Amsterdam - Amsterdam Bruges and Brussels - page 37

11:00-18:30, tel. [phone], www.abc.nl). The huge and
helpful Selexyz Scheltema is at Koningsplein 20 near the
Leidsestraat (included in Amsterdam City Walk—see page
83; store open Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00, Thu until 21:00, Sun
12:00-18:00; lots of English novels, guidebooks, and maps;
tel. [phone]). Waterstone's Booksellers, a UK chain,
also sells British newspapers (152 Kalverstraat, Mon-Sat
10:00-18:00, Thu until 21:00, Sun 11:00-18:00, tel. 020/638-
3821).
Free Papers: If you're interested in cutting-edge art, movies, and
concerts (hip-hop, jazz, classical), pick up the Amsterdam
Weekly, a free local English-language paper that's published
every Wednesday. It's available at the bookstores listed above
(www.amsterdamweekly.nl).
Entertainment: Pick up the Day by Day calendar at any TI (€2),
check out this topic's Nightlife chapter, and call the Last
Minute Ticket Shop (theater, classical music, and major rock
shows, tickets sold only at shop, Leidseplein 26, tel. 0900-
0191, calls costs €0.40/min, www.lastminuteticketshop.nl).
Maps: The free and cheap tourist maps can be confusing, except
for Amsterdam Museums: Guide to 37 Museums (includes tram
info and stops, ask for it at the info desk at the big muse-
ums, such as the Van Gogh). If you want a top-notch map,
buy one (about €2.50). I like the Carto Studio Centrumkaart
Amsterdam or, better yet, Amsterdam: Go Where the Locals Go
by Amsterdam Anything.
Pharmacy: he shop named DA (Dienstdoende Apotheek) has
all the basics—shampoo and toothpaste—as well as a phar-
macy counter hidden in the back (Mon-Sat 9:00-22:00, Sun
11:00-22:00, Leidsestraat 74-76 near where it meets Keizers-
gracht, tel. [phone]).
Laundry: Tr y Clean Brothers Wasserij in the Jordaan (daily
8:00-20:00 for €7 self-service, €9 drop-off—ready in an
hour—Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sat 9:00-12:00, no drop-off Sun,
Westerstraat 26, one block from Prinsengracht, tel. 020/627-
9888) or Powders near Leidseplein (daily 8:00-22:00, €6.50
self-service, €8.50 drop-off, Kerkstraat 56, one block south of
Leidsestraat).
Holidays: Every year, Queen's Day (Koninginnedag, April 30 in
2009 and 2010) and Gay Pride (July 31-Aug 2 in 2009) bring
crowds, fuller hotels, and higher room prices.
Best Views: While the Westerkerk offers fine views from its
tower (and is convenient if you're visiting the Anne Frank
House), the best city views are from the new Central Library,
Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (see page 58).