Tourist Trap Munich

I'm not much for dining out when I travel so can't help you with non-touristy places for dinner. But the best lunch I had in Munich was noshing my way around the viktualienmarkt. Yes, it's touristy, but it was great - good food, beer, and people watching. I wouldn't call Marienplatz a tourist trap, it's not a venue you have to pay to see that's not worth it (that's my definition of a tourist trap). It's very photogenic with the 'new' city hall and the glockenspiel. I never spent a lot of time there but it's worth a quick visit on a nice day.

Marienplatz is very nice and worth seeing. To me a tourist trap is when you're practically "trapped" after forking over some money, but Marienplatz is simply a large square where you can simply walk through, or spend as much or as little time as you want. When you're in the Altstadt, it will be hard to avoid it. I agree about skipping the Höfbrauhaus, there are more atmospheric and (slightly) less touristy beerhalls to check out.

May Day (the first) is a holiday. Some things may be closed. As to things to avoid it helps to know what you like. Engineers should visit the Technical Museum, art lovers the Neu und Alte Pinokoteks. Hunters and fishermen should stop by Frankonia Jagd and the Hunting and Fishing Museum. If the weather's good you can walk the streets of the old city and find a jazzcellar or outside venue with some sort of music. You will be there during asparagus season, that's always good. If you're a foodie you might also visit the Kaisergarten for a more modern beer hall. The one in the English Garden is very good too.

Octoberfest is probably the closest real tourist trap, and you won't have to worry about that. Down by the zoo (south of old town) and the University district (north by the hospital) are full of good, less expensive, places to eat and drink than in the center.

My only complaint about the Hofbrau is that it is too crowded and noisy, not the type of people that frequent it. Early May could be a bit cool, but I would still suggest doing a beer garden, my suggestion would be the Augustiner-Keller North and West of the main train station at Arnulfstraße 52 (there are a number of Augustiner beer halls and gardens) This one has a big outdoor beer garden, plus several venues in a historic building (a beer hall and then the cellars), that if you eat in one, at least walk through the others. You will find plenty of locals there, plenty of room that crowds will not be much of an issue, but a great time. The food is very good, the beer better.

I always make a point to head to Schneider-Weisse Brauhaus at Tal 7 for breakfast, nothing better than a pot of Weisswurst, pretzels, mustard, and a tall glass of hefeweissen beer to start your day.

what are some sights and places to eat that are not absolute tourist
traps?

Neither I like nor I support the approach to assume that everything is a tourist trap and to let people name things that are not. The named examples tells more about you and the people you listen to than about the locations itself. Also it is very much on personal opinion what people rate as a trap or not. Who shall know that for you? Just go there and check it yourself. Maybe you will have a great time?

I suggest honestly to change mindset before traveling to Germany or any other place. At every location on the planet you will find negative things you can rate as a trap if you search for them. Save the money if you do not start traveling with an open mindset.

I disagree 100%. MarkK, if you were visiting my hometown of NYC and wanted advice on where real New Yorkers go to enjoy a meal, I would not send you to Times Square or Little Italy. Nor would I shame you for wanting to have the most genuine experience possible.

Basically with your mindset, I shouldn’t do research at all and just show up? Sorry — I’ve been to Germany before, avoided tourist areas, and had a great time all thanks to research and asking locals where they would go. There’s a reason why RS recommends spending the night in Rothenburg and other popular places — to have a more authentic experience when the hordes of tour groups leave.

Good lord, how "authentic" of an experience can it be if you have to wait until night to have it? Why not go to a town that doesn't have hordes of tour buses or streets lined with souvenir shops? Go to towns where you can have an authentic experience all day and night. Just cause Rick hasn't been there doesn't mean these towns don't exist. His description of Rothenburg makes me cringe every time I read it. He really needs to explore a bit more.

Schneider-Weisse Brauhaus, across from the McDonalds and just past Marienplatz! One of my favorites. Very popular with locals.

Not about food, I enjoyed the food in Munich in almost all of the places I ate, including the Hofbrauhaus.

There is a small museum at the University. It is the museum of "The White Rose". Sophie School and her brother, some other students and I think some professors protested and worked underground against the Nazis. They assumed that they would eventually be caught, and they were. The museum is inside and downstairs. There is no charge, but a volunteer is there to open up and try to answer questions. Each picture or exhibit has printed explanation.
They do have a donation jar that you can utilize if so desired. It is a very small museum, one room so it wouldn't take much time.
And as another poster suggested getting up to the University area to find somewhere to eat, you could kill 2 birds with one stone, so to speak.

