Kassel
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In Case of Emergency
Ambulance, Police - CALL 112
Stolen credit- or bank card - CALL 116 116
Obvious Kassel Sights
Herkules Monument
... we love our Herkules monument. From the top (and the bottom) you have a great view of the city. During night time it is illuminated in green. Very creepy and very romantic at the same time. If your’re a couple – bring a blanket and a bottle of wine.
Castle Wilhelmshöhe
... this one is obvious. What I can say is that visiting inside is quite nice in comparison to other castles. This is because all the stuff left over from the large castle, which burned down is concentrated here. During the “night of the museums” they illuminate it with candles.
Löwenburg
... built right next to the castle for the concubine. It’s romantic, I can see that happen – anyway, interesting collection of old things inside.
Castle Wilhelmstal
... Castle Wilhelmsthal is a smaller castle located slightly north of Kassel. The tour offered takes about one hour and covers the whole thing. It is in very great shape and the park is marvelous. Even today people actually live in it.
House of Dorothea Viehmann
... this sweet lady was the one to tell many of the fairy-tales to the brothers Grimm to writedown. She lived in Kassel-Niederzwehren in a very romantic neighborhood. The house is still there.
Artists Necropole
... Ok this one is freaky. documenta-artists were given the opportunity to design their own gravesite around the “blue lake” in the forest close to Kassel-Harleshausen. 8 gravesites are already in place waiting for their creators to die, 40 are planned altogether. They are not easy to find, but fun to look for!
documenta Remnants
... hosting the largest modern art exhibition oft he world every five years leaves traces. Unfortunately they are hard to find and identify. Haven’t found signs to point you at them yet. Anyway go search for the Man walking to the sky at Kulturbahnhof, vertical earth-kilometer on Friedrichsplatz, a huge twin picture frame close to the opera house, lasers in museum Fridericianum, pick-axe on fulda-bank, any more?
documenta Urbana
... a para-documenta style site dedicated how life shapes the environment. Interesting architecture, as I see it. someone please put this in adequate words.
Sights closeby
Town of Melsungen
... Melsungen is a beautiful small town nestled in the hills of Nordhessen about 25 km from Kassel on the river Fulda. It is popular for its half timbered houses which are a specific type of architecture known from the 19th century. Melsungen is also called Braun town because it is the locationof the headquarters of a huge pharmaceutical company by the name of B.Braun Melsungen AG which is a 3,5 Bill company. Its factory is worth a visit also.
Town of Fritzlar
... Fritzlar is a beautiful ancient town located 25 km south of Kassel.
It counts among the oldest medieval German towns, founded already in 724 a.d. by Bonifatius, who cut the Donar Oak tree and with it built the first church (where the Dome is today). A very nice market square surrounded by well restaured half timbered houses, many different old towers and a lot of little shops and cafes invite you to spend lots of time.
Tower on Bärenberg
... on the top of "Großer Bärenberg" tehre is a big tower. The hike there begins in Zierenberg, which can be reached with the RegioTRAM 4 and leads through the Habichtswald, a forest close to Kassel. The view from the plattform of the tower is awesome. The plattform has enough space to have a decent picknick or even a BBQ on. I am not sure, if BBQ is allowed, though ...
Edersee
... the Edersee is a lake created by the dam built on the river Eder, covering 3 villages with water. It is almost 27 km long and allows any type of watersports. The dam was bombed in WW2 and the lake flooded a huge area. This event is Peter Jacksons new project, so keep your eyes open for the premiere ;-)
Dörnberg
... Dörnberg is a hill close to the town of Zierenberg. It was cleared of trees a long time ago and then developed into a very unique ecosystem, inhabitating severalplants that are only found in the alps. It also hosts a sail-plane airport. Go there for a picknick and a flight on a nice day.
Sababurg
... Sababurg is a large zoo for animals, which typically inhabit the region surrounding Kassel. Going there is at least a full afternoon. Admission is EUR 5,00 (adults), and EUR 4 (reduced).
Grenzmuseum
... this open air museum shows one of the few preserved pieces of the intra-German border. Don't expect to come out cheerful, but also don't hesitate to go there.
Other ways to spend time
Bat Excursions
... during summertime the museum of natural history in ottoneum offers bat excursions and other things, where specific bats are located by means of ultrasound detectors in the park adjacent to the river Fulda. Although generally made for kids age 12+, still worth doing if you’re older.
Water Arts
... on every Wednesday and sundy at 14:30 hours from may until october the “water arts” in the park of castle wilhelmshöe take place. Water cascades from the herkules monument clear down to the basin directly in front of castle wilhelmshöhe passing several interesting stages.
On certain summer nights this event takes places at nighttime, illuminated in many colors. Buy a bottle of whine, walk up to the monument in time and then follow the water down to the castle. Check the website for dates and times.
