Amsterdam
 

I am planning a trip to Amsterdam any suggestions on what to do? I will only be there three days.

thx

Hello sheliahiggins and welcome to Flyertalk.

Your thread has been moved to the Europe forum, which is the correct one for this query.

Any additional information you can give us - interests, time of year, any must-sees, etc, will help us give you a better answer!

stut
Moderator
Europe

What are you interest? When are you visiting? With such a nondescript question you'll limit your responses.

Why not start here: http://www.iamsterdam.com/

Ok, thanks for that web link. I will be visiting Amsterdam in early November as well. Probably staying over a weekend.

As others have mentioned, depends on what your interests are. When I was there a couple of years ago, I did all the touristy stuff - Anne Frank House, Dam Square, RLD, Van Gogh Museum/Museumplein, etc. I'm sure locals will have better suggestions. I was only there for two days and would love to return - such a beautiful city.

The recently reopened Rijksmuseum is an absolute must.

Even for a short stay you might be aware that you can buy an all Netherlands one year museum pass that is convenient and can save money.

A word of warning: Amsterdam is a bicycle city. The place has become very nearly unwalkable due to constriction of sidewalk space and bikes having right of way over pedestrians in the bike paths, which are everywhere. Note motor scooters use the bike paths with the same rights as bicycle riders. Otherwise sidewalks are blocked by parked bikes, construction, etc. which makes walking in Amsterdam an unpleasant and dangerous pastime.

This is complete nonsense. (And I write this as someone who walks in Amsterdam every day) Tourists are advised to figure out the difference between bicycle paths and sidewalks, and as soon as you have figured out which are the sidewalks Amsterdam is a perfect city for walking.

+1 Utter nonsense. Amsterdam is a wonderful walking city and I've never seen sidewalks completely blocked. Just keep an eye out as those bicycles do seem to come out of nowhere.

As far as hotels, I've booked the Crowne Plaza Amsterdam. I would have preferred the new Doubletree, however it is out of my company policy. How is this Crowne Plaza? Any advice as to what sort of room to ask for at check-in.

You'll probably get more answers on this in the IHG hotels forum. They have a thread specifically about this hotel.

For a pleasurable drinking experience I would recommend
t Arendsnest Herengracht 90.
It sells more than 350 beers from 60 different breweries.All Dutch.

You might also like
http://www.adventuresinpubs.co.uk/pu...llem-amsterdam which is another quirky bar.

And my favourite www.cafe-belgique.nl although this can get a little smokey at times and not just with cigarettes !

Thanks @Showbizguru. That Cafe Gollem place looks awesome. One quick Q: Will there be people openly using drugs in this bar, or in most other establishments. I really have no desire to be around that. I am a professional business person, and simply cannot have even the appearance of partaking in such activities (even if they are legal in Amsterdam).

Yes they will... the drug will be alcohol.
If you are talking about other drugs, you better inform yourself. That's what "coffee shops" are for.

No,they won't.
The 200 or so coffee shops where the stoners partake of the weed have a green and white licence sticker in the window.Ironically, you can't smoke cigarettes in them but you can fire up a joint if it doesn't contain tobacco.
Bars are non-smoking.
If you like a beer I would also suggest
www.indewildeman.nl/index.php?lang=en&page=0

This is also quite a good blog for restaurants.
www.lifeinamsterdam.com
Other than that I recommend a map and a decent pair of walking shoes - Amsterdam is a great city to walk but do be careful of the cyclists ...