Part 15 (1/2)

Gay and lesbian Amsterdam

Shops and services Shops and services

Saunas Sauna Damrak Damrak 54 (Old Centre) 020/622 6012. Centrally located gay men's sauna; 14.50, including towels. You can also get a private sauna for two for 33 per hour; towels extra. MonFri 10am11pm, Sat & Sun noon8pm. Damrak 54 (Old Centre) 020/622 6012. Centrally located gay men's sauna; 14.50, including towels. You can also get a private sauna for two for 33 per hour; towels extra. MonFri 10am11pm, Sat & Sun noon8pm.

Thermos Sauna Raamstraat 33 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/623 9158, Raamstraat 33 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/623 9158, panied kids, as long as they're well behaved. Indeed, having a small child in your care is unlikely to close many doors to you in Amsterdam.

Though not all hotels welcome young children, this will be made clear to you when you book. If you require a babysitting babysitting service, contact Oppascentrale Kriterion (daily 4.308pm, Mon also 911am; 020/624 5848, service, contact Oppascentrale Kriterion (daily 4.308pm, Mon also 911am; 020/624 5848, ), a long-established agency with a good reputation.

Kids' Amsterdam

Activities For older children, a good introduction to Amsterdam might be one of the ca.n.a.l trips ca.n.a.l trips that start from Centraal Station or Damrak. Much more fun, though, is a ride on a that start from Centraal Station or Damrak. Much more fun, though, is a ride on a ca.n.a.l bike ca.n.a.l bike. This can get tiring, but jetties where these pedalo-style bikes can be picked up and dropped off are numerous, and it's quite safe; see ”Water transport” for details. If your kids enjoy being on the water, you could also take them on a free ferry ride ferry ride to Amsterdam Noord (only 5min away). The to Amsterdam Noord (only 5min away). The Buiksloterwegveer Buiksloterwegveer is a small, tug-like ferry, which leaves day and night every six to twelve minutes or so from behind Centraal Station and travels back and forth to the north side of the River IJ. Cars aren't allowed, but you can take bikes and motorbikes. For more details on the city's is a small, tug-like ferry, which leaves day and night every six to twelve minutes or so from behind Centraal Station and travels back and forth to the north side of the River IJ. Cars aren't allowed, but you can take bikes and motorbikes. For more details on the city's ca.n.a.l cruises and bike tours ca.n.a.l cruises and bike tours, see ”Tour operators”.

For panoramic views views of the city, try climbing the of the city, try climbing the tower tower of the Westerkerk (summer only; see ” of the Westerkerk (summer only; see ”Westermarkt”). Alternatively, see Amsterdam on two wheels: it's possible to take the kids along when you're cycling cycling around the city, by renting either a bike with a child seat attached, or a tandem, depending on the size of the child. Bike City at Bloemgracht 70 (020/626 3721, around the city, by renting either a bike with a child seat attached, or a tandem, depending on the size of the child. Bike City at Bloemgracht 70 (020/626 3721, plex has eighteen lanes and a cafe (see ”Bowling”).

The best swimming pool swimming pool for kids is the indoor, tropical-style Mirandabad, De Mirandalaan 9 (020/546 4444; tram #25), which has all sorts of gimmicks such as wave machines, slides and whirlpools; there's also a separate toddlers' pool. In summer, the most popular outdoor pool is in the Flevopark; for details of this and other outdoor pools, see ” for kids is the indoor, tropical-style Mirandabad, De Mirandalaan 9 (020/546 4444; tram #25), which has all sorts of gimmicks such as wave machines, slides and whirlpools; there's also a separate toddlers' pool. In summer, the most popular outdoor pool is in the Flevopark; for details of this and other outdoor pools, see ”Pool and carambole”.

The Huis van Aristoteles Huis van Aristoteles at the Westergasfabriek (Wed, Sat & Sun 10am11.30am & 25pm; 5 per person; 020/486 2499) is a giant play area for kids, with lots of little houses and levels to explore and regular film and theatre showings. at the Westergasfabriek (Wed, Sat & Sun 10am11.30am & 25pm; 5 per person; 020/486 2499) is a giant play area for kids, with lots of little houses and levels to explore and regular film and theatre showings.

