Hey SOopahyi,

I’m assuming you’re flying from Seattle then. So the flight should be about 9 hrs?

It’s true you do have enough time to see a bit of Amsterdam. It’s about 20mins by train to the Centraal Station. There are plenty of coffeeshops around there. And it’s about 5 mins from the Red Light District(outside station, turn left, walk, turn left again), where you’ll find lots of touristy stuff, sex shops, smart shops.

However, I think after a 9 hour flight, and after visiting a coffeeshop, you’re not going to want or be able to visit many other places and still make sure you catch your flight!

What I would do is this: head to Centraal Station straight away, sit on one of the benches by the canal for a bit(right outside the station), then look for someplace to eat. You’ll probably spot one while you’re sitting. Then, I’d head to coffeeshop. For a list of coffeeshops see: http://www.ignatzmice.com/index.php?categoryid=29

I visited La Canna and Greenhouse Effect. I preferred La Canna.

Then! Then, you’re going to want to eat again :)

Watch the roads! They’re not as they seem. Sometimes they turn into a sidewalk, sometimes into a bike lane. sometimes…who knows.

btw, now that I’ve just typed all this crap, I’ve just realised that you’re probably already there…

Hey,

Not sure about smart cafes, but they have smart shops in the Red Light District. I’ve never heard of smart cafes actually..

I flew from Aberdeen, Scotland to Amsterdam with the intention of crashing there for a few days then heading to Germany or whatever took my interest. However, after staying in Amsterdam for 3 days at a hostel, I was bored so I went home! :)

I didn’t travel with friends so I had to entertain myself like you’ll be doing I assume. I wouldn’t avoid getting stoned at all. You have to try some of the weed there, otherwise what’s the point?

By the time you have to catch your flight you’ll be fine. But yeah, walk around. That’s what I did a LOT.

(Sorry, I wrote this before seeing the above posts, so excuse me if I repeated some info from above)

Absolutely! When you fly into Schiphol, you can take one of the Sneltrain (Direct) lines towards Amsterdam Centraal (2 or 3 stops from the airport, 10-15 minute trip tops), and pick up a light rail map. Since you won’t have enough time to fully go through any of the wonderful art museums such as the Rijksmuseum, you can take the tram around the city and take in the amazing architecture and views of the River IJ and the many canals. I suggest going to the area around the Universiteit van Amsterdam and of course Dam Square, if you are interested in architecture at all. Many beautiful views and buildings can be found in these areas. Also, Dam square is one of the many major squares, so it’s a good place to get your bearings if you happen to get lost.

If you’re into coffeeshops, you’re in luck. If you go south on the Dam for a couple of blocks, you’ll pass two or three boat tour places (One of them being called Reederij Kooij), If you go past them, and take your first left, you’ll see Coffeeshop Grasshopper. One of the best coffeeshops in the city, and always my first stop when getting off of Amsterdam Centraal. Also in close proximity are the coffeeshops La Canna and Coffeeshop 36; Ask any local or foreigner that looks like they might be in the know. Everyone’s extremely friendly in Amsterdam, so don’t hesitate to ask for directions or help ;)

The city, while always alive in some way, is somewhat slow to start in the mornings. In the area behind the Coffeeshop Grasshopper and the street that Coffeeshop 36 is located on (Warmoestraat), you can find many wonderful breakfast restaurants, and also coffeeshops that serve great breakfasts!

Bike rentals are located outside of Amsterdam Centraal, I believe across the street on the western side of the building (Although during my last visit, there were a lot of constructions going on near the canal, so it might have changed). Just ask any porter or information desk and someone will be able to point you in the right direction.

Hope some of that helps you, and if you get a chance to spend a longer stay in Amsterdam, please do! You will not be disappointed!

Also, look at this site: http://termie.pbwiki.com/GuideToAmsterdam
Has some good info as well.

I would highly recommend going to the Anne Frank House museum if you are interested in a historical attraction. You would have to check for directions from Centraal Station, but it’s definitely possible to get there on foot or by bike. I can’t remember if it’s near a tram stop. Also, since you’re into art, there are many art museums. The Van Gogh museum was one of my favorites since I’m a fan, and I didn’t have time to see the Rijksmuseum, but would love to on another visit. Since you’re there for less than a day, pick one or two things to see and fill in the rest of your time with coffee houses and people watching. Have fun!

Hey Sophie.
I say, leave any excess baggage at the airport (check it, yatta yatta you know this stuff) and hop the train to amsterdam. the city itself (like every other city in that area) is tiny and you could walk from one side to the other in about half an hour. Walk right on in, to the red light district, sit down at a nice looking hash bar, get a coffee maybe, smoke a tad, then wander over to Van Gogh museum. i dont think you’ll need a bike, i could be wrong though, it’ll be your call. I also believe that by the time you get into the city some bars should be open, though i could be mistaken. I’m under the impression that the city never sleeps really though. You should be good. So take and modify if you will, keep in mind that some of their smoke is stronger than it is over in the US, luckily when I found this out the hard way I was in my cousins apt with nowhere I needed to be (except the couch with a huge bowl of ice cream). Have fun and be safe!
ps people are really nice there.

All the above answers are right on, you can definetly see a chunk of the city in six hours, and the train station is surrounded by cafe’s, the Vang Gough Museum is 15 minutes outside of the central town. My only advise is make sure that you have a map. Amsterdam is easily the most confusing place I have ever been too. Spent most of my time wondering around lost.

heineken experience and anne frank house.

We’ve been to Amsterdam a few times now and this map is the best I’ve seen. Be careful because there are tiny alleyways that have street names too that may not appear on maps and street signs are on the sides of buildings and not always easy to find.

http://www.amsterdam.info/print/map/

To make the most of your time you should use the trams which starts right outside Centraal. You can get a day pass and hop on and off all over the city. As far as coffee shops go Grasshopper was my personal favourite, but if you are looking for a more touristy one take the tram to Leidseplein where the Bulldog coffeeshop (nice space cake) and the American Hotel are. This is a good spot to eat, visit one of many coffeeshops, and sightsee all within a few blocks.

Just an FYI - CAFES serve coffee, COFFEESHOPS have smokeables, just so you aren’t disappointed if you go in to a cafe by accident.