Taking a Rest in Munich
November 4, 2015 2:39 AM Subscribe
So my parents are on a European riverboat cruise. It is pretty casual, which is nice because they are old and don't have a lot of stamina. However, they have a one day excursion to Munich (tomorrow, in fact) where they won't be able to get back to their boat and my dad is worried that Mom doesn't have the gas in the tank. Is there some place they can chill out in the city for a couple hours and recharge their batteries?
I Googled and every answer was about something at the airport, which I don't think is especially helpful. They mentioned a movie theater, but don't love the idea because apparently all movies are dubbed in Germany and they don't speak German. Is there another option? Thanks in advance!
I Googled and every answer was about something at the airport, which I don't think is especially helpful. They mentioned a movie theater, but don't love the idea because apparently all movies are dubbed in Germany and they don't speak German. Is there another option? Thanks in advance!
Response by poster: When they asked me they were kind of vague, but I assume they are looking for something more low key? I mean if you know of a specific cafe with like super comfy chairs and a really relaxed atmosphere it might work, but a run of the mill coffee shop probably wouldn't work that well.
posted by Literaryhero at 3:08 AM on November 4, 2015
posted by Literaryhero at 3:08 AM on November 4, 2015
Best answer: Nicer hotel lobbies are my go-to chill out zone, they usually have wifi, low tempo, comfy chairs, etc, and are pretty much everywhere. You can get away with sitting with a coffee or order something small from the bar if you fancy.
posted by Iteki at 3:17 AM on November 4, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by Iteki at 3:17 AM on November 4, 2015 [5 favorites]
Best answer: A few suggestions:
I agree that most nicer hotel lobbies / bars are a great place to take a rest; you can just hav a cup of coffee and chill out for a while. In fact those hotel bars are even nicer when they come with a view, right? :)
The roof terrace of the hotel “Bayerischer Hof” is really really nice. The Bayerischer Hof Hotel is known for its distinguished guests. For example Empress Sisi of Austria and Michael Jackson have descended here. Take the elevator to the sixth floor and then go up a few stairs to walk to the roof terrace. There you get a great 300-degree view over the city centre – directly to Frauenkriche, City Hall and the oldest church in Town, Old Peter. The prices are not cheap but ok for the view.
A cheaper option is Café Vorhoelzer which is situated on the 5th floor directly on the roof of the Technical Univerity of Munich (TU München). There you have a 270 ° panoramic view over the city’s rooftops.
You can enjoy the beautiful sight while having a short brake. Coffee and all the other stuff is being prepared right before your eyes.
Another idea would be to get a public transport ticket, hop onto one of the trams (not U or S Bahn of course, they are mainly undergriund!) and just ride around the city a bit. You cannot get lost. Just get off when you've had enough, cross the street and ride back the way you came to where you started from. Cheap, fun and not exhausting at all.
posted by Fallbala at 3:27 AM on November 4, 2015 [9 favorites]
I agree that most nicer hotel lobbies / bars are a great place to take a rest; you can just hav a cup of coffee and chill out for a while. In fact those hotel bars are even nicer when they come with a view, right? :)
The roof terrace of the hotel “Bayerischer Hof” is really really nice. The Bayerischer Hof Hotel is known for its distinguished guests. For example Empress Sisi of Austria and Michael Jackson have descended here. Take the elevator to the sixth floor and then go up a few stairs to walk to the roof terrace. There you get a great 300-degree view over the city centre – directly to Frauenkriche, City Hall and the oldest church in Town, Old Peter. The prices are not cheap but ok for the view.
A cheaper option is Café Vorhoelzer which is situated on the 5th floor directly on the roof of the Technical Univerity of Munich (TU München). There you have a 270 ° panoramic view over the city’s rooftops.
You can enjoy the beautiful sight while having a short brake. Coffee and all the other stuff is being prepared right before your eyes.
Another idea would be to get a public transport ticket, hop onto one of the trams (not U or S Bahn of course, they are mainly undergriund!) and just ride around the city a bit. You cannot get lost. Just get off when you've had enough, cross the street and ride back the way you came to where you started from. Cheap, fun and not exhausting at all.
posted by Fallbala at 3:27 AM on November 4, 2015 [9 favorites]
There are lots of relaxed restaurants and cafes in Munich - esp the city centre (Marienplatz), where I expect most of their fellow tourists will be because that's where the Rathaus (Town Hall) and Glockenspiel are. I'm assuming that the cruise people will organise transport into the city? They'll probably park their guests there or close by.
It is a pretty laidback area with lots of places where you can plonk yourself, order a beer and while away a couple of hours. Yes, they're a little touristy and overpriced, but it is central and convenient. I think your folks will be OK. It's also entirely pedestrianised and very flat.
posted by Ziggy500 at 3:29 AM on November 4, 2015
It is a pretty laidback area with lots of places where you can plonk yourself, order a beer and while away a couple of hours. Yes, they're a little touristy and overpriced, but it is central and convenient. I think your folks will be OK. It's also entirely pedestrianised and very flat.
posted by Ziggy500 at 3:29 AM on November 4, 2015
Best answer: It's not that unusual for cinemas in Germany to show films in English (or other language). If you have a look at this guide for the day they will be there, keep an eye out for OV ("original version") or OmU (original version + German subtitles).
posted by kinddieserzeit at 3:29 AM on November 4, 2015
posted by kinddieserzeit at 3:29 AM on November 4, 2015
Best answer: There are plenty of cinemas with movies in English, see http://www.artechock.de/film/muenchen/oton.htm (OF is original version, OmU or OmeU is original version with German or English subtitles). The Englischer Garten is nice but probably too cold right now to just hang out? Cafes, libraries, museums, ... What are the constraints?
posted by fmnr at 3:29 AM on November 4, 2015
posted by fmnr at 3:29 AM on November 4, 2015
There are any number of cafes where they can stop for a break. Literally, anywhere a tourist is likely to wander there will be a cafe. The can explore for an hr, sit for an hr and keep doing that until they go back on their boat.
posted by koahiatamadl at 5:33 AM on November 4, 2015
posted by koahiatamadl at 5:33 AM on November 4, 2015
Best answer: The English Garden! Love this place. Grab some picnic foods and a bottle of wine, bundle up with a cozy jacket, and take a nap by a woodland stream.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 8:55 AM on November 4, 2015
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 8:55 AM on November 4, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks guys, you are the best!
posted by Literaryhero at 1:56 PM on November 4, 2015
posted by Literaryhero at 1:56 PM on November 4, 2015
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posted by Magnakai at 2:57 AM on November 4, 2015