I hope you have a great trip!
Mimi

and I think some professors protested and worked underground

The mentor of the Weise Rose was Kurt Huber, who was executed on July 13, 1943 (his son was a professor in my faculty back in the eighties, when I was still a junior lecturer +) ).

+) His account of the trial against his father is (in German): Wolfgang Huber: Kurt Huber vor dem Volksgerichtshof. Zum zweiten Prozess gegen die Weiße Rose. Essen 2009.

what are some sights and places to eat that are not absolute tourist traps? For example, I’m trying to avoid places like Höfbrauhaus. Albeit famous, ive gathered that it is generally a kitschy tourist watering hole. I have also heard the same about Marienplatz.

There is no reason to avoid either of the above. Yes, Höfbrau can have tourists during summer or Oktoberfest but when you are there in May you are not likely to find it loaded with tourists. The only kitschy part is the gift shop but you are not required to go in (most other beer halls also sell kitsch). I've always found it to be similar to other beer halls with average food. If you are in the area it's worth a look inside (check out the hall on the top floor too). Other beer halls I would recommend are Hofbräukeller on Weinerplatz, the previously mentioned Augustiner-Keller, and for really good food (but less working man atmosphere) Paulaner am Nockherberg. Get the roast duck if they have it.

For Marienplatz, it's just a standard town center square. I think the only thing that could be considered kitschy is standing around to watch the entire glockenspiel routine on the town hall at 11am and noon (watch it on youtube and you'll probably agree its not worth waiting for). If you want to get a sense of the old city center then you'll have to pass through Marienplatz. I recommend doing the Rick Steve's self paced walking tour of the city center to get your bearings and for a good overview if you only have 2 days. You should be able to complete it in one morning before lunch then grab a bite to eat at the Viktualienmarkt.

As for other sites, the Deutsches Museum is a treat if you are into science museums. It's on par with the Smithsonian.

If the weather is nice take a stroll in the Englischer Garten and visit one of the many beer gardens there.

One more recommendation I would have during your trip is to visit Frühlingsfest. Its the Munich Spring Festival and is like a mini Oktoberfest without the tourists. You'll see lots of locals dressed in traditional clothing and have a opportunity to visit some beer tents. It's definitely worth an afternoon/evening.

Hope this helps,

DJ

I shouldn’t do research at all and just show up?

Not what I wrote, your interpretation only.

Open your eyes: You choose Munich which itself is a full-year touristy destination with an extraordinary kitschy lifestyle. And based on this decision you ask such a question? If you will be in Munich you will walk Marienplatz anyway as all tourists do. Into which food or pseudo-culture trap you will fall to eat something does not matter as long as you enjoy it.

If you want to avoid kitschy places at all you shall avoid Munich as well as parts of Bavaria, Austria and the Alpine regions; extroverted kitsch is part of their decorative and show-what-I-have lifestyle (not meant in a negative way). Northern part of Germany and Europe have a very unkitschy and introverted lifestyle - they do it hyggelig in a more private way.

Still no indication what an "absolute tourist trap" is for you? Also no answer what is authentic for you. RodT is a fully tourist place. It lives to more than 50% from that. English menus in the restaurants, waiters speaking English ... Also 45% of their buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged by WWII bombing. How authentic it can be - even at night? But great you spent a night there and enjoyed it.

And why anyone would spend May 1 in Munich and not at the outer countryside for Maypole? I mean these are basics you shall have found out by 15 minutes research about Bavaria.

My honest suggestion: do research but better one than asking here if Marienplatz or Hofbräuhaus are tourist traps. Totally wrong way for me. How to do it better? Take local tourism tips (e.g. list of towns in Bavaria) and check whether they are mentioned in RS or other guides available to you. If not: you will likely have a destination to travel to which is less touristic and still more authentic. But better learn German for that, no English menus, no English speaking people. Your decision.

I don't know that I'd classify any place that I went to in Munich as an absolute tourist trap. Don't want to get into a disagreement with Wisconsin Dells folks, but that is what I consider a tourist trap. While it does have some boat tours which are good, BTW, much of it has little relationship to history or natural beauty of the area. Some people like the shops and water parks which is marvelous, but not for me.

