Who has been to Amsterdam? What should we visit?

[HinnyPet]

DH and I are off to Amsterdam next weekend, on the ferry from Newcastle!
Anybody got any suggestions of where to visit? What to eat and drink? We will have 5 hours there.
Thanks!

bump!

do you want to get stoned?

I know of some good places

I do know other places too!!

Five hours isn't along time but if you could stand to be on another boat, a canal trip(you can buy bus type hop on off tickets) would be a good way of getting a feel for this city.

Otherwise there are plenty of museums, galleries and restaurants but beware, the city centre prices are not cheap.

I would suggest a nice hour in the Dampkring but that is because i would like to do that

www.dampkring.nl/

Hi SexonFire thanks for replying, urm, not sure if I want to get completely stoned but will probs give it a go! Is that cafe you suggested a smoking den place?

I think we are going to see some museums, especially Anne Frank's house, not sure which others to see.

beware of huge queue for Anne Frank's house! Well worth a visit though.

Massive queues for Anne Frank ,yes.

I don't know where the ferry port is but I do know that if you walk up Damrak from Central Station, on the right of Dam Square is the Red Light Disrict where there are also some cofeeshops where you can smoke.

To the left of Dam Square is a much nicer area in terms of canals, architecture and lack of seedy men in leather jerkins.

I'm very

I'm sure you'll have a good time.

Vondelpark is lovely with nice Cafe in centre where you can drink gluwein (probably spelt wrong!) Van Gogh museum good. Anne Frank house v good, if you can go at end of day when less queues, get much more of a feel for the place when quiet.
some lovely bars and cafes along canals out of city centre. We used the Rough Guide to recommend places to eat/drink but about 4 yrs ago now.
If you want a really interesting and different meal in the evening then would suggest trying Indonesian food. There are lots of Indonesian restaurants serving Rijsttafel (meaning rice table) banquet type meal with loads of tiny dishes to taste. Just read more carefully you only have 5 hours there! I loved Amsterdam, and we spent hours wandering canals, drinking beer and eating. I think its got a lot more to offer than the red light district and coffee shops.

I am looking forward to eating and drinking as well as architecture...I think when we arrive is the busiest time for Anne Frank's house though.
I will have a look at the Rough Guide - good idea, thank you.

Got my left and right mixed up in previous post

absolutely JenAT but the coffeeshops are amazing

There are some ace Pancake Restaurants as well. Indonesian followed by waffles with fruit and chocolate and cream. And you can order hot chocolate everywhere. I like almost everything about Amsterdam.

I LOVE pancakes! ah, sod the diet, it's only 5 hours .....

has anyone mentioned the sex museum - worth a look, if only to get squirted by the manequin's cock

go to nine streets bit for lots of little shops and things to explore. you'll see lots of canals and architecture, the area is v compact so good for a short visit.

anne frank house also nearby. we went very quickly on a sunday morning, had only half an hour to spare before train and it was quiet enough to rush (respectfully) through. also we are both suggestibly claustrophobic so not our ideal destination.

and hema dept store if you get the chance, oh how i love that place. don't bother with getting stoned or red light district, dull.

In a word..YES! It's amazing for kids. I blog about Amsterdam for families and am also the Family Blogger for the City of Amsterdam website "IAmsterdam".

There are loads of ideas on my blog as well as sample itineraries, places to eat, things to see etc. Take a look here and let me know if you have any questions, I'm always incredibly happy to help.

amsterdamwonderland.com/category/kids/kids-activities-amsterdam/

vondelpark is beautiful, and id really reccomend hiring a bike for a few hours- the Dutch cyclists may seem intimidating but it's the most fun way to see the city, the roads are all flats so regardless of fitness levels it's super easy! If wanting to visit the Anne frank haus, head down about 20 mins before it is due to close as the que is much shorter then as pp has mentioned. Van Gogh museum was overpriced and overcrowded, didn't do any others. Overall I'd say don't plan to fit too much in and just walk around and get a feel of how beautiful the city is, you'll have a great time and I'm very jealous