Munich sights?
 

I know everyone raves about Munich. What are the "must do's"?
Any restraunt or hotel advice?
Thanks! :)

Here's one person who won't rave about Munich, in my opinion one of Europe's most overhyped cities. Not to say it's not a pleasant city with great museums, pleasant parks, etc., but it lacks the old-world character, because of being blitzed in WWII. Must dos: Marienplatz and the few-time daily clock show. Again a pleasant town but few must dos - Dachau in suburbs would be a must on some folks list, as would the Hofbrauhaus or any of the town's gregarious beer halls. Sazlburg is less than two hours by train from Munich - day trip there to see one of Europe's finest looking towns - a Baroque wonder through and through.

We enjoyed Munich very much. We didn't mind the relative lack of old-world character as we'd so much of that elsewhere on our travels.

If you enjoy a little activity while viewing the city, take a bike tour with Mike's Bikes... The route is completely flat, and the bikes don't even have different gears, because they don't need them! It's an easy ride, the guides are informative and amusing, and I would suggest it for most ages - although they did (when I took the tour) cruise through the park where nudists are known to hang out... literally. So it might not be appropriate for young kids... But I think it's a great intro to the city, and provides an easy way to gather your bearings.

Another enthusiastic vote for Mike's Bike Tours. The daytrip to Neuschwanstein (through their company) is great.

P.S.
Munich also has a Residence (palace) with an interesting treasury.
Schloss Nymphenborg is also very beautiful, especially in the summer with the flowers out front and all the swans.

I love Munich!!! It is a great city full of fun-loving Bavarians. In spite of the fact that it was flattened during WWII then rebuilt, they rebuilt it in the old style so it has a lot of old world charm. Any guidebook can tell you about the Nymphenburg Palace, Residence, Neues and Alte Pinakoteks (art museums), the Deutsches Museum, the BMW museum, Englisher Garten, Oktoberfest, Alte Peter Kirche, Frauen Kirche, Marien Platz, Dachau and the Viktualien Market. Depending on the time of year you go they have a great Mardi Gras season called Fashing.

We try to stay near the main train station so we are close to the Fussganger Zone. Some hotels to recommend are the Drei Lowen and Drei Lowen Residence, Uhland, Deutsches Theater, and Le Meridian. If you have a little bigger budget check out the Platzl Hotel around the corner from the Hoffbrau Haus. For a great Bavarian dinner stop in at the Augustiner (on the fussganger zone a couple of block toward the train station from Marien Platz). For a quick lunch check out the Andecheser am Dom (right behid the Frauen Kirche). It is not the same as a visit to the Adeches Monestary south of town but it is the same people and good food.

If you want a Bavarian Folk dance show they do one every night at 7pm on the third floor of the Hoffbreu Haus. I think it is about 6 euros for the show or 19 euros if you have the buffet dinner with the show. Beer is extra.

I find some aspects of Munich to be interesting. It depends on what you like to do. If you are not an art appreciater, then the Alte Pinakothek is
of slight interest. If you are not interested in the history of science and technology, Das Deutches Museum is of slight interest. If you are not appreciative of Greek and Roman art and sculpture, then the Glyptothek is of scant interest. Finally, if you are not an opera appreciator, the Bavarian State Opera is of no interest.

That leaves the Englische Garten, the Rathaus clock, the Residenz of the Wittlesbachs, Nymphenberg (also a Wittlesbach palace) and the beer halls.

Out from town, more Wittelsbach palaces: Herrenchiemsee, Neuschwanstein, and Linderhof. Hohenschwangau existed before the Wittlesbachs financed its restoration, so it, too, is associated with the Bavarian royal family.

Compared with Salzburg, I see no real comparison. The tourist part of Salzburg is small actually except for three attractions on the left bank of the Salzach: the Marionetten Theater, Mirabell Gardens, and Schloss Hellbrunn, particularly if the trick fountains are on display. (If you go, be prepared for a spray or two of water. We went on a day that was full of rain, so it did not really matter. We were wet anyhow.)

As for hotels in Munich, I have one I use every visit: the Astoria in Schwabing. It is a small, privately owned hotel with a good staff and a bountiful breakfast that cannot be surpassed unless you are paying $300 a night for a room. The neat thing about the Schwabing area is that it is full of shopping.

We found a gelato place near the hotel, and another ices place as well. Both are dangerous because the various dishes of goodies will attack. They lure you inside and then jump in your spoon.

Ubahn transportation is within a few yards, both Geiselastrasse and Münchener Freiheit. Marienplatz is within easy, easy reach.

A hidden treasure in Munich is the Asam church, along Sendlinger Strasse, and a 5-10 minute walk from the main square. Tiny church in complete Bavarian baroque, very cool! It will be on the left as you're walking down the street - look for it, it's easy to miss, but then again, there are usually beggars at the entrance.

We like Impressionism, so the Neues Pinakotek was nice. A day trip to Andechs for the brewery is also nice. Second the nomination of Asamkirche--really a cool little gem. We enjoyed Schloss Nymphenburg, too.

As for restaurants, we loved Hackerhaus, Andechser am Dom and Donisl. The latter had oompa music at night.

And the Amalienburg in the gardens of Schloß Nymphenburg.