1. Stedelijk Museum. (The MoMA of Amsterdam, but much edgier). All art is post-1968.

2. Bimhuis. (The Village Vanguard of Amsterdam). You just might catch a great jazz or avant-garde musician passing through. Of course, the Concertgebouw Jazz Orchestra plays there often. Speaking of that...

3. Concertgebouw Amsterdam. (The Lincoln Center/Met of Amsterdam). Check their schedule for visiting performers and guest conductors. The resident orchestra is one of my favorites, especially when Bernard Haitink is at the helm.

4. Ciel Bleu. (The Per Se of Amsterdam). Located on the top floor of the Hotel Okura. Michelin-starred. Try the chef's tasting menu. The dishes all have a unique Dutch touch to them (very hard to do for a country with such a bland culinary tradition), and the wine pairings even included Dutch wine!

5. Leidseplein. (The Union Square of Amsterdam). Sit and drink some witbier in the sun. Watch the pretty girls on their bicycles. Do not feed the American potheads with guitars.

6. Febo. (The White Castle of Amsterdam). After 2am. Get the frikandel speciaal met curry & uitjes; pataat met; & a bami kroket. Wash it down with a can of beer.

7. Get up early, no matter how much it hurts, have some delicious Dutch coffee, a soft-boiled egg, and some whole-grain bread with butter and cheese (oudekaas is the best). Have another cup of coffee.