6 Best Sights in Wiesbaden, The Rhineland

This impressive city museum offers a heady mix of natural history and fine art. The permanent Aesthetics of Nature exhibition is spread across the two floors and divided into four fascinating themes: Color, Form, Movement, and Time. Expect to learn about the functional white fur of polar bears, the swimming legs of crabs, the fossils left behind from when this region was a large sea, and much more. The art collection is spread across all three floors and includes everything from the figurative paintings of Dutch Old Masters to the abstract sculptures of European and American modernism. Look out for the bright, expressionist paintings of Russian artist Alexej Jawlensky, who lived in Wiesbaden for the last 20 years of his life, and don't miss the Jugenstil exhibit, featuring more than 500 magnificent Art Nouveau paintings, furnishings, and ornaments. Temporary exhibitions focus on art and culture from around the world. Don't miss the spectacular, gold-colored mosaics on the interior of the cupola, just to the left as you enter the museum.

Built in 1907, the neoclassical Kurhaus is the cultural center of the city—and it's home to this beautiful, grand casino. The Klassiches Spiel (table games area: roulette, blackjack, and poker) is a magnificent wood-paneled hall known for allowing very high stakes play; it's said to have been the inspiration for Dostoevsky's novel The Gambler. Jackets are required. To play here—or in the less formal Automatenspiel (slots) in the neighboring Kolonnade—you must be at least 18 (bring your passport).

Aside from the casino, the rest of the Kurhaus is given over to Thiersch-Saal, a splendid setting for concerts, and a Parisian-style bistro. The building is flanked by The Staatstheater (1894), appointed in baroque and rococo revival styles, and two beautifully landscaped parks—one with a boating pond.

Known as Schiffchen (Little Ship) because of the boatlike shape at its heart—formed by Grabenstrasse and Wagemannstrasse, located just behind the former duke's palace (and now seat of state parliament) Stadtschloss—Wiesbaden's pretty Old Town is packed with restaurants, cafés and shops. There aren't many standout sights within its margins, which are marked by Webergasse in the north, the Marktplatz in the east, Schwalbacher Strasse in the west, and Rheinstrasse in the south, but the interesting mix of architectural styles makes it a lovely area to stroll around.

One of Wiesbaden's most recognizable attractions, this enormous, red, neo-Gothic church was built between 1853 and 1862. The town's main Protestant church, it is notable for its 49-bell carillon (which can be heard regularly every day) and its 6,198-pipe Walcker organ (which can be heard during the free organ recitals held each Saturday at 11:30 am).

Just south of Wiesbaden, this 20th-century \"castle\" is the headquarters of the international wine producer Henkell & Co. There are regular English-language tours of the property (lasting 60, 90, or 120 minutes), which take in both the impressive Rococo marble hall and the seven-story sektkellerei (sparkling wine cellars), followed by tastings of locally-produced bubbly. For a group tour, you'll need a minimum of five people, but there's also the opportunity for self-guided tours with your phone. There are regular events held here, from art exhibitions and classical concerts to wine parties and festivals.

No less than 15 of Wiesbaden's 26 springs converge at the steaming Kochbrunnen Fountain, where the warm, salty, but (in theory) healthful waters are there for the tasting. First mentioned in 1366, the spring produces around 360 liters of 66°C (151°F), sodium chloride-rich water every single minute. As well as being used to medicinal purposes, the water is also used to heat the city's Stadt Wiesbaden (New Town Hall) building. The fountain square is one of the town's loveliest, flanked by grand old hotel buildings.