Memorandum
Between the sessions, meetings, and evening events, make sure to squeeze in time to check out the best that Munich has to offer. We’ve outlined our pick of things to do and places to eat in Munich! But even with this resource, don’t forget to explore the streets – the city’s architecture is absolutely stunning. Munich natives – did we miss something? Please let us know!
Things to Do
--Visit Olympiapark, site of the 1972 Summer Olympic Games and the World’s first Zeppelin (a type of rigid airship) landing in 1909.
--Take advantage of Munich’s museums (on Sunday, many are only one euro!). If art is your specialty, or something you’re open to in scarce free time, take in Rembrandt, Monet, and Warhol at the Pinakothek art galleries; see Greek marble statues at the Glyptothek; or Renaissance sculptures at the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum. And what a treat, the 110+ year-old Deutsches Museum is the world’s largest museum of science and technology.
--Visit the famous beer hall, Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589 (over 425 years old!!) - Try some of the different brews, or at least wander beneath the painted vaulted ceilings, listen to the oompah bands, and check out the free historical exhibit.
--Escape into the enchanting Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world. There is a lovely lake, manicured lawns, and several beer gardens, including one of Munich’s most famous and oldest, the Chinese Tower. You may also find people surfing at the Eisbach, a fast-flowing 2km-long creek that runs through the park.
--Stroll through Nymphenburg Park, the summer palace and gardens of the former rulers of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach.
--Check out a concert at the Kulturzentrum Gasteig, a cultural venue noted for its superb acoustics. There are a number of outdoor beer halls with such entertainment, believe it or not!
--Don’t forget the Asamkirche, a beautiful 18th-century Baroque and Rococo church. Every inch of its interior is richly decorated with Rococo-style paintings, frescoes, and statues.
--Explore the Marienplatz, the heart of the city, which houses the New Town Hall (of course, “new” is relative – this building was constructed between 1867 and 1909) and the column of St. Mary.
--If you’re a car lover, you may want to take a guided tour of the BMW Group Plant – we were flabbergasted to learn that the plant builds more than 950 cars and 3,000 engines per day. Beeindruckend! The tours run Monday through Friday and cost only nine euros per person.
--Lastly, the 183rd Munich Oktoberfest is set to run from September 17th until October 3rd full of parades and beer tents. Talk about a can’t-miss cultural phenomenon, which dates back to 1810, when Munich citizens were invited to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, on the fields in front of the city gates.
Recommendations for Food and Drink
--Café Reitschule – a fun breakfast or lunch stop to enjoy the music and the scenery near the Englischer Garten.
--Café Glockenspiel – located in one of the most beautiful regions of the city with a view of the Glockenspiel (“one of the world’s most delightful clocks”)and a breakfast selection.
--Café Munich – enjoy your choice of two breakfast options: the “hello-frühstück,” which comes with coffee, tea, or chocolate milk, bread, and a croissant with butter and jelly; or, if you’re feeling a little more hungry, the “Großes Früstück,” which includes all of the aforementioned, a hard-boiled egg, and your choice of meat.
--Luigi Tombosi am Hofgarten – before this beautiful café undergoes reconstruction at the end of the year, grab a cup of coffee and get an excellent view of the Feldherenhalle, a monument commissioned by King Ludwig of Bavaria to honor his army.
--Seehaus im Englischen Garten – take a break while exploring the Englischer Garten and enjoy a beer and some traditional Bavarian dishes.
--Hirschgarten – while you’re in Nymphenburg Park, try some of the traditional German dining favorites in this popular beer garden, the biggest in all of Bavaria, seating up to 8,000 guests.
--Schlosscafé im Palmenhaus – also located within Nymphenburg Park, this spot serves as a good break from strolling through the gardens, offering a selection of drinks and light snacks.
--Weisses Brauhaus – this restaurant is home to traditional Bavarian food and drink, including its popular Schneiderwisse wheat beer specialties.
--Löwenbräukeller – features a wide selection of beers and dining options – a perfect stop after a day of sightseeing.
--Augustiner Restaurant – the epitome of a traditional German beer garden, try the mustard pretzels, pork shanks, and sausages served with Sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.
--Tokami – if you’re in the mood for Japanese food, choose from an array of sushi and sashimi entrées, and also watch the chef prepare your food.
--Shoya am Hofbräuhaus – this is said to be another one of the best Japanese eateries in the city.
-- by Jennifer Zhao, Brian Levine, and Kelly Close