• I am very partial to Falafel Tamir (+31 20-4211933) at Nieuwendijk 28 near the Singel. Falafel Tamir was once the downtown branch of the popular Falafel Dan (located on Ferdinand Bolstraat near the Heineken Brewery), but after some ownership disputes they decided to go their own way to become Falafel Tamir. Both restaurants have "falafel happy hour" where hungry patrons can treat themselves to all-you-can-eat falafel for bargain prices. (The price is 7 Euros, which is a little more than $7 USD for a very filling meal.) You are given an empty pita and then you help yourself to the falafel bar, with as many falafel balls as you want, along with a salad bar with all the usual toppings (ie: peppers, carrots, tahini, etc.) Extremely famished visitors can even ask for a fork so that they can eat the fillings out of the pita, and then re-load it for seconds.
• English-speaking visitors should definitely visit Boom Chicago, an American improvisational comedy theater started by three ex-pat twentysomethings back in 1993. Now in their 10th year, Boom plays to packed houses of both visitors and locals night after night in their Leidseplein theater. They have also been featured in the prestigious Edinburgh Festival and on MTV. Check out their website.
• Budget travelers should definitely try to check in at the International Budget Youth Hostel on the Leidsegracht. Unlike some of Amsterdam's other notorious hostels which are filled with wasted teenagers and sleep 15-20 to a room, the IBYH has decent 4-person rooms that are meticulously maintained. Rooms are only about $35/person/night with shared bath, and many have canal-view rooms (be sure to request one). The location is great, as it's only one block away from the entertainment and transportation in the Leidseplein.
• One step up are the Hotel Brian at 69 Singel and Liberty Hotel at 5 Singel. Bookings for both are made through the Brian (+31 20-6244661). Double rooms with shared bath usually cost about $70-90 in low season and include a hearty Dutch breakfast. Just 5 minutes from Centraal Station, the hotels are easy to find. The Liberty is next to 7 Singel, and at about one meter wide, it is one of three houses in the city that claim to be the smallest in Amsterdam.
• In the boutique category, you can't beat the Seven Bridges Hotel at Reguliersgracht 31 (+31 20-6263108). Located in what is arguably Amsterdam's most charming neighborhood, the Seven Bridges is a small hotel with colorful rooms for about $200 per night. Reserve well in advance, epsecially during the summer.
• If you really want to get into the flow of Amsterdam then I suggest renting an apartment or houseboat from Frederic Rent-a-Bike, which as the name suggests, also rents bikes. They have a variety of lodging to choose from. Guestrooms are as little as 20 Euros per person per night during off-season, apartments vary from 75-150 Euros per night, and houseboats can be rented for between 100-200 Euros per night. You should first call (31(0)20 624 5509) or email them directly to verify prices and availability. All properties are in Amsterdam's charming Jordaan district, considered by locals and visitors alike to be one of the most beatiful in the city.
• Locals do go EVERYWHERE by bike, so it is the best way to explore the city. Besides Frederic, another place to rent top-notch bikes is at Bike City. Also located in the Jordaan at 68-80 Bloemgracht, Bike City rents single-speed as well as 3-speed bikes. Locals ride the single speeds, and considering that Holland is flat that's all you'll really need. Rates start at 6.75 Euros per day, dropping to just 4.50 per day for rentals over 5 days. That's cheaper than what you'd spend taking trams or taxis, plus it's healthier, quicker and just more fun to get around by bike!

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