On the Waterlooplein is the modern City Hall and Nationale Opera & Ballet (Muziek Theater) complex, which looms over the Inner Amstel River.
Aside from all the city’s business, this place is for the arts, and regular performances of ballet, opera and classical music are offered. The seasonal series of tickets make this affordable, otherwise it can be pricey – but all of Amsterdam society will be out for these performances, which should make for an amusing experience.
The John Adams Institute provides an independent podium for American culture in the Netherlands. For three decades now, we have brought the best and the brightest of American thinking from the fields of literature, politics, history, technology and the arts. Love it or hate it, the United States plays an important role in the world: what happens in the US is of continuing relevance for the rest of the world, and we provide a window onto that.
The John Adams Institute was founded in 1987 by the cooperation of the West India Foundation of Holland and New York’s Dutch American West India Company Foundation to promote lively debates and lectures in historic venues within old Amsterdam.
This non-profit organization is dedicated to preserving the historic links between Amsterdam and New York City in particular, and the U.S. as a whole.
Located in the West India Huis, which was once the headquarters of the Dutch West India Company, the John Adams Institute holds a series of approximately eleven lectures or talks every year. These lectures have proven to be popular, and have sold out in advance many times. The speakers tend to be world-famous guests such as writers, artists and scientists with profound viewpoints.
The institute was named for John Adams, former president of the United States, who is also a former resident of Amsterdam. Adams was the first ambassador to the Dutch Republic from the U.S., and enjoyed a life of culture here in Old Amsterdam collecting and reading books, hobnobbing with European royalty and furthering U.S. interests here in the Netherlands.
Info:
Located in the West-Indisch Huis at Herenmarkt #97.
The Hortus Botanicus is a great place to chill and wander, marvel at the gardens and enjoy life.
The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is perhaps one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. This garden was established in 1638 as a “Hortus Medicus”, an herb garden for the physicians and pharmacists of Amsterdam.
The Hortus interacts with the community in a special way, offering guided tours, the services of a “plant doctor” who will diagnose your plant’s problem or identify it for you.
The showcase is the special Three Climates Greenhouse, built in 1993 and has tropical, sub-tropical and desert sections within.
The Palm Greenhouse was constructed in 1912, and houses some really unusual palm trees in high Victorian style.
Info:
Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
From 1st November until 1st April the garden closes at 4 p.m. The Hortus is closed on 1st January and 25th December (Christmas Day).
Adult admission is 9.50 euros, but seasonal discounts apply, and reductions for children and seniors.
The popular Blokker chain of stores can be found in most every shopping district in Holland. They sell a good range of household items, focusing on kitchenware, house cleaning utensils, small electronics, plastic goods, seasonal items, gifts and various sundries.
Check out their weekly flyers for specials.
Prices are good but be prepared for crowded tight aisles jammed packed with merchandise and shoppers.
There’s a big three story Blokker on the Nieuwendyke, but most are smaller neighborhood stores like the photo above.
One of my favorite Blokker’s is on Beethovenstraat, in Amsterdam, it is located in the map below, and also found everywhere through Holland.
The Artis was founded nearly 160 years ago; and the winding paths, majestic trees and the monumental historical buildings give Artis a special, 19th century atmosphere.
Here you will find more than 8000 animals in the zoo; as well as two museums, the Zoological Museum and the Geological Museum; a very sophisticated Planetarium; and a magnificent, recently renewed Aquarium. There is also a new restaurant on the premises.
Info:
Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Located on the Plantage Kerklaan at #38-40. The entrance fee for adults is € 12,93. Children are less. Call for more information.
Phone: 020 523 3400
I recently visited the Pathe Arena theaters to see a new movie (Goldmember) on the day of its release in the Netherlands. As usual, I went during a weekday afternoon. Why? Because not only did I get a nice discount, but the theater was almost empty (like about 8 people in the biggest theater!). I like that!
