Fun Things to do in Munich?
 

Or the Bavaria region, for that matter.

We will be flying into Munich, staying for 3 days, flying to Sweden for an engagement, then flying back to Munich for a further 4 days.

So far we have down visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, but that's about it.

I thought perhaps the folks at FT would have some good ideas :)

Wow, there are so many great things to see in Munich:

Schloss Nymphenburg

Englischer Garten

Frauenkirche

Deutsches Museum!

Neue Pinakothek

Alte Pinakothek

Just the start of a list...

Thanks! I had discovered many of these but they are helpful nonetheless :)

Fun things to do?

Go to the Hofbräuhaus and order an Alsterwasser.

I'd add Starnberger See and the Bavaria Film Studios to the list :)

Try to order Weißwurst after 12pm at the Viktualienmarkt. ;)

On June 21st the BMW Museum will be reopened.

If you really like castles, Mad King Ludwig also built Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee, not too far from Neuschwanstein. All three are spectacular, though they are not that old.

In Munich itself, there are the obvious tourist attractions, and I also consider it a pretty good food town. You can find plenty of "Brauhaus" style pubs serving Bavarian cuisine. You need to do this at least once. THere are also excellent Italian restaurants in Munich...the "northernmost city of Italy" some call it.

Have fun!

fduvall

A day trip to nearby Salzburg (easily reached by either train or car) might be a nice diversion).

Back in Munich, if this trip is in the summer, check if there is a performance at the Bayerische Staatsoper. During its in-house Summer Festival, the casts are world-class (although the ticket prices do go up - still very good value considering the quality).

The Olympic Stadium area is interesting. A revolving restaurant gives a wonderful changing panorama and the food is good.

I like any of the Farmer's Market places, any little local bakery, and any little local restaurant where the menu doesn't have English.

My granddaughter (15) loved an afternoon of just plain shopping, and took back some nice/unique additions to her school wardrobe.

Romelle

Kloster Andechs is one of my perrenial favorites. Take the S5 to Herrsching. It's a decent, but pretty easy hike to the Abbey. Enough to work up a good thirst for some amazing beer. :D

Will you have or consider a car? what do you consider 'fun'?

I prefer the less touristy, smaller, but fascinating Schloss Linderhof. The grounds are a pleasant stroll and less crowded than the often packed Neuschwanstein. The grounds including interesting diversions such as the Moorish kiosk and the Venus grotto. I often drive here for an energetic walk around the grounds (so long as there is not snow on the ground; then the outbuidings and fountains are not open) A day trip could include Linderhof, a stop to see the painted houses in Oberammergau, a short visit at the monastery at Ettal, and then a nice meal and small tour of the towns of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. That is one of my favourite day trips.

I also agree with the day trip to Salzburg. Take a short break on the way back at Chiemsee - either just to enjoy a snack by the lake on the Autobahn rest area, or better yet a short drive to Prien if time permits.

I was there just after Christmas in 2005 (with a bunch of Flyertalkers) and we had a smashing time. What is it like in the summer?

instead of snow and cold its probably sunny and warm ;) :D

One word, Hofbräuhaus!!! Fill your gullet full of Bavarian food and "Refreshments" ;)

I've lived for short periods on and off near Munich in the past few years.. in 2004-2005 I was near Stuttgart for all of 11th grade as a Rotary International Youth Ambassador/ Exchange Student. Just last year, March to August I spent a semester on a German University as an Exchange Student. Also, since I was 12, I've been spending most of the summer's with my relatives who live near Frankfurt. Theres tons of great stuff to do. I also recommend that you go to Legoland Günzberg, which is near Munich to the west (if there are kids in tow). Also, if you can, go to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. It's a city that is completely encompassed by a wall. It's an amazing city. I've been there many times. It has a great torture museum amongst many other interesting things, as well as many nice cafes.. Its a short train ride out of Munich.

If you have car you could drive to Garmisch-Patenkirchen and visit the Zugspitze (Germany's highest Mountain).

Also worth visiting: The BMW-World in the olympic area. Once there, you can also have a nice view over Munich if you go onto the olympic tower.

Neuschwanstein is certainly the touristy thing to do, but its an overrated experience. If you've ever been to a Bavarian Village in America (ie...Helen, GA) you've already experienced everything Fussen has to offer. Its nothing but English/American tourists looking for Cinderellas castle.

If you're looking for a Bavarian Alp excursion, head to Mittenwald. Very easy train ride from Munich (Munich to G-P, then a short ride to Mittenwald........trains run hourly). Mittenwald is charming and it has easily accessible and hikeable mountains. You can make the experience as challenging or as easy as you like. Either way you'll have a great time.

As for your time in Munich...........head to the English Garden and find the Chinesischer Turm. Grab a beer and a pretzel and then relax.

Neuschwanstein is touristy, but I thought it was well worth the visit. Aside from the spectacular setting, it offers a bit of insight into the German mythology that was adopted by the 3rd Reich, and the obsession with Wagner is certainly interesting. Besides, it's an opportunity to take a nice photo:

http://travelersvideo.com/Munich,%20Germany.jpg :)

Also, though I wouldn't exactly call it "fun," Dachau is a short (20 minute) train and bus ride and worth a visit.

Neuschwanstein can certainly be very touristic, but I have been during off season and have made it my way ie not choosing to go with the masses. It does have a lot of unique information as noted above. But Linderhof is more the local castle, and most of the tourists I see are German or Austrian vs American or Japanese. Linderhof is also quite small so easy to navigate, although some of the outbuildings worth seeing are up hills etc.

I was last at Linderhof just a few weeks ago and the areas above the fountain was being restored; I don't know how long this project will continue. My tip is that if visiting in summer, early morning as possible is a wonderful time to visit as the light at that time of day is most stunning.

As to Mittenwald - my family has vacationed there multiple times a year for the past four decades, so I know it well. It has some pleasant gardens, quaint village, and some easy as well as more challenging walks and hikes. It is close to Innsbruck and even Italy - I often cross the Brenner just for a gelato and an espresso.

I echo the Zusgspitze recommendation, however the thing to be concerned with is the changeable weather. If the clouds are low the view is severely restricted and can lead to disappointment. There are sites to estimate the best time of day to visit.

Hiking the Karlwendel Alps above Mittenwald = heaven. You're on another planet.

The good thing about most of the major Alpine peaks is you can check the weather before you leave your hotel on that channel that just rotates through all the ski areas. I turn that channel on in the morning just for the music.:D

Maybe you are interested on Lake Königsee.

http://www.koenigssee.com/wcms/bin/S...n=2-yMBgc7uc-1

[QUOTE=caspritz78;9804346]Try to order Weißwurst after 12pm at the Viktualienmarkt. ;)

:D:D:D

[QUOTE=brendamc;9877894]LOL !! ^