Two weeks as Amsterdammers.
This was my third (Chris’ second) visit to Amsterdam, but
the first time staying in a residential neighborhood for both of us. Our
apartment is in Amsterdam West, just outside of Rembrandtpark. This has made it
easy for us to get a pleasant mix of life in this eclectic city. It’s about a
30 minute walk wherever we want to go, so each day we meander to a different
area and check out a different scene, some more touristy than others. Below is
our top ten list of must-sees in our favorite areas of Amsterdam.
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| Our apartment is on the left! |
10. Leidsplein: A
bumpin’ square filled with music, bars and broads. We picked a table at random
one night and ended up at the Green Bar and BBQ with an exquisite Englishman as
our server who recommended the best bang for your buck beers. This, by us, was
greatly appreciated. Avoid the Satellite Sports Bar. They trick you with their
500 televisions playing NFL games and they stick you with only okay food and an
outrageous bill.
9. Eat a Kroner or
Gebakken at Café Marktzicht: Located at the end of the Ten Katestraat Market (great
name) in our very own Amsterdam West, the delightful Café Marktzicht is owned
by an extraordinary Dutchman named Rick. Don’t speak Dutch? He will help
translate the menu for you, recommend delicious traditional Dutch food, and
perhaps pull up a chair at your table for an hour or so. Don’t miss the Kroket,
it tastes like a tiny thanksgiving dinner.
8. Run or stroll in
Rembrandtpark: The view is beautiful and the leash-free dogs are plentiful.
Plus there are many woodsy paths that take you away from prying eyes, giving
even the most fit among us a chance to walk slowly and breathe heavily for a
while. Don’t miss the free outdoor gym,
where extremely ripped men (and we) spend many an afternoon.
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| man stuff. |
6. Markets: We’ve purchased produce from Ten
Katestraat, sangria from Westermarkt in Jordaan, souvenirs from the Albert Cuyp
Market (over 300 vendors!) and almost bought tulip bulbs from the Bloemenmarkt
before realizing we’d have to carry them around for 100 days. Markets are fun
to navigate, cheaper and fresher than grocery stores, and exciting for Chris to
haggle prices.
5. Rembrandtplein:
Great area for people watching! Rembrandtplein is a more touristy area of
central Amsterdam and draws a very eclectic crowd. Pull up a chair at The Three
Sisters Pub for a decently priced pint and a perfect view of the tram stop and
grassy area beyond. There is a large monument to Rembrandt in the center of the
square where street performers can be enjoyed every day. Pull up a bench at the
Cinema Café for a rousing game of chess, or enjoy a 2 euro beer at Woody’s next
door! Dennis from Woody’s promised to put on the Packer game for us on Sunday,
so stay tuned.
4. Canal Pizza Cruise:
Concerned about the high prices of canal cruises? We can highly recommend the
Canal Pizza Cruise! It is reasonable priced for budget travelers like ourselves,
and it includes ice cream, pizza, and UNLIMITED DRINKS! We got our money’s
worth and got to see the city from the water. Thanks to Michael and Mary Sue
for that delightful anniversary gift!
3. Vondelpark: Among the many wonders of this
enormous park is a huge ninja warrior style jungle gym. The wooden frame
stretches between the surrounding trees and sits on the edge of a pond towards
the southern end of the park. Beware of bruises in your quest to look as badass
as the 80 pound kid in front of you.
2. Museumplein:
Perfect grassy area for a picnic, a pickup futbol game, or a photo on the iconic
IAmsterdam sign. Currently Museumplein features The Baubles Parade- a
collection of large mosaic spheres lining the edge of the square.
1. The Free Fringe
Tent: The Amsterdam Fringe Festival has 80 performances in 40 locations
over 11 days, including a free tent in Leidsplein. We visited on a night of
dancing and live music, the performers all in funky Elizabethan-style garb. The
music carried out to the backyard area called The Secret Garden: a grassy area
on the edge of a canal. Grab a beer in a plastic cup (which you can reuse on
your next fill), snag a seat on a floral picnic bench or in a giant bean bag
chair and enjoy! Proost!
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