1. If you're looking for a cup of coffee, don't go to a coffee shop.
Look for a cafe or a koffie huis. Most cafes don't have neon signs and dozens of British tourists. If you get carded at the door, you're probably in the wrong place.
Probably not going to find any coffee here!
2. If you're not on a bike, you shouldn't be in the bike lane.
Most major roads are seperated into 3 parts: a car lane, a bike lane, and a sidewalk. If you walk in the bike lane, someone will probably run you over. Dutch people think running into tourists is really funny. They'll ring their bells, and then smash into you. So protect yourself, stay out of the way.
Stop light on the bike lane, where people may or may not stop.
(see tip #4)
3. Don't go to Dam Square.
Dam square is a really boring tourist trap. If you want to see it, go before 10 a.m. During the day Dam square is filled with a million tourists, really creepy living statues, and really bad street performers. At night, it's filled with creepy drunk tourists. It's essentially the time square of Amsterdam. Not very exciting and FULL of tourists.
Hungarian football hooligans making trouble in Dam square.
4. Don't jay-walk on major streets!
The traffic in Amsterdam makes no sense. At all. Even after 2 months here I still don't know what I'm doing. Cars drive in the tram lane, motor cycles drive in the bike lane, cars are on sidewalks. Red lights seem to be suggestions, not rigid rules. And bikes don't stop for pedestrians or redlights. So watch out!
Normal traffic in Amsterdam.
5. Go to the public library.
It sounds boring, but the Amsterdam Public Library is beautiful, and has one of the best views in town. It's really close to Central Station, so it's easy to get to. The inside looks more like a book museum than a library. Go to the 6th floor (take the escalators, not the elevator, just to see how ridiculous this library is!) and then take the stairs to the 7th floor cafe. There is a great view from the balcany. I wouldn't recommend eating there, it's pretty pricy. But it's a nice place to get a cup of coffee and a photo op!
View from the 6th floor.
6. Go on a boat tour!
Okay, so I've never been on a boat tour, but it looks really fun! And I want to go on a boat tour, so you should go on a boat tour (and bring me). Good idea, right?
7. Don't go on a bus tour.
If you've traveled with me before (which you probably have) you know I make fun of everyone in a tour group/bus/duckboat/etc. But really, everyone on a bus tour of Amsterdam looks miserable. One company literally uses school busses. That's no fun! They're just jealous that they're not a boat tour.
Also, Amsterdam is a small city. The tram system is really easy to use, and most places are walkable. You won't see anything on a bus tour you can't see on foot.
8. Go to the park.
The parks are beautiful. Vondel park is a nice place for a picnic or a walk, and is right by Museumplein, so if you go to any of the major museums you'll be in the neighborhood anyway. Vondel park is the "Central Park of Amsterdam," so it's worth a visit.
Picnic on the first warm day of spring.
9. Spend time just walking around the city!
Walking around the canal streets is always a good way to spend an afternoon. The smaller canals tend to be quiet, have nice benches to sit and overlook the water, and have a lot of history. Some of the old canal houses are now museums and are interesting to check out. Plus, you might run into some wildlife!
Heron blocking the road on my way to class.
see you soon!
love,
kathleen
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