Must-see stores in Amsterdam, and Rijsttafel

[JohnnyCrockett]

Are there any stores (shoes, clothing, or otherwise) to see in Amsterdam?
Which neighborhood or streets are best known for clothing (like Madison Ave., Savile Row, Jermyn St., or St. Honore in Paris)

What are the non-retail must-see sites?

Finally, I am interested in rijsttafel. Which restaurant(s) in Amsterdam have the BEST (and least toursity) rijsttafel? I'm much more interested in quality of food than "fanciness" of restaurant.

 

[Master-Classter]

Lots and lots, but since I've only been there for a few days, here's what I saw and would recomend. (not stores per se but things worth seeing)
Anne Frank House (read something before going), The Van Gough Museum (amazing), the Bols museum (across the street from VG, has won design awards), and the red light district (both day and night). That's all I did in 1.5 days. I missed the Reitzig? their best museum and really regretted not getting to it. There's also a Heineken museum/factory, and Rembrant House. That's all I can think of for now.

PS - almost goes without saying but watch your back at all times. The expected social curtousy and assumption that people will not take advantage of you does not apply. Just be aware at all times.
PPS - red lights are hookers, blue lights are ********. "Knowing is half the battle"

Also, for more info check out wikitravel, my new best friend http://wikitravel.org/en/Amsterdam

 

[JohnnyCrockett]

Thank you!

Is the redlight district actually worth visiting, or is it just a touristy cesspool?

 

[Viktri]

both

 

[Kas]

I'm a Dutchman, been to Amsterdam a couple of times. I don't smoke pot though, and I haven't been to the red light district, every city has its designated hooker-street anyway. The 3 major streets in Amsterdam are the Kalverstraat, Leidschestraat and PC Hooftstraat. The Kalverstraat houses the numerous McDonalds, KFCs, Burgerkings and major (cheap) clothing companies like H&M and Vera Moda. The Leidschestraat is not much different but has more cafes and restaurants. The PC Hooftstraat is the street with flagshipstores of companies like Ralph Lauren and Lacoste, and a couple of other expensive clothingshops.

 

[Cary Grant]

I also commend to you the Rembrandt Haus, The New Church (De Nieuwe Kerk), The Anne frank House (must-see), the Rijksmuseum, though it is under rennovation still, you'll see the master works but much of the building is closed; the Van Gogh (must see)... you can walk all of the canal district in a day. We were last there about 3 days and saw everything we wanted.

If you are a classical music fan, call ahead for tickets to the Concertgebouw Orchestra. the hall is one of the best acoustics on the globe for a hall of its age.

It's not a shoppers mecca, the museum district up by the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh is where the luxury/designer stores are. The street is "P.C. Hooftstraat". It's just a few blocks but has most of the designer labels, Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Hilfiger etc. Dutch labels include Vanillia , Percy Irausquin and Marlies Dekkers. There's designer stuff on Beethovenstraat too IIRC.

The Maison de Bonneterie is a small mall with a lot of "hip/trendy" clothing though it's largely women's stores last time I was there.

Right on Dam square (find a table n the sidewalk, get a beer and watch the crowds and trolleys go by- fun. And the Dam is where the Bijenkorf is (big department store, and written about by Anne Frank). There's also Vroom & Dreesmann and De Kalvertoren for shopping.

Oh yeah- canal tour: there are the big barges but they're not much fun. IMO, the best canal tour is on the little boat run by Hotel Pulitzer (I'd also recommend the hotel. I -think- you can reserve a trip on the boat if you are not staying at the hotel but don't know for sure. It's a great vintage little boat that seats maybe 6-8 people.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury...r_100_overview


Oh- and do see the red light district- it's a very small neighborhood... an easy walk.

 

[Master-Classter]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrockett

Thank you!

Is the redlight district actually worth visiting, or is it just a touristy cesspool?

Bit of both really. Some of it is just hyped up and lots of traps/scams set for unsuspecting tourists (ie, if something doesn't seem quite right just move away/out quickly), but it's also a legit place underneath it all. Also, it's actually more like a neighbourhood then just a street or two. I was surprised just how big the whole area was.

 

[chorse123]

If I was going, I'd be curious to check out Suit Supply, just to see what the quality was like and maybe pick up a knock-around suit.

 

[Kas]

Originally Posted by chorse123

If I was going, I'd be curious to check out Suit Supply, just to see what the quality was like and maybe pick up a knock-around suit.

I've got a SuitSupply MTM suit right here, shoot me a PM for detail pics.