Friends with backpacks on hike in forest ()
In April, we featured BUGA23 in our “What’s Up” magazine, and since then we have learned that there is so much more to do in Mannheim. Located less than an hour from Kaiserslautern, Mannheim contains royal residences, museums, great eats and more for the entire family.
Learn Something: For curious visitors, Mannheim is filled with history and museums. It is the birthplace of the rocket plane, tractor and the first motorcar, according to www.globeguide.ca. At the Technoseum, you can learn about over 300 years of technical and social change. On Saturdays and Sundays, they demonstrate how coins used to be minted by hand. Until Nov. 12, you can check out their temporary exhibit “The History of Television and Radio.” If that isn’t enough for you, the Reiss-Engelhorn Museum Complex offers you four different museums to learn all there is to know including museums focused on world cultures, photography and art.
Find Something: If you want to enjoy the museum experience outdoors, check out the Open Urban Art Museum Mannheim. You can download a map from stadt-wand-kunst.de and take the entire family on an adventure of finding all the murals.
See Something: Did you know that Mannheim has one of the largest Baroque palaces in Europe? Schloss Mannheim was built with the intent of being second in size to Versailles and to demonstrate the political power of the Prince-Electors of the Pfalz. You can explore the palace and gardens. See treasures from centuries ago including royal crowns and tapestries and contemporary photography in the outdoor exhibit. There are guided tours offered in German and in English for those who call in advance. After you finish your day at the palace, you can take in a play, opera, musical performance, lecture or dance show at the National Theater Mannheim.
Do Something Outdoors: Take full advantage of the great outdoors this summer at the Käfertal Forest. Hike one of the eight circular trails or challenge yourself with the fitness trail. Play soccer on one of the soccer fields or play a round of golf on the miniature golf course. The kids can enjoy the large playground. Observe deer, wild boar and bison in the game enclosures. And, when you get hungry, there is a barbeque and two restaurants with beer gardens onsite.
Do Something Indoors: For those who think the outdoors aren’t so great or for those that like to try new gaming experiences, the VR Lighthouse is for you. This is something for those with older children: They have age-appropriate gaming experiences for people 10 and older. They have single and multi-player options (for up to six players). Experiences start at 15 euros per person for 30 minutes of gaming and they also have event and group rates on request.
Taste Something: Enjoy a beautiful summer night at the Roof Bar, where you can select from their extensive drinks list (including alcohol-free options) alongside a good meal. They even have live music some nights. For the beer lovers in the group, Taproom Jungbusch offers beer flights so you can taste a variety of craft beers.
No matter what you’ve got in mind, Mannheim has something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
