Guest blogger Kim: Visiting Amsterdam as a local: Madame Tussauds and The Amsterdam Dungeon

“Toerist spelen in eigen stad”

My man and I headed out into the city to play tourist, “toerist spelen in eigen stad” as we say. A little tired but excited to see what an expectedly lame tourist attraction would offer us. We cued up in the line that I passed a thousand times before wondering why all these people so desperately want to see Madame Tussauds. It was a cold, sunny day and as we complained having to line up in the shadow a friendly guy in a funny suit told us we didn’t have to line up when we bought our tickets already!

madame tussauds amsterdam canal cruises

Madame Tussauds unexpectedly fun

Madame Tussauds was unexpected: we had fun! After a chat with our former queen, taking a seat on the throne ourselves and meeting George Clooney, we had a nice cheap coffee in the ‘club’.
While listening to our own world famous DJ’s. I was surprised to find out you are allowed to touch the puppets and there’s interactive stuff to do. So I sang Adele Karaoke, rode a bike with ET and checked out a virtual reality DJ set. At some point I lost my man, I think he should have a puppet at Madame Tussauds as well, don’t you think he looks more handsome than Johnny Depp?

madame tussauds amsterdam canal cruises 2

Amsterdam Dungeon: The jungle Amsterdam was in the Middle Ages…

The Amsterdam Dungeon is just a scary place. And crazy, and stupid, any funny, and hilarious all at the same time. If you like to be thrown in a cage to wait for a cheap and bloody tour, being called names and possibly tortured, then get tickets to this spookhuis, as we Dutchies call it. Villains, whores and rascals take you on a tour through the Amsterdam cellars full of death and despair. Yes we all know they are actors and puppets but OMG how does it all feel real. No pictures I was allowed to take during our visit to the Dungeon, which is probably for the best, as
you would instantly give up on the idea of visiting. The only thing I can say is that you should be prepared. Prepared how, you wonder? I don’t know to be honest. Maybe just go with the flow. But
if you go, hide as much as you can, wear something grey or colorless, no perfume, no sweat. Don’t talk too loud, don’t laugh too loud. Or you’ll be noticed and punished!

Bierfabriek Amsterdam: Nuts spread all over the floor

After the dungeon we were ready to cool down and have a beer or two and some bites. We crossed the street and walked into the Nes, a street full of cafe’s and bars. Fairly new is the Bierfabriek
Amsterdam. Nuts spread all over the floor as these are served with the beers, a generous gesture. We tried the Puur beer, unfiltered and unpasteurised beer: pure beer (as the name suggests ;). Tasty and a great way to chill out after this crazy Dungeon experience. We had some veggie sticks with humus, which turned out to be carrots, cucumber and humus. Not very exciting, but thankful we where this took us back to the normal, sober world without blood and with healthy food. Although we experienced some sickening stuff that may have reduced our appetite, after one Puur beer, and the cucumber, we felt hungry again and we devoured the charcoal BBQ chicken, very tasty and crispy. Great little tour!