"Hip Hip Hooray for Shopping on Haarlemmerstraat/Haarlemmerdijk It could be the quirkiest strip in Amsterdam, featuring the Netherlands' cutest collection of one-of-a-kind boutiques, bars and bistros. Stretching west from Central Station, Haarlemmerstraat and its continuation, Haarlemmerdijk, are the perfect stretch for a retail stroll, especially if you're in the market for funky fashion, home decor or specialty food from all over the world. Lined with trendy shops (many with a conscience), delis, cafés, coffeeshops and even a few electronics stores, Haarlemmerstraat/Haarlemmerdijk offer one-stop holiday or souvenir shopping for Dutch and imported treasures. Start your retail therapy with free "wake and bake" juice and toast for those who purchase weed before noon at Picasso coffeeshop. Other smokers' haunts on Haarlemmerstraat include Green House, where carp swim beneath your feet in an aquarium built into the floor; Barney's, winner of multiple High Times Cannibus Cup titles; and Barney’s Uptown, a smoker-friendly bar and restaurant serving meals, cocktails, Belgian and Dutch draft beers and Italian wines. Suitably buzzed, browse shops like Mono, run by a friend of a Thai couple who supervise production of their fair-trade textiles and accessories in Asia; Meeuwig & Zoon, offering Mediterranean and flavored oils, from truffle to beechnut; Hollandaluz, proffering Spanish empanadas, sweets, cheeses and ceramic cookware; Jordino, a family-run business known for its chocolate pumps; and Ibericus, stocked with Iberian delicacies."

"An Eclectic Shopping Scene From vintage shops and hipster boutiques in the Negen Straats (Nine Streets) to posh designer outlets on P.C. Hoofstraat, Amsterdam's shopping scene is nothing if not eclectic. There's something for everyone on Kalverstraat, a shopping street that cuts from Dam Square through City Center. It includes the Kalvertoren indoor mall, as well as tram tracks running through the middle of the pedestrian byways. Kalverstraat connects with Leidsestraat, another busy pedestrian street leading to Leidesplein. For upscale shopping, head to P.C.Hooftstraat in the Museum District. On the Rodeo Drive of Amsterdam, shops carry the wares of Tiffany, Bulgari, Cartier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Valentino and Jimmy Choo. If edgier design spiked with wine and chocolate turns you on, find it on Utrechtsestraat, another good shopping street that radiates from Rembrandtplein. Haarlemmerstraat is the young buck of Amsterdam's trendy shopping streets. With more affordable prices than its upscale sisters as well as huge variety, it attracts a young, hip crowd looking for edgy clothes, cosmetics and design. An array of ethnic cafés and bars lines the street, with everything from traditional Dutch fare to Asian, Indian, Italian and Mediterranean fare. In South Amsterdam, Beethovenstraat has wide sidewalks and big shop windows on an elegant shopping street built in the 1930s. Come for clothes, wine, chocolates, cheese and a more contemporary ambiance than streets in the old City Center offer."

"Nine Streets Shopping in Amsterdam "9 Streets" (De 9 Straatjes) is a charming, picturesque shopping area in the heart of Amsterdam 's canal district. Located between Leidsestraat and Raadhuisstraat, this area is named after the nine side streets connecting the main 17th-century canals in the stylish Jordaan neighborhood. Spend a leisurely day browsing in the artisan boutiques, local designer shops, art galleries, cafes, canal-side restaurants, bars and more. You'll be intrigued by all of the unique, beautiful objects for sale."

"Hazenstraat: Amsterdam's "Tenth Street" It's a single street after Amsterdam 's Negen Straats (Nine Streets), but Hazenstraat, the Tiende Straatje (Tenth Street), rates a ten in serious shoppers' books. Lined with boutiques, cafés and galleries, this cobbled strip in the Bohemian-chic Jordaan begins starts at Lauriergracht, where French urban artist Invader installed one of 26 mini-mosaics inspired by Space Invaders characters. Highlights include: The English Bookshop, as much a literary gathering spot as a place to buy books and DVDs made from them; Petsalon, a hat shop that's been a Jordaan fixture for 25+ years; Brown Clothes, featuring Kings Road-inspired couture; Joep Buijs' art studio, with paintings of colorful women, children and dogs; Olivaria, Holland's oldest olive specialty shop; Coffeeshop Biba, a back-to-the-60s-style smoke shop that's grown up with the flower children; Chocolátl, a chocoholic's Nirvana; Cats 'n Things, for all things feline; Saarein. a bar for all "queer minded people"; La Festa Pizzeria/Bed & Breakfast; 't Stuivertje, serving continental cuisine; and Flamework, Daniela Malaica's glass jewelry shop proffering vibrant necklaces and other contemporary accessories inspired by her African-Italian roots."

