--Try good flemish food!Recommend restaurant is: De Vlaamsche Pot (address: Helmstraat 3-5, 8000 Brugge) Tel:050 34 00 86. Key dish to try: Flemish beef stew (this is big enough for 2 people!).
--Biking is a fun way to explore the city
--Best time to go: roughly end of March to early May. Why? Because you can catch a glimpse of the sea of tulips at the Keukenhof Gardens! The garden is only open for a set number of days each spring so check before you go!
--local waffle like treat: stroopwafel (two wafer like biscuits with caramel in the middle)
--The 24 hour (costs 7 euros), 48 hour or 72 hour Tram/bus/Metro pass is worth it! This is called a GVB card and can be purchased at the GVB office opposite the Central Station. You'll be using it a lot to travel during your stay in Amsterdam and it is more worth it than paying 2.65 euros for a one way trip. I think if you're under a certain age, you can possibly get some kind of cheaper rate or student discount.
--Make sure you catch a 3 hour free walking tour from the tourism office at the Central Station! There are 2 walking tours a day: at 11am and 1pm. The company running this service is called Sandemans free tours (www.neweuropetours.eu). The guides appreciate a tip if you are able to give one at the end of the tour based on their service.
--To get to the airport Schipol, you can take a bus 197 from central Amsterdam city. It costs 4 euros one way and the GVB card cannot be used on this bus.
