Free Time Suggestions: Munich

Munich has often been called the "most livable" city in Europe. Most of the old city is a car-free pedestrian zone, and bicycle lanes connect most of the city. If it can't be reached on foot, you can be sure that you can get there on the underground or in a streetcar. Müncheners love to live outside. You can be sure to find hundreds of them relaxing in the Englischer Garten, Munich's main park, during their lunch hours. Long summer evenings are best spent in one of Munich's many beer gardens. This "Millionendorf" (village of a million people) is one of my favorite places in Europe. However, I might be influence by the fact that most of my family live in the Munich area.
Here are a few suggestions for filling up your free time in Munich:




Englischer Garten: This is Europe's largest and most used city park. Müncheners take full advantage of this giant outdoor space, and use it as their outdoor livingroom during the summer. They swim (and surf!) in the stream that wanders its way through the park. Some of them sunbathe nude on it's banks (just a warning). Follow the tree-lined paths to find one of my favorite lunch spots, the beer garden underneath the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower). ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englischer_Garten )

Viktualienmarkt: If you're looking for good eats for lunch, this is the place. The Viktualienmarkt is a collection of food stands, beer vendors, and farmer's market stalls that is subsidized by the city government to keep local farmers and small business owners in and big business out. After a good bratwurst with potato salad and beer, I like to wander through the market stalls to pick up a snack for later. ( http://www.muenchen.de/int/en/shopping/markets/viktualienmarkt.html )

Dallmayr: This delicatessen and café has been serving Munich since 1700. At one time Dallmayr was the official purveyor of fine coffees and food to the dukes and kings of Bavaria. If you want to take a picnic lunch to the Englischer Garten, Dallmayr would be a wonderful place to pick up a tasty treat. Dallmayr is also well known for it's fine coffees, locally-produced honey, and fantastic chocolates. The chocolates contain no preservatives, which is just an excuse to consume them promptly after purchase. ( http://www.dallmayr.com/ )

Olympiapark: Built for the 1972 Olympic Games, Olympiapark now serves as a cultural and sporting center for Munich. The buildings of the Olympic Stadium, the Events Hall, and the Swim Hall are designed to mirror the peaks of the Bavarian Alps to the south. The highlight for most visitors is the 291 meter (955 feet) tall Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower). A 30 second elevator ride shoots visitors to the observation platform and revolving restauraunt at the top. ( http://www.olympiapark.de/?L=1 )

BMW Museum: This museum, located next to the giant BMW Welt (BMW World) showcase and BMW headquarters, highlights the history of Bavaria's ultimate driving machine. ( http://www.bmw-welt.com/web_rb/bmw-welt/en/bmw_museum/overview.html )

Art Museums: The Kunstareal (Art Area) of Munich is the home of three amazing art museums.
-The Alte Pinakothek hosts the art of the Old Masters, including Dürer, Botticelli, Raphael, and Titian. ( http://www.pinakothek.de/en/alte-pinakothek )
-The Neue Pinakothek houses the art of the 19th century. This includes an impressive collection of French Impressionists and Van Gogh canvases. ( http://www.pinakothek.de/en/neue-pinakothek )
-The Pinakothek der Moderne is the newest (opened in 2002) of the art museums in Munich. It houses a fantastic collection of 20th- and 21st-century art within its very modern walls. ( http://www.pinakothek.de/en/pinakothek-der-moderne )




Climb a Church Tower: If you're looking for a great view of the old town and the Bavarian Alps, you should consider climbing the stairs of one of Munich's church towers. There are two opportunities to do this within walking distance of the Marienplatz, the center of the old town. The south tower of the Frauenkirche, Munich's main cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Munich and Freising is open for visitors to climb. The Alte Peter (Old Peter) tower of St. Peter's Church, built on the spot where the monks that gave Munich it's name built their monastery in the 8th century, also allows visitors to climb the stairs to the top. ( http://www.panorama-cities.net/munich/frauenkirche.html )

The Residenz: This Renaissance-style palace was the winter home to Wittelsbach rulers of Bavaria. The Residenz contains an impressive collection of miniature masterpieces, busts of Roman emperors, and the crown jewels of Bavaria. ( http://www.residenz-muenchen.de/englisch/residenc/index.htm )

Hofbräuhaus: Munich's most famous beerhall, the Hofbräuhaus is a bit wild, loud, and touristy. However, if you're looking to take in what Bavarians refer to as a "Gemütlich" scene, the Hofbräuhaus is a good place. I prefer to spend my evenings in one of the less-traveled, and less touristy beer gardens or beer halls around town. ( http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/en/index_en.html )




Evening in a beer garden: The beer gardens of Munich are my favorite places. These family-friendly monuments to Bavarian hospitality under shady chestnut trees are great places to unwind from the stresses of the day and to soak up the laidback atomosphere of Southern Germany. There are too many good ones to list here. Ask me for a recommendation when we get there.
For more information about visiting Munich visit Rick Steves' collection of articles:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/germany/germ_menu.htm
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