Amsterdam Travel Forum

My friend and I are going to Amsterdam in September of this year. He's been there numerous times, where I have not. He's left it up to me to find us things to do (Silly boy!), but I'm not too sure what I should really see, and what I should nix on the agenda. I'm open to any and all suggestions!

Also, what is the weather like in September? What type of clothes should I bring?

I'm very much looking forward to this trip, and I appreciate al your help!

If you will list your travel interests, you will get much more specific advice. Gary

This list would suit most people depending on your interests:-

Trip on the canals, circular on off tickets available.

Anne Frank Huis

Rijksmuseum - Rembrandt & Vermeer etc

Van Gogh Museum

Rembrandthuis

Oude Kerk and Red Light District

One of many Brown Cafes

If you saw all of these it would be a good start!

Be prepared for mixed weather, rain is possible when it will be cool but it could also be glorious sun. Layers of clothing are best.

september weather could be nice but rainy also. temp. will be around 15c or when sunny it could be up to 25c. last year we had summer on a tuesday, so you never know.
It all depends on the weather, but the beaches are nice, especially Scheveningen, it is like a boardwalk, with shops and other things to do. easy to get to by train. Amsterdam is nice, ofcourse there is te redlight district, the canal trips, bars around the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. there are the museums like 'het Van Gogh-museum', 'Rijksmuseum' and the 'Anne Frank House. Nightlife is nice around both the squares it will be quite busy, but there are lots of nice bars and coffeshops.
Ofcourse there more cities besides Amsterdam. Utrecht is nice, and also the area around Utrecht, with its castle in Haarzuilens. utrecht has many canals also and is a little smaller than Amsterdam. But around Utrecht there are lots od small towns. In the town called Oudewater, you can weigh yourself....in the middle ages this was the only place in the world where they could weigh witches. if found guilty you would be burned , but otherwise you would and still can an official document, showing everybody you are not a witch.
It all depends on the weather. Let meknow if you want to know more...
I am mark at mjansems@hotmail.com

Oh that's already a tremendous help!

I understand that there is a large bookstore...possibly with antique books somewhere in Amsterdam? Would anyone be willing to give me directions? (It's like 5 stories..I think.)

Also, which open markets are the best, and which are best avoided? Which days should we attend?

Thanks again for all of your help! :)

That bookstore sounds like De Slegte, it can be found in the Kalverstraat.

Hello!
Amsterdam is an amazing city, and you can definitely see most of the city within 3-4 days, depending on how many museums you decide to go to. If there is one museum that you should not miss, it's the Anne Frank House. It's interesting and historical, and unique to Amsterdam. The Dam Square is an obvious choice (it's the main plaza with the royal palace, churches, etc etc)....I love to see the floating flower market when I travel to Amsterdam, and Begijnhof (a Medieval village secluded within the city) is amazing as well. I found information regarding canal cruises/ canal bikes on hpals.blogspot.com, which are a great way to see the city as well. I would skip the Waterlooplein Flea Market and the Rijksmuseum...they're good to see but not if you don't have a lot of time. There's a cafe on top of the Kalvertoren mall that has 360 views of the city, which you can only find from a few buildings. It's cheap and the sights are definitely worth making the trip up for. If you're into nightlife, check out the Leidesplein in the evenings, it has the best bars which start up around midnight. Hope this helps!

All these are GREAT! We were looking again tonight at a few more places. Looks like we're going for a week to about 10 days. (Figuring it takes 2 days off the trip just to fly there and back for me.)

What about the Heineken place? Not a beer drinker myself, but I have friends who drink the "Heine" and love it. Would it be worth taking a short visit to that?

Thanks again all! I highly appreciate all your help! I'm writing it all down so keep it coming!!

The Heineken museum should only be a place to visit on a rainy day I found it a bit of a tourist trap although you do get several beer tastings.

If its nice weather do do a canal trip.

In September the weather can still be fine, you never know. At least it will not be cold. Anyway generally excellent cycling weather.
Did you think about a days cycling, just like the locals do ? Not in the centre, but in the countryside around. The classic Dutch landscapes, rivers, castles, and of course windmills.
If you're interested, I can post some suggestions. Or look on Google for bicycle day trips or tours.

There's some good advice listed above allready. Anne Frank is definately worth going to, as are Jordaan area. Renting a bike is fun, at MacBikes you can ask for the Plantage bicycle route leaflet.
The plantagebuurt is a very nice area, with interesting museums (jewish historical, museum of the tropics), the zoo (artis) and a nice hortus botanicus. (see www.plantageaanhetwater.nl)

otherwise i'd recommend the albertcuyp markt and the dappermarkt, check for concerts at melkweg (www.melkweg.nl or paradiso (www.paradiso.nl), go for a daytrip to haarlem, leiden or utrecht, well, plenty to do and see...

Thanks for all the suggestions! We're leaving in a month to be in Amsterdam and getting VERY excited! I'm looking at day trips to take, and have really been doing some research online to all that you guys have given me! :)

Question...how long does it take by train to get to the Hague? Any other day trips by train to see or a "must do"?

Thanks again for all your help!

You might look at visiting Delft. It is home to the Delft Blue Pottery, the artist Johannes Vermeer, and at times has been the home of the Dutch Royal Family. Gary

My suggestions for places to visit just a 30 min train journey from Amsterdam is Edam you can cycle here easily, Gouda not only for cheese also for St Jans Kerk with the most amazing stained glass windows, Utrecht lots of canals like Amsterdam but many have eating areas on the banks of the canal & also the Dom church where you can see the results of the reformation as well as my favourite the miffy museum. Otherwise Alkmaar another cheese place with the famous weigh house.

Can I recommend Sauna Deco, Herengracht 115. Great for a few hours and a very relaxing experience. Not at all sleazy. Sauna, steam room, cold pool, massages, food and drinks all within opulent surroundings. Check out the reviews and visit the site at

www.saunadeco.nl

Have a great trip

Bryan

Thanks again to everyone! I'm on the final countdown, leaving a week from today! I've written down everyone's suggestions and am giving them to my friend so he and I can decide where we're off to! :)

When I get back (in a few weeks) I'll let you know how it went and what we visited with your help!

Thanks again!