I’m in Munich for a business conference, but I have a couple days off towards the end of the week to explore. I know I should hav put together a plan of things to se, but I’ve just been too darn busy. I don’t have any transportation so I’m limited to town, and I don’t really care about looking at paintings. What should I go see? What is not to be missed?
I’m staying just north of the University district. I went running in the English Gardens today - great jogging path, but the park was nothing particularly special. I did get downtown, drank some beer and saw some cool buildings and statues. They really seem to have liked that Ludwig guy. What else should I look for?
I loved the Augustiner Bierhall. Also, did you see the artificial wave in the English Gardens? That’s pretty cool. Also - if you have a chance - take the bus out to Dachau. Totally lifechanging.
Also on reflection - the Hofbrauhaus is campy, but it’s an institution. And if you make it out to Dachau, take the tour (instead of the audio tour or just walking around) - as I thought it was very well-done.
Darn, you just missed it. Since you must eat anyway, there used to be a nifty second-floor restaurant across from the Rathaus in Marienplatz. You could get a window table and watch the animated figures parade around the Rathaus clock tower.
If you’re into morbid history, Dachau is only about 10 or 15 miles NW of Munich.
The Deutches Museum is huge, and will take you the better part of a day to see most of it. I reccommend the section on transportation for planes, trains and automobiles.
I’ll second (or is it third or fourth?) Dachau. It’s about a 20 minutes train ride from the main station.
If you’re willing to make a day trip, take a train to Fuessen and from there, take the bus to Hohenschwangau to see the Castle Neuschwanstein. It is unbelievably beautiful.
Check out the new Allianz Arena… it looks amazing on tv!
Go to the Olympiapark, where the 1972 Olympics were held, and take a ride up to the top of the TV tower. The BMW Museum is also very close by.
Gotta see the treasure chamber in The Residenz. It’s only walking distance from the Marienplatz.
The Chinesischen Turm (Chinese Tower) in the English Garden. I didn’t think it was all that special when I eventually saw it, but it does have a rather nice beer garden attached to it.
There is a flea market held some distance away from the main station. I don’t know if it’s on every day, but it makes for an interesting morning.
Hi there from the west of Munich waves. If you want to meet up for a beer or so, drop me an e-mail (it’s in the profile) - unfortunately I’m rather swamped at work this week so I don’t know if I can make it but maybe we can figure something out…
Anyway. If you’re going to the Deutsches Museum, I would also recommend seeing the electricity show - not every day is it you get to see a man hit by lightning.
The Allianz Arena is quite nice, I guess you have to take a guided tour if you want to see it: Here’s their website.
I also second the old Olympic stadium and tower. They have lots of tours including one where you can climb up on the stadium’s roof but it seems that only takes place until the end of October. At the weekend they have the “Sixdays” going on inside the stadium which is a bicycle race event which also features food booths and music and is quite a lot of fun (unless you really hate sports events).
The fleamarket thing gouda mentions has been relocated to the vicinity of the Ostbahnhof (east station) onto the premises of “Munich’s largest party zone” (thus its slogan, it’s actually called “Kultfabrik” and/or “Kunstpark Ost” and features a couple of bars and clubs, (warning, website might render your eyes unusable) so if you want to go out that might also be a location to consider at night). The flea market takes place on the weekend, but I don’t know about the times.
Another good area to find many bars and restaurants is around the Gärtnerplatz (subway U1/U2 stop Fraunhofer Str).
And finally: An excellent site to check out current events is Toytown Munich.
I second this…it seems that just about every major city in the German-speaking countries has one or more top rank art museums, but they tend not to be famous in the way that the Uffizi and Louvre are. You decide to visit the museum of whatever city you’re in, and you find yourself standing in front of renowned paintings that you’ve been seeing in books for years.
Basically everything that Gouda said, plus two I’ll add. IMHO, the best people watching in the world is sitting at the outside tables of the Hard Rock Cafe when Hofbrauhaus (“HBH”) closes. Since it’s right across the walkway from the main entrance of HBH, you get to witness an international “take me drunk, I’m home”-fest. Also, there is a bicycle tour that’s great and goes by a lot of the places recommended here (including drinks and food at the Chineser Turm). Not only do you get a quick overview of the city, but it’s a great way to meet fellow travelers. I’ve done it three times and have met some very interesting people.
I’m told by a couple of sources that Munich is a holy city for sausage lovers, and you shouldn’t leave town without being served an assortment of local sausages.
These are great suggestions, thanks! I’ve been stuck in meetings most of the week, but we did get out to a really great brauhaus last night. I’m definitely going to look for the bicycle tour Bike Rider mentioned. A couple of people in our group want to hop on a train for Prague Friday morning and spend our remaining time off there - between staying here and seeing the city or going to Prague for a day… well, that’s going to be a tough choice
Einmon, I’ll mail you later this week when work gets less crazy. Thanks all!
I don’t know if it’s the one that Bike Rider has been on, but Mike’s Bike Tours seems to be pretty well established.
Also, as far as bräuhauses go, I would recommend the “White Brauhaus” over the Hofbräuhaus - it’s just around the corner and much more “authentic”, less overpriced (though admittedly less famous) and the food’s quite good there too.
Have you tried “Weißwurst” yet (white sausage)? It’s a bit of an acquired taste but it’s a local specialty. Supposed to be eaten before noon, hardcore breakfasters also have a beer with it (“Weißbier”).
