The first of four Rokerijs in the city, this spot has the advantage of being in the heart of the busy Leidseplein district. However, step inside the chilled-out dark interior with Indian and Nepalese influences and the bustle of the street outside melts away as the soft tunes and intoxicatingly smokey air smooth your nerves.

When viewing the Waag building, which was built in 1488 and looks much like a castle keep, it is not difficult to imagine the long, rich, and varied history behind this remarkable building. Although the building still hosts a historical society dedicated to the preservation of the building and its story, the larger part of the building has been turned over to a restaurant serving upscale bistro fare. While the food is good and the atmosphere is lovely (see also the large outdoor dining section), potential patrons should visit the website to read up on the building's history to truly understand how special this dining setting is.

This coffeeshop is all about its setting--which is probably why it was named after the monumental Oude Kerk next door. If you can manage to get one of the window tables upstairs, you'll experience one of those scenes that makes people fall in love with Amsterdam: overlooking the quaint, cobble-stoned Oudekerksplein, listen to the church bells mingle with the electronic music of the shop while you watch police patrol on foot, ingoring the smokers on the terrace and the scantily-clad women standing in red-lit windows in the distance. Ahhh, Amsterdam.

The Dolphins coffeeshop keeps up a very consistent under water theme. Upon entering upstairs you'll find the bar, offering snacks, drinks, and their (excellent) more intoxicating substances. If you don't feel like rolling, you can borrow one of an assortment of nice glass pipes from the bar, or make use of the vaporizers available on this floor for a healthier (and more potent) alternative to smoking. But, those who come here to hang out head downstairs, where you can sink into some comfy couches and let the painted walls and ceilings trick you into believing you are sitting under water.

Located in the heart of Amsterdam, from here you are waking distance to many of the city’s attractions. You can grab a bite to eat at one of the many fast food joints around, and watch the various street performers put on a show. Otherwise, you can sit on the large white phallic World Ward II monument and people watch in this busy square; stay long enough and you’re sure to see something bizarre. In the square you can find a few reasonably priced souvenir shops, as well as the official Amsterdam tourist bureau.

Quite possibly Amsterdam’s most defining feature, the Red Light District is the place to see some truly unique things. If prostitutes in windows aren’t enough, you can also find an Erotic Museum, which takes you through the history of prostitution, the Hash Marijuana and Hemp Museum, which tells you all you need to know about weed, and the Banana Bar, a bar where waitresses are highly skilled in the various ways of eating a banana. If you want to learn more about prostitution in the Netherlands, visit the Prostitute Information Centre, located next to the Oude Kerk. If this doesn’t excite you, the Warmoestraat, which runs along the Red Light District, is full of coffeeshops, bars, hostels and gay S&M clubs. Walking through the Red Light District today you may notice that some windows contain out of place fashion exhibitions. This is a result of the city’s efforts to “clean up” the streets.

While in Amsterdam, you must explore it by water! The Canal Company offers a Hop-On-Hop-Off Canal Bus stopping at 14 of Amsterdam's most popular tourist destinations, Canal Bike rentals and organized tours, as well as a pizza and jazz cruise.

This rather large Indonesian restaurant, in which all food is authentically prepared, is located in the very heart of Amsterdam. Both the interior and the cuisine are reflections of the rich Indonesian culinary tradition. The original sate platters are excellent, with five different ones available. Main courses include various red meat, chicken, egg, fish or vegetable dishes as well as the traditional nasi or bami dishes. Particularly noteworthy are their rice-tables.

The Tuschinski Theatre, located just a few steps from Rembrandtplein, is the most lavish movie theatre of the entire Pathe chain of cinemas. Showing a mixture of mainstream releases and more obscure art films, the theatre is worth a visit solely for its design.

The Rijksmuseum is the centerpiece of Amsterdam’s Museumplein (or Museum Square, since “plein” is the Dutch word for “square”). The home of some of the country’s most famous paintings, the museum has been reduced to a few rooms forming a “greatest hits” collection, as its been under construction since 2003 and continues to be so indefinitely. Because of the constant delays in re-opening the museum, a group of squatters took over a section of the museum in 2007, making a political statement on the importance of maintaining such important national buildings. The Rijksmuseum is where you can find Rembrandt’s most famous work, the Night Watch.

Located next to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam’s Museumplein, the Van Gogh Museum has all of Van Gogh’s greatest hits. Well organized chronologically and containing information about the artists personal life, the museum is easy to take in and an informative visit. Walking distance from the Vondelpark and Albert Cuypmarkt, a visit to the museum is perfectly combined with a trip to the market and a picnic at the park, or at the adjoining Museumplein. Not only limited to Van Gogh’s works, the museum also houses various temporary exhibitions.

