Munich train layover - what to do/see?

Walk down the Fußganger (pedestrian) zone from the Hbf to Marienplatz, see Frauenkirche and the Rathaus, climb Heiligepeter Kirche for a view of the Alps and Munich, then take the S-Bahn back to the Hbf.

Lee's suggestions are very good. While you're at Marienplatz, you could walk around the corner and have a beer at the Hofbrauhaus. The food is a total ripoff, but it's fun to go at least once!

Great suggestions. And if you look at a map of Munich, you can see all of this is in super-easy walking distance of the main train station.

PS - Bag storage is on the lower level of the train station, inexpensive, safe, and worth it. Dump your big bag while you look around for the afternoon. I left some bags there for almost a month, with a laptop inside, and was totally safe!

There is a TI by the bag storage... but is usually very crowded, and all you really need is a map. :)

Amy, I was going to suggest the Hofbräuhaus. Yea, it's a little touristy, but fun. First time I was there a bunch of Japanese tourists (that, bunch, is the real name for a group of Japanese tourist - look it up, like herd, or gaggle) - came in briefly, all went crick crick with their camara's, and left. After that it was just those annoying German tourists. They act like it's their country or something. But, I didn't think the prices for food at the Hofbräuhaus were extravagant - compared to other places in Munich, I thought they were quite reasonable.

Bag storage is on the lower level of the train station.

Not sure how you define "lower level". Bag storage is on the same level as the main, dead end tracks, just off the LH end. There are several levels (S-Bahn station) below that. But, there are a whole bunch (no, that's not right, that would be Japanese tourists), oh well, rows, of lockers where you can stow your luggage for a few hours, so you can walk, hands free, to Marienplatz.

" First time I was there a bunch of Japanese tourists"... sounds identical to my first time there.

Yea, it was kind of funny. They didn't stay. They just came in, took pictures, and left.

I've been to Munich 3 or 4 times, and I only went to the Hofbrauhaus for the first time on the last trip in 2007. (I'm pretty sure. Most times I'm in Munich I'm enjoying the local brew and maybe I've forgotten another trip there! ;) We were very aggravated when we first got there, because no one would make room for us to sit at their table. But finally we found a spot with a few locals, and they were so nice. We ended up having a great time that evening. I guess that's part of the appeal of the beer halls/gardens is that you sit with others that you don't know. Hopefully, you can find locals and learn more about the area. We actually prefer the Augustiner Brewery. Lee, did you ever go there? They're supposed to be the oldest brewery in Munich. Their food is very good and atmosphere isn't as loud or touristy as the Hofbrauhaus. We found it because the guy at the front desk of our hotel suggested it. It was within two blocks of our hotel, and he told us to eat there instead of the Hofbrauhaus because it was cheaper and less touristy. We were so glad he suggested it. It's now my husband's favorite beer...

"We actually prefer the Augustiner Brewery". If you mean their beer hall on Kaufingerstasse, I've been there. Better food than the Hofbrauhaus, but it can't match good-natured party atmosphere of the Hofbrauhaus... and it doesn't have its own song.

I too prefer the Augustiner Brewery and it is closer to the train station.

On your way to Marienplatz, stop for a few minutes at the Asamkirche (Asam church). It is small, dark and heavily decorated in the Rococo style. It makes a very interesting contrast to the light, open Frauenkirche mentioned above.

Regards, Gary

Tom, the Augustiner Brewery we go to is on Landsberger Straße. I didn't know there were multiple locations... Is that a cross street? Maybe there's an entrance to the beer garden on the street you referred to? You are so right, though, it does NOT have a party atmosphere. I didn't realize the Hofbrauhaus had their own song. Oh, is it "ein prosit, ein prosit, gemuetlichkeit..."? That one?

Walk down to the Rathaus area. Opposite the Rathaus is a large bookstore if you like to shop for books. For an authentic Biergarten, exit the Bahnhof on the left side to Arnulfstrasse. Turn left. The beer garden is about three long blocks up the street.

"crick crick"????

ROFLMAO!!!!!!

Amy, I think we're talking about different locations. You may be referring to the brewery itself, whereas I'm thinking of a beerhall restaurant near Marienplatz run by the brewery.

But no, "Ein Prosit" is not unique to the Hofbrauhaus. Here's the lyrics to the Hofbrauhuas song:
In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus:
Eins, zwei, g'suffa
Da läuft so manches Fäßchen aus:
Eins, zwei, g'suffa
Da hat so manche braver Mann:
Eins, zwei, g'suffa
Gezeigt was er so vertragen kann
Schon früh am Morgen fing er an
Und spät am Abend kam er heraus
So schön ist's im Hofbräuhaus

Tom and Jim, we are all talking about the same Augustiner! I went to their website, and now I know that Augustiner has a LOT of locations throughout the city. My husband will be thrilled to know that we don't have to go the one and only now... Then again, the hotel we always stay at is within walking distance of the one on Landsbergerstrasse. Anyway, Tom, the one you're referring to is "Augustiner am Platzl". Jim, you're referring to "Augustiner-Keller." And I was referring to "Augustiner Braeustuben." So Noah, you have a lot of options if you take our advice and want to try some Augustiner... here's the site for them: http://www.augustiner-braeu.de/augustiners/html/en/Gaststaetten_a_z.html
And Steve, I totally missed the "crick crick" comment. Very funny.

CRICK! CRICK!