Amsterdam

[jiggy-gb]

Hello All,

We're off to Amsterdam in 2 weeks (for my 40th, aargh!) and as we've never been before I was hoping some of you could make some recommendations for nice places to eat and drink etc? We have the guide books for places of interest, museums etc but there's not much about every day things.

Any suggestions would be great and thanks in advance for your answers x

[shivvy]

The Leidseplein area is great with lots of places to eat and drink. There is an inprovisation show (on every night I think) called Boom Chicago which is well worth a visit as it is good fun and you can have your meal while watching the show.

I would be cautious about spending much time after dark in the Dam square/central train station area as I found it a bit scary at night and have heard plenty of rumours about thieves and pick-pockets.

Vondel Park is great. It would be worth looking up to see if there is anything on there during the time that you are there as it often has outdoor music on which is at times free of charge. Even if there is nothing on, it is a nice place for a walk.

There is a discount card which you can buy which gets you money off travel, restraunts, entrance to museums etc - this might be worthwhile - depending on how long you plan to be there.

[jiggy-gb]

That sounds wonderful Shivvy,thank you, and thanks for the warning about pickpockets, i read that in one of the guides though they played it down a fair bit!

[shivvy]

Glad the info was useful. I have been to Amsterdam a few times and I always enjoy it.
There is a place that we went to on one visit which was a converted factory which is now used as a theatre/ event arena. It was a great night out too (we saw a show called Slava's Snow Show). I can't remember what it is called exactly but it is something like 'Theatre fabrique' . It would be worth looking up to see if anything was on there. This link might be useful - http://www.holland.com/amsterdam/gb/

If you like snooping roundsome nice interesting shops then take a walk in the area called '7 Streets' (or something similar!). You can spend a whole day pottering about there.

Hope this is useful.

Shivvy

[jiggy-gb]

Shivvy you are an absolute star, thank you very much :o)

[Reverandfunk]

The old barge trip is good hop on and hop off it stops by the zoo so we went there.

Thre is also the Rijksmuseum (spelling) there are also free visits to diamond factories (right by the rijksmuseum) your hotel will have details

[paulos66]

Try Abraxas just off Dam Square for one of the best milkshakes in town

[hundreddolla]

Twede Kamer - Translation "Second Room" - Serves some of the best hasj, with an "old school" koffeehaus vibe. They play jazz and have roor glass pipes to borrow also!

[jiggy-gb]

Thank you all, i really appreciate your suggestions. Guide books are great but there's nothing better than personal recommendations!

[LoftyLottie]

Tip:

Anything that says 'Coffee Shop' with a 'C'is 99% bound to be for cannabis users and supplies cannabis. If you want to avoid this stick to the cafes and bars that are 'koffeehauses' (with a 'k').

I am not moralising by the way.

[jiggy-gb]

Thank you Lottie, a much appreciated tip. Far from moralising too! I just find the smell of weed very sickly so that's a cracking tip, thanks :o)

[paulos66]

Ziggy strip me of my 3 stars and put that milkshake back on the counter

[jiggy-gb]

LOL Paulos! I'll still have a peek in ;o)

[paulos66]

Wouldn't be too worried about the Red Light / Dam Sq after dark as long as you use a bit of common sense and the older you get the less likely you are to get pestered off street dealers - I felt quite insulted that no-one offered me any crack this year (ageist gits) ,
I've heard this place is meant to be a bit special for a night out http://www.supperclub.com/