Stay in Munich - day trips?

Patti, we will probably be in Munich for around the same amount of time, and are planning to do one full day of wandering around the Altstadt/Lehel area, and then the next day maybe Schwabing/Englisher Garten/Alt Bogenhaus to look for nice architecture, villas, park atmosphere.

First of all, unless you have already spent at least 2 years touring EU, don't go to Munich, a second rate tourist sight at the best. If you can, go to Prague. If you must go to Munich, Nymphenburg Palace is the #2 sight in Munich but it is a 4th rate palace as palaces go. As you noted, Neuschwanstein Castle wastes an entire day for a 45 minute tour thru an unfinished castle.
the two top sights in Munich are #1, the Rezidence and #2 Nymphenburg Palace , but ho-hum. Consider a half day trip to Ausgsburg, one time home of the richest family in the world (the Fuggers)..

I went to Neuschwanstein as a child and it’s pretty from the outside but I just remember a very short tour with a large group. I haven’t been to Nymphenburg but others have left good reports on it. If you want less time on the road/train, it may be a more relaxing option.

I just returned from Germany and spent 2 days in Munich and found it to be a very walkable city to relax and enjoy for two days. Marienplatz and the Viktuelienmarkt have lots to see, buy, and eat. Hofbrauhaus was packed, but I enjoyed having my obligatory beer and pretzel there. The Asam Kirche was tiny and fascinating. I also enjoyed visiting the English Garten to watch the surfers. At the Residenz, a man was playing (very good) classical violin in the garden gazebo as a zeppelin flew overhead. My husband and I never went inside because it was a lovely day, but we enjoyed the experience.

We are going to Munich because we have relatives that live there and we are going to meet up with them.
I are planning on renting bikes one of those days and riding through English Garden. I think we can find plenty to do in Munich and surrounding area for 2 full days.
I think we will go to Nymphenburg Palace and check it out. I have already been to Rezidence too.
Thanks for your responses.

HI Patti,

I agree you can find plenty to do with two full days in Munich.

Here is a good tread with suggestions for repeat visitors: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/hidden-gems-in-munich

If you are renting bikes one day my favorite place to stop in the Englischer Garten is the mini-Hofbräu. Just getting there you will see a lot more of the park than the average tourist and maybe make a friend with a dog while there. Test your German skills by reading the menu (hint: Google translate doesn’t always recognize dialect words).

To make a full day of biking you can bike up through Englisher Gartens stopping at the Chinesischer Turm for a beer then continuing up to the mini-Hofbräu for lunch. Then head west roughly following the Nymphenburg Biedersteiner Kanal through the Olympic Park to Nymphenburg (stop at the park and the palace for a look around). From there head back into town via Nymphenburg Str. through Königsplatz and return the bikes at the end of the day.

If you haven't been to the Deutsches Museum, it is work a visit as well (good place to spend a rain day).

I've got more helpful suggestions if needed.

DJ

Thanks DJ for the ideas on riding the bike through the park and to Nymphenburg. Sounds like a great idea.