Young and enthusiastic guides will walk you through both historical and modern Amsterdam. This is a great way to get an overview of the city and learn the history behind its famously tolerant policies. Twice a day (11 am and 3 pm), they offer a Free Walking Tour of the city center, and in the evenings (6:45 pm), they offer a tour of the Red Light District. No need to pre-book, just head to the Tourist Information Centre outside the Centraal Station and look for the guides wearing the red T-shirts.

In 1671 a small footbridge was built across the river Amstel. The bridge was made of wood and it could be raised. In the beginning the bridge was called the "chicken's bridge" because of its small construction. Later on, again due to the construction, it adopted the name "Skinny Bridge", being compared to a slender woman. It was rebuilt in 1871 and 1929, but it was once again made of wood and the construction was "skinny". Nowadays, at night the Magere Brug is lit up at night, beautifying the river Amstel in the dark.

Abraxas is the favorite coffeeshop of many a visitor and local alike. Its large-size, multi-floor layout with available snacks, drinks, TV, internet, WiFi, and board games means that, under the influence of the shop's favorite substance, a visitor could easily lose a day. And, if that is what you are looking for, settle into the low-slung couches, gaze at the celestial-themed environs or through the glass patches of floor, and let the time slide by. Also, with a its location just around the corner from the Dam square, Abraxas's souvenir shop is the best place to pick up your smoking-related souvenirs.

Every Friday morning during the summer months, members of the Alkmaar-area cheese guilds don traditional customs and demonstrate the traditional method of carrying and weighing the famous Dutch cheeses. When the show is over, visitors can explore the city of Alkmaar...considered by some to be a smaller and "more Dutch" version of Amsterdam.

The Zeedijk is the perfect place to go if you want tasty, quality food. This charming Chinese restaurant is located a short walk away from the Centraal Station. Don't be fooled by the low price list; the food served here will satisfy your taste buds and tummy. The interiors leave little scope for a candlelit dinner, yet the ambiance coupled with a varied menu allows for a cheery meal with friends. Despite its regular hungry hordes, there is efficient service, which makes for pleasurable dining.

Many internationally-acclaimed artists have performed at this venue, a former church. You'll find a large dance floor and balcony which offers an excellent view of the action. The bill changes weekly, and includes a variety of local and world-famous artists, performers, and bands. Normally, the little stage on the first floor is reserved for smaller "cult" bands. The crowd includes an eclectic mix of the young, old, cool and hip.

On one of the rare, sunny days in Amsterdam, the Vondelpark is so full of people it’s difficult to find a quiet spot to yourself, but despite the bustle, the park is quite the bird sanctuary; you can watch storks flying around, as their nests are perched on high posts through out the park. If a sunny day at the park doesn’t do it for you, you can also visit the park at night; after 11pm it is legal to have sex out in the open at Vondelpark. In the centre of the park you can also find the Filmmuseum, which shows interesting art films and has a nice indoor and outdoor café.

Here you can stroll through Amsterdam’s exciting and often controversial history to learn how it became the city it is today. This complex of buildings developed in the 16th and 17th centuries as the city’s civil orphanage. In 1960, the orphanage closed and the buildings were reopened in 1975 as the Amsterdams Historisch Museum. The museum combines art, artifacts, and information to guide visitors chronologically through Amsterdam’s history from its start as a muddy village up to its life today and plans for the future, complemented by technological aids such as interactive maps, and often supplemented by additional temporary exhibitions. Visitors to the museum won’t want to miss the relics of the “Miracle of Amsterdam,” Cornelis Anthonisz’s Birds-Eye View of Amsterdam, Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Jan Deijman, and the playable carillon (Dutch church tower) bells.

A tour through this museum is easily combined with a trip to one of Amsterdam’s other top historical sights: the Begijnhof, located next door. If you are looking to follow up your visit with lighter fare, the museum is also bordered by the busy Kalverstraat shopping area. Those who don’t want to purchase a museum ticket can still enjoy three free areas within the complex: the former Governors’ Room (meeting place of the governors of the orphanage) just inside the entrance, an exhibit in the courtyard next to the museum café on the former orphanage, and a hallway connecting the museum entrance courtyard with the Begijnhof area which features portraits of the city’s former militia companies and charity governors.

Open only between mid-March and mid-May, the Keukenhof is the best way to experience the beauty of Holland's tulip season. In the 15th century this area was the hunting ground and kitchen garden of the local castle--Keukenhof means "kitchen courtyard". 750,000 descend on this park every Spring to experience the flower shows, themed gardens, and activities for children. Visitors to the gardens can also purchase the world-famous Dutch tulip bulbs, to be shipped to the buyers just in time for planting!

In this former police station (see "Politie" sign still on the front of the building), tourists congregate over the food, drinks, and other "special products" which can be bought downstairs. Its prime location towering over one of Amsterdam's biggest party squares guarantees a decent crowd every night.