7. Paddle a Boat in the English Garden
Germany’s largest city park is bigger than New York’s Central Park, and contains everything from 36 kilometers of woodland paths to formal gardens and a Chinese pagoda. For kids, it’s a good place to run, let off steam, swing on and ride playground equipment, feed ducks, and ride in paddleboats around the Kleinhesseloher See.
Older kids will be disappointed to learn that there’s nowhere to rent surfboards, so they can only watch surfers in one of its streams. While kids romp, parents can enjoy the changing natural landscapes, gardens, views from the Greek-style temple, even take part in a traditional tea ceremony in the Japanese Tea House. When everyone needs a break from museums and palaces, bring a picnic and retreat to this countryside right in the city center.
8. Take Time for a Konditorei
You won’t have any trouble finding a konditorei in Munich. These bakery cafés are everywhere, and your kids are sure to spot the rows of luscious cakes in their windows. Inside are tables where you can join a favorite local pastime of having a mid-morning or mid-afternoon «bit of something» with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.
The cakes and pastries are every bit as delicious as they look. No need to know their names or be able to pronounce them. You can just point to the one you want, and it will arrive at your table. Judge by the looks or ask for one of the standby choices: Linzertorte (nut crust with raspberry jam filling), Schwarzwälder kirschtorte (chocolate cake with cherries and whipped cream), Obsttorte (sweet pastry crust filled with glazed fruits), Sachertorte (dense dark chocolate cake with fondant icing), or a Berliner (jelly doughnut).
