When people think of Amsterdam, many think of legally purchasing and smoking marijuana at coffee shops, the Red Light district, and an overall crazy party city. While that exists(Joe calls it the Vegas of Europe), and is the main attraction for some (including European bachelor/bachelorette weekends)…and while I could have gotten high several times off second-hand smoke, Amsterdam has much more to offer if you simply give it a try!
Amsterdam is a very walkable city. All tourist attractions are within reach by foot from Amsterdam Centraal. It is also very bike friendly with tons of bike parking lots and red bike lanes. Amsterdamers take full advantage of this mode of transportation so much so that you have to constantly be on the lookout for cyclists when crossing the streets!
Some highlights:
- Rick’s Amsterdam City Walk = the perfect introduction!
- Damrak to Dam Square: A short walk from Amsterdam Centraal, Dam Square is the Amsterdam’s version of Times Square, Munich’s Marienplatz or Milan’s Piazza del Duomo. I dare to say that it might have been more overwhelming than all three because there was just too much to look at! The Royal Palace, New Church, Madame Toussaud’s, fancy hotels, and department stores line the perimeter of the square, with the odd National Monument in the center. People were out walking everywhere, cyclists, trams, and cars passed thru, and lots of street performers (oddly dressed characters) entertained in bizarre ways. This was people-watching heaven at its best!
- Canals: Super cute Dutch homes and buildings line the many canals, and boats cruise along here making for a very picturesque scene.
- Tulips: It’s true…the flowers do exist here. Although we didn’t see fields of tulips anywhere in the city, the flower market sold tons of bulbs and fresh bouquets. I would love to take some home, but something tells me my bag wouldn’t make it thru customs and I don’t feel like going through the hassle of shipping them home.
- Red Light District Walk: While a bit sketchy and probably offensive to many, it was an interesting take of an old profession. One good thing about having a separate district is that everything is just that…separate. Prostitutes are primarily tucked into small alleys in just a few blocks of the city making them avoidable for tourists who want nothing to do with them.
- Frites & mayo: not sure if it was the fact that we were hungry, but something about this combo hit the spot! Wonder if French fries will taste good at home with mayo?!
- La Place: Picture Whole Foods food court inside Macy’s. Fresh pizza and lemonade were delicious…an very reasonable! We ate for 10E combined!
- McDonald’s sundaes…always a must on a Euro-trip at some point!
Public Transportation: We felt like pros tonight as we navigated the Dutch train schedules. Frequent traveling in cities certainly helps you understand familiar phrases even when they’re not in English.
Lodging: Intel Hotel Zaandam = outside city, but clean, modern, roomy, and right off train…easy ride to town (trains usually come every 10 min for a 20 min ride..except on Sundays)…Cons: 5.10 euro each RT ride to Centraal, city tax added upon check-out (8 euros extra for our 2 euro stay)
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