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. Several dozen hyper-realistic dinosaurs are found throughout the park in brilliant locations, 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 couple of 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

For English-language information on opening hours and the very reasonably-priced admission fees, 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 the DB website for train information.

For U.S. government employees, including service members, remember to always follow command regulations, which may be different than host nation policies, when it comes to travel.