Around this time in Amsterdam I start looking for things to do indoors once the weather goes from blue sky to gray sky, and this autumn has brought the Amsterdam Climbing Wall (Klimmuur) to my attention. If you too are in need of using up some energy, but it's raining buckets outside...or even if you've just spent one too many afternoons in the Vondelpark to want to go back, the climbing wall is not yet a very well known place; that being said, it IS a very well-frequented place!

The Klimmuur Centraal is located just east of the Centraal Station on the same pier (accessible by bridges) as the new Amsterdam Public Library and the temporary location of the Stedelijk Museum while their building on the Museumplein is being renovated. The facility is indoors so you can go climbing in any weather, and the ambience is friendly and fun. You'll find yourself among a lot of a young people if you go for a climb at the Klimmuur, especially during the daytime hours (until 17:00) because it's until then that their student discount applies. Rates are still reasonable without the student discount, and runs about the same price as seeing a movie in Amsterdam (more depending on how much equipment you need to rent).

Beginning climbers can do their first lesson safely and confidently, while experienced climbers can run around on the ceiling (quite literally!) If you've never tried climbing, trying it in Amsterdam for the first time can only turn into yet another Amsterdam adventure!

The Klimmuur is in multiple Dutch cities; see this webpage (http://www.deklimmuur.nl/content/view/38/62/) for precise directions to their location in Amsterdam.