Bunker Excursions
... volunteers of the firefighters in Kassel offer tours to the bunkers in the Weinberg and in front of the Kulturbahnhof used in world war 2. Early booking is recommended. If you need the tour in English language, let them know (and let me know, if they do it). Very cool.
Observatory
... the astronomy club Kassel has built a small observatory in the town of Calden, about 20 min north of Kassel. Each Friday the do tours of the sky at a fee of 1 EUR. The club consists of ambitioned hobby astronomers, who are alsways happy to answer some questions.
Indoor rock climbing
... at this place they have walls of up to 19 m in height and a decent amount of boulders. It is a little pricy, but lots of fun. All equipment can be rented, evening discounts are available, monday nights is students night.
Swimming pools
Kurhessentherme: Indoor thermal well located in Wilhelmshöhe. Huge awesome sauna area. If you are a couple, this is where you go. Quite expensive but very much worth it.
Aqua Park Baunatal: Large indoor and outdoor swimming facility, with a variety of pools for swimming, relaxing, children and jumping. Huge slide and the possibility to swimm outside. Family oriented.
Auebad: A large outdoor swimming pool located next to the river Fulda. THE place in the summer.
Freibad Holzhausen: Small outdoor swimming pool, only open during the summer. mostly empty and easily reachable with the car.
Golf
... Golf courses are basically all private in Germany, you need to be a member in some kind of club to get on to a course here. If you don't have that your screwed everywhere but Gudensberg and Waldeck. Here are my picks:
Kassel Wilhelmshöhe: Great 18 hole course with narrow fairways in the forest. Awesome experience, but unfortunately this one is the snob-course.
Golf Club Waldeck: VEry cool and hilly 18 hole course close to the lake Edersee. Located next to a smal airport for ailplanes, great atmosphere. this course features a very well kept 9 hole public course, which is excellent for practicing short shots..
Golfpark Gudensberg: Public course with 7 holes, pitch and put and indoor facilities.
Go-Kart
Skiing, sleigh: ... Hohes Gras
sailing planes ... at dörnberg + wolfhagen
skydiving: ...calden
recommended biketours: ... -------
walking tour of kassel: ... -------
Parks / Recreational
Buga
Karlsaue
Bergpark
Reinhardswald: ... well, these two kings play a game. One says: “If I win, I get one harvest on your land.” The other agrees. He loses and then watches oak trees being planted. Anyway, it’s quite an old oak forest.
Herbsthäuschen
Museums
Museum of Natural History
Brüder Grimm Museum
Tapetenmuseum
Museum für Sepulkrakultur
Landesmuseum
Castle Wilhelmstal
Castle Wilhelmshöhe
Löwenburg
Neue Galerie
Documentahalle
Technikmuseum at Orangerie
Museum Friedericianum
Planetarium
Cultural
Opera House
... the opera house, two stages. tickets are around 10-15 EUR depending on when and what your are watching. If you want to get a good deal, come very late and go for last minute ticktes.
Fritz
Komödie
Dock4
Schlachthof
Freilichtbühne Burghasungen
Sonntagskonzerte im Bergpark
Starclub
... starclub is kassels cabaret. It’s quite pricy as you would expect and reservations in advance necessary.
Konzertscheune Calden
... starclub outpost before easter and X-mas hosting a quite decent varieté show. Also pricy, also reservations in advance are necessary. Worth it though. Saw someone juggle with running chainsaws there.
Caricatura
... the Caricatura is "The Museum for funny Art", as it names itself. It has changing exhibitions. Opening hours: Thu, Fr: 2pm to 8pm; Sa,Su: noon to 8pm. Their bar is opened longer.
Events
Open flair
Museumsnacht
... on this night at the beginning of each September the "night of the museums" takes place. All museums in Kassel are open until midnight and have a special program going on on this night. The ticket included entry to all museums and public transportation. If you go, be sure to NOT miss the "castle in canlelight" at Castle Wilhelmshöhe!
Zissel
Clubbing
NYTD
SODA
Club22
Spot
Nachthallen/Musiktheater
Cuba Club
A7
Lolita Bar
for DRINK
Bolero
... from the large porch you can overlook the park in front of the Orangerie. Great cocktails and one of the few places in Kassel, where the waiters are actually doing a real good job. They also offer international food. Every first monday of each month they do an "after work party", every sunday there is a brunch (early reservations required).
Hemmingway Club
... talking cocktails, this is the no.1 adress in Kassel. Located underneath the Rathaus in carribean-stly painted catacombs they serve a vast variety of drinks. rudimentary food is available also.
Maya Coba
... Maya coba is located in th entrance of the Capitol cinema complex. It's a coolplace for people watching, as everybody who goes to the cinema passes through. That is what keeps it lively even on weekdays.