I enjoy the Hofbrau for a bit. The music is nice, the interior of the building is attractive. Plenty of locals seem to have assigned tables that they hang out at. I would never buy food there, but I go in and have a beer and people watch. The Marienplatz is lovely with historical churches and the wonderful clock tower on the Rathuis. We stopped and listened to an absolutely marvelous quartet. I ended up buying a CD and found that there were formerly members of the Belarus Symphony. Wow!!

We visited the Residenz and Nymphenburg palace. The Vikualienmarkt is worth some time. I wonder if you would want to just rephrase indicating that you are looking for less visited places or maybe just go somewhere else. I think people are reacting to the negative way your question is phrased or that you've formed a preconceived notion of the place before you even get there. I can't imagine you'd have much fun when you have already kind of decided its not for you.

I always enjoy a few days in Munich when I can get them. I’m going back again this fall. I don’t think of anything as a tourist trap but a tourist experience. As a first time visitor I would think you’d be seeing some of these places and forming your own opinions. As a 10+ over 3 month return visitor to Munich I don’t shy away from the Marienplatz area but I like going further into side streets, other neighborhoods, parks and museums too.

One person’s “tourist trap” is another visitor’s treasure.

Not all of Marienplatz is an "absolute tourist trap." I don't accept that view at all, if one is to use that common term when it comes to finding a place to eat and having a decent meal. There are places in that area where the patrons are all German, no tourists at all, eating there, if you know where you are going.

This posting and the responses are a perfect example of why language matters. I wonder if the OP would have received kinder responses if he/she had simply said, "I'm hoping to explore some of the more non-traditional tourist sites in Munich. I'd appreciate any ideas you can give me as I do my planning."

Thank you to those that have shared information and understood what I am looking for. Unfortunately, the other 50% of posts on this thread have taken issue to the word "tourist trap" and have merely commented to shame me for asking.
To address certain things that have been brought up:
- I do research prior to travel. Asking other travelers with experience on this forum is part of that research.
- I am in no way writing off Höfbrauhaus as a whole but thanks to research, I have learned that there are better alternatives where tour groups do not swarm to.
- I worded the post exactly how I meant it. If someone had asked me about the tourist traps in NYC and wanted to know where locals go to have fun and have a good meal, I would whole heartedly help them out. I would not say "I don't like the way you phrased that" or "based on your question, you must have a closed mind".
- I love small town Germany. And I have had amazing experiences in places off the beaten path (Landshut, Freising, Weinheim, Assmannhausen, Schriesheim, and all the places in between) hence why I have no experience with Munich. Visiting Munich is a small part of my itinerary and I want to make the most of it while I'm there.

Just wanted to clarify and provide a defense. Again, thank you to the 50% of you that have provided quality tips and info. The other 50% have wasted bandwidth to share their opinion pieces.

Sorry, but your title, your topic description is pretty judgmental itself. It implies that anyone that would go to Munich is shallow and goes for "kitschy" tourist activities. Your defense/response, equally so. Honestly, when I read your topic, and the negativity, I assumed that you wanted exactly what you got. A heated debate.

In your own profile description, you state that you "avoid crowds when feasible". That's what I am looking to do as well so I'm not sure why you take issue with the question I asked. Not looking for a debate in the slightest, just looking for advice from people who have been to Munich and care to share their tips. However, if I am called out and falsely labeled I am going to provide a defense.

Ok I think I understand better, you are looking for the "deeper cuts" while in Munich.

With that in mind I would amend my suggestion with the following:

• If the weather is nice take a stroll in the Englischer Garten, bypass all the touristy Biergartens (Chinesischen Turm, Seehaus, Hirschau) and head a little further north to visit mini-Hofbräuhof. Not only does this place pass the "no English menus" test but it even passes the "no German menus" test as well (Scheinsbrat'n mit Kned'l und Salod). If you are lucky you may make some four legged friends there as well.
• Still definitely visit Frühlingsfest, but if you have time check out the Auer Dult happening from 27 Apr - 5 May. Very local and a great place to pick up a unique souvenir or two.
• As someone else suggested, if you are there on May 1 then find a local May Pole raising (Maibaumaufstellen) to attend. Not all May poles get replaced each year so your best bet it to find a list of festivals online or just call the local tourist office in Munich or where ever you think you can get to on May 1 and ask for suggestions.

