Top Rated Attractions in Bonn

The famous Kreuzbergkirche is located on Stationsweg in Poppelsdorf. A place of pilgrimage stood on the site before the Elector Ferdinand allowed the Baroque church to be built there in 1627. The entry-way was first added under Elector Clemens August. The well known builder Balthasar Neumann designed the splendid stone steps which lead to the altar. The church was renovated for around two million Marks in the middle of the nineties, and the partly lost original decoration from 1750 was restored.

Bonn's green oasis is definitely the Rheinauenpark, ideal for long walks, picnics on one of the lawns, or a barbecue in one of the designated areas. In summer, you can also go rowing, or play with a remote-controlled boat on the Auen lake and if that's not enough, there is also an adventure play area for the kids and beer gardens for adults.

Botanische Garten der Universität Bonn is an oasis of peace and quiet in the middle of the city. The original gardens were re-landscaped in 1819 and still bear the typical English elements that were the flavor of the day in the early 19th Century. Visitors can admire a host of exotic plants ranging from Amazonian water lilies to orchids from the tropical rain forests. The giant North American trees are particularly striking.

The Haus der Geschichte (History House) of the Federal Republic of Germany is a must for all. Post 1945 German history is portrayed here in an interesting manner -with text captions, historical objects and photos illustrating historical events. The information here is not restricted to politics, the visitor also learns interesting facts about the history of society, art, culture as well as the economic situations. Technical aids such as screens, listening posts and info-drawers make the visit a relaxing journey through Germany's recent history. You can sit on one of the original seats from the plenary chamber to observe parliamentary debates from the fifties and sixties.

This neo-classical building, which contains one of Germany's most important Zoological collections, was built at the beginning of the 20th Century. The Alexander Koenig Research Museum, with its preserved animals and exhibits, offers an exciting afternoon for families. Over 3000 animals are on display in their natural surroundings. From local birds to exotic mammals and huge skeletons of extinct ostriches, it's all here. The bird collection has 70,000 exhibits and is particularly extensive. The egg collection is just as important and unique. The corridor to the vivarium is also impressive, as a few living reptiles are on display.

The Arithmeum pays tribute to the rise and development of mechanical machinery that existed before the technological age. This mathematics museum in the heart of Bonn exhibits a unique collection of calculators and mathematical machinery. Bernhard Korte, the founder of Arithmeum included pieces of his own private collection to those at the museum bringing in a total of 1200 pieces that were used extensively before the age of computers. The calculators here include some of the biggest and most complex thus drawing a vast number of students and enthusiasts of mathematics to the museum.