In Dam august 10th-18th

[Smolik]

posted in the wrong section first.. Hey everyone i'm going to be heading to amsterdam the begininng of next month. this is the hotel i will be staying at what do you guys think? http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotel...am-centre.html.. I have never been to the Netherlands before and open to any suggestions. Am i staying in a good area? Anything special that you guys suggest. We dont have crazy amount of money but we have enough, still on a budget though. Good bud in Amsterdam at this time?

Thanks,

James

 

[lastemperor]

I suggest hiring an apartment from amsterdamstay or amsterdamesape since more and more hotels dont allow smoking.

 

[McSnappler]

It's a reasonable area around there, but also a good 20-25 minutes walk to Dam square, the Red Light District, a lot of the popular coffeeshops, etc. If it's your first visit, it might be better to stay as close to Dam square as possible, so you spend less time wandering around looking for your hotel/the town!

 

[prepress420]

Two threads, not merged:

Right across the canal (see hotel site map) is the Leidseplein, where lots is happening,lots of coffee shops, plus you can catch a tram there to anywhere. In that general direction is Dam Square, ground zero to some. (Get a map while at home.)
But first,to your left, you can walk down Overtoom to the Kashmir (google it).
Out your Hotel door, rightish, is the Noon. To your right, walking distance from hotel,is the Van Gogh and Rijk museums. Also, down P.C. Hoofstraat, is the Van Gogh Cafe (on the corner).Excellent breakfast.
If you're American, like me,your goona' take a hit on the Euro conversion. ATM's seem to have the best rates, AND call your bank before you leave and let them know you are going...VIP, or could get a card denial. Also, keypads don't have letters, so know your password in numbers.
That is a very nice hotel. Out of my range.
Edit: Uh, try the hash

 

[Smolik]

Thanks for the suggestions I booked the hotel already also. transportation should not be too hard since the trams and busses right? What are somethings to do that is not worth missing

 

[prepress420]

Google "Amsterdam" plus coffee shops (there are endless cannabis coffee shop sites, look here on ICMAG, this site is full of stuff), museums, trams (they stop running around midnight), canal bus, maps,red light district, wok to walk,
Consider seriously going to Haarlem, 15 minute train ride, you will be glad you did, less busy than A'dam.
Google "Willie Wortals coffeeeshops in Haarlem", plus Thee Huis Cofeeshop in Haarlem

 

[Payaso]

Great suggestions, prepress, it's as if you lived there!

 

[prepress420]

Here is a simple-minded suggestion to get used to the City. Not intended to be 100% accurate.
Find a map on-line or buy one, with trams lines shown.
OK, the main part of Amsterdam is the "Centrum", or Center, which is where you might be most of the time. The City is surrounded by a horseshoe ring of "Canals" called "Grachts". Also "straat" means "street".
The train station is at the top. Let's call that "North".
You are at the bottom edge of the "centrum" , call it "South" end, though you are slightly to the left.
When you get out of your Hotel, go across the bridge to the Leidseplein. "Plein" means "square" . Trams and taxis stop here. Tram lines are numbered.Take the # 1,2, or 5 to Centraal Station. This will get you to the top,or "North" end of town. The line ends there. Get off the tram. Start walking "South" down a big crowded wide street. This is called Damrak. You will come to Dam Square. You can't miss it.
If you go "East" on Damstraat, you will end up in the Red Light District, which has lots of coffeeshops ( coffeeshop maps on-line...google), tourists stuff.
Or, at Dam Square, you can go "West" toward the "Jordaan", a section of town. Using a map,
coffeeshops galore can be found: Homegrown Fantasy, Amnesia, Grey Area, endless.
Also, on Dam Square is the Palais you can tour, or Madame Tousseauds wax museum, if that's your thing.
-------------
Best thing you can do is search on-line, so you can learn by effort. Receiving info passively by posters like me might not stick so much in your memory.
Also,on-line trip reports are mandatory.
If you like art, check out the Van Gogh Museum, close to your hotel. But do not go midday, with all the tourist buses. Either at opening, or after 4pm, when buses are gone, which is better baked

 

[catmanrob]

great info thanks...

 

[Smolik]

Thanks prepress your a pro. How about transportation from the airport to my hotel? does the tram or bus drop off near my hotel? i think i will just take a taxi to avoid any problems.. thanks for the help! cant wait!!

 

[stink.whistler]

take the train from the airport to the city (central station - it will be the last stop), then catch a cab from there to your hotel. You will save a ton of money, and the train will probably be faster than the cab (though honestly, I've never taken a cab from the airport - the train is just too easy, quick, and cheap to even consider a cab IMO).

 

[lastemperor]

Yep avoid taxi from the airport, the train is actually faster.And going a trip to Harleem is a very good tip.

 

[prepress420]

take the train from the airport to the city (central station - it will be the last stop), then catch a cab from there to your hotel. You will save a ton of money, and the train will probably be faster than the cab (though honestly, I've never taken a cab from the airport - the train is just too easy, quick, and cheap to even consider a cab IMO).

Agree with this.
Train is fairly easy.Nice view, 15 minutes.
Walking out of Centraal Station (to the "South") is a beautiful sight, in spite of the construction.
Cough it up for the taxi. Then you don't have to learn the trams first minute in town. Dropped to your hotel door.
Remember, 15% tips are included in bills, as well are taxes.
Oh yeah, WATCH OUT FOR PICKPOCKETS.
Also, think about how you are going to leave town and get to the airport when you depart.