Things To Do in Bonn
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Bonn Attractions
What you'll likely notice first when visiting are relics of recent times. First of all, the government quarter, along the west bank of the Rhine, a complex of modern, rather nondescript white buildings. The two most impressive, both along Koblenzerstrasse, are the former residences of the president and chancellor. These empire-style villas are reminiscent of the older Bonn, before it became an international center of diplomatic activity. They are not open to the public. Running north along the Rhine from the government buildings is a tree- and flower-lined promenade, which ends at the Alter Zoll. This ruined ancient fortress makes a fantastic viewing point from which visitors can see across the Rhine to the Siebengebirge and the old village of Beuel. These grounds, in essence, have become a city park.
- Historic Site
Beethoven House
Beethoven House is Bonn's pride and joy. Beethoven was born in 1770 in the small house in back, which opens onto a little garden. On its second floor is the room where he was born, decorated only with a simple marble bust of the composer. Many of Beethoven's personal possessions are… - Museum
Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
All the sweep and drama of Germany's modern history is brought to life in this museum, in artifacts, photographs, and other displays. Exhibits trace the history of Germany after 1945, up to the breakdown of law and order in the eastern sector that led to reunification. The museum… - Museum
Kunstmuseum Bonn
This triangular structure, flooded with light, contains one of the most important art collections along the Rhine. The highlight is 20th-century art, including works by Rhenish expressionists, most notably August Macke. There are also works by Kirchner, Schmidt-Rottluff, Campen-Donk,…
Bonn Shopping
Not surprisingly, you'll find lots of shops in town specializing in garments suitable for diplomacy and business. Most of the best are on the Sternstrasse (S-Bahn: Hauptbahnhof), partly a pedestrian-only street at certain times of day.
Eighteenth-century German and French furniture as well as Biedermeier is found at Paul Schweitzer, Loebestrasse 1 (tel. 0228/362659; S-Bahn: Godesberger Bahnhof), which also handles Oriental carpets, silver, French glass, and estate jewelry. A market called the Flohmarkt, at Rheinaue, Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse (tram: 66), is where you'll find all manner of secondhand goods and collectibles. It's held the third Saturday of each month April to October. A weekly market, Wochenmarkt, on the square of the same name, is held Monday to Saturday. You can enjoy a good lunch here, buying cooked food as you walk along inspecting the produce and various flea market items.
Bonn Nightlife
Once a dismal place to go out on the town, Bonn now has a thriving fine-arts community and a brisk nightlife. If you're in the area around the first Saturday in May, don't miss the Rhine in Flames event which features a spectacular annual fireworks display, visible for a distance of about 25km (15 miles) south of the city.
The Performing Arts
Bonn has always struggled with the perception that it can't compete with the larger arts communities in Hamburg and Berlin, and consequently it compensates (or overcompensates) with an impressive roster of cultural events. One of the most visible is "La Scala of the Rhineland," the Oper der Stadt Bonn, Am Boeselagerhof (tel. 0228/778008; www.theater-bonn.de; S-Bahn: Hauptbahnhof), where ballet and opera are performed at regular intervals mid-August to June. Box office hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 3:30pm, Saturday 9:30am to noon, and Sunday 10am to 2pm. Tickets are 9€ to 115€ each, depending on the event.
The Klassische Philharmonie Bonn (Bonn Symphony Orchestra) performs in Beethovenhalle, Wachsbleiche 16 (tel. 0228/654965; www.klassische-philharmonie-bonn.de; S-Bahn: Hauptbahnhof), September to June, with occasional free concerts given on Sunday mornings. Otherwise, tickets cost 15€ to 62€. On a more intimate scale, chamber music is sometimes presented within a small but charming concert hall within the Beethoven Haus.
During the Bonner Summer Festival, mid-May to August, an international selection of dance and music groups performs, mostly for free, in open-air locations around the city. Contact tel. 0228/201030 or 2010345 for details. In addition, the BeethovenFest Bonn, a rekindling of both the nostalgia and the music associated with Bonn's greatest musical genius, takes place in late August and September. Visit www.beethovenfestbonn.de for information.
Bonn's Theater-Kasse, Windeckstrasse 1 (tel. 0228/775000; www.theater.bonn.de; S-Bahn: Hauptbahnhof), is a well-known and highly resourceful ticket agency associated with the city's tourist office. It has access to tickets for virtually every sporting, entertainment, and cultural venue in Bonn. Also call for information on performers, schedules, and prices.
Live Music & Cabaret
The Pantheon Theater, Bundeskanzlerplatz (tel. 0228/212521; www.pantheon.de; bus: 610), stages jazz and pop concerts, comedy shows, and political cabaret. Nearly every weekday there is a performance of some sort. Friday and Saturday, the facility becomes a dance club. The box office is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday noon to 6pm.
Gay Bars
The most crowded gay bar is Boba's Bar, Josefstrasse 17 (tel. 0228/650685; www.bobasinn.de; S-Bahn: Hauptbahnhof), near the railway station, adjacent to the Rhine. It welcomes a drinking (but not dancing) crowd in their 20s and 30s. It's open Tuesday to Sunday 8pm to 3am and Friday and Saturday 8pm to 5am. There's also Le Copain, Berliner Platz 5 (tel. 0228/639935; S-Bahn: Berliner-von-Suttner-Platz), which attracts a somewhat older clientele and is open 4pm to 1 or 2am.
