3 days in Amsterdam in july
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Chris
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I will also be in Amsterdam probably the weekend of 1st July for a Stag (Do you call it a Bachelors Party? Like the Hangover movie) and would also appreciate advice.
I've been there before and it was basically: Food -> Cafe -> Bar -> Cafe -> Food/Bar -> Cafe -> Cafe -> Bar -> Unconscious. Nearest we got to culture was the Heineken tent outside of the Van Gogh Museum (we were going to go in, but saw the beer). The oddest thing was not the weed, bicycle graveyards, single slice of pizza takeaways, savory pancakes or everyone speaking English, it was the sheer amount of Argentinian Steakhouses which would be exactly the only kind of cuisine not welcome in the UK.
I'm going to assume that some kind of annulment worthy debauchery will need to be added to what we did last time. Most pressing issue is where to house ~28 guys.
I've been there before and it was basically: Food -> Cafe -> Bar -> Cafe -> Food/Bar -> Cafe -> Cafe -> Bar -> Unconscious. Nearest we got to culture was the Heineken tent outside of the Van Gogh Museum (we were going to go in, but saw the beer). The oddest thing was not the weed, bicycle graveyards, single slice of pizza takeaways, savory pancakes or everyone speaking English, it was the sheer amount of Argentinian Steakhouses which would be exactly the only kind of cuisine not welcome in the UK.
I'm going to assume that some kind of annulment worthy debauchery will need to be added to what we did last time. Most pressing issue is where to house ~28 guys.
Lambourne
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Cheesehead checking in although I don't go to Amsterdam that often myself. For bachelor parties the Bananenbar (Banana Bar) is a classic. Think nude girls and bananas and let your mind wander from there.
Rijksmuseum is good, Anne Frank house is usually packed. Canal boat tour is a standard touristy thing to do as well. Think the Heineken brewery offers tours as well but I've never been (appreciation of Heineken gets lower the closer you get to Belgium. I'm 3 miles from the border
) There is also a Madame Toussaud's (wax figures museum) and one of the legal (state owned) casinos is right in the city centre too.Amsterdam | Holland Casino
Cautions I'd say is beware of pickpockets as they are numerous. Don't take pictures of the girls in red light districts (pimps have been known to throw cameras in to the canals). Anyone selling weed on the streets is probably trying to scam you, go to a proper coffee shop if you want that stuff.
Rijksmuseum is good, Anne Frank house is usually packed. Canal boat tour is a standard touristy thing to do as well. Think the Heineken brewery offers tours as well but I've never been (appreciation of Heineken gets lower the closer you get to Belgium. I'm 3 miles from the border
Cautions I'd say is beware of pickpockets as they are numerous. Don't take pictures of the girls in red light districts (pimps have been known to throw cameras in to the canals). Anyone selling weed on the streets is probably trying to scam you, go to a proper coffee shop if you want that stuff.
Sir Funk
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Stay away from the Grasshopper. Overpriced tourist trap, imo.
The Dolphin was my favorite cafe. Hit up some White Dolphin if you get the chance:Amsterdam - Video Clip | Comedy Central
Anne Frank house is lame. Go there baked if you want to enjoy it at all. Definitely hit up the Van Gogh museum, it's fantastic. Definitely do the Heineken experience. It was a great tour and the fresh Heineken they offer to taste is one of the most delicious things I've ever tasted. There is also a comedy show called Boom Chicago that is pretty good if you want that sort of entertainment. Otherwise just walk around and don't look at your maps in the street otherwise you are marked by tweakers and scammers and will be harrassed. Walking the Red Light District at night is generally pretty safe because everyone else is doing the same. Just don't take pictures and everything is copasetic.
Otherwise just walk around and explore. You will get very lost, but will magically end up back where you started somehow. It's a strange experience. The parks are gorgeous and since you're going in the summer, I'd dedicate time to just enjoying them and the scenery/tranquility they provide.
If you have any specific questions I can try to answer them. I've spent a lot of time doing the touristy shit there, so maybe specifics will jog my foggy memory.
The Dolphin was my favorite cafe. Hit up some White Dolphin if you get the chance:Amsterdam - Video Clip | Comedy Central
Anne Frank house is lame. Go there baked if you want to enjoy it at all. Definitely hit up the Van Gogh museum, it's fantastic. Definitely do the Heineken experience. It was a great tour and the fresh Heineken they offer to taste is one of the most delicious things I've ever tasted. There is also a comedy show called Boom Chicago that is pretty good if you want that sort of entertainment. Otherwise just walk around and don't look at your maps in the street otherwise you are marked by tweakers and scammers and will be harrassed. Walking the Red Light District at night is generally pretty safe because everyone else is doing the same. Just don't take pictures and everything is copasetic.
Otherwise just walk around and explore. You will get very lost, but will magically end up back where you started somehow. It's a strange experience. The parks are gorgeous and since you're going in the summer, I'd dedicate time to just enjoying them and the scenery/tranquility they provide.
If you have any specific questions I can try to answer them. I've spent a lot of time doing the touristy shit there, so maybe specifics will jog my foggy memory.
