8 Things to Do (And Not Do) in Munich and Rhine Valley
Drink German beer from a stein in the famous Hofbrahaus? Check. Get kicked out of an Irish bar for bei
ng too noisy? Check. Sing on stage in front of hundreds of strangers in a foreign country? Check. Germany was quite an exciting place to be.
During my stay in Germany, I was able to explore both St. Goar in Rhine Valley and Munich. Both are truly spectacular in a myriad of different ways. They’re like night and day.
St. Goar is a quiet, calm town with jaw-dropping scenery. Rhine Valley is home to authentic German steins so, without a doubt, I had to buy one. When in Germany, right? It took me about two hours to decide which one I wanted to purchase (this is no exaggeration); I spent well over $60 on this gorgeous stein and I have yet to use it. I haven’t even unwrapped it. But I have it!
Munich, on the other hand, is boisterous and touristy— but has some of the finest sights you just can’t miss. Beautiful statues and monuments, and picture-perfect landscape are abundant.
I did underground wine tasting in St. Goar (omg try the ice wine!) and I drank beer at the Hofbrahaus in Munich. As you can tell, I was never thirsty. They’re both enchanting places to visit! Rhine Valley is more of a serene and romantic place, while Munich is more of the party scene. Speaking of parties…
Things to Do in Munich:
1. Explore Marienplatz: a large central square where many landmarks are located. View New City Hall, the Glockenspiel, and Old Town Hall. I went on an amazing guided tour here and, coincidentally, my guide was from Maryland!
DON’T: Go to an Irish bar in Germany; I mean, you’re in Germany…
DON’T: Get kicked out of the bar(s). Although it does make for a great story.
2. Find a seat in the Hofbräuhaus— an historic beer hall that serves beer i
n giant steins and pretzels the size of a small dog. If you’re not a big fan of beer, like me, try the Radler. It’s part beer and part lemonade.
3. Tour Hofgarten Park and then stop by the Eisbach (ice brook): a tiny, man-made river with a standing wave! I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s right next to a small bridge, not far from the Haus der Kunst Museum. You can always find people surfing there, no matter how cold it is.
4. Go to Kennedy’s Bar for karaoke night. They also have live music some nights but, let’s be real, karaoke is much more entertaining. My friends and I performed in front of a full house. Get your name in early so you have an opportunity to go on stage!
A friend of mine paid off the karaoke man so we could belt out a second song. While my friends were shouting the lyrics to Land Down Under (can you guess where they’re from?), my shirt decided it was time to unbutton. Our performance went from a G to PG13 rating real quick…
DON’T: Wear button-up shirts on stage, ladies. You’ll thank me later.
Things to do in Rhine Valley:
- Buy an original stein crafted in the area.
DON’T: Spend two hours choosing a stein.
2. Check out the Cuckoo Clock shop! St. Goar is the home of the world’s largest free-hanging Cuckoo Clock.
3. Marvel at the stunning water and mountains that surround you.
4. Chat with and get to know the locals and small business owners; they are so thoughtful and accommodating. They are very knowledgeable about the area and will be so eager to tell you all about the hidden gems in Rhine Valley!
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Click here for a list of things to do in Innsbruck, Austria.
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