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Sightseeing and Tourist Activities
in Amsterdam
While it is possible – and probable
for many – to spend the entire Amsterdam experience probing through
the bars, clubs and coffeeshops, the city does offer extensive daytime
activities for those so inclined. And we're not just talking about the
sex shops and hemp museums.
During warm sunny days, consider joining the many locals in the parks.
You can get some exercise, sun and enjoy some of Amsterdam's other natural
beauties.
One of the perks
of a sunny day in Amsterdam is Vondel Park.
Amsterdam is full of museums; it's one of the top tourist activities,
in fact. Museum passes are available for 25 euros. This pass allows
you to enter into all of the city's museums and gives you a 24-hour
travel card. For those who want to visit more than three museums, this
is the way to go.
The world-famous Heineken Brewery tour is now called the Heineken
Experience. It costs 7.50 euros to get in which includes three 10-ounce
Heinekens and a free gift at the end. The tour is at your own pace and
explains how they make the beer, takes you on a ride where you are the
Heineken bottle, and has two bars in which to enjoy your Heinekens.
You can also take photos by the Heineken drums and send a video e-mail
to your friends for free.
The don't make "tiny
Hineys" here anymore, but do give out free beer.
It's also a heck of a place to mingle with other visitors. Technically,
you are supposed to leave when the next group arrives, but you can stay
a bit longer. The brewery is located behind the Leidseplein and the
tour runs weekdays at 10:30, 11, 1 and 2:30 June thru September (also
at noon and 2 on Saturdays in July and August), and 9:30 and 11 from
mid- September thru May.
After getting hyped up at the brewery, dull the senses a bit with a
visit to the Hash Marijuana Hemp Museum in the Red Light District.
Depending on your timing, you will either see rich, fat buds and inhale
their smoky delights or witness one of the frequent police raids. Regardless
of your luck, the museum is open daily in the summer from 11-10, and
in the off-season Sunday-Wednesday, 11-6; Thursday-Saturday 11-10 Admission:
5 euros.
The only raids you have to fear at the Amsterdam Sex Museum (right)
is if your mother taps you on the shoulder. For 2.50 euros (under 17
not admitted; hey, there ARE some rules in this town), you can see sex
in every way imaginable, and a few you probably didn't imagine. It opens
at 10 in the morning and closes at 11:30 at night.
For a less erotic adventure, try a canal tour.
This is a non-stressful way to see the city without having to leave
your seat. Tours depart every hour and it costs 5.50 to 7 euros. Unfortunately,
there is no hop on/hop off anymore.
An alternative is an 11-seat boat operated by Saint
Nicholaas Boat Club, a non-for-profit organization that travels
the smaller canals. The Leidseplein Theater has more information and
a schedule.
You can pedal through the streets, but be wary of cars, trams, other
bikers and even pedestrians. Bicycles can be rented at the train station
or at shops throughout the town (such as Mike's Bikes). Take-A-Bike
at Centraal Station is the cheapest at roughy 10 euros per day or 50
per week; with a train ticket it's cheaper. Pay the deposit and use
the lock that is provided. Again, use the lock that is provided.
Could we really
be in Holland? Yes, the tranquil Dutch countryside
is just a few bike pedals away from the city.
You can zip through town or see the Dutch countryside with its authentic
windmills just minutes outside the city. Tours go through wonderful
small towns like Broek in Waterland and Markem, a small fishing town
where locals wear traditional Dutch costumes (prices vary according
to the different tours). This provides a real taste of the culture and
best of all, you can be back in time for Happy Hour. You may also get
a glimpse of a windmill.
The Dutch like their windmills. Originally used to power water pumps
and grain mills, now they generate electricity. Another typical Dutch
site you will likely encounter during your ride is one or more of the
country's interesting drawbridges.
Sun, sand and sea can be had an hour's train ride from town at Zandvoort
Beach. It is lined with bars and cafes on the sand and comes alive
in the summer. It is topless, with a nude beach about 2km to the south.
Along the way is Haarlem, which could also be called "Flower
City." Flower beds and public gardens give the city a floral look. Grote
Markt is the heart of that city.
Amsterdam is so full of "real" museums it's hard to know which one(s)
to pick. If you need to sober up, The Anne Frank Huis (of diary
fame) will accomplish the feat instantly. it's hard to believe the family
was forced to live here during the Nazi occupation (Frank's father survived
the war but unfortunately Ann did not; the family was eventually discovered
and she perished in a concentration camp). Hours are Monday-Saturday
9-6:45, Sundays it opens at 10. From September-May it closes at 5.
For a look into Holland's Resistance movement during World War II,
visit the Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam, (Tuesday-Friday 10-5, Saturday-Sunday
1-5.). Admission is fl5, free with the Museumkaart, a fl33.60 devise
that offers discounts to museums and transportation.
On the "definite" list, if for no other reason than to tell your family
and friends you've "been there, done that," is the Rijksmusium.
It's a massive cultural center, one of the best in Europe, full of paintings
by Dutch artists Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer and others. For those
lacking knowledge of such things, you will notice crowds around two
popular paintings, Rembrandt's "Nightwatch" and Vermeer's "Kitchen Maid."
Figure in at least two hours for the "quickie tour" or an entire day
if you count yourself among those who can spend two hours at the two
above mentioned paintings.It is open 10-5 on Monday-Saturday, 1-5 Sundays.
The Van Gogh Museum is pretty self-explanatory. Not as interesting
architecturally as the Rijksmusium, it is a "best of" collection. Open
10-5 daily.
For some enlightening nighttime entertainment, check out the Boom
Chicago Comedy Show in the Leidspelen Theater. It's a comedy group
run by transplanted Chicago natives who put on plays like, "2000 Years
Down the Drain: From Jesus Christ to Jerry Springer." Tickets are 18-15
euros, but arrive before 6 p.m., waving a copy of the club's witty newsletter,
Boom!, and save a few euros. The publication is available through
the city and contains good insight into life in Amsterdam.
That's enough culture for us. We need a drink!
 Next
stop on the Party Bus: PubGrub
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