Kid Friendly in Munich

Our Local Expert Says:

Here you can by the freshest fruit and vegetables in the whole city. The market has a reputation of having higher prices than your average supermarket but in actual fact many goods here are cheaper than elsewhere. Vikualienmarkt also has a beer garden that is more calm than those at Marienplatz.

Description:

Unless you happen to be staying in a place where you have access to a kitchen, it's doubtful that you'll want to be hauling groceries back to your hotel room during your stay in Munich. That doesn't detract, however, from the allure of wandering through the open-air stalls of the city's most prominent food market, a few minutes' walk south of the Marienplatz (there is no specific address, but the market sprawls over a wide area and can't be missed). It's composed of hundreds of independently operated merchants who maintain whatever hours they want, often closing up their cramped premises whenever the day's inventory is sold out. Most economy-minded shoppers, however, show up, shopping basket in hand, around 8am, to stock their larders before noon. By 5pm, only the hardiest of merchants remain in place, and by early evening, the kiosks are locked up tight. On the premises is a worthy collection of wine, meats, cheeses, and all the other bounty of the Bavarian agrarian world.

Description:

Marienplatz has been the central sqaure of Munich since its founding by Henry the Lion in 1158.  It was originally named Schrannenplatz and once held the salt and grain market, but it is now used by the city for various concerts and events, but mainly by tourists trying to get photos of the old and new town halls.  After the market was moved around the corner starting in 1807, the square was renamed Marienplatz.  The statue of Mary has stood in the center of Marienplatz since 1638 and is the reason of the new name of the square.

Description:

Probably Munich's most photographed building, the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) was built between 1867 and 1908.  The most famous part of the town hall is the Glockenspiel which does its thing twice a day (11am and noon) every day of the year, with an additional performance at 5pm from May through October.  You can also visit the top of the tower by taking an elevator up to the ninth floor.

Description:

The history of technology: a huge subject presented in a huge museum. Since its foundation in 1906, the exhibition area has expanded to 55,000 square metres. This museum is unique in its concentration on the history and development of technology and natural science. Numerous objects and interactive models (eg. a planetarium and coal mine) are used to demonstrate mankind's progress over the centuries. Extensive library.

Description:

Originally a brewery from as far back as 1417, in the 18th century Joesph Pschorr made the Hacker brewery into one of the largest and most popular in the city.  After World War II, the brewery moved outside of the city center, but the former brewery was made into a restaurant for all to enjoy.  Today Hacker Pschorr beer is still served along with Bavarian specialties of all sorts.  Old photographs, signs, and various memorabilia adorn the walls of each and every room of the Altes Hackerhaus and a small courtyard offers outdoor seating as well.  Many of the dishes are served on a hot skillet making this a solid choice for a hardy Bavarian meal.

Description:

This elegant mid-range hotel is located in a wonderful neo-renaissance building dating back to the end of the nineteenth century, in a quiet residential area not far from Theresienwiese. Rooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated, offering all the usual comforts such as bath or shower, WC, telephone and TV. Hotel Uhland offers bed and breakfast accommodation with good service and a substantial breakfast.

Our Local Expert Says:

Make sure to have your picture with the two cars that were in James Bond movies! Also, make sure to have a look at BMW's hydrogen car.

Description:

The new and modern BMW museum is just across the street from the Olympic park and if you are at all interested in BMW or cars, then this is a must visit while in Munich.  This multilevel museum shows you the history of BMW from its airplane engines to its motorcycles to its race cars.  This is all done with amazingly well done multimedia and hands on techniques which make this museum fun for all ages and keeps the interest of even the not so museum loving crowd.  All staff at the BMW museum speak English and are literally all over the museum to help you with any questions you have ever wanted to ask about BMW.

The museum has examples of nearly everything they have ever produced including prototypes.

Description:

This pretty palace (built at the beginning of the 20th century) is decorated with original baroque stucco and situated in the middle of Luitpoldpark. Some years ago the place was transformed into a restaurant, which now serves up ambitious Bavarian cuisine. It also boasts a beautiful beer garden. Main courses cost about EUR 15.

