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Amsterdam!

I am going to Amsterdam with Nat at the end of the week and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on things to do and places to visit. I am going to be there on Queens Day which is cool and I already have an idea of some cafe’s I want to pass by (thank you Cannabis Cup 2008), and maybe go bungee jumping or take a wetland safari but what else can I do or see? No museums please!

84 replies on “Amsterdam!”

I went to Amsterdam on Queen’s Day last year. IT WAS CRAZY!

First of all, DJs are lined up all around the city playing house music. It’s filled with crazy drunk people dancing in the streets.

I was invited to go to one of the local concerts in Rotterdam, which I really recommend. People were dancing and singing crazy Dutch music while throwing half empty cans of Heineken in the air.

I posted some videos of my visit on Youtube. Check them out to get a feel for what to expect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKzttQqKVuw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt6t34oeZl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_R2ficYDVs

Go to the Bulldog, have a couple of beers and a joint or two, then go to this restaurant on Rembrandt square where they serve buckets of Mussels with fries. Afterwards, party till the early dawn at one of the local clubs. You’ll thank me for it. 🙂

Ok you have to pass by Haarlem, which is about 5-10 minutes away from amsterdam by train… its more chilled than amsterdam and has almost no tourists.. they have a few coffeeshops there too, and theres a local outdoors market with all kinds of random food and different stuff and there is an amazing windmill in the middle of the city!! theres no need for taxi, just walk around and explore the whole city.. I spent the whole day just walking around and i loved it!
Ohh and you can find the best magic cake in bluebird coffeeshop.. its by far the most potent!
Enjoy!

hilaliya: maybe she should take him to the blue light district. 🙂 i’m sure mark will like it better there….

Try cramming in Eindhoven. You wont be disappointed!!! Maybe you get a fantastic tour of the Philips factory there; City of Lights.
Safe Travels and Godspeed.

Stay in a houseboat if you can afford it and make sure you visit Rokerij II, Dampkring and Greenhouse (all are next to the CS).

If you’re up early try Barney’s breakfast bar.

I second Camil’s recommendation, the waiting staff are gorgeous. For a nice meal, try Vuong, they are known for their onion soup and oysters. And the place oozes cool.

Lol, I’m going to amsterdam at the end of the week as well! I’m probably going to check out some imrpov comedy. I don’t know how good the show is but you can check them out at easylaughs.nl

Have a good time in A-Dam, I know I will.

Hey, I was in Amsterdam earlier this month for about 10 days. I recommend checking out the Rembrandt museum and the Van Gogh museum while there if you get the time, they’re located close to Leidseplein square in Amsterdam. send me an email if you want some more info about Amsterdam.

Go to Casa Rosa in Red light district, its a live sex show…Free Drinks 😉
Grass Hopper is a great coffe shop 🙂 and read the weed and hashish guide b4 smoking, it will give an idea of what each type will do and good for. Stay away from the white widow 😀

Make sure to take the bus somewhere from near the Central Station and visit the fishing village of Volendam. Fantastic food and atmosphere.

Didn’t have much time there, several hour layover, but enjoyed the canal cruise. Would also, recommend renting a bike, in Frisco was great way to see the city. If you want something different you could try the airplane hotel, though don’t know much about it.

Madurodam Miniature City for few hours ,it nice unique,
it is one hour outside Amsterdam
also tunnle cruise will take you around the whole city
plus all the above mentioned about Red District I have no chance to visit as my children came with us last summer
my be my kids ” 14 and 18 ys” went to RD after we slept I am not sure

Definately go to the Heineken brewery, not sure if they still do the 30 mins all you can drink at the end of the tour, if they do, try and beat my record of 15 glasses of H in 30 mins (smaller than 1/2 pint glasses).

Other than that if any bands are playing at the Paradiso then go and see them. Its a converted church and the accoustics are fantastic. I saw mercury rev a few years ago and it was spell binding.

Other than that i can recommed some cafes, if you like coffee!

And ignore the comment about being out after 11pm. I have been to amsterdam 20 times, walked around at 2/3/4 in the morning and never had or seen a problem.

Most of the trouble if any is normally caused by drunk brits and germans and the police soon deal with that!

forgot to add, as I check back on the posts. Go to the comedy clubs as well, dinner is pretty good in there, but just dont sit to near the front!!

Hello Mark & Nat,

Cool you’re going to Amsterdam!
I’m from Holland. Some tips for you:

If you’re going to be there on Queensday, you should (try) to check out the Museumplein. A famous Dutch Radiostation has a stage there with music.
Remember it will be very very busy in Amsterdam that day!
Evereybody will be dressed up in Orange (our National Colour)

The Heineken brewery:
https://www.heinekenexperience.com/home.html

If you would like to see the flowers, you could go to the Keukenhof:
https://www.keukenhof.nl/

Haarlem is nice as well!

Or go to Zaandam, the Zaanse schans: https://www.zaanseschans.nl/

If you want to go to the Red light district, don’t be dissapointed because they have closed a lot of these place’s the last few months.
In Holland it’s not allowed to smoke in restaurants & cafe’s anymore. They where even planning a non-smoking policy in the Coffee-shops……

Make a boot trip through the canal’s, you can do this on several place’s.
Visit the Vondelpark: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vondelpark

Hope you guys will enjoy yourself and have a good time in Amsterdam!!
Waiting for your story and the picture’s!

Maaike: I am already too late for the shrooms and now it looks like I am too late for the red light district. What about smoking in coffee shops, are you saying thats not possible anymore??

After going to the coffee shops in the morning, visit the Van Gogh museum, you’ll appreciate art much more than you usually do ..

