Amsterdam Advice Please

1. 69

   Charles Jamesposted 13 years ago

   i am going  to a conference in Amsterdam in February. I will have nearly a full day spare. What should I do/see?

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   1. 63

      prettydarkhorseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      you can see numerous museums - the Van Gogh museum is nice, the sex toy museum and shops and the women on the streets caged (if you are interested). You can also ride the train and proceed to Rotterdam (less than an hour by train) or Leiden (twenty minutes by train). You can walk along the streets of Amsterdam and go by the canal.
      
      I went to a garden Keukenhof Gardens (you can ride a train to Amsterdam Central, then another bus) but I don't know if there are flowers by then.
      
      There is train in the city and you can travel by it to nearby places.
      
      Good luck!

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   2. 48

      Jesus was a hippoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      They have a very interesting museum of porn, of course it may have just been interesting after smoking some cannabis in a local coffee shop.....

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2. 67

   maxoxam41posted 13 years ago

   Why don't you enjoy the pleasure of the adventure. Or do you want to baby-sit you? There are plenty of books that can help! People are more and more dependent. It is a shame!

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      Gordon Hamiltonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hmmm, what a, "Helpful," comment to what seems like a very legitimate and interesting post. I have never been to Amsterdam (or the Netherlands) but believe it is a fascinating city in very many ways and totally understand that Charles would wish to make the most of his time spent in the area. Glad to see prettydarkhorse affording some tips and hope the author has more forthcoming...

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3. 83

   WriteAngledposted 13 years ago

   If I had a free evening in Amsterdam, I would love to go to a concert at the Concertgebouw, particularly if this was being given by the Concertgebouw Orchestra.
   
   On previous visits, I've found just walking the streets is a wonderful experience, since there are many talented buskers.
   
   If I had time for a meal, my number one choice would be a rijstafel. However, I have heard that these can vary a lot and that it is therefore useful to get a recommendation for someone local or from your hotel.

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4. 61

   recommend1posted 13 years ago

   I agree with Writeangled, if you are tehre in the evening go to a show but the day is best spent just wandering the streets.  I would recommend getting a map and making a circular route or you will end up going over the same damn bridge every forty minutes - and the chips (french fries) with mayonaisse, oh yes, and the beer.  Amsterdam is flat and so hiring a bike is definately a worthwhile way to cover more ground, we decided not to and regretted the decision half way around and so missed the other half in a terrible experience involving bad women, beer and chips with mayo !

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   1. 83

      WriteAngledposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Oh do tell!!!

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      1. 61

         recommend1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I would like to but I am getting married (again) shortly and I would not like to spoil her rosy view of me at least until after I am trapped and can't get away

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5. 68

   Peter Hogganposted 13 years ago

   The Dutch also do a peanut sauce that’s a bit like satay but I can't remember its name. It's incredible with chips. You must try it out.

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6. 0

   Stagesterposted 13 years ago

   If you have only one day you have to go to the Reichs Museum and maybe squeeze in the Van Gogh Museum as well (they are close to each other). I also agree with WriteAngled about the Concertgebouw but they are closed on certain days.
   
   I found the canal tour worthwhile also.

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7. 75

   kkflowersposted 13 years ago

   Definitely visit the Van Gogh museum. Totally worth it!

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8. 61

   europewalkerposted 13 years ago

   If you like history, the Anne Frank House is very moving. You can buy tickets online.

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9. 73

   barryrutherfordposted 13 years ago

   ride a pushbike

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10. 61

    rbe0posted 13 years ago

    roll a cone

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11. 69

    Charles Jamesposted 13 years ago

    Many thanks to all contributors.
    Yes the tourist guides can be good, but some are so commercially oriented they miss out the simple pleasures.
    Thank you all.

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    1. 0

       Stagesterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Lonely Planet and Amsterdam Underground are great guides that show things most the tourists don't.

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12. 59

    freecampingaussieposted 13 years ago

    Thanks for the advice here , I came to read it as we were talking about maybe visiting Amsterdam & after reading this we will as I would love to visit Ann Franks house .
    There are guide books however it is nice to hear other peoples opinions & ideas on places .

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