Yes, Uruguay was the first country to out right legalize marijuana, and American states are really starting to come around, but when you think of places to experience marijuana culture in all its glory, you think Amsterdam. All of the Netherlands is beautiful and marijuana-friendly with local shops in smaller cities, such as Utretch or Nijmegen, but Amsterdam really is the marijuana motherland. I’ve been lucky enough to go multiple times, which actually turns out to be necessary for any visiting stoner. If you are anything like me, it’s likely your first trip will be blurred by clouds of smoke. Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities and, for those who have the chance to visit, it quickly becomes one of theirs as well.
Of course its everything stoners dream of, with each coffee shop offering its own unique experience. The first time I visited Amsterdam, I was there for 9 days. 9! As much as I love Amsterdam, that is a long time to be excessively high on a constant basis. I had some serious plans for my time in Amsterdam, too. Coffee shops were obviously on that list, but so were other things, like the Van Gough Museum, renting a paddle boat, The Anne Frank House and a day trip to Keukenhof Gardens to see the tulips. But, during my 9 days in Amsterdam, the only non-coffee shop activity I did was the Heineke Factory. Each morning, as I started my walk, I had a purpose and destination in mind. Unfortunately, I highly underestimated the amount of tempting coffee shops between points A and B. I stopped for a smoke and an espresso every canal or so, and before I knew it, the day was gone. Just mellowing out in a coffee shop, listening to the music or playing some pool, the time can slip away pretty quickly. I didn’t know a person could experience so much by doing so little, but it was an amazing time that I knew I would need to repeat.
The Bulldog Cafe is most famous and has multiple locations throughout the city, but the original shop was opened in 1975 in the red light district. You can’t help but notice Bulldog because colorful graffiti covers the building, creating real curb appeal. Another must stop when I’m in Amsterdam is Resin, where the vibe can be seen from the street. This coffee shop is bathed in a green hue with a full wall depicting a bamboo forest. A must order at Resin is a space cake with your coffee. Usually, once I’ve accumulated enough bud, because it is too tempting not to over-purchase at the shops, I usually make a trip to The Doors cafe. You can’t purchase any marijuana products here, but you can have a beer, bring your own joint to smoke and listen to great music, as the name would suggest. These have become a few of my favorite coffee shops, but there are so many more to explore. I actually stumbled across the pictures from my first trip and used them in this post.
Amsterdam does have something for everyone though, and its evident as you walk the streets. Older couples walking through the markets, families playing in the park and hungover bachelors trudging in and out of coffee shops can all be found in Amsterdam. One thing I look forward to in Amsterdam, when the season permits, is walking through the neighborhood markets. In the spring, the markets are checkered with vibrant, blossoming tulips and the fresh scent overwhelms as you walk past the vendors. Of course, being stoned, I get pretty hungry so the snacking ensues. During my earlier visits to Amsterdam, the coffee shops did not serve food, which has since changed. However, the market is the perfect place to find some fresh bread, meats and cheeses, fruits and other samples to feast on. Be sure to finish with a stroopwafel! If you don’t know what stroopwafel is, its a shame, and you should look it up immediately! That first bite of a freshly made, warm and gooey stroopwafel in an Amsterdam market is one that I remember fondly, and you would, too!
The real beauty of all that Amsterdam has to offer is how accessible the city is. The half-circle grid of canals are perfect for exploring and become more familiar as you wander. Walking from one end to another could take just about an hour, but it won’t. Maybe you’ll pop into a coffee shop, or two, or three, or explore a museum, or maybe you’ll just stop to smell the tulips.