Amsterdam

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Amsterdam, Netherlands

A June 2002 trip to Amsterdam by catronma

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I took two trips to Amsterdam, the first with my baby in winter and the second with just my husband in the summer.

  • 8 reviews
  • 8 photos

Amsterdam, NetherlandsBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Dam Square
The clubs and pubs are fabulous during the day and night. Amsterdam is a great city to just walk around in, you can't get lost if you follow the canals, and there is something to see around every corner.

Quick Tips:

On our first trip, we stayed closer to the airport and took the train in from the airport; while this is a less expensive way to go, I would recommend staying in the city center. There is noting like waking up and being in the middle of the action, with access to various forms of transportation. We just checked the Internet for event listings before we went, like in the clubs and also for local markets.

Best Way To Get Around:

From the airport, you can't beat the train. Around the city, the trolleys and buses are very easy but can be crowded. You can rent bikes if you know where you want to go or just want to ride. Bikes get stolen constantly though so make sure you lock it up if you leave it somewhere. Bike rentals are found anywhere but there are more by Central Station.

Ibis Amsterdam CentreBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Ibis Centrall Station"

This is a very nice hotel with a decent bar/lunch area. The best part about this hotel is the location and the price for the location. It is right next to the Central train station, boat trips, bike rentals, and bus and tram ticket stops, and it is in walking distance to almost everything. It is a chain hotel (Accor hotels), which was one of the reasons I picked it, as it sounded safe for someone new to the area.

The lobby area is small but nicely decorated; this is also where the cafe and bar are located. The rooms are small, by an American standard but are similar in size to most European rooms. The best part about the Ibis Hotel chain is their down comforters, the most comfortable thing ever! The hotel does not have much to offer for amenities but if you are looking for location this is it!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by catronma on November 10, 2005

Ibis Amsterdam Centre
STATIONSPLEIN 49 Amsterdam, Netherlands
20-6389999

Hard Rock CafeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

front

Go early! I went here on both trips I took because of the barbecue chicken sandwich, the best I have ever had, and both times it was very crowded at dinner time. You can put your name on the list and do some walking, but if you just get there about 10 minutes before dinner time (5ish) you will miss the line.

This is a large Hard Rock, and has great seating on the second floor by the windows along a canal.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by catronma on May 22, 2006

Hard Rock Cafe
Max Euweplein 57-61 Amsterdam, Netherlands
31-20-523-7625

Red Light DistrictBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

It's not as bad as everyone says it is. It is perfectly safe in the daytime and at night it is still fairly safe, as there are police everywhere, but there are also dealers on every corner, so just walk by them and say nothing and they will leave you alone. Some of the things you will see are rather amusing, the giant - ring, it's a bar but they have the statue to go along with it. There are a ton of sex shops, coffee shops, and standard bars. The girls are in the windows all day long, but they are covering what you wouldn't want your mother to see! Just in case you live in the dark ages the Amsterdam coffee shops are Marijuana shops, the usually don't have coffee, and beware of the pastries as well they may be special so ask before you eat. The BullDog is the most popular coffee shop but there are tons. Also Mushrooms are legal and you can find those in stores in the Red Light I didn't see any in coffee shops. This is also a great place to get pictures of the canals during the day and there are several cheesy souvenir shops here.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by catronma on November 10, 2005

Red Light District
Oz Vootburgwal and Oz Achterburgwal Amsterdam, Netherlands

Heineken BreweryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

When we went the tour was only €5, and worth the money. You get three drinks during the tour, which is more of a historical tour rather than of a working brewery. There are a few interesting and entertaining parts of the tour. There was an area where you could interact with a beer barrel drum set, send family video e-mail, and take a picture with an advertising sign. We also got a free glass in a tin at the end of our tour. If you like the coasters they have at the drinking stations along the tour grab one, or a few, because they also sell them at the gift shop and they are kind of expensive. But each coaster was unique and different.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by catronma on April 24, 2006

Heineken Brewery
Stadhouderskade 78 Amsterdam, Netherlands 1075 AE
+31 (0)20 523 92 22

Hash Marijuana Hemp MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Hash Hemp Marijuana Museum"

It is not a large place, but for an American who has never actually seen marijuana growing it is interesting. The tour starts with a sort of history of marijuana and getting it legalized. There are flyers dating back several decades, all from various nations, there is a growth process area. There is a working grow room, and if you want, a free hit off of a giant water bong at the end. The interesting part was actually seeing six foot tall plants, and inside, funny to an American. It was not terribly expensive, I am sure the price has changed in the last 5 years so I won't even mention what we paid, but it is an interesting way to spend some time, and you get a bit of Amsterdam history along with it, since this is such a big part of Amsterdam and the Red Light district. I cant remember exactly what street but when in Dam Square facing the Central Station take a right and the next block go right again. It's not far from the Bull Dog, one of the more famous coffee shops.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by catronma on May 22, 2006

Hash Marijuana Hemp Museum
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dam SquareBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

the square
This would appear to be the hub of the city, or at least the hub of tourism. Both times I was in Amsterdam I was able to see some interesting things here. The first is just the people-watching, this is a meeting place so you will see all sorts. This is also a performance area, we have seen people being statues, robots, and musicians here. We have also seen some sort of dignitary procession leaving from here. From the Dam Square you can branch off to anywhere, Magna Plaza, the many canals, the Red Light, or back to the train station.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by catronma on January 18, 2007

Dam Square
Dam Amsterdam, Netherlands 1012 JS

Escape VenueBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Escape/Chemistry"

By far the best club we went to while in Amsterdam. A little on the bright side on the dance floor to be able to fully enjoy the lights but other than that the atmosphere was great. We like techno music and this was the perfect place for some loud pumping music in a party like atmosphere. The bars were centrally located around the dance floor, which was massive. There were giant boxes where people would get up and dance on, balloons and confetti were released late in the night. Couldn't have asked for a better club! We did add ourselves to the guest list before leaving on our trip through their website. But if you get there early enough in the night it didn't appear to be a problem getting in anyway. The location is still close to transportation, we just walked back to our hotel, and if you arrive in the area too early there are several pubs and restaurants in the same little square.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by catronma on January 18, 2007

Escape Venue
Rembrandtplein 11-15 Amsterdam, Netherlands 1017 CT
+31 20 622 11 11

About the Writer

catronma
catronma
Nixa, Missouri

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