Just trying to find out more about Amsterdam..?

Question

I know I could easily open up a book or google Amsterdam to find out, but I like hearing from the people that live there, and/or know their stuff.

What kinds of food are tied strongly to Dutch culture in Amsterdam?

(theres gotta be foods that are a must while your traveling there..)

Any reccomendations of local breweries?

(I've been reading; a lot of locals rave about these "Brown Cafes")

Aside from the cafes, red light dist, and museums, any cool looking churches or interesting architcture? (if so, where?)

I was reading a bit about graffiti walls in and around Amsterdam.. Where abouts would I have to go to see them? (or perhaps they are very obviously seen once you get there..)

How do the trams work?

(Are they easy to use, or is there much room for complication)

A fellow told me something about going to the GVB and getting a multi-day travel card.. ?

(Cost? is it a good buy for your buck?)

and lastly..

Are there any clubs or places for people more laid back.. for lack of a better term.. hippies.. (besides cafes..) I mean, places that won't blast you out with techno dance and lights that make you want to siezure.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!! :)

-Zobe

Answer 1

You want to know everything?

Well, i can attempt a bit.

- Foods tied to dutch culture? I don` t know if we actually have a cuisine as such, but seasonal vegetables, potatos and such are ' cultural ' of sorts. Cheese is, definately.

On the lighter side, the stroopwafel (a crispy waffle with syrup in between)

Local breweries: Brouwerij Het IJ in Amsterdam is one. They have a variety of beers, from Lager to sweet and dark, and from almost no alcohol content to around 9%. Technically Heineken is local as well.

Holland has more local breweries though - too many to mention here - and i haven`t visited them all.

Amsterdam itself is full of interesting (or weird) architecture, but you could consider visiting nearby places such as The Hague, Enkhuizen, Haarlem or Alkmaar.

I`m not sure about graffiti walls in Amsterdam. We have one in my home town, and in Alkmaar i know one - but that`s it.

Trams : They run on rails, using electricity :)

Aside from that - you get on, and get off again where you want to be.

The trick is to determine what line you need to get to where you want to go. That is the complicated part.

A multi-day card is a good idea, yes - if you plan on using public transport 4/5 times a day. A lot in Amsterdam is reachable by public transport, so if you plan to see a lot - yes.

Information : http://www.gvb.nl/english/Pages/default....

And you probably mean the I Amsterdam Card, from 1 to 3 days of validity :

http://www.gvb.nl/english/travellers/use...

Bars, clubs for laid back people?

Plenty. Any bar I go to :) (although i do sometimes visit real rock places as well). The Waterhole on the Leidseplein comes to mind - and they have live music often.

Sounds like you could use a guide around town :D

Answer 2

Hi,

Interesting question.

I will answer the parts I am familiar with.

Trams, they run through most of the city, you can find a map at most of the stops.

You get on, either you buy a ticket from the driver or the conductor, (often at the last door of the tram, you will be pointed that way by arrows on or next to each door.)

If you plan to use the tram more than once you might want to buy a 'strippenkaart' a ticket which will allow you up to 7 trips by tram, you buy it in a kiosk at the station, in supermarkets or in the tram info point at the central station.

You can also buy a pass for the trams or an IAmsterdam card, also free travel on the trams and free entry to museums too.

Explanations on this site:

http://www.amsterdam.info/pass/

Or on its own site: http://www.iamsterdamcard.com/

Food:

Amsterdam has it, (a slogan used a few years back, still up to date.)

If a kind of food is popular anywhere in the world it is likely that you can find it in Amsterdam. The only thing I haven't found yet is an USA style Mexican restaurant.

But if you want traditionally Dutch, it is not easy.

You will find some dishes on the menu of very touristy places, I can not remember any of them.

Famous, and rightly I think, are the Indonesian/Chinese restaurants.

Specially the rice table is very good, a smorgasbrod of different dishes.

Normally served on your table, but only for 2 or more people. If you are alone you can sometimes join in at a buffet.

These restaurants are all over town, easy to find.

For a light dinner or a harty lunch, try a pancake. (If you are a small eater they can be a full dinner for you.) Again, all over town.

The beer you will see most is Heineken, it is the hometown of the brew.

But there are also a few small breweries, I know/knew one on Nieuwmarkt.

Brown cafes are the places the local Amsterdam people go to get their drinks, you can find them on almost every other corner all over town.

There are a few churches open to visitors, the most famous, the Nieuwe kerk, (New Church) is on Dam square, next to the royal Palace. Unless the are puting a new exebition in it is open for visits, although I do not know the price.

http://www.amsterdam.info/sights/nieuwe_...

The Oude kerk, (Old Church,) is on Oudekerksplein, just off the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, (in the heart of the red light district.)

http://www.oudekerk.nl/ (click on the word English in the photo.)

For the rest I would advice you to explore the site I mention in source, as it has every thing you want, including links to the sites of almost everything.