Visiting Amsterdam Next Week. Any Tips?

[Cur]

Hey all! I'm visiting Amsterdam next week and I was wondering if y'all had any tips on sights to see and places to visit. I cannot partake in the greenery this trip due to my profession but I am hugely pro-MJ and would love to take in some sights, as well as purchase a cool glass souvenir. Anybody know the legality of bringing clean glass back to the states&? Allowed, or no?

 

[Green Squall]

Ouch. A trip to Amsterdam and you can't partake? I wouldn't have the self control. Are you tested weekly or something?

 

[Cur]

No, although truly randomly. I hung up the lighter years ago when I first came onto the job, it's a choice I made and have honored my agreement to it. One day I will be able to again, but right now I just can't.

 

[Mr.Miner]

Rent a bike first thing. Walk straight down the Damrak and you will find plenty of places to rent one. It's the best way (by far) to get around the city and see the sights. Enjoy!

 

[JamieShoes]

lol @ tourists on bikes

 

[Mr.Miner]

^ haha...yes, it is true- it is ubiquitous but it really is the only way to get around. Folks thought I was a local and stopped me for directions at times. Must have been those long-ass dreads I had at the time and the bright orange jacket.

 

[JamieShoes]

I'm not saying it's not a good thing man, just funny when you see (especially big groups) of folk new to the city, trying to get to grips with the chaos of it all for the first time... whilst being stoned off their bonnets

 

[LEF]

Its your first time I presume ?

It made me think of when I went, it was my first time.

I am sort of getting a tear in my eye. I remember someone on the street asking me for directions somewhere, and I told him, sorry im a tourist, its my first time here. The guy shared my enthousiasm, oh man ? Your first time ? Enjoy it man. It was mad for me, being young, not even 20, but also someone warned me about something, well, they didnt have to warn me, after some freaky person approached me and I gave them my attention I learned that I could meet more like that. Someone warned me about the red light area at night and I decided to listen to their warning.

Im not sure if the guy was playing with me but I think it made sense so I took it.

I love that place. Im not into any cannabiz (competitive), and sure the place can be sort of a tourist trap at times but there is only one amsterdam. And when I was outside, really high looking at a sign that said amsterdam, I was pretty happy to be there, its a strange feeling. Sort of a stoner mecca. But there is also lots of artsy stuff. The canals, the architecture, the tulips and the wooden shoes as well as the relaxed atmosphere towards substance and their abundance all add up, the place has a feel to it I am having a hard timr to explain. Good food also, different varieties. Damn stoners.

Take a walk through Vondel park, bring some snacks.
Heineken brewery, pay an entrance, get a couple of beers and a tour.

Nightlife and again, food.

I would rent an appt there for a certain amount of time.

 

[OGShaman]

Keep your expectations low and you'll probably have a nice time. Not much chaos in a city of less than a million.

 

[Mr.Miner]

I'm not saying it's not a good thing man, just funny when you see (especially big groups) of folk new to the city, trying to get to grips with the chaos of it all for the first time... whilst being stoned off their bonnets

I hear ya- agreed, yes, it is quite a riot...The first time I pulled out into traffic, on my bike, after stumbling out of a coffee shop was a mess. haha...

 

[unclefishstick]

lucky for you amsterdam is a great city even aside from the hash and hookers...

really no matter what you like,be it cultural stuff or full on tourist,or awesome food or nightlife amsterdam has it all....

some suggestions...get a hot dog by the van gogh museum....the weekend flea market.....vlamser frittes.....the flower market is quite a sight...the sea of bikes parked outside the central train station is something to see...theres a lot to see and do,its by far my favorite city in europe if for no other reason than the dutch being very polite and virtually everyone speaks english...

 

[ronbo51]

Quite possibly anything I say could be wrong now since I went to Amsterdam in 1975. But I had fun on almost no money. Camped right in town at a student/ youth campground. Smoked hash around the campfire with kids from all over. Drank Heineken. Saw David Bromberg for free in Vondel Park. Van Gogh Museum. Short train ride to Kroller-Muellar Park. That place was impressively beautiful. Walked all over the city. Architecture of old buildings. Stepping out of the main train station onto the Dam Square. The whole canal thing with houseboats and little bridges. Lots of pretty girls. Like many things I feel very fortunate to have gone when I did. Early mid 70's was a great time to come of age. Hope you enjoy.

 

[stoned-trout]

a small wooden shoe might make a good bowl.....yeehaw.. have fun

 

[t99]

Go have pancakes one morning.

 

[t99]

If you like beer, hit the brown cafes

 

[Green Squall]

I'm probably going to be crucified for this but..here it goes. Stop being such a pussy. Your on a cannabis forum asking about whats fun in Amsterdam..Take down that lighter and enjoy yourself a little! One smoke sesh in a coffee shop wont kill you. You will be clean by the time you get home. If your really that averted to weed right now I guess you could always visit Stubbe's Haring Stand or something.

 

[Space Toker]

stubbe's herring stand? sounds like something I want to forget not remember if I experienced it which I did not... but I have been surprised by seemingly crazy suggestions before that proved themselves while seeming like fools gold... at any rate i seem to agree Green Squall enjoy yourself for all its worth for you never know that when you punch out on that old time clock that it won't be your last punch

 

[Cur]

I appreciate all the replies, guys! I'll check into them all. Definitely want to take a boat ride.

I'm probably going to be crucified for this but..here it goes. Stop being such a pussy. Your on a cannabis forum asking about whats fun in Amsterdam..Take down that lighter and enjoy yourself a little! One smoke sesh in a coffee shop wont kill you. You will be clean by the time you get home. If your really that averted to weed right now I guess you could always visit Stubbe's Haring Stand or something.

I really wish I could, man, but rules be is rules. In my line of work, you just can't chance it... I've seen too many people lose their careers and everything that comes with that to want to roll those dice.

 

[Green Squall]

I hope for the sake of all hard working Americans that weed is legalized on the federal level in the near future so we can do away with all of this mandatory drug testing. Unfortunately I don't see that happening with the next administration, whether its Democrat or Republican...

My friend texted me the other night saying "Weed sobriety sucks huge horse balls." He's in the same boat as you.

 

[Cur]

well, just got back. Amsterdam was... interesting. The coffee shops weren't what I was expecting at all. But I did get to visit the hash museum and chat with the workers at the Sensi Seed Bank. Very cool people, and very nice!

Also did some of the other typical tourist stuff. Boat tour, van gough museum, diamond museum, heineken tour, and walked the red light district. The RLD was kind of... sad. Like a sad zoo. It was weird. lol.

All in all a good trip, and I would go again in a larger group of friends. But a word of advise: if you go, and if you drive a car there, DO NOT USE "Car Hotel" parking service. Their driver curb-checked my rims *while I was sitting in the passenger seat* and then told me it was no problem. Then their boss showed up and told me I was lying. Finally after showing him where on the curb his driver scraped my wheels on, he promised he would get back in touch with me. As of yet, he has not. Also the Police were no help whatsoever because I didn't get physically injured, so it's not a crime. They wouldn't even take a police report for my insurance. I think I got fucked...