The building where Anne Frank hid was built in 1635, renovated in 1739, and originally served as a private residence. Throughout the 20th Century, the building was used as offices for various companies before finally being obtained by Anne Frank’s father, Otto, in 1940. Sadly, Otto would be the only one of the eight hidden people to survive the concentration camp. Two of Otto’s employees helped hide the group in the rear upper floor of the building, above Otto’s office. Those employees, Miep Gies and Bep Voskuijl, also helped supply the hidden group with supplies for two years. After the group was discovered by Nazi soldiers acting on an anonymous tip, Gies and Voskuijl returned to the secret annex illegally to gather the family’s personal items, which were later returned to Otto Frank. Anne Frank’s diary was among that collection of items.

The structure opened as a museum in 1960 after surviving a battle against developers wanting to replace the Anna Frank Huis and the entire block of buildings with a large factory. Petitioners and protesters helped the cause, as did the Anne Frank Foundation created by Otto Frank. The building closed in 1970 because heavy foot traffic had created a need for renovation work. It was reopened in 1999 and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Amsterdam.

Cannabis and hemp have been used for many things in their 8,000-year history. This museum sheds light on all that, from paper and textiles production to jewelry making. The museum discusses the medicinal benefits of cannabis, as well as how the plant benefits the environment, agriculture and industry. Of course, the museum also discusses the recreational use of marijuana. Historical facts about the plant are mixed with information about how to grow, roll and smoke cannabis. Exhibits show various equipment and tools used for growing and smoking cannabis and hash.

Adorning the walls of the museum is an impressive collection of original artwork, memorabilia and photography centered around the main theme. One collection of black and white photography documents the hash manufacturing process from start to finish in Afghanistan. Memorabilia documents the history of cannabis from the 19th Century to the present day.

The museum attempts to present an objective perspective on the controversial plant while educating the public on its various uses. It discusses scientific breakthroughs involving cannabis and how in the past, present and the future of the cannabis plant are merging together. Visitors to this museum will emerge much more enlightened, educated and perhaps a little more dizzy than before.

The residents and professionals in and around the Red Light District are a very tolerant community. By day, it is a relatively calm section with little activity that is out of the ordinary. Tourists might even want to stop by to view the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s oldest church, which is located in the heart of the Red Light District. Live music fills the street, especially in the summer. The district’s restaurants are renowned for their authentic food, including the Cafe Pacifico, one of the first restaurants in Europe to specialize in Mexican fare.

But by night, the feeling in the air changes as the windows light up and sex shop signs begin flashing to draw tourists their way. It is a lively vibe with virtually no behavior considered taboo. Whether it’s peep shows, a live porn show, a drag queen performance, strippers, prostitutes or X-rated movies you desire, or merely a sex shop souvenir, the Red Light District can offer it. Prostitution has long been openly allowed in the Netherlands, although the country’s 2,000-plus brothels were officially legalized in late 1999. “Window shopping” for prostitutes is the norm, but photography is strictly prohibited.

The Red Light District is located just south of Centraal Station, the main train station. It is about a 10-minute walk. Visit it on your next trip to Amsterdam and take in the condom shop, the phallic fountain or simply the old, elegant architecture.

The park is used for lounging, exercise, socialization and free, open-air concerts and theatre during the summer. In fact, the open-air theatre is operational and free to the public five days a week during June, July and August. It is quite a popular attraction. The park also has play areas for children, and skate rentals and pancake meals are available at Snoephuisje inside the park. Vondel Park is also home to the Film Museum, which is the NetherlandsÌ national center for cinematography.

The park has been in existence since 1864 and it was enlarged in 1877. The park is named after a famous Dutch poet, Joost van den Vondel. It is a beautiful display of nature, with ponds and natural vegetation interspersed with pathways, right in the heart of bustling Amsterdam.

The collection includes erotic sculptures, wax models posing erotically, ancient erotic photographs, John Lennon lithographs and various erotic books. There is a “fairytale corner” with erotic videos about innovative sex techniques. There are even exhibits dedicated to sado-masochism.

This museum pays homage to virtually all types of lovemaking, with an exotic souvenir shop to round out the experience. There, visitors can buy books on lovemaking and a variety of other sex accessories.

The museum is very close to Dam Square, and is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

With the distinction of being the fourth largest beer brewer in the world, Heineken still operates two breweries out of the Netherlands. The Amsterdam factory closed in 1988, but has been preserved as a museum called The Heineken Experience. The building was built in 1867. It now contains interactive exhibits, bars where three glasses of Heineken are covered by the museum entrance fee, and the museum even has Ïrides.

The museum is located in the De Pijp area of the Oud-Zuid District, but is temporarily closed for renovations and expected to re-open in Summer 2008.

The locations of the eight windmills are: De 1200 Roe on Haarlemmerweg 465, De 1100 Roe on Herman Bonpad 6, the Riekermolen alongside the Amstel River, DÌAdmiraal on Noordhollandschkanalldijk 21, De Bloem on Haarlemmerweg 701, De Gooyer on Fuenenkade 7, Molen van Sloten on Akersluis 10, and De Otter mill on Gillis van Ledenberchstraat 78. The latter two windmills can still be toured by the public.

The highly popular Molen van Sloten is a 19th Century structure that is handicap accessible with a built-in elevator. It is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. De Otter mill was built around 1630 and is the oldest Dutch windmill still in operation.

Historically, the Netherlands had as many as 10,000 windmills in existence. Unfortunately, that number has now dwindled to 1,000.

The statues look amazingly life-like in this museum, which is a popular stop for teenagers and pop culture fans. The museumÌs music zone features numbers from such musical artists as Michael Jackson and Kylie Minogue.

This museum also has a unique display of animatronic and historical figurines. The museum is located on Dam Square in central Amsterdam, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The periods include The Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint-Remy and Auvers-sur-Oise. This museum boasts an extensive collection of Van Gogh works that surpasses that of any museum in the world. Many of the masterpieces were donated to the museum by Van GoghÌs brother after the artistÌs death.

The museum also features the work of other artists, primarily Van Gogh’s contemporaries from the 19th Century. The museum is located in AmsterdamÌs Museum Quarter alongside other art museums.

Tour groups should consist of 15 people or less, and no reservations are required. The museum is handicap-accessible and open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, closed only on New Year’s Day.

In addition to the zoo and botanical gardens, this attraction offers an aquarium that lets visitors see, among other things, the lifeforms swimming in the city’s murky canal water. There is also a zoological museum and a geological museum and planetarium. Free guided tours are offered on Saturdays.

This is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands and it offers an extremely diverse collection of animals that represent the entire spectrum of the animal kingdom. It has more than 200 varieties of trees as well, many of which are nearing extinction. It is truly a fascinating exhibit of nature, open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Best of all, one ticket allows visitors to see the zoo, aquarium, both museums, the planetarium and the botanical gardens. The latter attraction features statues of modern-day artists and a greenhouse dedicated to species from the tropical rainforests. Seeing the breathtakingly beautiful grounds of the Artis Zoo will involve a lot of walking, so plan to make a day of it. It is a trip that surely will not disappoint.