How to be less "touristy" in Amsterdam

Oh I can imagine how people are usually excited about Amsterdam or Netherlands in general: weed, red light district, nightlife and so on. Well I just came back from Amsterdam and let's see what I did to help myself look less like a tourist

1. Visit parks!
In Amsterdam there's a lot of hidden parks, well it is basically on the map but no one really goes there except locals. By going to the parks you can see the tendance of the locals, how they usually spend their day or small time in the parks. There are several cool parks you could visit:
- Vondelpark
- Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
- Oosterpark
- ARTIS : Zoo - well this one is the most touristy but it is definitely worthy to go there 

2. Ditch the tram: bike instead
Oh yeah after 15 minutes in Amsterdam you would know exactly who rules the streets: bikers. They run fast (I'm not joking at all), sometimes they go through the traffic light (sorry), and you will see the bell's voice right away when you stand in their way. Well, instead of hating them, just join the group! You can rent a bike anywhere even sometimes from your hostels. Believe me: it's way cheaper than the tram. And in Amsterdam, in 20 minutes you can get anywhere you want.

3. Buy 3-4days ticket or OV-chipkaart
If you really wanna take the tram never, ever, ever try the one hour ticket. It's expensive and I promise you, you will ended up buy too much and spent too much money on the transportation. If you enjoy walking (like I do), I suggest you to buy the OV-chipkaart insead, so most of the time you can walk and use it only when you need it. Plus, you can keep it if you're going back next time. Trust me I went there for 6 days and I only recharge for 10€, the rest was like, I'm walking everywhere
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4. Eat local foods at LOCAL MARKETS
Instead of buying Poffertjes near the IAmSterdam for 6€. Go to the Albert Cuyp Market for only 2.5€... It's more than a half price!! If you are looking for smoked cheese like I did, you can also buy it here (the big one is almost 5€) compared the one in the Cheese Museum for almost 10€. You will save a lot of money if you go to the local markets, plus you will enjoy the real feeling of the locals. Don't worry, they speak good english!

If you are into biologic foods or organic foods I suggest you to go to the Noordermarkt each saturday morning. I was impressed how cheap it was (compared to what I used to buy in Paris) and the variation was awesome! I mean you really can find anything. I can find so many fresh foods (biological), affordable and the service was really great. If you are not really into organic foods, there is a market just next to it ;)
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PS: the best Poffertjes are the ones without syrup: butter and sugar and they do you good!

5. Get lost...
Instead of taking photo on the bridge with the canal background near the Leidseplein or photo in front of the statue in the Dam Square, I suggest you to go to near Joordan: everywhere is like a postcard pictures. Big hints: go there when it's autumn! It's awesome!!

6. Scavenger Hunt: local stuff!
If you are into artesian and local stuff you should visit De Hallen /  Food Hallen ( indoor market in Amsterdam) once every two weeks they hold a local markets. It is really artsy and so many cool things you can buy. Plus, you can enjoy a local food market, well kind of a food court but... less tourist, plus the local taste ;)

7. Indulge yourself with no-weed coffee shops
You might be surprised how friendly the baristas in the local coffee shops here. With the same price here and there (around 1.80-3.90€), you could please yourself with a cafe near a canal or accompanied with the cafe's cat or dog. Which is really nice. I got so many inspirations to write on my book.

One of my favorite is :
Back to Black  (YES THEY DO HAVE A CAT)
Weteringstraat 48, 1017 SP Amsterdam

Also there is one of the famous one:
Scandinavian Embassy
Sarphatipark 34, 1072 PB Amsterdam

All pictures were taken by myself, using iPhone 6s+