qzseattle

Hi,

I am planning a trip (first one to Europe) and Munich is one of the planned (and the only one in Germany) destinations. I will be in Munich with my family (2 adults, 2 kids under 12) for 2 days in May. When I tell folks that I am going to Munich,many ask why Munich? Someone commented that, other than beer and gray boxy buildings, you are not gonna see anything. Well, I dont drink. However, I have also read good things about the city in travel guides, and the pics look good. Our main interest is sight seeing in the city center. How is the architecture in central Munich? Is it interesting (historical)? Is it a bustling place? Should I consider side trips out of Munich instead, or just skip Munich for more time in Switzerland (our next desination)?

LSky

I think your friend who told you nothing but gray boxy buildings went to Munich to drink beer.

I love Munich. There is so much to see, I've been twice.
Don't discount some of the incredible modern architecture like BMW Headquarters and welt, the Olympic Park was closed when we were there but check it out, looks fun for a family.

The Pinakothek art museums.

Historic architecture includes the Schloss Dachau and the Nymphenburg Palace, the Rathhaus etc.

go to www.munich.de

lindy27

I personally wouldn't go all the way to Germany for just 2 days in Munich, unless you were in Salzburg before your stop. Due to a variety of things to do in the city and daytrips it needs at least 4 days in my opinion.

We personally loved Munich, great Deutsches Museum for your children, and great food/beer. We also loved all the WWII history. Daytrips are almost endless: Dachau, Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria Alps, Nuremberg, etc.

qzseattle

Actually, that friend has never been to Munich Maybe, Oktoberfest gave him the thought that beer is all that Munich has By the way, BMW is my favorite car, so wouldnt mind visiting the headquarters.

If there is enough to do in city center, then we dont have to consider daytrips. But how far is Neuschwanstein castle and how do we get there? Or perhaps we could rent a car and drive to some nice little town in the country side?

LSky

I didn't read your whole post. Only 2 days in Germany? Where else are you going? Just to Swizterland or do you plan on going somewhere else also?

lindy is right. Munich and the surrounding area is worth at least a week.

qzseattle

From Munich, we will take a train to Switzerland. SO yes we have only 2 full days in Germany (not counting the day of arrival and departure).

LSky

I'm not sure how interesting the Residence would be for the children. I like it but I'm way over 12.
http://www.residenz-muenchen.de/index.htm

Schloss Nymphenburg might be more interesting with the Carriage Museum plus the grounds are exquisite.
http://www.schloss-nymphenburg.de/en...es/amalien.htm

Did you have an interest in going to Neuschwanstein? (the Disneyland Castle?) it's a day trip from Munich.

danon

"I'm not sure how interesting the Residence would be for the children. I like it but I'm way over 12. '"

We ( two adults) found it really exhausting.

Parts of the Deutsches Museum might be interesting for kids ( the place is HUGE).

Munich is a nice , walkable city. Great museums and some of the best pastries anywhere.

lilnifer

It also depends on when you are going to Munich. I lived there last year and in Winter it isn't the most exciting place. But if you are going in warm weather than I fully encourage staying there fore the two days. It is beautiful and the Englischer Gartens which is great for kids. The Deustches Museum is perfect with children, of any age really (even my father felt like a kid there).
I wouldn't really encourage the BMW Museum or Nymphenburg with kids. They aren't that exciting. Neuschwanstein is nice but you only see eight or nine rooms, so if it's not on the way, it might not be the best to go although it is beautiful.

LSky

"I wouldn't really encourage the BMW Museum or Nymphenburg with kids"

My Lord, have you ever been to the BMW museum? One of the things I'll never forget from our visit is standing near the entrance and seeing a hoard of school children catching a glimpse of the place. I could hear them yelling in Deutsche as they raced towards the entrance. They were so excited to be there and that excitement didn't wane after they left the Welt and moved on to the museum.

(maybe that's why Germany produces the world's finest engineers

Ingo

Like danon I found the Residenz to be VERY exhausting. Dropped into a cafe right afterward and didn't move for an hour except sipping on the coffee. LOL

Another vote for Deutsches Museum for the kids.

Whether you go to Munich or not depends on your itinerary IMO. Does it fit in?

logos999

Nope, it's not worth a visit, far too many visitors here already. You don't even find a decent free place to park your car on a Sunday now.

LSky

Good try logos!

logos999

And wet and cold (6C) and raining all day long.
Dark, it's been dark the whole day, you need to keep the lights switched on. The coldness and dampness is overwhelming...

LarryJ

Yes, beats the heck out of Frankfurt for example. Much more charming.

Mainhattengirl

Ah, but then you haven't seen Frankfurt very well.