About our rating systemLacking a true attraction (a water ride based on the Rhine was planned but never completed), Germany is popular for its food. The Biergarten Restaurant does sausages, beer, and the like—accompanied by yodeling and dancing—while the adjoining shop is for crystal doodads. The Sommerfest is the counter-service alternative for brats and pretzels, and the beer kiosk is ever-popular. On the hour, the Clock Tower above the pavilion rings and two figures emerge, just like at the Glockenspiel in München (Munich). The pavilion is otherwise a string of connected one-room shops selling steins ($25–$200), figurines, crystal, Christmas ornaments, cuckoo clocks (up to $1,900), and other high-priced wares.
Influences: Eltz Castle near Koblenz; Stahleck Fortress near Bacharach; Rothenburg (the Biergarten and the dragon slayer statue); facades from Frankfurt and Freiburg (the guildhall).
Fun Stuff to Buy: The connected candy-and-wine shop, Weinkeller, is worth a gander: You’ll find such pick-me-ups as Gluhwein ($12 a liter), wine by the bottle (spätlese, Gewürtztraminer, Auslese, Liebfraumilch, from $20), beer steins ($50–$130), and cuckoo clocks in the $100s or $1000s. Der Teddybär (not always open) sells toys, including stuffed ones by Steiff. The Werther’s Original Karamell-Küche shop for all sorts of caramel treats ($4–$10) is a standout—its warm, hand-tossed caramel popcorn is a top treat on the Lagoon.
Character greeting: Snow White.
