We are coming on tour to Innsbruck in January. We will be there for 6 days. We are not skiing and plan on renting a car to see the sites. Any suggestions as what we should do? What we should see? We will be flying out of Munich. If a car is not practical we will take public transportation.
Our son-in-law is from Germany.

Innsbruck can be visited in a couple of days (the city centre and Ambras Castle) can be seen in this short a time IMO. I can suggest to take the train to go to Salzburg and enjoy a full day. Then there is the Salzkammergut region with its salt caves (they can be visited, there are guided tours) which are worth to be visited too (not in the same day with Salzburg I mean!)

You can take bus tours for the day (long day!) to places as far away as Venice and Luzerne.

Thank you so much for your quick response. We will plan to do what you have suggested. If you think of any thing else please don't hestitate in suggesting. Places good to eat?

Skier or not, you can take the cable car up the mountain for fantastic views!

Innsbruck is a really nice city, but not worth more than 1 day or 2 at the max.
Take the train to Salzburg for the day. One of the prettiest rides, especially if there is snow. Try to get up in the dining car with the glass roof. Also, be sure to watch "The sound of music" before you visit Salzburg.
If you have a car you can drive just a few k's north into Germany and Garmisch. From here the world is your oyster. You can visit Mad Kind Ludwigs castles, Oberamagau (spelling) of take a gondola lift to the Zugspitz. Garmisch is really a great village though and easily good for a day.
You could also drive a little bit north into Italy just so you can tell everyone back home you visited 3 countries in 6 days.
Just get out and drive the back roads of Austria and Germany and you will fall in love with the Countries.
If you drive to Salzburg you might want to stay the night and visit Berchtesgaden and Hitlers Eagles Nest on the way back. Lots to see and do in the Salzburg/Berchtesgaden area!
Let us know how your trip turns out.
For more info on Germany and Austria along with tons of trip reports with photo's you might want to try http://www.bensbauernhof.com

Hi Bornsdeb:

Asbachnate made some great points! I would add the town of Hall just north of Innsbruck for a nice diversion!

Having a car opens up so much more(Kitzbuhel, Zell am See, Castles, Italy, Garmish, Seefeld, Mittenwald. Just go to like driving in posible snowey conditions!
JOHN

You could do a wonderful tour of the Italian Dolomites by car. Head for the upper Val Badia or upper Val Gardena for some of the best mountain scenery in Europe!

Steve

For restaurants: Altstadtstüberl, creative local food; Weisses Kreuz, traditional tyrolean--served Mozart; for a real treat try Kapeller (Amras area), award winning Austrian cuisine. The Italian restaurants in town are also good. Trattoria Da Peppino, yummy, and for pizza, Pizzeria Romantica. Have a great time! Innsbruck is a good town to use as a base for day trips.