Amsterdam trip without the drugs, clubs and museums?
October 16, 2010 6:55 PM Subscribe
What does one do in Amsterdam for a couple of days in crappy weather?
I'm 25 year old, going to Amsterdam with my dad for two-three days. He has business meetings during the day, I'm expected "home" for dinner.
Looking for suggestions on what to do for a couple of days. The forecast is 10 degrees Celsius, intermittent rain. My main interests are climbing, science fiction and reading in general, some photography. Don't want to go to museums unless they're over-the-top awesome, or have dinosaurs.
Where are the hip neighborhoods? Really cool shops and cafes? Special things to do in Amsterdam? Awesome tourist attractions? Your favorite spots? How are the zoo and the sailing/maritime museum? It would also be nice to meet some people my age, so suggestion for daytime organized activities aimed at my age groups are welcome as well.
Already read through old Amsterdam threads but I'm feeling special snow flakey. Only found the American Book Center which I'm going to check out.
I'm 25 year old, going to Amsterdam with my dad for two-three days. He has business meetings during the day, I'm expected "home" for dinner.
Looking for suggestions on what to do for a couple of days. The forecast is 10 degrees Celsius, intermittent rain. My main interests are climbing, science fiction and reading in general, some photography. Don't want to go to museums unless they're over-the-top awesome, or have dinosaurs.
Where are the hip neighborhoods? Really cool shops and cafes? Special things to do in Amsterdam? Awesome tourist attractions? Your favorite spots? How are the zoo and the sailing/maritime museum? It would also be nice to meet some people my age, so suggestion for daytime organized activities aimed at my age groups are welcome as well.
Already read through old Amsterdam threads but I'm feeling special snow flakey. Only found the American Book Center which I'm going to check out.
I think you want to find a bicycle and perhaps the Foam (photography) museum. Too bad you can't hang out at night, the squat/music scene is off the hook.
posted by alex_skazat at 8:47 PM on October 16, 2010
posted by alex_skazat at 8:47 PM on October 16, 2010
Best answer: Take a train to Leiden (cheap, 20 minutes travel) and go to Naturalis. It's a science/nature museum, it is awesome, it has dinosaurs and lots of exotic and gruesome critters in jars. Also great exhibit on the planet and its history.
If you are in amsterdam on Friday, music students give a free concert at the "conservatorium" (music school) around lunch time. It's usually quite good, then combine this with a lunch at the top of the public library next door, even with rain you have am awesome view over the city from there.
In the center of the city there is a secret place called the "beginhof". Ask locals how to find it, some will know. When you're there, the cuteness will kill you. :)
Obviously you want to rent a bike for your stay. YOu can find rentals at all train stations. Then explore by bike, you will see far more stuff.
The Rijksmuseum is being renovated atm so it's not too exciting. Van Gogh is a blast but only if you're into paintings and crazy artists.
posted by knz at 1:45 AM on October 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
If you are in amsterdam on Friday, music students give a free concert at the "conservatorium" (music school) around lunch time. It's usually quite good, then combine this with a lunch at the top of the public library next door, even with rain you have am awesome view over the city from there.
In the center of the city there is a secret place called the "beginhof". Ask locals how to find it, some will know. When you're there, the cuteness will kill you. :)
Obviously you want to rent a bike for your stay. YOu can find rentals at all train stations. Then explore by bike, you will see far more stuff.
The Rijksmuseum is being renovated atm so it's not too exciting. Van Gogh is a blast but only if you're into paintings and crazy artists.
posted by knz at 1:45 AM on October 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you wake up early you can also take a train to the Hague (40 minutes travel) and visit there. The Escher museum is totally worth it. Then if you want an overview of the Netherlands go to Madurodam, it's a large open air miniature exhibit with features from the entire country.
posted by knz at 1:52 AM on October 17, 2010
posted by knz at 1:52 AM on October 17, 2010
Best answer: Forgot: the zoo is okay but overpriced. Maritime museum is usually awesome but currently being renovated so temporarily not too good.
On Wednesday there is a free show at the "Concertgebouw" (theater and/or music) around lunchtime too.
Memail me with your travel dates if you want targeted suggestions. Also, where are you staying in the city?
posted by knz at 2:10 AM on October 17, 2010
On Wednesday there is a free show at the "Concertgebouw" (theater and/or music) around lunchtime too.
Memail me with your travel dates if you want targeted suggestions. Also, where are you staying in the city?
posted by knz at 2:10 AM on October 17, 2010
there are a bunch (4?) of climbing halls and one is in an old church....the one near the main train station is nice...
an organized bike tour ( http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com/ ) i've not done the one in amsterdam (because i live here) but have heard its really good and i've done a bunch in other european cities and they've all been great
if the weather is awesful then finding a cafe to read and people watch.
a boat tour is also recommended
posted by Spumante at 5:19 AM on October 17, 2010
an organized bike tour ( http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com/ ) i've not done the one in amsterdam (because i live here) but have heard its really good and i've done a bunch in other european cities and they've all been great
if the weather is awesful then finding a cafe to read and people watch.
a boat tour is also recommended
posted by Spumante at 5:19 AM on October 17, 2010
Best answer: I haven't done this yet but I have seen it recommended here by other Mefites - St. Nicolaas Boat Club. Sounds like an alternative to the standard canal-boat tour, and a good place to meet other young folks.