Finally, TunFun TunFun (Mr Visserplein 7 020/689 4300, (Mr Visserplein 7 020/689 4300, panied by an adult, but there is a cafe to escape to.

Kids' Amsterdam

Parks and farms The city's most central park, the leafy and lawned Vondelpark Vondelpark ( ( see ”The Vondelpark”) has an excellent playground, as well as sandpits, paddling pools and a couple of cafes where you can take a break. De Vondeltuin De Vondeltuin, a cafe on the Amstelveen side of the park, rents out skates in the summer and is perfectly situated opposite the playground. Also in summertime, the open-air theatre, Openluchttheater, usually puts on some free entertainment for kids mime, puppets, acrobats and the like.

Most other city parks offer something to keep children entertained, the best being the Gaasperpark Gaasperpark, located about 8km southeast of the centre (metro stop Gaasperplas), which has a play area and paddling pools. In the Amsterdamse Bos Amsterdamse Bos ( ( see ”The Amsterdamse Bos”) you'll find playgrounds, lakes, cycle paths and a nature reserve with bison and sheep, and you can also rent canoes and pedaloes to explore the waterways, or visit the Geitenhouderij Ridammerhoeve Geitenhouderij Ridammerhoeve (MarchOct daily 10am5pm, except Tues; NovFeb also closed Mon; 020/645 5034, (MarchOct daily 10am5pm, except Tues; NovFeb also closed Mon; 020/645 5034, ), an enjoyable mini-farm with a herd of goats and their kids. The visitors' information centre near the Bosbaan entrance has a kids' area and exhibitions about the park.

There are also plenty of urban farms urban farms dotted around the city look in the phone book under dotted around the city look in the phone book under Kinderboerderij Kinderboerderij for a full list. One of the best is the for a full list. One of the best is the Artis Zoo Children's Farm Artis Zoo Children's Farm, which can be visited alongside a trip to the zoo itself; see ”Artis Zoo” for details.

Kids' Amsterdam

Theatres, circuses and funfairs A number of theatres theatres put on inexpensive (around 34) entertainment for children most afternoons. Furthermore, a fair proportion offer put on inexpensive (around 34) entertainment for children most afternoons. Furthermore, a fair proportion offer mime mime- or puppet puppet-based shows, suitable for English-speakers: check the children's section (”Jeugdagenda”) of the monthly Uitkrant Uitkrant(see ”Information”), and look for the words mimegroep mimegroep and and poppentheater poppentheater. Public holidays and the summer season bring touring circuses circuses and the occasional travelling and the occasional travelling funfair funfair ( (kermis) to the city, usually setting up on Dam Square or in one of the city's many parks. Lastly, check out the festivals festivals listings in ” listings in ”Festivals and events”; many of them, such as the Queen's Day celebrations, are enjoyable for kids too.

Circustheater Elleboog Pa.s.seerdersgracht 32 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/623 5326, Pa.s.seerdersgracht 32 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/623 5326, This club runs regular courses for children aged 612 on how to juggle, walk the tightrope, unicycle and do conjuring tricks. Workshops also available for around 10 during school holidays. Students put on occasional shows at various venues around the city. Phone or email for full details of times and prices.

De Krakeling Nieuwe Pa.s.seerdersstraat 1 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/624 5123, Nieuwe Pa.s.seerdersstraat 1 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/624 5123, Permanent children's theatre, with shows for youngsters up to the age of 18, often with an emphasis on full-scale audience partic.i.p.ation. Performances are mostly in Dutch, though the theatre also puts on a number of dance events which non-Dutch speakers will appreciate.

