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Germany is a fantastic country filled with rich culture and magnificent historical architecture. Munich is known for many things such as the Glockenspiel, Deutches Museum, Lederhosen, and of course Beer. We found Munich and much of Germany to be very family friendly.
 What to Do:
Marienplatz: Munich's main town square where you will find:
- Glockenspiel: A magnificent display of artistry in clock making. Be there when the clock strikes 11:00, 12:00 and 17:00 for the amazing show.
- New City Hall: A great view of the city. Ride to the top of the tower in an elevator for amazing views of the city.
- St. Peters Church: The oldest church in Munich with a tower for viewing the city. Get ready to climb the stairs to the top because this tower does not have an elevator.
English Garden: A large park in the city of Munich. Here the children can roam around and see the wildlife, such as ducks and birds. Head over pass Haus der Kunst near the bridge to watch surfers take on the rapids. For a quick snack or meal stop at the Chinese-Pagoda Beer Garden for Weisswürste or a large pretzel, and beer can be had anywhere for the older “kids.” Warning to parents: sunbathing is common in the park and clothing is optional so watch out for the occasional nude.
Deutches Museum: A very large, exciting museum for all ages. It is amazing how they pack so much into this building with airplanes, a submarine, mines, etc. Head to the basement for the large children’s play area. The top floor houses an internet café with the best prices in town. The restaurant on site has good food at great prices and a small play area for the kids.
Viktualienmarkt: A large, outdoor market for produce, dairy and local crafts. Stroll through the market to see fresh foods and stop for a quick snack. We picked up a few items for our daughter and took them to a restaurant, just in case she did not like the German cuisine (which by the way she loved all the German food).
Off the Beaten Path:
Neuschwanstein Castle: castles to visit, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles (tickets can be purchased together or separate). We only did Neuschwanstein Castle for lack of time and child energy. The horse and carriage ride The Neuschwanstein Castle is a definite must see when visiting Munich, especially if you have children. The Neuschwanstein Castle is the castle Walt Disney used as a model for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. Plan to spend the day here as there is much to do. At the base of the castles you will find plenty of shops and restaurants. Depending on time and how your children do on tours, there are 2 to the castle is a must to get the full effect of the castle experience. The tour is short and average but the views are spectacular. Neuschwanstein castle has interesting rooms but is mostly unfurnished. For a more lived in feel, visit the Hohenschwangau Castle which has most of the furnishings and art. A short hike to Marien Brücke (Mary’s Bridge) is worth the visit for excellent pictures of Neuschwanstein Castle, the falls and surrounding village. If you have time, visit the town of Füssen for shopping, dining and for the small village experience. Tour times for the castles are 9:00- 18:00 April through September and 10:00-16:00 October through March. You can purchase tickets one hour before tours begin that morning. Children under 18 years are FREE.
Dining:
Dining in Europe has a much laid back feel and Munich is no different. A meal can go on for hours if you want it to. When you are ready to end your dining experience, immediately ask for the bill. Waiters will never bring the check until you ask them and once you do it may take awhile to get the bill since they are not in a rush (as Americans are used to). A few common dishes are Weisswürst (white sausage) with suss senf (sweet mustard) and Brezel (pretzel) or Stecherlfisch (fish on a stick) with a pretzel.
Hofbräuhaus: Probably the most famous of all pubs in Munich. Believe it or not, the Hofbräuhaus serves Bavarian specialties other than beer. If it is too crowded or you would rather forgo a pub, take a few minutes to step inside to see what it’s all about. The pretzels are enormous and the gingerbreads are cute.
Shopping:
Shops of all kinds can be found throughout Munich ranging from the tourist souvenirs to the upper scale well known couture designers. For children’s items such as clothing and toys try Zara and Schlichting. If you are looking for more of a department store feel visit H&M and C&A (which offers clothing for all ages). All these shops and much more can be found on Theatinerstrasse and Maximilianstrasse.
Yearly Calendar Events:
September: Octoberfest
 Tips:
If you have to drive in Germany, take note the Autobaun (the German highway system) in many sections has no speed limit. Be cautious while driving and remember this simple rule, when driving stay in the right lane and only use the left lane for passing (never drive in the left lane when no one is in the right).
Last update : 03-03-2008 19:54
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