Having been to Amsterdam several times and had a great time, this time we have (perhaps unwisely) agreed to take an elderly aunt with us for a long weekend.

This will lead to a change in our usual weekend activities in Amsterdam (usually lots of walking, drinking and eating and some light shopping) as she is not too mobile. Steps are a particular problem, ruling out some of the things we thought she might enjoy.

A canal trip is a definite though we might opt for the canalbus instead as it'll make it easier for us to get about. We had thought of museums or art galleries but are concerned that steps in the buildings might be difficult. Other possibilities might be gardens. (The Red Light District and coffee shops are definitely out!)

Can anyone offer any advice of easy things to do with an aunt (nearing her eighties) who isn't greatly mobile? It'd be much appreciated!

Would she be embarrassed to use a wheelchair?

The Van Gogh Museum has wheelchairs that can be used by visitors. It may be an option if she is easily tired.

http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=194 (check the Accessibility section)

There are many lifts in this museum - no need to negotiate any steps at all.

This looks ideal. I hadn't realised this was in quite a new building. She wouldn't be keen to use a wheelchair but it's an option for us to suggest if she gets too tired. Thanks.

With the bulk of the Rijksmuseum closed for renovation (pretty sure it still is) the "masterpieces" have been moved to the Phillips wing, that you enter from the back of the museum. This should be very doable in a wheel chair, since it is in a fairly condensed space. Mrs. Milepig and I had a very good experience there last year - they've done a nice job of presentationl

This site gives a good report on what to expect in AMS with a wheelchair:

http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1502/amsterdam2001.htm

The Van Gogh Museum is a great place but usually very overcrowded. I would suspect being in a wheelchair would really hinder her in viewing the paintings.

MisterNice

The public transport service of Amsterdam runs a special transport for the elderly and handicapped. It is called Stadsmobiel. It is a van with a wheel-chair access. It works something like a communal taxi. Here is a site where you can read about it: http://www.gvb.nl/english/travellers...adsmobiel.html

If you will be only here for a short time, I do not know what arrangements they make, but I am fairly sure that something can be done for you and your aunt.

Enjoy your stay!

If you allow me to be philosophical about this whole experience.
I think it is great that you would take your elderly aunt on a weekend trip. Remember that what is fun/boring for you is NOT the case with an elderly person. Many times I have found that even a little activity, just one or two rooms in a museum, only one museum, only one cafe or restaurant is enough to make her happy. I think that with age, there is less need to do it and see it all but one thing may be very rewarding. Don't stress, I think she may enjoy just being with you a whole lot more than the many activities you may be planning.
Look for a nice tea shop that does "high tea" or a nice park bench where she can relax while you may be doing something more active.
enjoy.

The Red Light is out??? But why???

On a serious note, why Amsterdam? I can think of some nicer, quieter, and less stinky cities in Holland than Amsterdam. I take it you are flying into Amsterdam, then.

It may be out of the way, but I remeber having a nice time in Maastricht, Arnhem and Nijmegen. And without the Amsterdam crowds, drunks, and stink.

I would REALLY advise against this! Not in Amsterdam. And not with an elderly aunt!

I'm guessing you're referring to what the Brits call 'afternoon tea' and not some dodgy brew from one of Amsterdam's coffee shops...


(sorry - just couldn't resist it! )

Well, it is not too hard to figure out where you spent all your time in Amsterdam!

It's Amsterdam because that's where it's easy for us to get to and, yes, that's where we're flying to. And we're committed to it now with hotel bookings.

The advice about doing less (eg. a couple of rooms in a museum or whatever) is a good point. My husband suspects that just sitting and watching the world go by in a different place to home will be something she'll enjoy.

The bus looks useful but I think for a short stay we may be as well to rely on taxis.

Thank you all for the advice. We go in about ten days time so hopefully the weather will be OK - that always helps!

I did walk through the area, by the Oude Kerk, just to see it. But I didn't spend my whole trip there. I also went to the Van Gogh museum and did a lot of walking.
The Damrack seems to have a persistant bad smell lingering in the air, though.

I live in Amsterdam and have lived here quite some years. The only place in the city that is even close to your description ("crowds, drunks and stink") is the Red Light District. I assume the Van Gogh museum was also not filled with "crowds, drunks and stink"?

I pass the Damrak quite often and have never noticed any smell there whatsoever. To say that there is a "persistant" smell there is wrong.

Actually, as cities go, Amsterdam is rather clean and, as I said, "drunks" are mostly confined to the Red Light District, which itself is filled with tourists. So long as you stay away from the Red Light District at night, you will find the city is not crowded, drunks are very unusual and there are no bad smells.