Amsterdam - what do I ^have^ to see?

[NotQuiteCockney]

I'm going this weekend. I'm staying somewhere central, will no doubt bike around ... No kids!

Agree about the Anne Frank house, although unless you go early there can be long queues, as as NQC has such a short time in Amsterdam it might be a bit of a waste. I used to live just near there, and totally freaked when I re-read her diary and she described the house as being on the tram route for the 13, 17 and 20. I was like - what? These tram routes haven't changed in sixty years?!

The 9 straatjes are great, for coffee shops I'd recommend Abraxas (near where you're staying, NQC!) or the Rokerij just behind Leidseplein.

Have fun! I've never been to the sex museum (and probably won't now we have ds in tow!) or the torture museum

Ok, I'll definately be taking some notes from this thread with me on Friday!

I'm not that tempted by trams, we were in Toronto like a month ago, and went for a v long tram ride there, much to DS2's delight.

quick warning - i've had a couple of great visits to amsterdam, but learned the hard way that the white stuff in shakers on restaurant/cafe tables need not be salt. I ended up with vinegar and icing sugar all over my chips!

we loved anne franks house, the rijksmuseum, the van gough museum, and the science museum (including its great roof, which i think you might be able to get onto even if you don't visit the museum). really pretty place too, do take a canal ride and just enjoy the atmosphere generally. and don't worry if you're not into the coffee shops, lots else to do.