Munich is the heart of Bavaria, where locals welcome visitors with open arms. With year round festivals, outdoor beer gardens, and stellar attractions, the city is pleasant for adults and families alike. Whether you choose to stroll the cobblestone streets of Old Town or make use of the city’s excellent transportation system, one thing is for sure. The sights and sounds of Munich will appeal to visitors of all ages.
Things to Do in Munich with Families
Deutsches Museum
This massive museum houses full size replicas of ships and submarines, an underground mine, and a re-creation of the Altamira cave. Children will love the downstairs area known as Kids’ Kingdom where they can play with over a thousand hands-on activities, including a giant hamster wheel, a water play area, and a music studio. Prepare to spend hours in the 6 level interactive museum because it’s fairly certain children will not want to leave.
Englischer Garten
One of the largest public parks in Europe, locals and visitors alike flock to the English Garden when the weather is nice. Families can enjoy bike rides, walks, playing soccer, and picnics. Some might even try surfing on the Eisbach river. This popular year round activity within the Englischer Garten can be arranged by the company With Locals. They will help families arrange a private surfing lesson with a river surfer. How’s that for a quick introduction to local culture?
Visit Marienplatz
It seems every visitor to Munich wants to see Marienplatz (the town square) and its famous glockenspiel. Located inside the Neue Rathaus (New Town Hall), the glockenspiel has a performance every day at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 5 p.m. (the 5 p.m. show does not happen from November through February). Children love watching the figurines come out and parade around the clock tower. Expect them to be mesmerized by the 12 minute spectacle as it tells the story of a royal wedding and a jousting tournament. The surrounding square is perfect for shopping and grabbing a bite to eat. Those wanting a spectacular view of the city can climb the tower of the Rathaus or the nearby Peterskirche (the oldest church in Munich).
Rathaus on the right with Marienplatz below (view from Peterskirche).
Experience German cuisine
Germans are famous for their sausage and beer halls, but in Munich (and most German cities) they have amazing outdoor food markets. One of the best is the Viktualienmarkt, where you can find all the necessary provisions for an afternoon picnic. This is no ordinary farmers’ market with its large variety of fresh produce, fish, butchers, bakeries, and florists. The square is filled with stalls inviting you to sample their goods (and you should). Should you be interested in trying a home cooked meal, why not try a traditional Bavarian Brotzeit dinner at a local farm? This is another fun way to enjoy the local fare and experience the local hospitality.
Nothing like a traditional meal with locals to make a trip special.
Photo credit: With Locals
Get active and learn about sports history at Olympia Park
Built for the 1972 Olympics, Munich’s Olympia Park has been transformed into a recreation area for visitors of all ages. There’s a roof top stadium tour providing stunning views of Munich and the Alps. Daring souls will enjoy the Flying Fox that takes visitors on a zip line tour over the stadium when the weather is good. Others might prefer a guided tour of the venue or strolling the grounds and surrounding gardens. There’s also a Sea Life aquarium on the property and the BMW Museum across the road. Families will love exploring this area of Munich.
As you can see, there are many things to do in Munich with families. Many people speak English, the food is delicious, and the city has plenty to explore. The difficult part will be knowing where to begin.
Have you been to Munich? What things do you recommend for families?
