THE NETHERLANDS - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1334

Movies
In the Netherlands, most movies are subtitled, rather than dubbed, so English-only speakers
have plenty of cinematic options. It's not unusual for movies at many cinemas to be sold
out—considerbuyingticketsduringtheday.Catchmodernmoviesinthe1920ssettingofthe
classic Tuschinski Theater (between Muntplein and Rembrandtplein, described on here ) .
The new and splashy EYE Film Institute Netherlands, across the water from Central
Station, is a very memorable place to see a movie (described on here ) .
Museums
Several museums stay open late. The Anne Frank House always stays open until at least
19:00 year-round; it's open daily until 22:00 in July and August and closes late on Saturday
year-round (22:00 peak-season, 21:00 off-season). The Hermitage Amsterdam stays open
until 20:00 on Wednesday, and the Stedelijk Museum's collection of modern art is on view
until 22:00 on Thursday. The Van Gogh Museum is open on Friday until 22:00 and some-
times has music and a wine bar in the lobby.
The Hash, Marijuana, and Hemp Museum is open daily until 23:00. And the sex mu-
seums always stay open late (Damrak Sex Museum until 23:00, Erotic Museum until 1:00
in the morning).
Skating After Dark
Amsterdammers get their skating fix every Friday night in summer and early fall in Vondel-
park. Huge groups don inline skates and meet at the round bench near the Vondel Pavilion
(around 20:15, www.fridaynightskate.com ). Anyone can join in. You can rent skates at the
shop at the far end of the park (Vondeltuin Rental, daily 11:00-20:00 in good weather; first
hour-€5, then €2.50/hour, €20 deposit and ID required; price includes helmet, wrist guards,
and knee guards; at southeastern edge of park, mobile [phone], www.vondeltuin.nl ) .
Sleeping in Amsterdam
Greeting a new day by descending steep stairs and stepping into a leafy canalside
scene—graceful bridges, historic gables, and bikes clattering on cobbles—is a fun part of
experiencing Amsterdam. But Amsterdam is a tough city for budget accommodations, and
any hotel room under €140 (or B&B room under €100) will have rough edges. Still, you can
sleep well and safely in a great location for €100 per double.
I've grouped my hotel listings into three neighborhoods, each ofwhich has its own char-
acter.