Kids' Amsterdam

The zoo and museums A trip to Artis Zoo Artis Zoo is one of the best days out for kids in the city. The ticket price includes entry to the zoo and its botanical gardens, the Zoological Museum, the Geological Museum, the Aquarium and the Planetarium. You can also go on a ca.n.a.l cruise; the Artis Express runs daily 10am2pm every thirty minutes from Centraal Station to the zoo, including a detour through the city on the return journey (departs zoo hourly 2.155.15pm). A return ticket costs 21.50, or 17 for 3- to 9-year-olds, and includes entry to the zoo. Further information on 020/530 1090 or is one of the best days out for kids in the city. The ticket price includes entry to the zoo and its botanical gardens, the Zoological Museum, the Geological Museum, the Aquarium and the Planetarium. You can also go on a ca.n.a.l cruise; the Artis Express runs daily 10am2pm every thirty minutes from Centraal Station to the zoo, including a detour through the city on the return journey (departs zoo hourly 2.155.15pm). A return ticket costs 21.50, or 17 for 3- to 9-year-olds, and includes entry to the zoo. Further information on 020/530 1090 or e nose-to-nose with sheep, calves, goats, etc. Feeding times always draw a crowd and take place as follows: 10.45am birds of prey; 11.30am and 3.45pm seals and sea lions; 12.30pm crocodiles (Sun only); 2pm pelicans; 3pm lions and tigers (not Thurs); 3.30pm penguins. The on-site Planetarium has five or six shows daily, all in Dutch, though you can pick up a leaflet with an English translation from the desk. An English guidebook for the whole complex costs 2.50. No dogs allowed. Daily: AprilOct 9am6pm; NovMarch 9am5pm; JuneAug till sundown on Sat with special activities. Adults 18.50, 3- to 9-year-olds 15.

[image]

Artis Zoo Madame Tussaud's Dam 20 (Old Centre) 020/523 0623, Dam 20 (Old Centre) 020/523 0623, . Tram #4, #9, #16, #24 or #25 from CS. Popular but rather pricey sight housed in a former church. Tours last for around an hour, during which you're handed from one ham actor to another, making believe you have been sentenced by the Inquisition, press-ganged onto the high seas, chased by witches and surrounded by plague victims until you're finally swept around the interior of the church on a short roller coaster ride. Discount coupons are available in many hotels. Daily 11am5pm; 21, children 16, half-price if booked online.

Tropenmuseum Junior Tropenmuseum, Linnaeusstraat 2 (Amsterdam Oost) 020/568 8233, Tropenmuseum, Linnaeusstraat 2 (Amsterdam Oost) 020/568 8233, pensated for by the lively exhibits, which are expertly presented and supported by music and dance performances, all designed to fascinate children, with lots of things for kids to get their hands on. Workshops on Sat, Sun & school holidays 1pm & 3pm, plus Wed 3pm; call to reserve. Adults 8, 6- to 17-year-olds 4, under-5s free.

Kids' Amsterdam

Cafes and pancake houses KinderKookKafe Vondelpark 6b/Overtoom 325 (Museum Quarter and Vondelpark) 020/625 3257, Vondelpark 6b/Overtoom 325 (Museum Quarter and Vondelpark) 020/625 3257, A cafe especially for kids, with a self-service bar where kids can prepare their own food, like pizzas, sandwiches and cakes. The cafe is open to all, unless booked for a party. Booking essential at weekends (times vary so check the website). Adults 10, 6- to 12-year-olds 5 (10 if cooking), under-6s 2.50.

[image]

KinderKookKafe The Pancake Bakery Prinsengracht 191 (Grachtengordel west) 020/625 1333, Prinsengracht 191 (Grachtengordel west) 020/625 1333, Busy, well-known pancake and omelette house that caters especially well for children. The pancakes are delicious, and kids are kept entertained at the table with pens, paper and novelty toys. Children's pancakes start at around 5.50 with toy; adults' pancakes also start from 5.50 but no toy. Daily noon9.30pm.

Kids' Amsterdam

Shops Azzurro Kids P.C. Hooftstraat 122 (Museum Quarter and Vondelpark) 020/673 0457, P.C. Hooftstraat 122 (Museum Quarter and Vondelpark) 020/673 0457, . Shop specializing in spectacles for children of all ages, with a selection of very stylish frames for adults available next door at Marcel Barlag Visuals. WedSat 11am6pm (till 5pm Sat).

Oilily P.C. Hooftstraat 131133 (Museum Quarter and Vondelpark) 020/672 3361. This marvellous children's clothing chain has been dressing the luckiest Dutch kids in colourful and, let's face it, pretty expensive outfits since the 1960s, and is still going strong here in its flags.h.i.+p Amsterdam location. Mon 16pm, TuesSat 10am6pm (Thurs till 9pm). P.C. Hooftstraat 131133 (Museum Quarter and Vondelpark) 020/672 3361. This marvellous children's clothing chain has been dressing the luckiest Dutch kids in colourful and, let's face it, pretty expensive outfits since the 1960s, and is still going strong here in its flags.h.i.+p Amsterdam location. Mon 16pm, TuesSat 10am6pm (Thurs till 9pm).

