Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
result in more pot smoking. Statistically, Americans smoke twice
as much pot as the Dutch.
If you'd like to learn more about marijuana (and don't feel like
Googling “Rick Steves marijuana”), drop by Amsterdam's Cannabis
College or the Hash, Marijuana, and Hemp Museum. To see where
cannabis growers buy their seeds, stop by the Sensi Seed Bank Store.
These three places are located on Oudezijds Achterburgwal street
(see pages 100-101). Back home, if you'd like to support an outfit
dedicated to taking the crime out of pot, read up on the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (www.norml.org).
Cofeeshops
Most of downtown Amsterdam's
coffeeshops feel grungy and fore-
boding to a t ypical middle-aged
American traveler. The neighbor-
hood places (and those in small
towns around the countryside) are
much more inviting to people with-
out piercings, tattoos, and favorite
techno artists. I've listed a few places
with a more pub-like ambience for
Americans wanting to go local, but
within reason. For locations, see the
maps in the Sleeping chapter.
Paradox
is the most
gezellig
(cozy) coffeeshop I found—a mel-
low, graceful place. The managers, Ludo and Wiljan, and their
staff are patient with descriptions
and happy to walk you through all
your options. This is a rare coffee-
shop that serves light meals. The
juice is fresh, the music is easy, and
the neighborhood is charming (sin-
gle tobacco-free joints-€3, loaner
bongs, games, daily 10:00-20:00,
two blocks from Anne Frank House
at Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat 2, tel.
020/623-5639, www.paradoxamsterdam.demon.nl).
The Grey Area
coffeeshop—a hole-in-the-wall spot with
three tiny tables—is a cool, welcoming, and smoky place appreci-
ated among local aficionados as a perennial winner of Amsterdam's
Cannabis Cup awards. Judging by the autographed photos on the
wall, many famous Americans have dropped in (say hi to Willie
Nelson). You're welcome to just nurse a bottomless cup of coffee
(daily 12:00-20:00, they close relatively early out of consideration
for their neighbors, between Dam Square and Anne Frank House
