The Schwanthalerhöhe or Westend neighborhood of Munich is the perfect place to base a Munich trip. Come for the 18-day Oktoberfest or anytime during the year.
Visit the Ruhmeshalle, or Hall of Fame, built between 1843 and 1853. Inside are busts of almost 100 citizens who have served the state of Bavaria. Outside, see the tall bronze Statue of Bavaria. You can actually climb up into the head of the statue. From here, look down on Theresienwiese, the huge Oktoberfest grounds. Enter the site for rides, food, music, traditional games and, of course, beer.
One neighborhood highlight is the Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum, a large museum devoted to motion and land travel. Explore its three historic halls for examples of transportation over time. Steam locomotives and penny-farthings, bicycles with large front wheels, represent the past. Racecars and the ICE (Intercity Express) train show cutting-edge advances in modern transportation.
Across the tracks of Munich Central Station in the neighborhood off Arnulfstrasse is the Augustiner-Keller Brewery. Beer has been made here since 1328, a testament to the taste and quality of Augustiner's products. Visit the large outdoor beer garden, first opened in 1812. Sample Augustiner Edelstoff tapped from a wooden barrel and accompanied by the ringing of bells.
Children are welcome at Augustiner’s restaurant. If you visit in winter, combine your stop at the brewery with something the kids might really enjoy: a trip to the nearby Circus Krone, with lion tamers, equestrians, elephants, clowns and other traditional circus acts. The whole family can appreciate the entertainment even if no one in your group speaks German. During the summer, the venue offers concerts and exhibitions while the circus goes on tour.
Schwanthalerhöhe’s location west of central Munich near the main train station makes it convenient to reach from anywhere in Europe. Within the neighborhood, walk, take public transportation or use bike, scooter and car share systems to get around. The Schwanthalerhöhe subway station is at the entrance to the Ruhmeshalle and Oktoberfest grounds.
