Why we went…
The first time we went in 2018 the primary focus of this trip was Austria, and our best option for flying home was through Munich. We were only in Munich for one afternoon and evening, but we decided to make the most of it and discover the city one beer hall at a time.
The second time we went to Munich in December of 2025, we were fortunate to spend more time in the city. We revisited some of our breweries, and also had the opportunity to discover more of the culture and activities that Munich has to offer. I always love visiting cities in different seasons as well.
Where we stayed…
Apartments and Hotel Maximilian Munich – I cannot recommend this hotel enough for families. We booked it last minute and were so lucky to find it. The location was perfect. It is a 3-minute walk from the Marian Platz on a quiet street. We were also able to get a very reasonably priced family suite with two rooms. The breakfast was lovely, and they have a sauna and gym which is nice for tired travelers.
Where we ate and Drank…
Augustiner Keller Biergarten – Gigantic beer, gigantic pretzels, and a gigantic play structure made this biergarten the perfect first stop for our family. The kids loved the play structure that was bigger and seemingly more dangerous than anything they have here at home. Rick and I loved the festive ambiance and cool crisp beer. We loved watching the local families play and enjoy the beautiful afternoon, the beer and food, and each other.
Schneider Brauhaus – In the heart of the old town, this beer hall had some our favorite beer including Aventinus and a good weiss bier (wheat beer) that I liked. The pork knuckle was pretty good too as an afternoon snack for the kids. Definitely a local watering hole. Another benefit of walking from Augustine Keller to Schneider was seeing some of the sites in Munich and getting ice cream along the way. When visited Schneider Brauhaus on our second trip seven years later we enjoyed recreating some pics. We also ate here a couple time because the food is fantastic especially the schnitzel.
Hofbrauhaus – The iconic German beer hall, at least by American standards, did not disappoint. The Hofbrauhaus is huge and filled with tourists, as we expected, but it also had a fun polka band and the classic long communal tables. It was definitely worth the stop to see what the hype was all about.
Wirsthaus am Rosengarten – We’d had our fill of beer by this point, but loved sitting out on the patio. The restaurant is on Westpark and the kids could run around before dinner.
Ratskeller Munchen – This restaurant is huge so it is a great spot to walk into without a reservation. The food is traditional and quite good. You will see tourists and locals enjoying this lively and traditional eatery.
Weinhaus Schneider – This fondue and raclette restaurant is charming and family owned. The ambiance is cozy, and it was especially festive at Christmas time. We loved the meat and cheese fondue. It is located steps from the Marienplatz and a great option if you are looking for to try fondue or raclette.
Paulaner Nockherberg – This is a beautiful and iconic brewery a short drive from the center of town with excellent traditional food and good beer.
Madam Chutney – With three nights and days in Munich, I knew that we would have our fill of brats, pig knuckles and schnitzel, so I booked a highly rated Indian restaurant. Madam Chutney was fantastic and definitely a food highlight of the trip.
What we did…
BMW Welt and BMW Museum – This was our favorite museum in Munich. They are located next to each other about a 20-minute taxi ride from the town center. The Welt is free and the BMW requires a ticket which can be purchased on site or online. This visually pleasing, interactive and informative museum was a highlight. It is very popular especially on a weekend or holiday so arrive early.
Deutsches Museum – We love a good science museum! All exhibits were in German and English so we could fully participate. The most visually appealing room is the aviation exhibit. The kids also loved the chemistry room, health room and the mathematics room. This was also a very popular museum for locals during the holiday break so it was good that we arrived when it opened.
Residenz Munich – This city palace is definitely worth visiting. It is conveniently located in the center of the historical downtown. The halls and rooms are spectacularly beautiful and ornated. There was a long line to enter but it moved quickly.
Viktualienmarkt – This market in the heart of Munich is worth exploring. There are wonderful restaurants, food stands, coffee shops, and handicrafts. The kids loved trying the different pickles and delicious fresh juices. We also found a fantastic coffee shop.
Neuschwanstein Castle – This fairytale castle is a daytrip outside of Munich. It is worth visiting at any time of year. This is the castle that inspired Disney’s sleeping beauty castle. We visited in winter on our way to Ischgl, Austria. The snow-covered trees made for a beautiful backdrop. The shuttle to the top of the castle was closed due to ice, but the 25-minute hike to the castle for the pictures was worth it. On the way down, we got warm donuts that were so tasty. There are horse and buggies during the winter, but the lines were so long. Since we booked the trip last minute and it was christmas break, tickets to visit the state rooms inside the castle were sold out. I highly recommend booking online early. It was still worth it just to see it from the outside.
Traveling Lyons 