"Kalverstraat: If You Sell It, They Will Come Cutting a wide swath through central Amsterdam , the Kalverstraat, named after the kalvermarkt (calves market) staged there until the 17th century, is the city's main pedestrian shopping street, with no traffic other than a constant flow of tourists, locals and shoppers from around the globe. The one kilometer stretch from Dam Square to the Bloemenmarkt on the Muntplein is lined with shops proffering shoes, clothing, bags, books, cards, perfume, cosmetics and just about anything else you might need or never knew you needed. Fast food outlets, cafés and coffeeshops are interspersed in the mix of mainstream stores and trendy boutiques. Painter Piet Mondrian lived at Kalverstraat 154 from 1892–1895. A HEMA department store has been drawing shoppers since 1926. Other Kalverstraat mainstays include several of those ubiquitous H&M stores, Diesel, Mango, Zara, Nike, and a new Marks & Spencer. If you come on a weekend or holiday, be prepared to fight the crowds. Shops are open until 21:00 on Thursdays."

"Pump Up Your Shopping on Leidsestraat With shops offering enough pumps, boots, spike heels, designer clothes, cosmetics, suitcases and specialty foods to satisfy the fussiest shopper, Leidsestraat attracts droves of tourists, locals and fashionistas. Whether you're searching for high style, camp shoes, Dutch cheese or soft drugs, you're likely to find what you're looking for in the boutiques, high-end department stores, specialty shops and coffeeshops on this busy passenger byway and the small streets shooting off from it. Running from Koningsplein to Leidseplein, Leidsestraat continues the shopping adventure where Kalverstraat ( Amsterdam 's other pedestrian shopping street) leaves off. Walking south, you'll know you've reached it when you come to the flower stands at the Bloemenmarkt. Popular draws include Sissy Boy, Replay, Abercrombie & Fitch, Metz & Co., Cora Kemperman, V & D, Eicholtz and a Henri Willig Cheese & More shop. As you approach Leideseplein, one of Amsterdam's entertainment squares, more souvenir shops, fast food options and money changing outlets appear. Watch out for trams running down the center of the pedestrian byway!"

"Shopping With An Edge on Warmoesstraat Most people don't think of Warmoesstraat when they plan a shopping spree in Amsterdam . But if your gift lists and desires include dildos, vibrators, S + M toys, porn CDs or kinky leather, it's where you'll want to head. As a hub for the city's leather and LGBT scene, the cobbled street is lined with shops, bars and clubs catering to a gay and kinky crowd. Even if you're straight, you might find pleasure at Nana, self-described as "the most vibrating shop in town." Get your groove on with the store's OmiBod toys that vibrate with your iPod playlist. If nothing but a gay boy will do, search for Mr. Right at Warehouse, The Eagle, Argos or Dirty Dicks, all conveniently lined up on this colorful street off the Red Light District. When hunger hits, head forGetto, where you can saunter through the disco lounge before finding a seat in the dining room, decorated with a chalkboard menu and funky posters. Fuel up on drag queen-inspired burgers and cocktails before heading out to get your kinky on at BoB, MrB and other options for erotic-ware and adult toys. If you're really into the scene, plan your shopping spree for Leather Pride Amsterdam, held annually on the first weekend of November, when Warmoesstraat becomes the street where some of the town's most brazen gays come to see and be seen."

"Perfumes and High Fashion on Beethovenstraat For ultrachic shopping, look beyond Amsterdam’s city center to Beethovenstraat. Here, you’ll find Dutch designer PAUW and the English Hatter, which is a posh spot for men’s fashion. You’ll also find a collection of perfume shops, chocolatiers and fromageries worth the trip to the upscale Zuid district."

"An Evening on Warmoesstraat Ah, Warmoesstraat, Amsterdam 's heart of darkness, the street that never sleeps. Well, maybe...between 5:00–8:00am, after the junkies leave and before tourists arrive.Set adjacent tode Wallen, the city's most famous Red Light District, this livelystraatis home to the gay leather/fetish scene at shops likeWarehouse,The Eagle,Argos,Dirty Dicks,RoBandMrB. Have dinner atGetto,an informal bistro with a less in-your-face gay vibe than other establishments on the street, offering drag queen-inspired burgers and international specialties at reasonable prices. Other dining options include Meatballs, Paella, Wok to Wok, Burger Bar and numerous holes-in-the-wall for pizza, shoarma or frites. For a nightcap hit Stone's, a dive bar with attitude where the time is always 9:25."