Kokotao
... cocktailbar close to the Capitol cinema complex. The upper floor is the much nicer one. It has big leather sofas and a pretty relaxed athmosphere.
Xallo Bar
... relaxed place on the first floor of a shitty looking building. Awesome huge windows and a good view of the street below. In summer you can sit outside.
Uhlenspiegel
... small and budget bar in the popular student quarter "vorderer Westen". Happy hour before 9pm - 0.5l Guinness from tap only EUR 1,60. The walls are interesting; they consist of old furniture-parts.
Goethestr. 30, +49 (0)561 777887
Xallo Cook
... Xallo Cook is a "Pirates of the Carribean"-style bar. in summer they have a large porch.
Limerick
... Limerick was chosen for the first kassel CS-meetup. It's a laid back Irish-sytle bar. Cheap guinnes and great pizzas.
Wilhelmshöher Allee 116, +49 (0)561 776649
The Shamrock
... an Irish pub. If it's a thursday go there for Karaoke, it's always packed then. Much fun - especially the Japanese guy singing Herbert Grönemeyer songs.
Fiasko
B2
... one of a kind bar known for its warm atmosphere created by buddhism inspired deco and the variety of locals. Betty and Beate, can advise you on organic wines and anything from cocktails to coffee. There is a back room, the bar or outside. Wether you're old or young, single or couple, gay or not, at B2 you'll always meet someone to chat with.
Germaniastrasse 13, +49 (0)561 7663737
brewery wolpertinger
Mutter
Freudenhaus
joe's garage
bohemia
milchbar
alex brasserie
Hallo Bar
... This one is a common student bar. It's main attractions ar ethe nomad-style lie down areas. Great to hang out and chill. Very resonable prices for the finger food and drinks. Each day there is a special for one specific dish/drink. Thursdays: cocktails 3,90 EUR.
for FOOD
upper/mid segment
Ilyssia
... Greek food. Nicely located next to a small creek in the middle of one of the old parts of Kassel.
NAIS
... Argentinian steak house. When is comes to steaks these people know their business. Forget the salads, though.
Restaurant Pfeffermühle
... German dishes. This restaurant belongs to a hotel.
Rossini
... Italian specialist. Small and classy restaurant close to Königsplatz, located in an old church. Walk through completely and you will find a nice area outside.
Lotusblume
... the Lotusblume is the only Chinese Place if eating is more to you than removing hunger. Great style and non generic asian food. If you let them know in advance they will even prepare "authentic" chinese food, not Europeanized. And they are not expensive.
Wahlershäuser Str. 65, 34130 Kassel, +49 (0)561 6026800
Steinernes schweinchen
sushi
Shinyu Sushi House Kassel
... my personal pick, qualitywise. Not really much more to add. Just go there.
YA Sushi
... central location in Königsgalerie. I recommend the non-advertised "Thursdays All-you-can-eat". Reservations are required.
mid/budget segment
Avanti inside Königsgalerie
... central location inside Königsgalerie. It looks like a high class foodcourt, but the food is really good. I recommend the black pasta with crab meat.
Lohmann
... schnitzel - full stop. Lohmann is THE place for schnitzels in Kassel. they have several different styles. My personal fave: "Hessisches Schmandschnitzel". There is a monster schnitzel. Finish it and you get a free shot, which you WILL need. Their beergarden is excellent in the summer.
Creperie
Bootshaus Fulda
Casa Colombiana
Bolero
el Sol
cafe del sol
for COFFEE
Orangerie
Alex
Caruso
Up at Herkules
Cinema
Cineplex Capitol
... located on Wilhelmsstraße. 7 theaters. Adults: EUR4,50+, budget-days: Tuesdays, Thursdays.
Cinestar
... huge multiplex theater behind Rathaus, steel-facaded building, you can't miss it. 13 theaters. If you don't want to go alone they have a dating-plattform on their website. Adults: EUR 5+, budget-days: Tuesdays, Thursdays.
Bali Kinos, Filmladen, Gloria
... these three cinemas are run by one company focusing on all sort of non-mainstream.
Bali: arthouse movietheater, aside of mainstream, but not yet really alternative. budget-day: Mondays.
+49 (0)561 710550
Filmladen: this is your Kassel alternative cinema. budget-days: Tuesdays, Thursdays.
+49 (0)561 707650
Gloria: elevated mainstream and alternative. Impressive theater refurbished in the original 1950s style. A must-see.
+49 (0)561 7667950
Open Air Kino
... open during the summer, showing selected movies from all genres.
Transportation
Theme Days
Art day
Sports day
Culture day
Rainy day
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
http://www.ausgehen-kassel.de/
--Sprudeldudel 14:44, 24 October 2008 (EDT)
http://www.couchsurfing.com/sprudeldudel
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