6 hour layover in Dusseldorf. Time to see/do anything?!!?

I have no idea if 6 hours is enough time, so I won't address that issue. My experience in Düsseldorf is limited to about a 4 hour visit a few months ago, but in the restricted amount of time, I didn't exactly fall in love with it. It's far from the ugliest city in Germany, but neither is it the most attractive either. There's a relatively small and understated Altstadt, but not much there of interest to a tourist. I liked the nice promenade along the Rhine. The Hofgarten would likely prove a most pleasant place to take a stroll in the spring, but there was a large construction project smack in the middle when I visited (and actually, there was a lot of construction everywhere in the city). Düsseldorf is known as the capital of the German high fashion industry, and as such, you can find quite a bit of overpriced shopping. The Oberkassel district on opposite bank of the Rhine would rank as one of the most beautiful residential areas I've seen of any city anywhere, but that's really all it amounts to... a nice residential area. So, if you think you'll have enough time, why not give it a look? Just don't expect to be too blown away.

Like Tom, I have no idea if 6 hours is enough time, but I will nevertheless address that issue based on plenty of similar experience. You don't say if you layover is between two European flights or between a transatlantic one and a European one. You will need 2 hours before your flight to Vienna to do all the usual pre-flight things. Maybe a bit less if you luggage (if any) is checked through. I will assume that you are arriving on a flight from NYC somewhere, so you will need maybe an hour to get off the plane, go through immigration and customs and get outside the airport. That might give you about 3 hours to run into town. As you "like to live dangerously" why don't you go for it?
My experience in Düsseldorf is limited to several days there when I was quite a bit younger and I loved the place, especially the Altstadt. And I have more recent experience from last year, or possibly the year before, when I was there for a full day as a day trip from my local favourite, Aachen. Probably 2 years ago. When we arrived I certainly had rose tinted glasses on with my memories of wandering up and down the Altstadt area, having pizza on the top floor of a bar with a movable glass roof. My memories were quickly dashed. The whole town seemed quite run down - certainly not the vibrant place I had remembered for 30 years or so. The Altstadt especially was full of run down places, closed places and generally had the feeling, to me, of having run out of gas. I wouldn't return now. But you have nothing else to do for around 3 hours - so have at it.

Nigel you are correct. I am flying from NYC to Dusseldorf and then to Vienna. Doesn't sound like Dusseldorf is the most exciting place in Europe. Oh well. I just didn't want to have to sit at the airport and pay for overpriced airport food and drink. We shall see. Thanks to both of you.

Dear Broketraveler, don't give up on this help board, a few more knowledgable people with better memories then I will eventually respond. I think you SHOULD go into Dusseldorf. Although my age says I shouldn't attempt this kind of behavior, I've done it in Amsterdam, think I got an adrenaline rush from my accomplishment. My daughter and S-I-L live in Neuss, a nearby suburb. I've been to Dusseldorf at least 3 times and enjoyed myself, whether it was freezing cold in February, or April, or September. A very lively City. If you are in the age bracket between 25 and 35, you'll find just what you like around the "wharf" area, as I would describe it. The architecture is quite interesting. It's a "high end" type of City, everyone seems to think they are Classy. There is a rivalry with Koln ( considered the old, stuffy, conservative types). Sorry I can't be more specific with names, etc. Lots of Breweries that serve Kolch(sp). Good Luck, go for it. Might be smart to take a cab back to airport if you run out of time!

Hi, You should go to Düsseldorf but not on this trip. Your time constraint is too tight. I would suggest if you want to get out of the airport, take the U-Bahn to the refurbished train station. Hang out there before returning. Other than that you don't have the time. From the Hbf. (train station) the U-Bahn goes to the Altstadt. That and the wealthy Königsallee are worth visiting. I agree with going to Neuss, spent am afternoon there once. Aside from the Altstadt and the Königsallee, the district worth visiting is across the Rhine...Düsseldorf-Oberkassel (where the refurbished HI hostel is located) When you go other cities near to Düsseldorf, you'll see it is a great deal more attractive than these other places vis-a-vis the Zentrum, such as Duisburg, Essen, Hamm, Dortmund, etc.