There are tons of great Indonesian and Argentinian restaurants all over Amsterdam. My personal choice was Los Amigos, an Argentinian grill (at Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 29) with an extensive à la carte menu.

I also recommend trying a hot waffle snack at one of the many stands throughout the city (there're usually dipped in hot chocolate with fruit or nuts).

I was initially attracted to 't Cafe Black & White (at Leidseplein 18 1017 PT) because of the Rolling Stones' tongue logo over the door. It did not disappoint. It's a bit of a dive and delightful seedy. And located directly across the street from the Bulldog, it's mainly a local hangout.

Amsterdam has a number of unique and beautiful museums - the "Van Gogh and the "a href="www.rijksmuseum.nl>Rijksmuseum, are a couple of the biggies. But if you're looking for something a little more subversive as well as educational, Amsterdam can certainly supply that as well. There's the "a href="www.sexmuseumamsterdam.nl">Sexmuseum which has an extensive collection of erotica and pornography from throughout the past century (basically since the advant of photography) and some stuff that's just plain weird. As one friend put it, "that was the best two dollars I've ever spent on a museum." Then you can follow that up with a visit to the rather macabre Amsterdam Torture Museum (at Singel 449), from witch hunts to the Spanish Inquisition, the Torture Museum has artifacts spanning hundreds of years of torture.

Holland is also known for it's fantastic beer (Heineken, Grolsch, Amstel). And although a trip to the Heineken Experience is a bit hokey, and it kind of feels like Itchy and Scratchy Land, I still recommend it for first-time visitors. For just 11 euro you get a tour, two glasses of fresh (unpasteurized!) Heineken, and a Heineken glass to take home.

There's a very convenient tram that that moves throughout the city. It's also walkable for the most part, and of course bikes are always popular.

You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in Amsterdam who isn't fluent in English.

Amsterdam has a lot more to offer than simply a playground for college kids looking to get stoned. Personally, my best times were at little hole-in-the-wall restaurants, bars, and coffe houses - and avoiding places like the Bulldog like the plague.