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Trying for more info: Dusseldorf, 7 hours, 4 kids...

We are arriving after an overnight flight. Kids are 2, 5, 7, 10. We have a 7-hour layover. I want to do something "charming" as this will be their intro to Europe. I am not getting a feeling for what to do from googling Dusseldorf. I had a couple of suggestions from my previous post but am still not sure of a plan.

Can someone help? We arrive at 11:00AM. Can we zip right in? How much will tickets cost? We should probablhy walk after being cooped up. Is there an old part of town that would be a charming walk? Maybe traditional and not touristy shops. Some historic buildings/churches. We will need lunch as well.

Someone mentioned Cologne, which looks great, but I am afraid it will get complicated.

I have never travelled in Germany before and am unfamiliar with the surroundings and logistics.

I definitely do not want to miss the flight to Paris.

I can't find anything on the web that is "Dusseldorf with Kids" so I am turning to you.

Many thanks and sorry for the double post.

Posted by
2297 posts

Cecily,

Duesseldorf is my "home airport". I've been there lots of times but I usually continue straight onto the Autobahn from there to visit my family without going into the city. I also visited a friend a few times who lives in the suburbs. But we don't really do the touristy stuff. With one exception: we took bikes once and cycled along the Rhine. Stopped in the old town centre for gelato. That was a really nice outing with our kids. Most likely you could rent bikes when you arrive at the city train station from the airport or here:
http://www.fahrradverleih-duesseldorf.de/indexuk.html
According to google map that one is only a few metres away from the Rhine and there are underground stations close enough as well. So you should be able to get there easy enough from the airport.

The airport has really good connections. Afer a huge fire a few years back the airport underwent huge renovation and is thus very modern and efficient today.

Posted by
2297 posts

And another truly kid friendly suggestion:

A very kid friendly destination is the Aquazoo (again a tip from my friend, I've never been there). Sounds like an aquarium to me:
http://www.duesseldorf.de/eng/tourism/discover/zoos/index.shtml

On the above website there is also a link for "Family Recreation":
http://www.duesseldorf.de/eng/tourism/discover/familie/index.shtml

Should you decide to take a train into Koeln I wouldn't worry too much about logistics as the connections are really very frequent and direct. You could even check out www.bahn.de right now and find some times and prices for your travel day (in English).