Description:

Originally created for the 1972 Olympic games the park is now used for a variety of sports, events and fun activities. The 291,28 m high Olympic Tower offers two viewing platforms (one indoor, one outdoor) that enable visitors to even see the Alps on good days. It also houses a rotating restaurant. The park also houses the large Olympic indoor swimming pool complete with diving boards as well as the Olympic hall and the Olympic stadium used as a venue for concerts, theatrical displays, conventions and sports events. The ice rink doubles as a basketball court housing both the Munich Ice Hockey Team as well as the local Basketball team. The Olympic hill was built up with rubble left in the city after the bombings of WWII. The park is also home to Munich's SeaLife aquarium.

Description:

This restaurant is a firm favourite for larger groups, so bring all your friends and family. The menu constists of Bavarian delicacies, the speciality of the house is the beer goulash with knödeln (dumplings). The desserts, like the old-fashioned apple strudel with ice-cream, for example, are to die for.

Description:

This elegant mid-range hotel is located in a wonderful neo-renaissance building dating back to the end of the nineteenth century, in a quiet residential area not far from Theresienwiese. Rooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated, offering all the usual comforts such as bath or shower, WC, telephone and TV. Hotel Uhland offers bed and breakfast accommodation with good service and a substantial breakfast.

Our Local Expert Says:

The castle has a beautiful yard. On days with nice weather it is a rather romantic location. Art exhibits are occasionally displayed as well.

Description:

Formerly used for hunting and pleasure by Bavarian princes, Blutenburg Castle was built in 1425 by Albrecht III, who stayed there with his lover Agnes Bernauer. She is one of the popular, tragic figures of Bavarian history, having been taken prisoner by Albrecht's father in 1435 and drowned as witch. Blutenburg is a moated castle situated between two branches of the River Würm, one of which was dammed to form two lakes. It is an example of late gothic architecture which, by the time the prince's stables were constructed in 1529, had been significantly extended (the castle church was added in 1488 and the New Hall in 1456). There are lovely gardens designed by Teutsch. The castle has housed the International Youth Library since 1983, which, with over 500,000 volumes, is the largest of its type in the world. There is a lending library of books in 15 languages, available free of charge to young people under 18. The Michael Ende Museum has also been located in the building since 1996.

Description:

This ornate hunting lodge in the grounds of Schloss Nymphenburg is regarded by many as one of Germany's finest examples of rococo architecture. Designed by court architect Cuvilliés in 1734-39, Amalienburg was a present from Prince Karl Albert to his wife Amalia. The exterior is decorated with stuccos of Diana, Godess of Bavaria, and a number of satirical busts. The decoration inside is, to say the least, extravagant. The round mirror room, with its silver murals of the hunt, is definitely worth a visit. The other rooms are also remarkable, especially the kitchen which, for those days, was amazingly well equipped.

Description:

Articles from the 'Reiche Remise', Elector Maximilian I's collection of horse-drawn carriages, have been exhibited in the stables of Nymphenburg Castle since 1952. As well as numerous magnificent golden carriages, there are various highlights including the coronation carriage of Karl Albrecht (1740), two 19th century carriages decorated by the Munich sculptor Ludwig von Schwanthaler (the 'father' of Bavaria) and last but not least some fairytale-like pieces owned by King Ludwig II including portraits of his favourite horses!

Description:

A man-made retreat in the grounds of Schloss Nymphenburg built by Josef Effner on the orders of the 'pious' Elector Max Emanuel, who was apparently gripped by a sudden desire for penitence. This garden retreat is particularly noteworthy as it contains some of the earliest 'architectural ruins' in Europe, meaning it has been deliberately designed to resemble an ancient, decaying building. Before all the hard work which went into constructing the retreat was over, the Elector himself had unfortunately already passed away.

Description:

Connected to the park behind Nymphenburg palace, Munich's new Botanical Gardens were created in 1914 after the old Botanic Garden had lost so much of its grounds that it was no longer sustainable as a full Botanic garden. Plants and flowers of over 14,000 varieties are cultivated in the park and greenhouses, offering a wide range from local flora and cacti to orchids and palm trees. Based on the time of year different exhibits are available, such as the Butterfly presentation usually in January - March.