Must-go-to coffee shops: Amnesia, Grey Area and The Coin. There was also another one across the canal from Rick’s American Cafe, but I can’t remember what it was called. Still, it’s well worth looking for.

Around this time of the year you should go to Vondelpark for a beer and a smoke. It’s a beautiful park and makes for a lovely afternoon. Leidseplein is also a cool spot for some restaurants, cafes (of the regular variety) and comedy shows. For nightclubs, I’d recommend Rembrandtplein.

Take it from someone who has been to Amsterdam far too many times to count. Enjoy! Queen’s Day isn’t my favorite of times because it’s too busy to relax and it’s tough to find a spot at a coffee shop, but it should be good times anyway.

in central amsterdam near to the madame tussade ask for a falafel rest. named Maoz Veggi and try their falafel with the garlic sauce and their fries, u’ll luv it no doubt.

There are coffeeshops with smoking sections, where you could mix your hash or weed with tobacco.. i know that bluebird is one of them.. just look around.

I’ve been to amsterdam a couple of times and if you have a lot of time to spare… you should go for a countryside tour that would include a visit to a wooden shoemaker and see him making shoes, see the interior of an old windmills up-close & personal, a trip to the world-famous fishing villages of Volendam and Marken, a boat trip from an island to another and get to see wooden houses and farms where cheese is made in the traditional way.

enjoy your trip!

1-Baba’s – Best Space Brownies
2-Baba’s Store – Get some seeds
3-Moaz – Great Falafels (Munchies)
4-Tops Coffee Shop – on the canal but i forgot which one
5-Doner Kabab – forgot which one
6-Dampkring Coffee Shop – its where the shot “oceans twelve”
7-Fritz (potato chips) – its close by Dampkring (not the one next to it) but its in the area
8-When Nature Calls – Smart Shop .. SHROOOOOOOMS .. you will never forget it

I miss Amsterdam

You won’t find shrooms in the menus.. but they are there ..just look around ..

i don’t care if you waste the whole trip trying to find them .. but once you do .. believe me it will be worth it

Mark,
just listen to Maaike. She knows what she is talking about. The evening before, you should vist Den Haag for Koniginnennacht (Queens evening). It’s great up there and it’s only 30 minutes from Amsterdam. But on Queens day, STAY in Amsterdam. Enjoy the crowed, the drinks and all the other nice things Amsterdam has to over. But one last thing, think about the Dutch here in Kuwait who will be missing THE event of the year!!!

Enjoy it for all of us.
Gert

Since I’ve been living for 5 years in Netherlands, I suggest that if you want to experience the real traditional Dutch snacks, then try eating Haring fish (raw).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DaEVTJDz6E

Other snacks that you should try:
kibbeling (fried fish)
Lekkerbek (fried fish)
poffertjes (dessert) pronounced “poferches”
patat oorlog (fries) pronounced “patat orlo5”
kroket

I recommend all of them no exceptions, it is really the Dutch way
normally you can find them at kiosks (outdoor)

There is also a meal you should try, its called “Kapsalon” this one you can find it in most of the Turkish restaurants (my favorite), google them if you want to check the pictures.

good luck with your trip.

In the past month alone, I’ve visited the dam twice, so ..Ill be giving you some pretty, pretty, valuable pointers of the ‘Dam if you are willing .. ;p

Do not miss the Heineken Brewery on the Leidestraat, it isn’t very far and tram 17 will take you there from the CS, and you should also make sure to visit the Anne Frank House, in the Jordaan district .. you should’nt miss this one trust me .. especially if you read her diary.

As for the coffeeshops, The Dampkring has the best atmosphere, its where Ocean’s 12 was shot .. remember the scene with clooney and pitt? yep that’s where it is .. behind the palace of the Dam Square, also, The Grey area has the best bud (and I mean the best) it’s owned by two americans who bring the best out of Marijuana , try the L.A Confidential and the Chocolope for that exquisite uprising high. Also, make sure to go to Barney’s for the nice Royal Jelly, good choice to wander around the city on;p .. you’ll also love their selection.

Checking the city out? Walk down the Damrak for starters, dont buy anything here .. usual tourist traps, Check out the Warmoestraat for the Red Light District feel .. and then decide if you want to go further;p , You also have to hit the Spuistraat from Dam Square, until you hit Leidesplein, check the nightlife scene over there, and then head to Rembrantplein for the real party, there’s also a Coffeeshop across the road from there called “Old Amsterdam” owned by a cool Lebanese dude, you should holler there for quick J ;p

Oh yeah, and don’t forget to WOK TO WALK 😛 try their coconut curry … Aaah Delicious ..

You’ll love it .. trust me 🙂

Well, I have been there few years back. One of the things I enjoyed seeing is the cheese market in Alkmaar. This is done just one fridays. People are dressed in traditional dutch clothes and wooden clogs and they start trading cheese. Just check if it’s still on fridays and if they still do it.

You can also see Holland in Miniature.

If shouldn’t also miss the cathedrals, there’s one in Alkmaar, so if you go there to see the cheese market, just pass and see the Cathedral and you should visit Utrecht the city of Cathedrals.

You can visit Van Gogh Museum which is located in Amsterdam.

I have downloaded last week an application on my iphone for holland. It would help, if you have internet connection, it’s called Amsterdam Mobile Guide (https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=308723874&mt=8). Another good resource is holland.com. I know you’ll really enjoy your stay there, I can’t wait to go visit it again. There are some streets that is advised you avaoid at nights, holland.com would give you a good information on that.

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