Aerial view of Stuttgart ()
With summer here, it is a great time to take full advantage of all the activities that you can find, and Stuttgart is just the place to do that. One of those activities is spending a day learning about the animals, flora and fauna located in the Stuttgart area.
Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Garden
Meet the cutest animals and see some of the most beautiful plants and flowers at the Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Garden. With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, this is a great place to explore rain or shine. Converted from former King Wilhelm I’s private residence, this popular attraction has 8,500 plant species, over 11,000 animals and 1,200 different species of animals, meaning this zoo has some of the greatest variety of animal species in the world. I recommend starting outdoors in the morning and then moving to the indoor exhibits as the day gets warmer. You can enjoy watching the big cats in their outdoor exhibits and then chill with the giraffes and other African mammals and birds in the Giraffe House. The greenhouses for the plants mimic tropical and other environments that would be found in the wild. I must admit that out of all of the plants and animals that I spent hours viewing, the sloth was my favorite.
Things to Keep in Mind: Check the website or call the zoo for the most up-to-date information. There is a parking lot on-site at the zoo with around 800 spaces. There are discounted tickets for groups, students and families available. Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Garden sees more than one million visitors per year, so make sure to reserve your tickets online in advance.
If you want to try something a little out of the ordinary, Stuttgart is also home to the Guinness World Record’s “Largest Pig Museum in the World.” The Schweine Museum, or pig museum, is located inside the old administrative building of Stuttgarter Schlachthof. There is a restaurant on-site where you can savor delicious pork dishes and beer and view the exhibits and sculptures in the beer garden. With 27 rooms spread across two floors, you can take in all things Schweine with over 50,000 exhibits. Here you can see pigs in all forms: cork, wood, ceramic, plush, on a briefcase, tie, painting or a cup. There is even a safe filled with over 700 piggy banks. There is fun to be had by the whole family at the museum, and the website even offers a virtual tour so you can learn a little about the pigs before you get there.
Things to Keep in Mind: At less than six euros for a standard adult ticket and three euros or less for children 14 and under, this is a frugal way to spend a fun day. In addition to standard admission, your child can celebrate their birthday with a guided tour and birthday party at the museum. During school holidays, the museum offers special guided tours geared towards children.
The capital city of the state of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart offers plenty of things to see, eat and do with friends or the family and I hope you enjoy your day with the animals.
