Düsseldorf offers so many paths to adventure. A city of well over half a million people, it’s as hip as Berlin and half the distance from Kaiserslautern. It’s filled with art, music, and culture. It’s a green city, a river city, and a beach city. It offers high-end shopping and off-the-beaten-path local neighborhoods. No matter what type of adventure you prefer, chances are you will find it in Düsseldorf.

Here are four options for building your own Düsseldorf adventure. No matter where you decide to start in Düsseldorf, though, just make sure you do start. You won’t regret it!

Düsseldorf Option 1: For the Cars-and-Sports Set

Germany checks the boxes for car enthusiasts, no doubt. We’ve got the autobahn, roads flooded with high-performance cars, the Nürburgring, and a whole lot more. The best car experience that you probably haven’t heard or is Düsseldorf’s Classic Remise, which is like a museum and hands-on auto shop jammed into one place. It has a magical collection of classic cars – all housed in a beautiful building – as well as shops on-site that sell parts, gear, clothes, and more. If you weren’t a motorhead when you walked into the Classic Remise, you will be when you leave.

Düsseldorf also has a really good ice hockey team, Düsseldorfer EG, one of Germany’s best for many years. The game atmosphere is excellent, and DEG employs a number of American and Canadian players at any given time (so you can cheer in English!). For a unique sporting experience, it’s hard to beat a match in Düsseldorf.

Düsseldorf Option 2: For Those Who are a Little Bit (or a Lot) Rock n’ Roll

Düsseldorf has a well-deserved reputation for being cool. The place teems with artists, art museums, street art, and art shops. The city has also given rise to a number of excellent musicians – from German rock legends Die Toten Hosen (google the translation of that name and get ready to smile) to electronica maestros Kraftwerk to indie rockers and jazz virtuosos. You’ll find high fashion, low fashion, and everything in between.

So book seats at the ballet or opera. Find a rock show (both Guns n’ Roses and AC/DC will be there this summer). Or buy tickets to Düsseldorf’s super-cool street art tour. Leave the classic art museums to classic cities and go visit the NRW Forum, which constantly offers exhibitions of contemporary art, and is always thought-provoking. Whatever you choose, the city won’t disappoint.

Düsseldorf Option 3: For the Classic Tourists

Hey, no shame here! Being a classic tourist in Germany is an awesome experience. Who doesn’t love all those beautiful cobblestoned plazas? All those half-timbered buildings, exquisite stone fountains, towering churches, tranquil gardens? If that’s you, then you will be in the right place.

Start with the old town, and especially with Königsallee, which is (no joke) one of the best shopping experiences in the country. You’ll find all the usual international brands, of course. But you’ll also find side street after side street (like the clothes and shoes-friendly Shadowstrasse) lined with cool, local, and sometimes downright odd little shops. You’ll find cafés, bars, restaurants, and luxury hotels. And, incredibly, you’ll find trees.

Afterward, go ahead and be that person and stroll over to the Rhine Tower, which often shines at night with amazing laser shows. Ride that elevator all the way up, more than 560 feet. Book at table at QOMO, or have a drink at the bar. And watch the world from way up high. It’s an experience that will elevate you.

Düsseldorf Option 4: For the Off-the-beaten-path Fans

Head north from the city center to the aptly named Nordstrasse. There, your indie-shop loving soul will find peace. A beautiful neighborhood, this district has loads of little shops, bakeries, bookstores, music stores, and more stores. It’s also just a really pretty place in which to walk, and a sharp contrast in terms of feel to Königsallee. Nordstrasse feels like authentic Düsseldorf.

Grab a cup of coffee afterward, and then head to the Japanese Garden to chill out for a little while. This urban oasis is filled with waterworks, sculpted pines, and quiet places to reflect. Best of all, entrance is free!

Afterward, head south (back toward the city center) to Little Tokyo. This living shrine to Japanese culture is a relatively rare occurrence in Germany – and one that is not to be missed.

If you’re in town on a Saturday, it is highly recommended to visit the massive flea market at Aachener Platz, which has hundreds and hundreds of vendors selling almost anything and everything.

Getting to Düsseldorf

By car, Düsseldorf is approximately 3 hours from Kaiserslautern, 2.5 hours from Wiesbaden, and 4 hours for Stuttgart. Check with Deutsche Bahn for train options.

Featured image by engel.ac / Shutterstock.com