OK, the trip to Amsterdam is booked!

[SPQR]

We'll be there October 21-31. It's our first trip there, so bearing in mind these three things:

1. We don't drink;
2. We won't be hanging out in the coffeeshops;
3. We're gay;

what do we do? Any suggestions?

[pagerbear]

1. Lots!

Canal tour
Homomonument
Rijksmuseum
Van Gogh Museum
Anne Frank House (around the corner from the Homomonument)
Side trips to Haarlem and other nearby places

Get a guide book. Look at Time Out Amsterdam. Find out what's going on in the way of entertainment. Go to the British bookstore to find out if anything too small to be published in a magazine is going on in the way of theater, concerts, music/poetry evenings, etc.

I love Amsterdam! Can't get enough! Where are you staying?

[SPQR]

7. We're in the Old Center

(on the New Side, I think) on Nieuwezijds Kolk (just off Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal). We've been poring over The Frommer's Guide, the Out Around Guide to Amsterdam and we're getting pretty excited. It's only our second trip to Europe (the first was to Rome, which we loved), so any insight to the city is greatly appreciated.

Sadly, the Rijksmuseum is closed for renovation for, like, five years or something. They're keeping open a small wing with some of the more famous paintings, but most will be unavailable. Which I guess means more time and money for the Red Light District. :evilgrin:

[pagerbear]

12. You do know the difference between

...Thermos Day and Thermos Night, don't you?

[SPQR]

14. Hmmmm...I afraid to step into this one...

but no, I don't.

[pagerbear]

15. Two "saunas"

One is open during the day and one at night.

[SPQR]

16. And there I was all set for some sort

of Dutch pun.

I'm guessing that they're saunas in the same way that the NYSC Chelsea sauna is.

[pagerbear]

17. When a European says sauna

...you know what he means.

[IrateCitizen]

2. Well jeez, I could have helped you out with the first two...

... but since I'm not gay, I can't help you out much with the third.

My wife and I spent part (actually, about 10 days total) of our honeymoon in Amsterdam, and we absolutely loved it. I know that there is a pretty big gay community in Amsterdam, and a section of the city right near the Old City (Red Light District) has a lot of gay-friendly venues.

If you're an art fan, you have the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh -- both are excellent. The building housing the Rijksmuseum is a magnificent Gothic structure. Of course, there's the Anne Frank Huis along with plenty of historical sites.

If you take the train into town, you can pick up some pretty good visitor information right outside the station. My wife and I found it enjoyable just to walk the canals for hours on end -- in many parts of the city, especially near the Old City/Red Light District, they've done such a good job of preserving the historical feel that it sometimes seem like you're stepping back in time 350 years to the boom times of Amsterdam.

Overall, it's one of the most picturesque cities I've ever seen. No matter what, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

[SPQR]

9. Just walking around

(or floating around, I guess) is one thing we're really looking forward to. We're dying for a break; it'll be our 1st vacation since 2002.

[billbuckhead]

3. Museums, there are dozens of them

Van Gogh museum, Sex museum, torture museum, maritime museum, hemp museum,etc.
Vondel park is fun.

[UrbScotty]

4. Vote early, if you can. Just in case.

Otherwise, have fun.

BTW, October 21 is my birthday!

[Mizmoon]

5. Hey, I'm going next week

but I plan to spend 75% of my time in coffeeshops.

[pagerbear]

6. Get someone to help you find your way

...back to Schiphol!

[Kellanved]

8. as long as it is still possible

:evilgrin:
I've heard the Balkenende Government's plan to ban sales to foreigner is taking shape rapidly.

[Mizmoon]

10. Thus will begin the business of Dutch runners

getting herbs for the tourists, with a markup of course ...

[Endangered Specie]

11. What do you do... anyone and or anything

;)

[SPQR]

13. Constructive and concise.

I thank you. ;) back at you.