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Amsterdam stay

We got off our cruise in Amsterdam!! We booked an Airbnb, an actual houseboat, outside the city. It was across from a windmill that had a bar/restaurant at the bottom. More on that later.

So, we walked through the city from the Central Station and the first thing I will say is, “if you are on red, you’re dead.” Lol!! Tour guide told us to be careful and stay out of the “red” bike lanes. She wasn’t kidding. Best advice.

I have lived in New Orleans and what struck me was how similar in energy this area was and how much I couldn’t wait to get out of it. We wandered into the red light district in the afternoon and it gave me the creeps. Like 50 men to every woman and just not my vibe. We had one more night aboard the ship and I was not looking forward to this leg of our journey.

But the next day, we headed over to the This Is Holland exhibit and I enjoyed the “ride”. Made me want to see more of Holland next time. Then we were able to head to our houseboat Airbnb outside the central city and I fell in LOVE with Amsterdam. It was a calmer pace and we ate lunch by the canal. Then we walked the streets for a few hours just enjoying the sites. Grabbed some charcuterie stuff at the grocery and ate dinner looking out our boat windows watching boats glide by. So relaxing.

Next day we headed over to the Maritime Museum and I really enjoyed it. I was not too enthused about it originally but turned out to be very interesting. Spent the afternoon wandering around our neighborhood some more and we were planning on getting a bite at the windmill restaurant but it was PACKED!! We ate at the American sort of place behind it, which was good and our waitresses were both American so we got a lot of interesting info on the city.

That was all we got…two and a half days. Would love to go back and see more of Holland next time. I know we didn’t do the big art museums but that’s okay. Honestly, the view from our houseboat was so enchanting that I wanted to sit there all day and just watch the world go by.

Posted by
2267 posts

Thanks for sharing. Could I ask you for the link t that AirBnB?

Posted by
3961 posts

Thanks for sharing your stay! That must be the De Gooyer Windmill? From what I’ve read it’s the tallest Windmill in the Netherlands. What a gorgeous view! We stayed in a B&B in the Museumplein in 2019. It was in a charming residential neighborhood. Our host lived in the main area downstairs. He rented two rooms on the second floor. Lucky for us the second rental room was empty for the five nights we were there. We had a kitchen for our use and he supplied all the breakfast needs.

I had to chuckle about the caution of the bike lanes. We took “the red bus” from the airport and before departing the bus, the driver warned us of the bike lane!! Best advice. We enjoyed watching all the cyclists. It was a delight to observe at Vondelpark on a beautiful day. We too enjoyed Amsterdam and want to return to expand our stay in the Netherlands!

Glad you enjoyed your stay!

Posted by
15678 posts

Lucky you! What a fun place to stay!

Just so happens that we've enjoyed some of the fine brews at the Brouwerij ‘t IJ (do NOT ask me to pronounce that!) taproom right under that windmill. The patio was great fun, and we bought one of their beer glasses to add to our collection. :O)

https://www.brouwerijhetij.nl/windmill-tap-room/?lang=en

Posted by
182 posts

Yes!!! That was the name of the pub!! Next time we will grab a seat early cause it was nuts when we tried to go.

Posted by
554 posts

I'm glad you fell in love with Amsterdam. I have lived here for 4 years, my daughter for 15 years. The area around Central Station is not Amsterdam. Its full of souvenir shops, tourist ticket offices, and bad restaurants.
The Red Light District is actually one of the oldest areas in the city. One has to look beyond the "windows" and the stag parties, to see the beauty. One of my favorite little pubs is there. Its great to sit outside and people watch.
To experience Amsterdam, one has to move out from the Central area, and see the various neighborhoods, the Jordaan, the Pijp (not just the market), Oude Zuid (with it's mansions), Museumplein, just to name a few. Did you know we have an Olympic Stadium? Built in 1928. The Food Hall, Oude West, was converted from a tram depot. So many food stalls! Officially known as the Hallen, there are many shops and a movie theater. Plus its right next to the Ten Katemarket, a wonderful street market. Speaking of movie theaters, the Pathe Tuschinski is unique. And in my opinion, wonderful. Just down the street from Rembrandtplein.
If you like markets, the Noordermarkt is the BEST. Open only on Saturdays. Produce, food stalls, clothes, antiques. Its a feast.
OK, enough! That's just a taste of Amsterdam.

Posted by
2267 posts

Kateja— I'm copy/pasting you comment into my notes for a week in September! Thanks! Could I ask you for the name and/or address of that favorite little pub? People watching is my #1 travel activity!

Posted by
182 posts

I can’t wait to go back and see so much more. I’m really glad we stayed a bit out of the city center. Next time we will explore further out as well. I want to see more than Amsterdam as the country looks so beautiful.