Other Museums, Amsterdam

I am still trying to figure out just why I did not like this museum. The Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art is said to be one of the most collections of Modern Art in the world. For the fact that I in fact like Modern Art, I was actually was looking forward to visiting this gallery. For reasons that a hard to explain, I found what was on exhibit here to be rather tedious. Perhaps because I have seen better such collections elsewhere, or for the fact that I had just toured the Van Gogh Museum next door that morning and was rather tired, there was little here that inspired me on an intellectual basis as conceptual art is suppose to. Most of the works, in particular by contemporary Dutch artist seemed me to be bland and not the least bit clever.
If you want to have a look for yourself, and consider that what I just said is just one person's opinion and heck I might just have been in a surly mood, then give the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art a try on your own. It's permanent begins with art from the late 19th century and extend into contemporary times and is quite large. It consists of over 100,000 objects. I understand most of it is on display in the summer months of July and August(I visited in September).
Finally if you have actually no interest in Modern Art what so ever then definitely skip this place. This is not a museum that you should tour if you find Modern Art to be intimidating or alienating which unfortunately most people do.

Unique Suggestions: Inspite of what I have said above there are some interesting pieces that could make your visit to the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art worth your time. They include some very good works by Chagall, Picasso and Mondrian.
The museum is located at Paulus Potterstraat 13 in the Museum Quarter.

Fun Alternatives: If you think that you might like to expand your mind and give Modern art a try then visit another one of the great collections in Europe. The Musee National d'Art Moderne in Paris is probably the best I have visited.

I wouldn't consider the museum as tourist trap, but you should only go there if you like Van Gogh's Art.

Unique Suggestions: Check out the famous paintings.

Fun Alternatives: There are a bunch of other museums in Amsterdam to visit (Historic, Anne Frank House, etc.)

Holland Experience shows you a 30 minute 3D show about the Netherlands. You will see a film about the country, but you will get no explanation just the impression of pictures and some effects. Although you can get a discount with your Amsterdam pass (I think it was 25% less), 8,50€ for this show is far too much.

Fun Alternatives: If you want to get a good impression about the whole country in 30 minutes, visit Madurodam in den Haag. It's only slightly more expensive (12,00 EUR) but it is far better: You can spend half a day there and the money there is used for caritative purposes.

This "museum" of cat art on Herengracht costs five euros for a few rooms of unlabeled cat art. Their Rembrandt is a postcard-sized pencil sketch in which the cat is hardly visible. To top it off the place reeks of cat urine from the resident cats, one or more of which is using the carpeting for a litterbox.

There is NOTHING to experience at this "museum", it's built to take up your time. Unless you are a HUGE fan of Heineken beer, it's best to skip this attraction. You pay 8 euro to get in, and all that pays for is the four beer stations you go to during the tour. The "amusement" rides are an absolute joke, and honestly, the place just isn't worth it. I wish I could take back that moment of my life, and more importantly, get a refund of 8 euro.

Unique Suggestions: If you MUST go here, then enjoy the beer and also know there are two camera's located in the museum that are linked together. You can see other people further ahead in the exhibit. You spend about 5 minutes trying to determine if the people you are seeing are real people. It's quite hilarious. My brother and I ended up "playing" hide and go seek with a couple of people at the other camera location. It was fun!

Fun Alternatives: Go drink a Heineken at a pub, it's cheaper!

I don't mind modern art, actually I like it more than "old" art, but I think this place is a waste of time and money. Sure, they have a few nice pieces, works by Cezanne, Chagall, Monet and Picasso for example, but too much of the collection is junk that used to be 'trendy' but has lots its value by today's standards. If you must go to a museum, I recommend you to go elsewhere.
Anyway, this place will be temporarily closing for several years soon to undergo some rebuilding. Exhibitions will be held in the Nieuwe Kerk.

(Oh, and guess what? I made the mistake of going here twice! Why I gave this place a second chance is beyond me.)

Fun Alternatives: I've heard the Van Gogh museum is nice.

HEINEKEN MUSEUM. I don't know if it is a tourist trap because some people enjoyed it but i personnaly think it was really dull. It's a huge building but there is nothing worth seeing inside. There is a really stupid show where you can experience the life of an heinenken bottle!!! Unless you are a big Heineken fan, do avoid at all cost!

PS: some people wrote to me telling me the admission fees are now less than they used to be.

If you have always wanted to see well-made wax-dollies go there. But beware of the entry fee! You can do a lot more with that 17,50 euro than watching few stiff historical figures and celebrities (such as Arnold).

Fun Alternatives: Anything that You enjoy! :)