Munich Museums and Sites
Marienplatz is the heart of Munich’s old city. The layout is neo-classical, the architecture Baroque. Here is the city’s most impressive churches, its key museums, and great old beer houses. Just north of Marienplatz is the Hofgarten, and a block further on begins the enormous Englischer Garten, to fabulous chill-out and recreation parks.
Frauenkirche’s imposing baroque façade, including its twin domes, dominate the city’s center. The cathedral serves as the city’s historical symbol. You can climb the tower from April-Sept (closed Sunday). Open daily. Frauenplatz 1.

The Deutsches Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world for exhibits in technology and science.

The imposing State Library contains over a million books and more than 50,000 manuscripts.

The National Theater, one of the largest theaters in Germany, was bombed and destroyed during World War II (1939-1945). It was completely restored after five years of labor. The building was reopened officially in 1963.

Three famous museums are the old Pinakothek, the new Pinakothek, and the Glyptothek. Some of the valuable paintings and sculptures in these museums were saved, reassembled, and exhibited after the war.

Munich Restaurants
In my opinion, no visit to Munich is worth the time without visiting as many local beerhalls as possible. After all, the Bavarian cuisine, the surrounding hills, and the beer is what has put this city on the cosmopolitan tourist maps of the world. Each of the large brew houses—Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrauhaus, Lowenbrau, Paulaner, and Spaten-Franziskaner—has its own traditions, and the food is hearty, stick-to-your-bones fare.

However, if you must take a break, stop in at the reasonably priced, modern Seven Fish for a variety of international dishes. Garnerplatz 6.

Munich Nightlife
You can easily combine eating and nightlife at any of Munich beer halls. They have live bands, often good jazz bands in the evening, and the crowds are filled with energy and verve.

After hours nightlife in Munich happens in its downtown, around Maximilianstrasse. Exceptions include Atomic Café (Neuturmstrasse 5) and Pacha (Rosenheimerstrasse). After midnight, the place to find bars and clubs is Kunstpark Ost, a former industrial complex near Ostbahnhof (the outer train station). Pick up the Kunstpark Magazine at the entrance for a guide to the 24+ clubs you can hit.

Munich Transportation
The Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) is Munich’s central train station, just 1.5 km from Marianplatz. Most international trains terminate at Hbf. Outside its main entrance you’ll find the U-Bahn, the city’s underground rail system. Tickets are sold for individual rides or day-long passes. There is also the tourist pass that combines rail privileges with a tourist discount card for sites in and around the city.

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