by FM Sherman

Created on: December 28, 2010

Amsterdam is a beautiful and amazing city.  It's one of those classic European cities with a city center that is intact and the same as it was going back to the 1600's.  You can spend hours walking down streets and canals which literally have not changed in 400 years, other than the small cars that now navigate the narrow streets next to the city's famed canals.  If you do some research in advance you can really make the most of a day in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Amsterdam is criss-crossed by trams (streetcars) and the Tram 5 runs a complete tour of all the tourist hot spots.  Each one way run takes about 40 minutes.  Another alternative is to take a canal boat tour.  These are great ways to see the city and its buildings.  Remember this is the way the city was meant to be seen, by boat.  Builders of the elegant canal houses we building them to appeal to people viewing them from the perspective of the canals, which is how people mainly traveled in those days.  Canal boat tours are available all over the city and can be taken in various lengths, from an hour to an all day tour, including the harbor and other outer areas.

The main city center can also be walked on foot, the city is shaped like a half circle, with the train station and Dam Square in the center, and with streets and canals radiating outwards.

There are three main museums that are must-see stops for any visitors.   The Vincent Van Gogh Museum, home to the world's largest collection of artwork from the master painter himself.  The range of his work is truly amazing.  You can also see letters and other historical artifacts.   Next up is Amsterdam's amazing modern art museum, The Stedelijk, another must-see.  Last up, and my favorite, is the Rijksmuseum.  This is the big, national museum, which houses all the former collections of the Dutch royal family.  It also has great furniture and sculpture, also armor and other cool stuff.

Of course you have the infamous Red Light District, with its windows filled with willing prostitutes.  This is visited be many tourists during the day, just don't try to take pictures or video.  At night the area is a bit dicey for families or conservative travelers.  Amsterdam is also famous for its coffee shops which sell marijuana and hashish along with coffee.  Probably best to avoid the prostitutes, some of which are not really women, and if you indulge in a coffee shop, don't sit and vegetate, get out and visit the sites.

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