Ossoi
Tranny Chaser
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That puzzled me too, a Dutch client of mine told me they were "tourist traps" and that steak isn't exactly a hard meal to fuck up.
Sir Funk
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Yeah, definitely the most amazing surprise from my trip. I've been to plenty of breweries and of course fresh beer is good, but this shit is unbelievable. It's like drinking from the fountain of youth!
Since I am currently living in Amsterdam I thought I'd chime in.
@Pasteton: what will be the nature of your visit? Me giving any advice on a romantic weekend with your girlfriend/wife will be very different from me advising you on a brilliant weekend away with friends. Also do you want the tourist rundown or something more local? Where are you from?
@Chris: first off I am going to presume you took care of accommodation already since you will be visiting soon. Second your are in luck this year since it is the world cup and all. I would recommend watching the Netherlands play on the Museumplein with your friends, free entry, beer and great atmosphere (you won't see the football to well but hey it is more about the party anyway). Third, to nurture your hangover(s) I would recommend you go to Amsterdam Roest (rent bikes or take a bus). This is a city beach in a semi-industrial part of the city centre and it is full of expats and hip people having craft brews and chilling in the sun. It is also not crazy busy which is a plus to me. When it comes to the drinking part you basically have two places in the city center to really get your drink on, Leidse Square (Leidseplein) and Rembrandt Square (Rembrandtplein). These areas are packed with tourist watering holes who will gladly cater to any of your stag party needs. Please be aware that the chances of you getting into any decent club with 28 guys are next to nothing, just so you know.
Let me know is there is anything more you want to know!
@Pasteton: what will be the nature of your visit? Me giving any advice on a romantic weekend with your girlfriend/wife will be very different from me advising you on a brilliant weekend away with friends. Also do you want the tourist rundown or something more local? Where are you from?
@Chris: first off I am going to presume you took care of accommodation already since you will be visiting soon. Second your are in luck this year since it is the world cup and all. I would recommend watching the Netherlands play on the Museumplein with your friends, free entry, beer and great atmosphere (you won't see the football to well but hey it is more about the party anyway). Third, to nurture your hangover(s) I would recommend you go to Amsterdam Roest (rent bikes or take a bus). This is a city beach in a semi-industrial part of the city centre and it is full of expats and hip people having craft brews and chilling in the sun. It is also not crazy busy which is a plus to me. When it comes to the drinking part you basically have two places in the city center to really get your drink on, Leidse Square (Leidseplein) and Rembrandt Square (Rembrandtplein). These areas are packed with tourist watering holes who will gladly cater to any of your stag party needs. Please be aware that the chances of you getting into any decent club with 28 guys are next to nothing, just so you know.
Let me know is there is anything more you want to know!
Pasteton
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Ilum or anyone else - got sidetracked by other issues but now I am heading to Amsterdam - will be there tomorrow in fact!
My tentative plan is to get the iamsterdam card and do the following :
Day 1 - arrive around noon. Go to Ricktsmuseum and if time vangogh after. Dinner suggestions? Also looking for a good "coffee house" - any recommendations?
Hoping also to do red light district this night as its Saturday.
Day 2 - looking for a good bike tour - suggestions? Then what else today? Keep in mind it's Sunday
Day 3 - day trip somewhere - suggestions ? Zaanse? Edam? Evening - back to Amsterdam - wanted to do either some performance or a club - suggestions?
Day 4 - half day before flight - want to get some shopping done - where should I go?
My tentative plan is to get the iamsterdam card and do the following :
Day 1 - arrive around noon. Go to Ricktsmuseum and if time vangogh after. Dinner suggestions? Also looking for a good "coffee house" - any recommendations?
Hoping also to do red light district this night as its Saturday.
Day 2 - looking for a good bike tour - suggestions? Then what else today? Keep in mind it's Sunday
Day 3 - day trip somewhere - suggestions ? Zaanse? Edam? Evening - back to Amsterdam - wanted to do either some performance or a club - suggestions?
Day 4 - half day before flight - want to get some shopping done - where should I go?
Chris
Potato del Grande
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Thanks but the plans were changed to Dublin :/ So we saw Netherlands play in an "Irish Pub".
It was no where near as good, it's basically a small british city and nothing special for someone from England...
Amsterdam was amazing when I went there 6 years ago so I'm sad.
Sir Funk
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1) Don't remember the food I ate while there, but my favorite coffee shop was The Dolphins:The Dolphins Coffeeshop - Centrum - Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands | Yelp
3) Boom Chicago! was a great comedy show that I saw while there. I was high on mushrooms so I guess YMMV:Boom Chicago
Pasteton
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I've been to comedy shows before but boom Chicago was a whole nother level of interactive and impromptu stuff. Great and a must see I think.
Bike tour of countryside also awesome. I can't believe how many people bike here.
Red light district.. Kind of gross. Man the live sex show promo photos almost made me vomit. Feels like Vegas or Miami has much hotter chicks so far
Bike tour of countryside also awesome. I can't believe how many people bike here.
Red light district.. Kind of gross. Man the live sex show promo photos almost made me vomit. Feels like Vegas or Miami has much hotter chicks so far