Milan must see?

Thanks you for the suggestions

My husband and teenage son and I will be there the week of Christmas: I plan to visit the Monumental Cemetary - looks pretty cool. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187849-d243431-Reviews-Monumental_Cemetery_Cimitero_Monumentale-Milan_Lombardy.html Maybe my teen will like the Leonardo da Vinci Science and Technology Museum. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187849-d195244-Reviews-Museo_della_Scienza_e_della_Tecnologia_Leonardo_da_Vinci-Milan_Lombardy.html I am also a fan of castles. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187849-d246672-Reviews-Castello_Sforzesco-Milan_Lombardy.html

Near the Duomo (take the elevator to the roof to commune with the gargoyles and buttresses) is the Galleria. Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, Da Vinci's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie (need a reservation and appointment time, don't sign any petitions outside the church), Sant'Ambrogio church, Via Montenapoleone if you want to windowshop or buy top designer stuff. You can easily fill a couple of days.

Skip; You'll open a can of worms here. The Duomo and the Opera are great. Milan's shopping cannot be beat, and is world class. That said: I'm not into opera and I'll go to Buckhead if I really want to shop. Much of Milan is a modern city, where I'm in Italy to see old places. I'd rather spend my time 45 minutes north in the Lake Como area, or take a train to Florence, Venice or the Cinque Terre.

I agree with the above suggestions. I just wanted to encourage you to visit La Scala opera house, even if you're not that into opera. I like opera, though certainly not a major opera buff, but I thoroughly enjoyed La Scala's museum along with the peek into the theater that you're allowed as a museum visitor. Opera is such an important part of Italian culture that a visit to La Scala is like a visit to a national museum; it gives you a sense of Italian history as well as musical history. Milan may not have as many must see's as other cities, but I think it's enjoyable. Plus lots of great people watching and window shopping.

Zoe gave you the best of Milan. The Pinacoteca di Brera is probably the most important museum in Milan and one of the top in Europe. Inside the Sforza castle there are several museums incl. one on musical instruments. The Galleria is where you'll walk to go from the Duomo to La Scala. It's probably the oldest indoor mall.
If you like soccer, two of the top world teams are based there (AC Milan and Internazionale, aka Inter). The Meazza stadium in the San Siro district is therefore called the La Scala Theater of Soccer. If there is a game on those days, that's a chance to spend a couple of hours. Otherwise have dinner along the Navigli (navigable canals). Plenty of sidewalk restaurants and cafes there.

I'll second a visit to the Cemetery - it was truly amazing to walk around. The Campari Family has a tomb that is a life-size bronze of the Last Supper !!! We spent well over an hour there and could have stayed longer. We also did bus and walking tour of the city - which included admission to the Last Supper, the La Scala Opera House and fantastic La Scala museum.
I enjoyed just walking around Milan - there was a lot of see.

Skip, I'm not sure if I'd categorize these as "must see" sights, but I found it interesting to visit the Galleria Vittoria Emmanuele. Those that are so inclined seem to enjoy placing their foot on the crotch area of the Bull that's on a floor tile, and then "rotating" (supposed to bring good luck or something). I also found the La Rinascente stores across from the Duomo quite interesting. Lots of "high end" items for sale. It would have been nice to buy a Giorgio Armani suit, but on my budget that's not going to happen. There's a great food court on the top floor. Be sure to also go to the roof of the Duomo (as I recall, that's extra cost). Cheers!

Forget Milan, gray and sad, you visit other cities of Lombardy.

Claudia - could you be less helpful?

Don't bust Claudio's chops. I sent him a private message and he has been very helpful on places to visit, once I leave Milano.

My family has a day and a half in Milan. Initially we were arriving on a Friday afternoon, reserved tickets to Last Supper and were going to visit the Duomo and fly out first thing Saturday morning. United changed my flight and now we fly out Sunday morning. So we have one extra day to explore. I have been to some cities others loved and I said "meh" and some cities where others said "meh" we enjoyed. We are a family who enjoys wandering and exploring - no matter what we always have a fun adventure.

bronwen, if you are going to tick somebody off at least get their name right. Poor Claudia in the land of La has said nothing here, and there is no reason to tell her off.

Ha - Sorry Claudia!

Do not get me wrong, I think that Milan deserves to be visited by a tourist who is in northern Italy, but, in my opinion, its tourist value is overestimated at the expense of other cities of Lombardy. I, more than bustling and dynamic, find it hectic and anxiogenic, but I'm a provincial and then you will not take me too seriously.

I second Roberto's suggestion - The San Siro! Forza Rossoneri!

Bronwen My name is Claudio, while Claudia is a female name. I live twenty-five miles from Milano, I studied in that city and I have been there many times for work and for pleasure. In Milan there are many things to visit, many of which have already been mentioned here, but, in my humble opinion, is a gray and sad city and there are other beautiful cities in Lombardy that deserve a visit. My advice is: one less day in the plumbeous Milan and even visit Bergamo, Mantua, Cremona or Pavia.

I just want to defend Milan a bit. It certainly feels more modern than other parts of Italy, but it also has plenty of "old stuff" (I'll never forget the tram tracks diverted around a church, just south of the center; going inside, I found out that it had been rebuilt several times, but the original parts of the church dated to the 4th century). I certainly don't find it sad - it's bustling and dynamic, and full of life. I can agree that it doesn't meet most American's visions of "Italy," and I wouldn't prioritize it on a short trip. But time spent there is certainly not depressing, for me at least. One exception: the Stazione Centrale area is not appealing, and I do find it depressing. Fortunately, the excellent Metro system means that it's easy to get from the station to the center, which is much nicer.

Thanks for all the replies