The seats are ever so comfy here. The red ones in the largest theater are well-padded and wide, with wide arm rests and lots of legroom. No more cramming your legs against the seat in front!
The sound system was awesome, but didn’t seem to work 100% with the movie I came to see, perhaps because it wasn’t filmed in a compatible mode. I counted at least 30 speakers that I could see.
I really like coming here for the reasons I’ve mentioned, and I would come here more often, if they didn’t only show the latest Hollywood-hyped, factory-made movies. What’s wrong with screening something alternative once in awhile? Well there’s certainly no shortage of theaters in Amsterdam showing non-mainstream films.
The only other gripe I have is that the popcorn we got in the afternoon was stale (and encrusted with salt) from the night before. Someone should be shot for doing this. Stale, overly salty popcorn is inexcusable. Let your employees take it home at the end of the night instead, please!
I’ve seen movies in the smaller theaters at the Arena, and they’re all top quality, and airconditioned. Plus there’s no smoking, and usually no pause in the middle of the feature.
This famous Dutch restaurant on the Spui, certainly oozes Old World charm.
A note from their website says: “I am Nicolaas the Fifth, born in 1627 and forgot to die. I am the King of the Five Flies’ Empire in Amsterdam, Holland. If you come to my Kingdom I will give you an experience you will never forget.” Promoted as founder Nicholas Kroese late 40s his Amsterdam Restaurant Five Flies in the United States, as he walked with a brass cage with five bronze flying in his hand on the street and with his charisma and impressive prevent the Americans made enthusiastic visiting his restaurant. Five Flies Restaurant exists today officially 75 years and has long been known worldwide as a must-do in Amsterdam. Especially in the United States has the restaurant a large group of fans. Enjoy good food with a good glass of wine in a unique and beautiful setting, which is where this restaurant is all about. A culinary museum is: Based in five pooled 17th century little houses, decorated in Old Dutch style with four original etchings by Rembrandt on the wall and walls lined with beautiful gold leather wallpaper from the 17th century.
We are ready for another 75 years, and hope we can welcome you soon to create a unique experience together with us!
On behalf of Restaurant d’Vijff Vlieghen, Albert Veerman, King of the Five Flies anno 2014
Info:
Open every day from 5:30 pm. Across the street from the Amsterdam Historical Museum. Reservations probably a good idea.
Golf in the Netherlands has become big since World War Two, and courses are to be found just about everywhere in this gem of a little country.
The Amsterdam Old Course is southeast of Amsterdam and was opened in 1990.
Telephone:+31(0)206943650
The Amsterdamse course was opened in 1934, and is west of the city.
Telephone: +31(0)204977866
The Haarlemmermeersche is west of Amsterdam, in Cruquiusdijk.
Telephone: +31(0)235583124
Need an escape from the hectic pace of Amsterdam? Why not plan a day at the Amsterdamse Bos? It’s a huge park on the edge of the city where you can leave behind the hustle and bustle and chill out in the woods or picnic on huge grassy lawns.
Planted in the 1930s and 40s, the Bos is now a mature forest covering almost 800 hectares. It offers a diverse range of outdoor pleasures including lakes for boating, wading pools for the kids, the Openlucht theater presenting outdoor plays and music, a bison reserve, a campground, numerous bike, horse and pedestrian paths (all separate), and a wonderful feeling of being far away from the city.
Amsterdam can be a pretty intense place, especially in the summer months when it becomes overrun by tourists. If you find yourself getting stressed out, you can escape to a number of places where you can “chill out” and find your center again.
Bloemendaal Beach
If the weather is nice, you could head to the beach. But you want to avoid the packed beaches of Zandvoort and Scheveningen. So go to Bloemendaal a few kilometers north of Zaandvoort where you’ll find lots of space to be mellow. Just south of Zaandvoort is the nude beach, but this has gotten more crowded lately. You can venture further south, too. But really if it’s a hot day, you can be sure that just the ride to the beach will be stressful if you take the train.