If you want to go to Anne Frank House, go online and reserve tickets for a specific date/time at least several days in advance. Otherwise you'll probably be waiting in line for a few hours.
posted by Gortuk at 6:23 AM on October 17, 2010
If you want to go to Anne Frank House, go online and reserve tickets for a specific date/time at least several days in advance. Otherwise you'll probably be waiting in line for a few hours.
posted by Gortuk at 6:23 AM on October 17, 2010
Response by poster: I really don't want to go history museums, especially Holocaust museums. Being Jewish, my parents dragged me to all of these museums all over Europe ten ears ago, wherever we went. I might go to Van Gogh's, if I have nothing better to do.
The recommendations for St. Nicolaas Boat Club, Escher Museum [now that has some potential awesomeness], free shows at "Concertgebouw", "beginhof... that's the stuff I'm looking for.
Is there an artistic squats scene, like in Berlin?
posted by ye#ara at 9:48 AM on October 17, 2010
The recommendations for St. Nicolaas Boat Club, Escher Museum [now that has some potential awesomeness], free shows at "Concertgebouw", "beginhof... that's the stuff I'm looking for.
Is there an artistic squats scene, like in Berlin?
posted by ye#ara at 9:48 AM on October 17, 2010
A squatting ban came into force in Amsterdam at the start of October and from my anarchist friends I hear that there have been some confrontations as a result.
Squatting is still going on, don't know of any in particular, but they might be harder to find now, and, if you're worried about that kind of thing, potentially less safe.
posted by knapah at 11:34 AM on October 17, 2010
Squatting is still going on, don't know of any in particular, but they might be harder to find now, and, if you're worried about that kind of thing, potentially less safe.
posted by knapah at 11:34 AM on October 17, 2010
Squat scene: Joe's garage, club 13. They have daytime activities. Google for more.
posted by knz at 11:36 AM on October 17, 2010
posted by knz at 11:36 AM on October 17, 2010
My bad: club 13 is closed now. Joe's garage is still on, it's close to my place :)
Check also: OCCII, Vrankrijk, Ruigoord. All 3 are legalized squats with public music and graphic shows.
posted by knz at 11:43 AM on October 17, 2010
Check also: OCCII, Vrankrijk, Ruigoord. All 3 are legalized squats with public music and graphic shows.
posted by knz at 11:43 AM on October 17, 2010
For a cool neighbourhood with cafes and bars, try the de Pijp area in the south. Anywhere below the Heineken museum basically, above and below Albert Cuypstraat. Go to the Amsterdam public library, which is about a three minute walk immediately east of Centraal train station, it is a great modern building with good views over the city and IJ.
The Jordaan district is very picturesque and cute, as are the Heren/Keizer/Prinsengracht canals, but that goes without saying. Check out the Museumplein near Vondelpark, and then the surrounding area around the park and the park itself. It is great for walking and biking, big wide paths and lots of ponds and things.
Rent a bike. Amsterdam is very walkable but you might get tired after a while, and biking is so easy in this city. Bikes reign supreme, there are bike lanes for everything and you can get from one side of the centre to the other in a matter of minutes if you know where you are going. You can get bike rentals everywhere, use common sense and act as if you have you the right of way, because you pretty much do.
Eat frites from Vleminckx on Voetboogstraat, opposite the American Book Center on Spui.
If you want to try a coffeeshop I recommend 420cafe which is on a side street off Damrak, as if you are walking with the Grasshopper moving away behind you. It is comfortable and warm, not imposing like other coffeeshops and they play great music, lots of Zappa and Beefheart.
Get on the train to Utrecht. It is half an hour away and a great city for comparing with Amsterdam. Hardly any tourists, lots of students and a very old city centre to complete it. A very calm and beautiful city.
I am living here doing my post grad, so if you have any questions you can think of mail me on here.
posted by tumples at 5:40 PM on October 17, 2010
The Jordaan district is very picturesque and cute, as are the Heren/Keizer/Prinsengracht canals, but that goes without saying. Check out the Museumplein near Vondelpark, and then the surrounding area around the park and the park itself. It is great for walking and biking, big wide paths and lots of ponds and things.
Rent a bike. Amsterdam is very walkable but you might get tired after a while, and biking is so easy in this city. Bikes reign supreme, there are bike lanes for everything and you can get from one side of the centre to the other in a matter of minutes if you know where you are going. You can get bike rentals everywhere, use common sense and act as if you have you the right of way, because you pretty much do.
Eat frites from Vleminckx on Voetboogstraat, opposite the American Book Center on Spui.
If you want to try a coffeeshop I recommend 420cafe which is on a side street off Damrak, as if you are walking with the Grasshopper moving away behind you. It is comfortable and warm, not imposing like other coffeeshops and they play great music, lots of Zappa and Beefheart.
Get on the train to Utrecht. It is half an hour away and a great city for comparing with Amsterdam. Hardly any tourists, lots of students and a very old city centre to complete it. A very calm and beautiful city.
I am living here doing my post grad, so if you have any questions you can think of mail me on here.
posted by tumples at 5:40 PM on October 17, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Especially if you are into photography.
I don't know what to tell you about museums, because the Rijksmuseum is considered one of the top ten Europe by many, but I've yet to see a dinosaur display, there.
The same for the Anne Frank House & Museum.
I don't understand why you would be going to the American Book Center, though. Unless you are an expat living in a non-English speaking country (as I am) I don't see why you would need the resource.
Oh, and even though it is not "climbing", per se, there is a decent high ropes course at Fun Forest, but crappy weather would limit the amount of fun to be had.
posted by squasha at 7:31 PM on October 16, 2010