Description:

If you need a break from fatty Bavarian food, this is the place to come, whether you are vegetarian or not. Gollier offers a wide range of reasonably-priced veggie dishes which will delight even the most hardened of carnivores: pizza, crepes and baked potatoes, all washed down with freshly squeezed juices. To top it all off, the service is quick and friendly and the ambience cosy. All dishes cost just EUR 4.25 before 8p, the set lunch (11:30a -2:30p) costs EUR 5.75. The customers are generally fairly young and there is a kids corner where parents can offload their offspring.

Description:

This elegant mid-range hotel is located in a wonderful neo-renaissance building dating back to the end of the nineteenth century, in a quiet residential area not far from Theresienwiese. Rooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated, offering all the usual comforts such as bath or shower, WC, telephone and TV. Hotel Uhland offers bed and breakfast accommodation with good service and a substantial breakfast.

Description:

In 1684 Prince Max Emmanuel II commissioned Zuccalli to build Schloss Lustheim opposite the old Schleißheim Castle. Zuccalli's construction combined a hunting lodge, residential rooms and fanciful leisure facilities, and was without rival at the time. This fine example of a late baroque stately home now houses an exhibition of Ernst Schneider's porcelain collection, which provides a good overview of the whole range of Meißen porcelain. The garden is a further attraction; it was also planned by Zuccalli and is one of the few remaining baroque gardens in Germany.

Description:

An unusual culinary combination - as well as classical Italian cuisine (e.g. Ravioli with Seafood, EUR 10), Trattoria La Bruschetta also specialises in fare from the region of South Tyrol, known for its big, hearty portions. As well as the tasty regional meat dishes, customers could try the 'Nocken' (a local speciality) for EUR 7.25. The food isn't cheap, but still represents good value. The starters (EUR 8) are particularly interesting.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is something you wouldn't expect to see in a city! One warm days make your way to the Southern tip of the park to watch surfers manage the river Isar.

Description:

One of the oldest English-style landscape gardens and one of the largest municipal parks in Europe, the Englischer Garten (English Garden) is Munich's crowning glory. Although perhaps best known for its nudists, the park is popular with all types of people all year round. Other features include a Chinese pagoda with adjoining beer garden, the Monopteros Greek temple, a river and a boating lake. Visitors can also attend a traditional tea ceremony in the Japanese tea house.

Description:

The Theatinerkirche is one of the most striking, both inside and out,  in Munich.  Electress Henriette Adelaide and her husband Elector Ferdinand Maria had it built on the occasion of the birth of their first male child, which gave them a successor.  Elector Ferdinand first began construction of Nymphenburg palace to thank his wife and then started on the Theatinerkirche to thank god.
The church was built in Italian high-baroque style after San Andrea del Valle in Rome and designed by the Italian architect Agostino Barelli. His successor, Enrico Zuccalli, added two towers, which originally were not planned and then finished the 71 meter (233 ft) high dome in 1690. The facade in rococo style was completed only in 1768 by François de Cuvilles. Its Mediterranean appearance and yellow coloring became a well known symbol for the city and had much influence on Southern German baroque architecture.
Much of the interior was destroyed in bombing, but the towers and facade are mostly original.  This church also serves as one of the two main burial places for the Wittelsbach family, who ruled Bavaria from 1180 until 1918.

Our Local Expert Says:

Without a doubt in my mind I can honestly say this is one of the best beer gardens in town! I love this place.

Description:

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The Hofbräu Keller is one of the local's favorite beer gardens and beer halls.  It is actually larger than the Hofbräuhaus, but is a completely different atmosphere.  Located in Haidhausen, just across the river from the old town, it's in a nice residential area where you may never run into another native English speaker.  Don't worry though; they have English menus and a very friendly staff.   This is the traditional beer garden, where the Hofbräu brewery stored their beer underground, and remains very traditional to this day.

In summer this place has a massive proper beer hall atmosphere and in winter a proper beer garden atmosphere so that no matter what season you visit, it will be a great experience at the Hofbräu Keller.

Description:

This elegant mid-range hotel is located in a wonderful neo-renaissance building dating back to the end of the nineteenth century, in a quiet residential area not far from Theresienwiese. Rooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated, offering all the usual comforts such as bath or shower, WC, telephone and TV. Hotel Uhland offers bed and breakfast accommodation with good service and a substantial breakfast.