First Trip to Amsterdam

[thompaw]

Here's a question that I've been wondering about: should I have my passport on me at ALL times? I mean sure when I'm out during the day and I'm not falling over myself I'll have it with me, but when trying to enjoy the night life I'm not going to risk it falling out of my pocket or something. From what I could find about Dutch law, officers can stop anybody over the age of 14 and ask for a form of ID; well, if it's at night and I don't have anything but my U.S. driver's license, do you guys think the cops would let me take them to the hostel to show them my actual passport?

I never had to show my passport except at customs. My suggestion is two fold, don't get involved in an event where you might need to ID yourself. If it really does ease your mind to not carry your passport and you'd rather leave it in the safe at your hotel, make & carry a photo copy of your passport, instead. If you are involved in any real trouble, the police will help retrieve your belongings at the hostel. However, I can't imagine a photo copy working for a bar/bud tender.

Have a good time, enjoy yourselves!

[matty223]

actully it is the law in the Netherland for all to carry ID, and when i was asked for id while walking thru the red light at 7am, the police didnt want to see anything but my passport and i got a nice littel 15 min lecture about having my passport on me at all times,

[TwoCanucks]

i was asked for id while walking thru the red light at 7am

really...do tell...7am in the RLD lol

[matty223]

i was asked for id while walking thru the red light at 7am

really...do tell...7am in the RLD lol

lol, ok , i was up early taking pictures and smoking, i was actually toking when i was tapped on the shoulder i turn 2 cops

[Walderp]

Haha matty, they caught you Red handed lol. From what I've read making a photocopy of your passport, like you said, will likely suffice for the police if you don't have your actual passport on you.

I don't mean for this to sound biased or anything, and I know that every city, police force, etc. has crooks and assholes, but have you guys really ever got any serious flak from the police? Are most friendly, or just out to get every tourist who is being decent while having a good time?

[dude65]

I'd say go with your US drivers license and a photocopy of your passport. If there's any real trouble and the police really need to see your passport, your license and photocopy should keep them happy until the actual passport is retrieved from its safe location.

[craig bell]

Never been stopped. But if it's the law id be careful then. just make sure to keep it in a zip pocket that you don't have to keep going in and out of. Like keep your money and weed in a different pocket. That way u shouldn't lose it. as for coffeeshops i always liked Homegrown fantasy, hunters and central for there 7am opening times. Dolphins is cool to chill in downstairs. Popeyes for there breakfast and weed then a free shot of the peace pipe. if your off the beaten path then the De grall is a great little shop for chilling out in. Basjoes the same as most members is cracking for sitting in early evening be sure to try the bas special usaulyy always good. And don't know if they still do it but Terminator if u can afford it as it was 50e a gram when i tried it a few years back. Bars i always like Hunters on Warmestrat next door to the c/s u can smoke and drink in there. The excalibur in the rld in cool u can roll joints but u have to smoke at the bench outside. The bulldog palace is also cool but just don't buy anyweed next door from them. Most of the bars and clubs down there(liedzeplein) are cool. U can catch the number i think 1 or 5 tram down to there but better walking and stopping of in different bars and c/s along the way. Thats where i found dolphins was walking down and got slightly lost. But its so easy now to find my way about. As for places to go eat wok to wok or argentine steak house the burger bar definitely top class. The anne frank house is cool and the resistance museum if u like history. Theres so much to see and do just take it as it comes. And watch the world go by for a few hours in many of the bars and c/s go with an open mind and choose your own favs. But stay away from GRASSHOPPER!!! .

[Marlon]

Welcome to Amsterdam.
It is a very good place which have lots of attractions for their visitors. It has some good parks, museums, chopping malls and coffee shops etc. I like to visit there again and again.

[Walderp]

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I'm sure it will come in handy at one point or another. It's crazy to think that in less than two months my brother and I are going to be there. I do have a question for anyone who knows the layout of JFK in NYC: our times have changed and we will only have an hour to make it from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4; will we have enough time to grab our bags and make it to the next terminal? Any other advice is also warmly welcomed. Thanks guys!

[thompaw]

As far as coffeeshops are concerned, what are some of the shops that are "must see"?

If it's early in the morning, you could try shooting some pool at the Central Coffeehop. They open at 07:00.

[Walderp]

My how time flies. We will be in Amsterdam tomorrow morning!!!!!! Guys I need some advice before my flight touches down in the morning: what are some of the coffeeshops with early opening times, around 7 or 8, located around Centraal Station? Thanks everyone, and hope to see some of you during this trip!!!

[Colino]

My how time flies. We will be in Amsterdam tomorrow morning!!!!!! Guys I need some advice before my flight touches down in the morning: what are some of the coffeeshops with early opening times, around 7 or 8, located around Centraal Station? Thanks everyone, and hope to see some of you during this trip!!!

barney's and hunters open for sure at 7am

[Smith2]

Central is virtually outside the station, opens at 7 and has a good selection at reasonable prices.