3 weeks in Münster — with a weekend trip opportunity

I'm not familiar with Münster, but you're going to be just north of the Ruhr and the industrial cities there. Hannover, which I like, is an hour and a half by train away. Hannover got bombed heavily, and it's rebuilt some of the city, but a lot is more modern. The area right around the train station is a huge underground mall, and the area around the Maschpark is really pretty. The Aegidienkirche is a ruin, left that way as a memorial to the war, not far from the old city center.

Munster (no umlaut) is just east of Hannover, and the location of the German Panzermuseum.

Went to school in Münster for three years can say you definately need a bike to get around.
And there is no need to go as far as Hannover to see Tourist Attractions

Münsterland

..and a little movie

In times with wars it is good to visit a region which is famous for its peace after 30 years of war. A must-explore for history buffs, e. g. the town hall of Osnabrück. A longer well investigated article about the war and the peace (in German language).

Further back in history is Arminius' victory against the Roman legions. The Hermann Memorial commemorating this part of history celebrates 150 years.

For nature experience the TERRA.vita UNESCO Global Geopark is a good opportunity and not too far away.

"Westfälischer Friede" after 30 years of war between Protestants and Catholics in Germany
War "started"after the "Prager Fenstersturz" in 1618 and ended with a peace treaty in "Friedensaal" in Münster and Osnabrück town hall 30 years later

Münster was home of the Catholic delegations as Osnabrück home of the Prostestant delegation

So when you are interested in German History visit Münster as well as Osnabrück which is ca 50 km north

Great that you have a good deal of time to devote to Münster and surrounding areas. It has been several years since I was in Münster, the last time in 2007. I have visited Münster a few times, the first time on my first trip to Germany too in 1971.

I agree with seeing Osnabrück as suggested, I did too in 1971. You might find it far more helpful looking up information regarding Westphalia (Westfalen), the area of Münster's location, in "Rough Guide Germany."

Several places are well worth seeing in Westfalen, ie, Soest, the oldest Roman settlement.

If you want to see the Hermannsdenkmal (the statue ) , the victor of the battle of the Teutoburger Wald, it's located in Detmold...took me some effort in getting there in 1984.
I suggest too close by to Münster the town of Warendorf, should you want to see an esoteric history museum on a former part of Germany, ie, very specialised.

I see your mode of transportation is that of trains and public transit. If you decide to get a rental, say for a week-end excursion, I would suggest seeing Porta Westfalica near Minden an der Weser. It is one of 5 gigantic Prussian statues in Germany. A car is the best way to reach the very top. Minden itself is also worth visiting re: the Zentrum.

I finally did it by prearranged taxi to get to the top. the S-Bahn only goes so far, at least one hour after that on foot to hike up to the top.

Munster is loaded with history. It is also known for its art museum, and a city full of modern and contemporary outdoor sculpture.

Adding to the list so far, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Kassel. In the Netherlands, Arnhem, Hoge Veluwe park, Open Air Museum, Apeldoorn & Deventer.

a city full of modern and contemporary outdoor sculpture

I recommend to list Berlin to that list too.

Fred wrote: Several places are well worth seeing in Westfalen, ie, Soest, the oldest Roman settlement.

Never knew Soest was a Roman settlement. Did they settle that far east of River Rhine?
Or is that my language barrier causing a misunderstanding?

Edit Google told me they found remains of Roman military settlements in the vincinity

Thank you for that historical input Fred

Berlin is 4 hours by train from Münster; Seems too far for a 3-week job in Münster. A first visit to Berlin could use a week.

@ Uwe....Gerne geschehen. I believe the Teutoburger Wald battle site as far as archaeology has determined that is closest to Bielefeld, a city which I have never visited in spite of the numerous times in Westfalen. Still, I am not exactly sure.

@ TravelWise....This excursion can be done by public transport, which I used a few times to reach it. I would suggest going by train to Dortmund Hbf, then the U-Bahn, and finally the bus to Dortmund-Hohensyburg , the terminus for the bus, then walk following the sign up a slight hill, ca. 20 -25 min. walk to the Kaiser Wilhelm and Bismarck Denkmal (memorial statues).

That location gives a good panoramic view of the landscape below, used to be much better prior to construction obstructing. Obviously, the present statues are much more modest vis-a-vis the original, their having been damaged and shot-up in 1945 and were more grandiose and pompous.