Want to have a fun time in Kaiserslautern, whether you’re solo, part of a duo, or part of a larger family? Then you have to check out the Gartenschau. It’s like someone fused together a dinosaur exhibit, a flower garden, an amazing play area, and some great walking trails…and it’s awesome. Open April 1 to October 31, the Gartenschau has something for everyone!
There is much to be said for activating your imagination somewhere beyond your office, home, or home office. Sometimes all it takes is one little – or very large – piece of input to transport you far away from the daily toils and cares of the world.
Like, say, if you find yourself looking up in wonder at the outstretched neck of an apatosaurus hovering over you like a bridge. Or if you longingly watch your children race off to an awesome wooden pirate fort…until it dawns on you: why not go with them? This is the stuff life is made of. And you can immerse yourself in it quickly at the Gartenschau Kaiserslautern.
Far More than a Garden Show
For English speakers, don’t believe your online translator when it says “Gartenschau” means “Garden Show.” It doesn’t come close to doing this place justice. No, this is like a wondrous botanical garden/dinosaur park/playground located in the heart of Kaiserslautern. Adults with or without children can easily fill several hours here.
Highlights include:
- Dinosaur Park: Think “Jurassic Park” without the potential for disaster. More than 70 hyper-realistic dinosaurs are located cleverly throughout the park. These aren’t just random dinos, either: they have been faithfully reproduced to provide budding paleontologists (or just dino lovers) with glimpses of what these creatures might have looked like several hundred million years ago. The dinos offering brilliant photo ops, much wonder and no roaring.
- Natural beauty: Okay, so this is a garden show, too. And from late spring to late autumn, the place shows it with a stunning array of flowers, cacti, trees and plants placed along the well-manicured paths.
- Incredible for children: If you have kids, the Gartenschau is a winner. Children 5 and under get in free. There are great play areas, and vast green spaces on which to sit and feed your worn-out family.
- Views: Take the steep (but short) hiking path to the top of Kaiserberg, where you’ll find more gardens and a whole new perspective on the city of Kaiserslautern.
Double down on Gardens: Japanese Garden
For just a few Euros more, you can also buy entrance to Kaiserslautern’s Japanischer Garten, or Japanese Garden. Located just down the street from the Gartenschau, the Japanese Garden offers rare resources: tranquility and harmony. Begin your day by exciting your imagination at the Gartenschau. Then soothe your soul at the Japanese Garden. Either way, you’ll leave refreshed, renewed and the good sort of exhausted.
Marat_Yakhin/Shutterstock You’ll find gorgeous views in Kaiserslautern’s Japanese Garden during any time of year.
Opening Hours and Access
The park is open every day between April 1 and October 31 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adult tickets cost €8 online or €9.50 at the gate. Discounted rates are available for students, families, and children. To plan your visit, and for a full list of prices and parking information, please visit the Gartenschau and Japanischer Garten websites.
Please note that dogs are not allowed in either park.
Reaching the Gartenschau requires a short drive or bus ride for KMC residents. By car, it is just a bit more than an hour from Wiesbaden, and a bit longer than 2 hours from Stuttgart. Check with Deutsche Bahn for train information.
