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Travellers with a mobility problem will find Amsterdam only moderately equipped to meet their needs. A large number of government offices and museums have lifts and/or ramps. Many hotels, however, are in old buildings with steep stairs and no lifts; restaurants tend to be on ground floors, though 'ground' sometimes includes a few steps. The metro stations have lifts, many trains have wheelchair access, and most train stations and public buildings have toilets for the disabled.
People with a disability get discounts on public transport and, with some limitations, can park in the city free of charge. Train timetables are published in Braille. Residents can make use of the stadsmobiel(citymobile), which is a fabulous taxi service for people with limited mobility, but foreigners have to use one of the commercial wheelchair-taxi services; Garskamp (tel: 633 39 43) or Taxi Services Connexxion (tel: 606 22 00). Ring a couple of days in advance to ensure a booking at a time that suits you.
Amsterdam is a wonderland for kids. The delightful Vondelpark gives adults a chance to lie on the grass and chill out while the children run around chasing ducks. If it's raining look to the heavens and spend some time at the Artis Zoo planetarium or its fantastic aquarium. Kids can come face-to-face with bison at the children's farm in Amsterdamse Bos in the south of the city.
In general attitudes to children are very positive, apart from some hotels with a no-children policy - check when you book. Most restaurants have high chairs and children's menus. Facilities for changing nappies, however, are limited to the big department stores, major museums and train stations and you'll pay to use them. Breast feeding is generally OK in public if done discreetly. Kids are allowed in pubs but aren't supposed to drink until they're 16.
When you take the train, children under four travel free if they don't take up a seat. Those aged four to 11 can get a 'Railrunner' ticket as long as an adult comes along.
Amsterdam is one of them gay capitals of Europe. Lesbians and gays here arguably have the greatest freedom of any city on earth, including same-sex marriage (legalised in 2001; Belgium and Canada now grant the same right). In general, gay and lesbian venues are open and welcoming to anyone who wants to come in (and 'out'). There are more than 100 bars and nightclubs, gay hotels, bookshops, sport clubs, choirs, archives etc, and a wide range of support organisations. Important events in the gay social calendar are the gay pride festival (featuring the world's only floating gay pride parade, down the Prinsengracht) and Queen's Day (celebrating Dutch Queens rather than the Dutch queen).
