Welcome Steve,
Firstly I'd recommend going to Dam LAST. Trust me, if you like to smoke weed, you'll end up stoned for a month in Dam rather than seeing more of our wonderful continent
My top recommendation for a hotel would be the Winston on Warmoestraat - right on the edge of the Red Light District, 2 mins from Dam Square on foot and about 5 from Centraal Station. It's cheap and cheerful, clean, friendly and pretty funky thanks to the Art themed rooms and new bar renovations. There's a club attached too, which is great at the weekends. There's dorm rooms (better than you get elsewhere, fine for a big fella, but take earplugs) and private rooms too. Staffed 24hrs, no curfew, and security is good. I've stayed several times, most recently 2 months ago and it's always been good. The bar is a great place to hang out and meet new people from all over the world.
www.winston.nl
Some of my personal favourite coffeeshops for great weed and nice atmosphere are Amnesia, Grey Area, Tweede Kamer, De Dampkring, De Kuil (420 Cafe), Bluebird, Katsu, Stones (your nearest coffeeshop from the Winston, try the Warm Ears hash!), Nes Cafe, Abraxas, Pink Floyd, Rokerij. Most of these are are quite popular with tourists, but avoid the rip-off prices and low quality of the larger chains. Nes Cafe was a new discovery for me last trip, just off Dam Square. Great stock, quality staff, including ACD's very own DC (Dave) and his mad-in-a-good-way colleague Simon. Dave took time out from his day-off pool game to welcome me and have a chat when I told him I was a member here, thanks Dave!
As for the rest of Europe, don't miss Spain - superb culture, food, people, scenery and hash everywhere! Virtually decriminalised for personal amounts too.
Your size won't be too much of a problem, the Dutch are the world's tallest nation, so apart from small staircases etc, you'll be fine.
Anything else? Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum if you like art, Anne Frank House, Vondel Park (if it's warm head there for sure), FOAM photo gallery, walking around the Jordaan district aimlessly, Thai food at the Bird on Zeedijk, day trip to Haarlem and the beach...damn I wish I was there now.
Pickpockets are all over town, so keep a close eye on your stuff when you're stoned! be aware a bicycle bell means "get out of the way!!" and accept that you have a 50% chance of death by tram...only kidding. Have a great trip fellow tall guys.
