Amsterdam Centraal

This is the true and great prostitute of Amsterdam, the city center! (There is a different Unilocal page for the train/​bus station… this is for the area)
THis is the heart and soul of Amsterdam. If you don’t understand the ultra-​imperial, and rough and tough history of this city (similar to New York), then you’ll never understand the triumphant remnants today. All canals point to the central core of the city (map it!). All the neighborhoods of Amsterdam are accessible from here, mostly on foot but if not, by tram.
It has its sleaze but it has its ultra high end and classy. Often, next to each other. It has a club called the ‘cockring’ and fine dining on the same street. It has businesses that are hundredS of years old next to touristy stores. It even has both into one, as some older buildings have been bought by international retailers.
It’s chill and fun, very touristy and yet enjoyable. If you want a little slower, down to Eartth, friendlier, go in any direction away from the train station (use the canals as a guide).

Great location. Has central access to everything and the chipkaart works great for ease of travel.

Cette gare est vraiment magnifique et surtout immense ! C’est la première chose que j’ai vu en arrivant à Amsterdam, et ça reflète très bien la ville. J’ai pu également admirer les décorations de Noël, de jour comme de nuit, ce qui ajoute beaucoup de charme au bâtiment. Si vous n’arriver pas en train, prenez tout de même le temps de passer voir cette jolie gare :)

Great well organized train station serving all of the Netherlands and points in the EU. I’ve used it to get to Schiphol airport, as well as to day trips in Brussels and even connected to Berlin once.
The train has some handy grab and go shops for high quality juice, coffee, and snacks and I usually make sure to get my snacks here.
There is also a ferry service to Amsterdam Noord, a residential area just minutes from Central Amsterdam. I’ve stayed in Noord and was able to make the last ferry over most of the time.
The ticket agents are very helpful if you don’t have a chip and pin card that works with the automatic machines. My chip card (USA) worked almost everywhere in Europe but not in the pin machines. The ticket counter is always the best option if you’re wanting to use a US swipe card or need help finding the next train/​platform.
Don’t forget to swipe your ticket before boarding. The agents on the train can be snarky if you forget.

Went for an extended lads weekend. The locals were incredible friendly. Why can’t Londoners be more like them?
Be sure to hire bikes and explore the city that way. It’s quite a small place so a long weekend is enough to see everything.