Unique Amsterdam experiences that aren’t weed

Where to land in Europe – Amsterdam: 

Some unique Amsterdam suggestions await you, that don’t have to do with mushrooms or weed.

Starting in Amsterdam is often the cheapest Atlantic flight destination!  We stayed outside the main canal city to find economic lodging, because hotels and hostels were pretty expensive in Amsterdam!  Staying near Station Sloterdijk, It was easy to take a 20 minute train from the Schiphol airport (AMS) to the hostel station, and then a 15 min ride from the hostel into the city at the Central Station. 

Where to stay in Amsterdam: 

    1. Teleport Hostel in Sloterdijk had super cute murals on the walls everywhere.  We had a private room with a bathroom, and it worked out great as the landing pad after flying in and needing to catch up on sleep.  There was filtered water in the lobby, and a cute cat.  If you did want to stay closer to the city, within the canal streets, we’ve stayed at a couple of other options.  

    1. This Ho(s)tel is a capsule hotel on the Damrak canal, aka the center of Amsterdam with the cool  pics of narrow buildings reflecting into the water.  Truthfully, the hotel was ok for one person, or for 1-2 nights, but I can see how it could get a little impractical for a lengthy stay.  For exploring all day and crashing at night, it works quite well. Cool LED lights lined everything like the future of travel. 

    1. Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam in Vondelpark, was large and had different types of accommodations from co-ed dorms to private rooms. The Vondelpark Stayokay would be a good place for a group or family to stay in Amsterdam.  It was so nice to bike straight from there into the city, through a beautiful park, and there were bikes to rent nearby.

Unique and funky things to do in Amsterdam: 

Windmills in Zaandijk Zaanse Schans 

We took the train out to the windmills north of Amsterdam, passing over the river Zaan at Julianabrug, and headed to Verfmolen ‘De Kat’. Taking a train from Central Station to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, was super easy and only 22 minutes.  From the station, it was a short walk to the mills through a cute little town. Despite the rain, we had so much fun.  We bought super ugly touristy thick red and black panchos in Amsterdam that helped us stay warm in the drizzly walk from the train station to the windmills.  You are able to go up into a mill to see how it grinds the substances into powder.  There are several mills you can walk to, or even take a boat tour, depending on the weather.  If your last name is Miller, you may get an extra kick out of it.  

Ecstatic dance on a boat

I have been to ecstatic dance in a few countries, and it’s a great way to see something very local, but global and welcoming to travelers.  Additionally, you may not even need to speak when you dance, which can be a relief if you don’t know the local language.  I went to an ecstatic dance, on a boat, in Amsterdam.  It was pretty magical, and I highly recommend it if dancing with strangers to house music is your thing.  You can check out their schedule here https://www.odessa.amsterdam/

Electric Lady Land

Electric Lady Land is a funky little museum of colorful and black light glowing art.  Good for rainy days if you need something interesting to do that isn’t (or compliments) smoking or drinking.  https://www.electric-lady-land.com/

Cat Boat Sanctuary 

Cat Boat, De Poezenboot, is a cat sanctuary and a must see, but only if you like cats. https://depoezenboot.nl/en and Cat Boat on Instagram 

Flea Markets 

Westerstraat Market is several streets full of vendors, which seem to expand beyond the designated borders and bleeds into Noordermarkt.   Fun shopping for creative supplies, weird souvenirs, or to people watch.  The markets are on odd days, so be sure to check out the most recent updates.  Start here to see markets and days https://www.amsterdam.info/markets/

Flea markets for days

Ecstatic dance on a boat in Amsterdam!

Yummy places to eat in Amsterdam:

Pizza

Italian at this cute tiny pizza place Il Paccioconne. The staff was so sweet to us, and the pizza was delicious! 

Pancakes

Poffertjes from Pancakes. Amazingly, they are even better when you get the tiny pancakes for take away.  The butter and sugar all melt on them perfectly in the take away box. 😋

Where to take the train in Europe: Amsterdam to Brugge 

We took the train to Brugge, leaving from the Central Station, and it was smooth. The station in Antwerp is so beautiful and an engineering wonder with so many visible floors of trains stacked on top of each other.  

To read more about what we did in Brugge, check out this post on our Brugge adventure.