A’DAM LOOKOUT is Serving 360° Wow Factor
AMSTERDAM, NL — Amsterdam is well known for its canals, its cobblestone streets and its timeless architecture. It took centuries for this beautiful city to develop into what it is today, and most tourists will only have a few days to take all of that history in. It’s no surprise that places like the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, Dam Square and even the infamous Red Light District tend to draw more international attention than Amsterdam’s more modern offerings. However, we have been fortunate to visit the city a number of times in years past, and we’ve checked just about all the classic experiences off of the traveler’s bucket list. During our most recent visit, we set out to do some things we had never done in Amsterdam. Enter A’DAM LOOKOUT, a popular tourist attraction on the top floor(s) of A’DAM Tower and home to a record-breaking thrill attraction.
As veteran travelers and theme park enthusiasts, we’re no strangers to heights, skyscrapers and exhilarating experiences. We’ve braved the world’s tallest Skyjump (Las Vegas, NV), ascended a spiral staircase to the peak of the tallest twin-spired church in the world (Köln, DE) and strapped into what was (at that time) the world’s tallest roller coaster (Jackson, NJ). A’DAM LOOKOUT is neither the tallest nor the most thrilling of the attractions we’ve visited, but gaining elevation isn’t always about pushing the limits - for us, it’s about gaining a new perspective on familiar territory. The A’DAM Tower officially joined Amsterdam’s already busy skyline in 2016, a multi-million euro refit of the former Royal Dutch Shell headquarters. With its rechristening came the addition of a 360-degree Skydeck that offers stunning views of Amsterdam from 100 meters (328 feet) in the air, two well-reviewed panoramic restaurants and the highest swing in Europe, “Over the Edge”.
A’DAM LOOKOUT admits guests by timeslot in order to guarantee capacity. Having purchased our admission tickets and reserved a timeslot in advance, we made our way inside and were greeted by friendly, multi-lingual staff and a collection of models and displays that formed a queue to the photo studio and the main lift (elevator). Before entering the lift, you’ll have the option to take some professional photos with a green screen. If you choose to have your photos taken, digital downloads will be available at no charge on your way out - however, be advised that this free offer only applies to the initial photos taken at entry, not to any photos or videos taken on the “Over the Edge” swing. Once on the lift itself, you’ll be treated to a unique audio-visual experience during the extraordinarily quick 20-second ride. The shaft(s) are lined with programmed LED’s which have been carefully mapped to the lift’s ascent, and the light show is nothing short of spectacular. If you or your traveling companions have any issues with light or photosensitivity, be sure to mention this to the team members on the ground floor - but if not, make sure to look up as you make your way to floor 22!
When you exit the lift and make your way into the panoramic ‘LOOKOUT Indoor’ section, you’re likely to be floored by the views of Amsterdam right away. However, it’s worth noting that this experience can be made or broken by inclement weather. We strongly recommend checking the forecast before booking your ticket to A’DAM (online or in-person) so that your views of Amsterdam are not obstructed by clouds or mist and the Skydeck is safe to traverse. As it happened, we visited on a gray and gloomy day - quite common during the Dutch winters - but still had a clear 360-degree view around the building and thoroughly enjoyed watching all of the ferries, trains and canal boats zipping around below like models. LOOKOUT Indoor is also home to the Skybar and the MADAM Restaurant, both of which we can highly recommend after a stellar lunch. The Moon Restaurant, which is notable for its slow but constant revolution around the tower base, is actually two floors below and features a more upscale menu, which can either be set or a la carte dependent on the time of day.
One short staircase stands between you and the Skydeck, which most would say is the highlight of the Tower experience. 100 meters into the open air of Amsterdam, you’ll find the most impressive and surreal views yet of the city and the surrounding canals - in addition to a small curling board, ample staged photo ops and the famous ‘Over the Edge’ Swing you’ve been hearing so much about. The swing experience, which costs a bit extra (€7.5 per person) moves at a reasonably slow speed and isn’t particularly thrilling, as thrill experiences go - but with nothing more than a lap bar separating you from the open air and the ground 22 stories below, rest assured it’ll still get your heart rate up! The swings are outfitted with 360-degree action cameras and the staff will also be sure to grab some still photos of your ride, all of which can be claimed (if you wish) for an added fee as you exit A’DAM Tower. It gets a bit windy on the Skydeck, particularly if you are planning to hop on that swing - so hold on tight to your belongings, or store them in the LOOKOUT Indoor lockers before stepping outside.
A’DAM LOOKOUT also offers a free Cinema where guests can watch a documentary about the development and erection of the LOOKOUT venue, a number of Digital Scopes ("kijkers" or “verrekijkers” in Dutch) and a VR Experience that has been mapped to the tower’s layout - the lattermost of these incurring an additional charge of €7.5 per person. Plus, on weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) nights you will find a live DJ in the revolving ‘Moon’ restaurant, bringing new life and energy to the highest dance floor in town. It’s easy to lose track of time at the top of the world, but sooner or later you will have to retire to the lower floors to exit the Tower complex or make your way to the adjacent Sir Adam Hotel. When you do, you’ll be treated to another carefully-mapped light show for your 20-second descent before encountering your last opportunity to purchase and/or print photos and videos and exiting through the gift shop.
As tourist attractions and experiences go, A’DAM LOOKOUT isn’t offering anything revolutionary; pun very much intended, as it does, in fact, offer at least one restaurant that literally revolves. But as we said towards the beginning of this blog post, it’s not always about breaking records or reinventing the wheel. Amsterdam is a fascinating city, and it’s not just the history that makes it so - it’s the people. From A’DAM’s skydeck, you have the opportunity to take in the true scale of the city and you gain a new perspective on the millions of artists, engineers, bakers, butchers, ferrymen (etc.) that bring Amsterdam and its rich culture to life. We love experiences like the experience that A’DAM LOOKOUT offers because it reminds us that there’s a great big world out there, and we’ve got so much of it left to explore - plus or minus a record-breaking swing ride and a pretty delicious lunch. If you’re interested in visiting A’DAM LOOKOUT on your next trip to Amsterdam, be sure to visit https://www.adamlookout.com/ ahead of time to save €2 with an advanced purchase and bundle your admission with a lunch, dinner or drink credit. Barring that, feel free to check out our experience vlog below to get a handle on what to expect from your visit!