Teuntje Haarlemmerdijk 132 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/625 3432, Haarlemmerdijk 132 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/625 3432, Large shop stocking a wide range of prams and strollers, including models by Bugaboo and Easywalker, as well as carriers and highchairs. The store also sells toys, a good range of clothing (08yrs) and shoes. Mon 16pm, TuesFri 10am6pm, Sat 10am5pm.

Tinkerbell Spiegelgracht 10 (Grachtengordel south) 020/625 8830, Spiegelgracht 10 (Grachtengordel south) 020/625 8830, A wonderful shop full of old-fas.h.i.+oned toys, mobiles, models and kids' books, with all purchases beautifully gift-wrapped. Mon 16pm, TuesSat 10am6pm, Sun noon5pm.

Sports and activities Most visitors to Amsterdam tend to confine their exercise to walking around the major sights, but if you do get the urge to stretch your muscles, there's a wide range of sports to enjoy. In winter if it's cold enough skating skating on the frozen waterways is the most popular and enjoyable activity; other winter sports are mostly played in private health or sports clubs, to which you can usually get a day pa.s.s, though many are well outside the city centre. on the frozen waterways is the most popular and enjoyable activity; other winter sports are mostly played in private health or sports clubs, to which you can usually get a day pa.s.s, though many are well outside the city centre.

The chief spectator sport is football football. Amsterdam is home to the legendary Ajax (p.r.o.nounced ”eye-axe”) who play in the impressive ArenA stadium situated in the eastern suburbs. Less mainstream offerings include Holland's own korfbal korfbal and and carambole carambole. For up-to-the-minute details on all sporting activities in the city, call the city's sport and recreation information service on 020/552 2490 (MonFri 9am5pm), or go to , though this website is in Dutch only.

Sports and activities

Baseball (Honkbal) Local team the Amsterdam Pirates Amsterdam Pirates are in the top baseball division, and based at Sportpark Ookmeer in Osdorp (020/616 2151; tram #17 then bus #19 or #192), 4km west of the centre. Matches take place on either Sat.u.r.day or Sunday afternoons (2pm) in the summer, and most games are free. are in the top baseball division, and based at Sportpark Ookmeer in Osdorp (020/616 2151; tram #17 then bus #19 or #192), 4km west of the centre. Matches take place on either Sat.u.r.day or Sunday afternoons (2pm) in the summer, and most games are free.

Sports and activities

Beaches The Netherlands has some great sandy beaches beaches, although it has to be said that the weather is notoriously unreliable. Temperatures can be bracing and the North Sea is pretty murky and often teeming with jellyfish. For swimming and sunbathing, the nearest resort is Zandvoort Zandvoort, a couple of short train rides from Amsterdam (via Haarlem), but there are nicer, quieter stretches of coast nearby, most notably amid the wild expanse of dune and beach that makes up the National Park Zuid-Kennemerland National Park Zuid-Kennemerland; the park is easily reached by bus from Haarlem bus station. Amsterdam's own city beach is Blijburg Blijburg, a small stretch of sand on the IJsselmeer, a popular spot on warm summer days. The improvised beach bar Blijburg aan Zee Blijburg aan Zee has frequent live music and cheap food. To reach Blijburg, take tram #26 from Centraal Station and get off at the last stop. has frequent live music and cheap food. To reach Blijburg, take tram #26 from Centraal Station and get off at the last stop.

Sports and activities

Bowling The closest bowling alley bowling alley to the city centre is to the city centre is Knijn Bowling Centre Knijn Bowling Centre, Scheldeplein 3, opposite the RAI complex (020/664 2211; MonThurs 10ammidnight, Fri 10am1am, Sat noon1am, Sun noon11pm; tram #4 or #25 from CS), with eighteen lanes and a cafe. Lanes cost between 20 and 26.50 per hour, with a maximum of six people per lane. Reservations recommended. Friday and Sat.u.r.day evenings have ”twilight bowling” (11.50 per person), accompanied by a DJ.

