of fashion and jewelry stores at these centers.
What is distinctive about shopping in Amsterdam is the opportunity for informal shopping on a large scale. The main shopping streets are between Central Station and the Leidseplein, including Nieuwendijk, Kalverstraat, Heiligeweg, and Leidsestraat. Some of these areas can be rather seedy however, so for a more upmarket experience shoppers can head to PC Hooftstraat Street. The Nine Streets area near the main canals hosts a plethora of market stalls selling curios, second-hand clothing, antiques and other miscellany. There are also a number of unique shops in the Jordaanwhere you can buy popular Amsterdam souvenirs such as wooden clogs or tulips, blue and white Delft china, and Dutch football paraphernalia.
There are a number of street markets in Amsterdam, and while most concentrate on food, there are a few with interesting curios for tourists. The largest is Albert Cuyp, while the Dappermarkt behind the zoo has been voted the best in the Netherlands. Another highlight for Amsterdam is the floating Bloemenmarkt or 'flower market' in which permanently docked barges market exotic flowers from around the world in the Singel canal.
The city also has more formal shopping experiences, and department stores and shopping malls like The Bee Hive, Magna Plaza, and Kalvertoren. Most stores in Amsterdam are open until 6pm, with later hours on Thursday and earlier ones on Saturday.
Amsterdam Nightlife
Famed for its wild nightlife, Amsterdam offers visitors something quite unique when the sun goes down. A mixture of all sorts of entertainment, Amsterdam is sure to have something for everyone from the coffee bars and clubs to the pubs, drugs and women - the priority of which is up to the individual.
Amsterdam's nightlife wouldn't be what it is today if it weren't for the infamous Red Light District, which serves up its own unique brand of entertainment along the bustling canal-lined streets. Many tourists opt to simply wander through and gawk at the women posing in shop windows and insistent touts without stopping to sample their wares. Those who do should stick to main streets and beware of pickpockets and other petty criminals. Women should not walk through the Red Light District alone, though pairs and groups will be fine.
Amsterdam is also famous for the legal use of marijuana, which is available in coffee shops. The shops, instantly recognizable by their drug-related names, will sell up to 0.2 ounces (5g) of weed or hash, which may be smoked in the coffee shops or at many nightclubs, though officially not in public places. The coffee shops do not serve alcohol.
Amsterdam has literally thousands of cafes, bars and nightclubs, which means there is something for every taste. A popular way to start the night is in a brown café, where you can unwind from the day with beers, snooker, and live music. Some of the best, centered around the Prinsengracht, have been there since the days of Rembrandt.
The mainstream nightlife centers round Leidseplein, where you can find all the most popular bars, restaurants and clubs which, although not as big flashy as their rivals in London and New York, are still the perfect place to showcase your dance moves. And since Leidseplein never really closes, revelers can literally dance the night away. The weekend starts on Thursday night so make sure you get enough sleep in preparation for a big weekend. The trendier clubs usually impose a strict dress code and open at 10pm and close by law at 4am during the week, while on weekends, clubs close at 5am.
Amsterdam has a thriving gay and lesbian scene, with many clubs clustered along Halvemaansteeg, Reguliersdwarsstraat, and Kerkstraat.
Live music is very popular in Amsterdam and jazz is a favorite with the locals as many of the world's great jazz legends have settled here. The city offers some fun jazz clubs such as Bourbon Street Jazz and Blues Club on Leidsekruisstraat. You can also catch rock and pop acts in many venues, while bigger concerts take place at the Koninklijk Theater Carré, Heineken Music Hall, and the huge Amsterdam Arena.
For a more cultured option, there are a number of highly-regarded orchestras that perform in a number of venues. You can also catch performances by the National Ballet and Netherlands Opera. There are many theaters that perform shows in both English and Dutch, including De Balie, Felix Meritis, Theater Frascati, and the Vondelpark Open-Air Theater.
Attractions for Kids
Some say Amsterdam is more geared for adults and not quite appropriate for children, and they may be right, but behind the red lights and coffee shops lie a abundance of activities and attractions to enthrall visitors of the younger variety. Thankfully the Red Light District is relatively small and parents won't have much trouble steering the children clear of this area. Active families and children will enjoy taking a stroll along the canal walkways, admiring the flower-decked houseboats, rollerblading in Vondel Park, or, since the city is so small, compact and cycle friendly, hiring a bicycle and pedalling around round the quaint neighborhoods and canals of Amsterdam is a highly rewarding activity. For a more relaxing day out, pack a picnic and head to one of the city's fabulous parks. Plenty of other free attractions abound, but the more popular ones involve a bit of money, such as the zoo, farms, museums and theme parks. When the rain comes, don't fret. There are plenty of indoor activities for children to enjoy come rain or shine such as indoor playgrounds and cooking schools. With so many exciting and action-packed attractions to enjoy, children will love Amsterdam just as much as adults.
