The search function doesn't seem to be working at the moment, but can anyone recommend a good city guide, perhaps geared toward the younger crowd?

Thanks!

Does 31 count as the younger crowd?

I've used Rick Steve's guides for Rome & London and I thought they were Excellent. He does an excellent job. Most books are impersonal or an advertisement. This always seems to have more of a personal touch. You can usually pick them up at AAA stores (for a minor discount) or any bookstore. They have a website too.

I'm actually headed there next month so I've been looking into this. I have his best of europe guide which covers amsterdam, so I dont plan on picking his amsterdam book (I assume he has one - or maybe a netherlands book). I've read through the amsterdam section of the europe guide and its pretty detailed - enough for my short 4 days there.

If you find out anything better, I'm interested... I'll be there next month. Cant beat the winter time air fares to europe.

I was in Amsterdam recently and bought this guide at Borders. It has some foldout maps and talked about top attractions, transportation, discounts, etc. About $10.
Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide.
http://www.amazon.com/Amsterdam-Eyew...e=UTF8&s=books

I purchased a 48 hour visitor card (includes free admission to some museums, free public transport, canal tour). See details here, available in 72 hours, too.
http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/en/ho...rdam+Card.aspx

Have Fun.

I've used the DK illustrated guidbook for Amsterdam. It is small but heavier than I expected. It does a good job, though. It should be for sale at all larger bookstores and online. I bought mine through Amazon.

I've used the Rough Guides book for Amsterdam, and found it to be very reliable. I particularly like that it has extensive listings of budget accommodation and cheap places to eat. And since they have a guide just for the city, you're not lugging around a huge book with info on lots of places you're not visiting.

Sure, as long as you're not a tulips-and-wooden-shoes aficionado!

I guess I fall into the "old enough to truly appreciate the classical parts of the city, but still young enough to enthusiastically indulge in the hedonistic parts crowd."

P.S. The flight and hotel are all covered by points & miles, of course

That sounds like an appropriate description... Not too much into tulips. I'm still looking for a cheap hotel. I dont want to burn all my hotel points or hop hotels just to get free nights. Time to start using my SPG and Hilton credit cards (although a little late for this trip).

Still... I vote rick steves. Mention my name so I can get my commission. Thanks

Try
http://www.timeout.com/amsterdam/

Amsterdam is ageless.
PLUS
http://www.hiptravelguide.com/amsterdam/php/index.php
http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/
http://www.ignatzmice.com/
http://www.hipplanet.com/index.php

We used Rick's "Amsterdam, Bruges, & Brussels" city guide book for our trip to (you guessed it) Amsterdam, Bruges, & Brussels (with a few days in Paris with that guide too) this spring. We like using his books. They are what they are and you kind of have to like his style. The books are somewhat opinionated (with his liberal views) which does lend to a more personal feel. Personally, I think they're geared towards the slightly older traveler (30's and 40's) that are ok traveling relatively simply (though not roughing it) and want to see the sights and try to experience the culture a bit. The guy spends half the year in Europe every year and put out an updated book every year so the info is probably as good as you can get in a book. And updated info/corrections can be found submitted by readers on his website.

One of the knocks though is that we've gone to a few of the restaurants he's recommended and occasionally didn't feel the same as his reviews. The restaurants (and other businesses) know an entry in his book is a cash cow so I think they pull out all the stops for him and his tours. When the average Jay appears at the restaurant with his guidebook out of sight, the experience may be hit or miss. (That's also a time when the feedback on his website comes in handy.)

Also check out Let's Go. Definitely geared towards the college crowd. We haven't taken it on a trip with us but have scribed a few bits of info while browsing through it at the bookstore.

We've also used Frommer's and Lonely Planet for a number of our trips. Checked out but never bought the Eyewitness and Fodor guides. For Europe, we pretty much only buy and take with us a Rick book but obviously check out other books and web sites before we go to supplement the info in Rick's guides.