Sports and activities

Football It's a mark of the dominance of Amsterdam's Ajax Ajax, Eindhoven's PSV PSV and Rotterdam's and Rotterdam's Feyenoord Feyenoord that most foreigners would be hard pushed to name any other Dutch football team. More generally familiar, perhaps, is the Dutch style of play based on secure pa.s.sing with sudden, decisive breaks which has made Dutch players highly sought-after all over Europe. Not surprisingly, therefore, getting hold of tickets to watch Ajax play at their extravagant all-seater ArenA stadium in the Amsterdam suburbs takes a little time and effort. You can't buy a ticket without a Clubcard, and although these only cost 6 for two years, you must apply in advance (020/311 6666) and wait up to five weeks for your application to be processed. Having done all that, you can then buy your ticket (1550). Much easier for visitors from abroad is to book a package through that most foreigners would be hard pushed to name any other Dutch football team. More generally familiar, perhaps, is the Dutch style of play based on secure pa.s.sing with sudden, decisive breaks which has made Dutch players highly sought-after all over Europe. Not surprisingly, therefore, getting hold of tickets to watch Ajax play at their extravagant all-seater ArenA stadium in the Amsterdam suburbs takes a little time and effort. You can't buy a ticket without a Clubcard, and although these only cost 6 for two years, you must apply in advance (020/311 6666) and wait up to five weeks for your application to be processed. Having done all that, you can then buy your ticket (1550). Much easier for visitors from abroad is to book a package through Ajax Travel & Events Ajax Travel & Events (020/311 1940), which costs 80100 and includes a guided tour of the grounds, lunch or dinner and entry to a match, though you'll still need to book your trip well in advance. (020/311 1940), which costs 80100 and includes a guided tour of the grounds, lunch or dinner and entry to a match, though you'll still need to book your trip well in advance.

Buying tickets for Feyenoord and PSV, whose grounds are both within easy striking distance of Amsterdam by public transport, is similarly awkward; most games require a club card, and limited numbers of tickets are available for visitors from abroad, purchased only by prior application. The football season runs from September to May, and matches are generally on Sundays at 2.30pm, with occasional games at 8pm on Wednesdays. Your best bet is to catch a game on screen in a bar. Try the Globe Globe at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 3. at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 3.

Ajax Amsterdam Amsterdam ArenA, Bijlmer 020/311 4444, Amsterdam ArenA, Bijlmer 020/311 4444, Metro Bijlmer.

Feyenoord Rotterdam Olympiaweg 50, Rotterdam 010/292 3888, Olympiaweg 50, Rotterdam 010/292 3888, Trains from Amsterdam stop near the ground.

PSV Eindhoven Frederiklaan 10a, Eindhoven 040/250 5505, Frederiklaan 10a, Eindhoven 040/250 5505, Matches are played at the Philips Stadium, a 10min walk from Eindhoven train station.

Sports and activities

Dance and gyms Dancestreet 1e Rozendwarsstraat 10 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/489 7676, 1e Rozendwarsstraat 10 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/489 7676, . Dance and yoga centre offering a wide range of cla.s.ses, from belly-dancing to flamenco, and various forms of yoga, as well as Pilates. Dance cla.s.ses 1012, yoga 14.50. Ma.s.sage available. A cafe (10am9pm) overlooks the main studio.

Fitness & Health Garden Jodenbreestrat 158 (Old Jewish Quarter and Eastern docklands) 020/320 3666, Jodenbreestrat 158 (Old Jewish Quarter and Eastern docklands) 020/320 3666, This health club mainly offers cla.s.ses (yoga, t'ai chi, Pilates and aerobics among others), as well as saunas, solarium and ma.s.sage. Cla.s.ses 9.50; sauna 11; cla.s.s & sauna 13. Mon, Wed & Fri 9am10.30pm, Tues & Thurs noon10.30pm, Sat & Sun 9am5.30pm.

Splash Looiersgracht 26 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/624 8404, Looiersgracht 26 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/624 8404, Very popular hi-tech fitness centre with sauna, tanning salon, Turkish bath and a range of daily aerobic cla.s.ses from 10 for non-members. Day pa.s.s 20; week pa.s.s also available. MonFri 7ammidnight, Sat & Sun 7am9pm.