Munich for Oktoberfest, but what to do to avoid the tourists?

There are some places in Bavaria that won't be over-run by tourists during Oktoberfest, but Munich is not one of them. I was in Munich on the last Thursday during Oktoberfest in 2007, and the Hauptbahnhof was not unusually crowded, but I think the spillover into other venues in Munich will be significant. That Friday I was in Oberammergau, and it was not unusually crowded, nor was Landsberg on Saturday night, but I was once in Hohenschwangau during the fest, and it was packed. Basically, people go to Munich for Oktoberfest, but they try to include other famous venues while they are there.

You'll have to pick a place that no one, even you, knows about.

First to say: though Munich is the capital of Bavaria, it's the most un-bavarian city in Bavaria. So to see typical Bavaria, you have to get out of the city, for example to the lakesites south of Munich. Starnberger See and Ammersee are only 30 (50) minutes away taking the Munich S-Bahn. I recommend either of these. Tegernsee is nice, too, the train ride is a bit longer, though. But it's right at the Alps.

In Munich, go to the Englischer Garten. Weather is still nice and it's an authentic Munich place. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englischer_Garten Don't miss the surfers at the Eisbach! The city centre is always crowded, no chance to keep away from tourists there. Lots of interesting architecture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Munich. I don't think your 14-month makes it possible to go to a "quiet" museum which Munich has lots and lots of, but maybe you can go to the Deutsches Museum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsches_Museum. It's tight to Munich quite deep as the founder, Oskar von Miller, was one of Munich's, Bavaria's, Germany's most influencial engineers and entrepneurs on the edge of 20th century.

If you are in need a typical bavarian snack, buy a Leberkässemmel or Fleischpflanzerl at the butchery at the corner. Any traditional Wirtshaus will serve you Schweinsbraten mit Kraut und Knödel or Haxe, and lots of Weizen. And sure, the waitresses have a Dirndl on there, too. So, really no need to go to the Oktoberfest.

Any recomendations for things to do in or around Munich that A) won't be overrun by tourist, B) provide an authentic Bavarian and Munchen experience, C) are potentially child-friendly (one 14-month old), and D) don't cost a fortune.

Don't be too worried about the extra tourist factor. I've found they are not really noticeable outside of Marienplatz and the areas between the Hauptbahnhof and the fairgrounds.

I would second the Englischer Garten and Deustches Museum. The museum has a hands on kids area in the basement.

DJ