There are tons more I could suggest but with only two days these activities would keep you busy. If it were me my preference would be to do the things that you can't do just any time of the year in Munich (Frühlingsfest, Auer Dult, Maibaumaufstellen). Not only are these events not on the tourist path, even locals don't always get a chance to attend since they are seasonal events.

DJ

If you want to go to an area where the tourists are mostly locals in Munich, then go to Schwabing. That was my experience years ago on two different trips, when it was practically all German, may still be off the American and international tourist radar

We followed the RS Walking Tour and were able to see the sights while deciding the spots we wanted to see or avoid. Great day! We have found that the hotel staff often has tips on where to find nice local places.

I heartily recommend Schneider-Weisse Brauhaus across from McDonalds just a couple of blocks from Marienplatz. I still dream about their Pretzel soup. We also loved the Viktaulienmarkt and ate several lunches there. We found both locals and tourists enjoying their beirs and wursts there.

I visited Munich solo last May and while the lower levels of the Hofbrauhaus were quite crowded and noisy to the point of being overwhelming--I was more in search of beer & food than revelry--there is an outdoor covered area a couple of floors up that was perfect for a leisurely meal after a long day of exploring. I liked it so much I went twice, highly recommend the Alpine ox. Locals certainly do go there, not just tourists.

I really enjoyed Restaurant Halali, located near the American Consulate. A classy, traditional Bavarian restaurant. As I recall I went to lunch there two days in a row.

I've been to the Hofbrauhaus several times and have taken several groups there...but it's now OFFICIALLY off my list as of a few years ago. The last time we had a waiter who flat-out refused to take our orders, wouldn't take payments from his other tables of diners, etc. I had to track down a manager and have a heart to heart about the guy. He was mean, huffing and puffing - yes, sure, he could have had a bad night but then again - not my problem. Completely absurd to have an employee like this who refuses to do his job. Manager apologized and gave us all free drinks AND a different very nice waiter. But this has happened on too many occasions - it's just not worth your time when there are so many OTHER good choices.

The Hofbrauhaus survives on its name.

The last time I tried to enter the Hofbräuhaus was probably 7 years ago, couldn't get in, crowds blocked the doorway, this was around 5 pm. It must have been the early dinner crowd, lots of anglophones there. I had not been back to the place in years, ie, since 1992. The second floor is not a bad place to have lunch, very satisfactory, which I did once in the 1970s.

Seeing the crowds this time, I left. Going to the Hofbräuhaus means another attempt, ie, I have to be there by 11:30 am at the latest.

Well, I read the first few replies then my eyes started rolling out of my head so far that I had to skip the rest, so as a fellow snob, OP, I'll give you my advice:

Don't avoid Marienplatz, you'll probably walk through it several times. That's cool. You don't have to watch the Glockenspiel though.

You're right to be suspect of the Hofbrauhaus. I've been there at least 5 times, eaten there twice, much to my regret. I mean, the food isn't terrible, but Bavarian food is awesome, so why waste a meal on something overpriced and substandard? My rec is to go to the Hofbrauhaus for a beer, enjoy the atmosphere, as touristy as it is, it's also fun.

But for eating a proper Bavarian beer hall dinner, go to the Augustiner Brewery restaurant on Landbergerstrasse, and if it's warm and you want to eat outside make reservations. This remains the best schweinhaxe I've had in all of Germany. It was full of locals. It's good.

The Augustiner Biergarten on the other side of the train tracks is delightful in good weather. Can't speak to the food beyond breztel and stecklerfisch.

If you want to avoid tourist Munich, my advice is to get into the suburbs. The Maxvorstadt has some of the most interesting pubs and restaurants in the city, where locals go. Altr Simpl is historic and great for a beer, although I haven't eaten there. The Glockenbachviertel is another equally interesting hip neighborhood with great eateries and a fun vibe.

Munich didn't impress me much on my first visit because I didn't get out of the center. These "suburbs" are walkable from the center or you can take a tram but are going to provide you with the better dining choices than you'll find in the center.

We enjoyed the Augutiner-Keller Biergarten as well as a small place called Hochreiter Gaststättenbetrieb on Heiliggeiststraße.