"Beautiful Luisenpark – marvellous relaxing" Top 5 Page for this destination Mannheim Things to Do Tip by Trekki

(Update: April 2009: new fees added; tip & text are from February 2007)

Being the biggest park of the city, Luisenpark is Mannheim’s green lung and an attraction not only for the locals. It was created in 1903 and enlarged on the occasion of 1975 “Bundesgartenschau” (something like a German horticulture show, held every 2 years in another city). It is very easy to spend a whole day in here, given the many different attractions and kids amusements or playgrounds.

On the website below you can find descriptions to all the different attractions, including a printable map to guide you through the park. Make sure you click on the “legend” to learn more about each of the single attractions. Unfortunately, it is only in German, so I’ll try to give a short overview of what will await you, as it is a place that should not be missed.
A huge lake stretches through the park, where you can hop into the bright yellow gondolas (photo 2 and the one on my intro page) for some relaxed boating.
A big greenhouse invites you for a stroll around nearly 350 different exotic and tropic plant species and watch several reptiles, which live here (aquariums and piranhas included).
A collection of sea lily ponds enchant you with their lovely aroma, and stones are dancing next to them (a sculpture, see photo 1).
Humboldt penguins and storks live here, and it is fun to watch their feeding or listen to the sssshhhhhhh, when the storks spread their wings upon arrival or leaving.
A Chinese Teahouse and garden invites to tea celebrations and meditation and is a pure joy for the eye.

Kids can play on countless playgrounds, specially designed for nearly every age and every adventure level.

So much more to see, and maybe I’ll describe some of the attractions in “local customs” one day. Ah, lol, now, early February, I can hardly wait to go for a visit in spring :-)

Opening hours:: daily 9 a.m. to sunset;
Admission fee: adults: 5 €, kids (age 6-15): 2,50 €.

(Update April 14, 2009: I have added the new prices. Tip and text are from February 2007)

Address: Mannheim, Luisenpark
Directions: Leave the A5 (Autobahn/motorway) at Mannheim Mitte and just follow the signs for Luisenpark. Parking space available.
Coordinates on GoogleEarth:
Entrance south: 49°28’45,52’’ N; 08°29’45,85’’ E
Website: http://www.stadtpark-mannheim.de/