Things to do in Munich

To all my readers in the U.S., I wish you a joyful Thanksgiving celebration. If I may take a moment to express my thoughts, I often find it frustrating when people refer to this day as 'turkey day.' I believe that most of us with a secure home, decent clothing, safe drinking water, free time, and abundant food should focus on appreciating the many positive aspects of our lives instead of fixating on what we lack. Thank you for letting me share.

Recently, I had an enjoyable month-long adventure in France, Monaco, and Bavaria. In this newsletter, I’d like to share a brief overview of some iconic landmarks in Munich.

Marienplatz

Here we have Marienplatz, Munich's bustling central square. Behind me stands the rathaus, known as the town hall, which features the glockenspiel at the top – much like a grand cuckoo clock that performs a show on rotating platforms at specific times throughout the day. Watching this performance is often hailed as a must-see during your first trip to Munich, though I must admit, I found it to be a bit lengthy.

Max-Joseph Platz

This is Max-Joseph Platz, another prominent square located close to Marienplatz. Directly behind me is the Bayerische Staatsoper, the renowned opera house. To my left is the Residenzmuseum, which is arguably Munich’s most famous art institution. Honestly, I found this museum to be far more enjoyable than the Louvre.

Odeonsplatz

Welcome to Odeonsplatz, another historic square notable for hosting civic events and parades. This square played a pivotal role in German history, especially leading up to World War II, although I won't delve into those details here.

Frauenkirche

Bayerische Staatskanzlei

Here we see the Bayerische Staatskanzlei, the current governmental seat for Bavaria. My guide mentioned that the extensive glass design symbolizes the government's commitment to transparency.

Englisher Garten

Displaying a swastika is illegal in Germany. However, this doorway once led to a building that served the German Air Force during World War II, which featured swastikas. Some elements of the design on the door were either modified or removed (I can't quite recall) to adhere to the law.

Hofbrauhaus

Schloss Nymphenberg

This building is Schloss Nymphenberg, recognized as one of Europe's most iconic royal residences. It was utilized as a summer palace by the House of Wittelsbach, the Bavarian rulers before their unification with Germany. I highly recommend visiting this location, even though it is a little distant from other tourist attractions. My favorite section was undoubtedly the Hall of Beauties.

I also had the chance to explore the Pinakothek museums, including both the Alte (old) and Moderne (modern) buildings. While the exteriors are quite unremarkable, I found the interiors to be stunning, particularly the Alte museum. The Moderne showcased an exhibit featuring modern art from the 1930s, which was frowned upon by Hitler. Interestingly, to present a contrasting view, they included one of his favored paintings, which has sparked some debate. Four Elements .

To wrap things up, I want to highlight the excellent experiences offered by Mike’s Bike Tours . They provide engaging and educational bike tours conducted in English. My tour guide, Patrick, was an American resident in Munich from whom I learned a lot. Although I enjoy Europe and exploring new things, I believe that the American way of conducting tours is exceptionally effective.

I believe that mastering the art of giving a great tour is a skill, and I’d like to think I could excel at it. My approach would mimic Patrick's, filled with captivating stories and interesting trivia instead of mere dates and facts. However, I tend to be quite a troublesome guest on tours myself, often answering trivia questions and stepping in to correct the guide (sometimes incorrectly) whenever I think they are mistaken. Nonetheless, Patrick didn't seem bothered by my interruptions and appeared to enjoy the historical discussions. If you're in Munich, I encourage you to check them out at their location near Marienplatz for a tour or bike rental.

Written by: Michael Shackleford