We were in Amsterdam for a day trip from Cologne. We saw the coffee shops that were interesting. So much freedom there that I respect.
The redlight district was weird. When we first walked into it, we were surrounded by about 15 young guys while we were crossing a canal bridge. Before they got to cut us off, we got off of the bridge abd headed out of the district. The police came soon after us leaving the bridge and the guys dispersed. Not sure what was going to happen, but we had 4 guys in our group. So we went back to Damrack street and went back into the district again. Some interesting shops here and also some drugs anywhere you need them. Felt much safer here. There was even a school group here getting lunch. People of all ages where here. Saw a show and some ladies in the windows. I guess that the more attractive ladies work at night. I liked the Hamburg redlight area much better. It seemed safer to me. I am considering going back to Amsterdam and experiencing this again!

It's The Red Light District, so I didn't expect a revival meeting. Considering the various options for fun, mischief and other forms of behavior you might not do at Grandmas' house, I thought the area felt safe and was never felt unsafe. It's something you almost have to see to believe. Spent maybe two hours looking about and went into The Banana Bar and The Cassa Rosso simply because I had read so much about it and I wasn't there to pass judgment on how people choose to make their living. Actually, everyone seemed to be having fun. One thing I did notice, for an area most would describe as sleazy, it was very tidy. Go figure. Anyway, it was fun, not cheap, but I'll never look at a man in a gorilla suit the same way again.

The Red Light District was very entertaining. Girls in the windows, guys bold enough to make deals, friends laughing nervously, couples smiling, and the tour groups made up of all kinds being shown the business of skin made the district quite an experience.
There were drug dealers a plenty which are easy to ignore and continue walking but what I couldn't believe was witnessing a drug deal go bad. Two guys were buying something from a dealer and were upset that what they wanted is not what they got. A bit of arguing for a minute and then the dealer gave the money back and the parties shook hands! What?
I am certainly not condoning drug use or the ease in which to get it in Amsterdam, I'm just pointing out the friendly attitude of the city, even in the "darkest places."

I rate the Red Light District neutral because it's just an interesting walk. You don't want to spend any more time there than necessary.

Curiously enough, the closer you get to the RLD the dirtier the streets get (In Dam Square I saw more debris than pavement). Really, for a pleasant city walk, I prefer the southwestern area around Leidesplein.

But the RLD is interesting for obvious reasons. I did it twice. At midnight (in August, when every European was on vacation) the Red Light District was overrun with tourists. Police officers were also plentiful.

I was offered drugs several times there, in several languages. They were very friendly drug dealers, polite, and happy to move on to more willing clientele. If I'd hoped to see a mugging or a strong-arm robbery in Amsterdam, the RLD is where I'd expect it. But nothing like that happened.

The streets of the Red Light District were filled with tourists of all ages, sometimes pushing en-masse taking me along with them. There were as many female gawkers as men, so the mood did not match my vision of a dirty, smelly sex shop.

My 2nd walk thru the Red Light District was at 9pm, just before sundown. It was less crowded and more of the windows were closed-curtained. I suspect because more men were partaking of the ladies' services at that earlier hour.

I really felt awkward most of the time I was there. I felt bad for the women who worked this way for a living, in a country where the national average income beats the USA. My personal feelings on the profession conjured themselves up.

The streets are bustling with people. The narrower side streets stink of urine. There's only "coffee shops" and sex shops there -- nothing else you'd want to stop for.

Note: at certain times it seems the women in the windows are less than attractive. I speculate this is because the really beautiful ones are working more frequently. Therefore their curtains are drawn more often, leaving you to see the "less than 10" women more frequently.

It's a small, tightly bordered area, sharing their Chinatown of sorts. You can walk through for an hour or even just 5 minutes.