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Photo: goulao
CONTRARY TO PULP Fiction lore, there’s more to Amsterdam than hash bars.
Coffee shops are the shit for many an Amsterdam virgin, yet locals view them as tourist traps lacking in “gezelligheid,” or coziness, the cornerstone of Dutch culture. Smoking yourself into a coma at the Bulldog is just fine, but you’re going to miss out.
Follow these ten tips and you’ll do Amsterdam like a local.
1. Immerse yourself in art
From Spui take tram 2 or 5 to Museumplein, where the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum keep you occupied for hours.
View Van Gogh’s life through art, from the Potato Eaters up through the last two months of his life in France.
Holland’s Golden Age is the highlight of the Rijksmuseum. Don’t miss Vermeer’s Milkmaid.
2. Day trip it
For an excursion, the 15-minute train ride to Haarlem is worth the trip.
Browse fashionable boutiques, visit the Gothic St. Bavo church, and walk to the Frans Hals art museum.
For eats, kick back at the spacious Café Brinkman on the square, and to top off the day, have drinks at Café 1900 (Barteljorisstraat 10) on the way back to the train station.
3. Drink up
With more than 1200 intriguing pubs to crawl you’ll have more than your fill.
Start at the Heineken brewery (Stadshouderkade 78) to see how famous beer is produced. Check out Café Belgique to taste smooth Belgian brews like La Chouffe and La Trappe Dubbel.
Other standouts: gallery/bar Schuim (Spuistraat 189), Gollem, and In De Wildeman.
4. Night bike it
Photo: katielips
Amsterdam is most romantic at night, when the city is aglow from lit up bridges and canals.
Start at Leidseplein and bike down Kerkstraat to the Amstel River, where you’ll find the Skinny Bridge in all its glory.
Cut across Waterlooplein to Jodenbreestraat, which takes you into Nieuwmarkt. Pay a visit to the Waag, a pub/restaurant that once formed the city wall, or brown bar Café ‘t Loosje (Nieuwmarkt 32-34).
5. Club it
For pre-partying, head to Lux (Marnixstraat 403) Bitterzoet (Spuistraat 2), or Seymour Likely (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 250) for live DJs.
Join the dance crowd at Mazzo (Rozengracht 114), Club More (Rozengracht 133), and Paradiso (Weteringschans 6-8). For a laid-back vibe, check out Café Alto (Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115) for local jazz acts.
Marla Seidell
Marla Seidell is a freelance writer who lives in Chicago. She lived in Holland for six years, because even more than she loves traveling, she enjoys living in foreign countries. Check in with her at http://www.mediabistro.com/marlaseidell.
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I think La Trappe is in fact the only Dutch Trappist beer and thus not a Belgian one …
http://www.latrappe.nl/intro.asp
pretty cool! there is also a free walking tour of the city that goes through the red light district, the jordaan, the jewish district and china town. There are also many activities at nigh such as the pubcrawls for backpackers. For more ideas check out http://www.amsterdamletsplanit.com
The Free Europe tours are great. I’ve been in several different cities and they have all been great (for a free tour) and their paid ones are good too. Tour guides are young people from around the world.
I personally havent taken the paid ones yet, but ive heard they are awesome! ive been on the free one 3 times already (with visitors) and it has exceeded expeectations all times
Nice write up!!! It somewhat enlightened me for my upcoming visit! i have availed one yatra.com package recently! I’m so excited about the trip…m sure it’s gonna be superfun as my experience with yatra.com has always been great.
Hi,
So, basically what you’re saying is “do everything you can do everywhere else in the world”?
Wow
I will be going to Netherlands in March for ASOT 550 celebration in Den Bosch. I mistakenly bought an extra ticket to the show and have no means of returning it. So if anybody is interested they can let me know I am willing to sell it for the same price that I paid for it.
Last week in Amsterdam i went to this new museum the Game Museum Amsterdam. Just in the middle of the center next to the Historical museum.
I played Pong, Donkey Kong and a lot off videogames starting from the 70′s. Nice people, cheap entrance and a free dutch cofee. Also ther is a nice Italian restaurant just a few steps next to the game museum.
I Plan on going here with a lot og money and plan on taking lots of drugs and fucking lots of whores. jacuzzi, swimming pools and limo. fuck the locals, fuck the art and fuck the canals
Very creative on the drink up and club it! Thanks for proving my point. This city f’ing sucks.
1: Explore Amsterdam on a classic sidecar motorbike – http://www.amsterdamsideways.com – the most original way to experience Amsterdam
2: Eat a kroket at Febo
3: Visit Keukenhof (seasonal)
4: Visit Leiden, a very relaxed town near Amsterdam
5: Visit Jordaan
6: Go with the Ferry to the other side of IJ
7: Eat Belgium Fries in een puntzak with lots of majo
8: Have a drink at the restaurant on top of the Kalvertoren (kalverstraat), you will have a nice view of the city
9: Visit the red light disctrict by Night
10: Visit the banana bar by Night