Location: Mainz
Top Things to do in Mainz
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate
Two thousand years of history have lent Mainz a cosmopolitan air, and museums and cathedrals of various architectural styles dot the city. Bring home a book as a souvenir—Gutenberg worked here, and the museum dedicated to him is a highlight.
Restaurants in Mainz
1. Geo Play
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
2. Secret Escape Game
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
3. Gutenberg Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 937 reviews
Located in the hometown of Johannes Gutenberg, the founder of the printing press, this museum displays a recreation of his original printing press and a collection of other exhibits.
Reviewed By DAS1951 - London, United Kingdom
Very interesting museum with everything you need to know about the development of printing in Germany and Europe. Well-presented artefacts. Two original Gutenberg bibles and copies of his press (no originals exist).
4. Mainz Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,279 reviews
The city's huge main cathedral is over 1,000 years old and contains the tombs of several of the city's archbishops.
Reviewed By tragio - Artemida, Greece
You can see the cathedral from all around the city. Its in the middle of a very big square. Worth your time and photo shooting.
5. The Museum of Ancient Shipbuilding
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
Other than the Rhine cruise, this was the best thing we did in Mainz. It was really excellent. Even if you have limited interest in Roman ships and history, go for a short visit. It’s free so you can leave when you like. It’s an open, white modern looking space and there’s a lot to interest kids as well. The museum is centred around the discovery of 6 Roman ships that were only uncovered in the 1980s. They found them when they were building the Hilton Hotel along the river front. Unbelievable to think that these 2000 year old ships were lying just around the corner, preserved in the mud all of that time. The boats include patrol vessels, cargo ship and ancient warship. They are really well preserved. The remains of the river patrol vessel looked like massive skeletons of plesiosaurs or underwater beasts. There are also large working replicas on display. The information is very good. As you’d expect, it’s mainly in German but there is enough in English too. Even for those who want more specific detail like construction, steerage and propulsion, there’s enough English information. The only thing we were curious about but couldn't find any information on was what had happened to the boats to cause them to all be left in the one spot. Had they been abandoned? Or sunk or wrecked by a storm? A really unique feature of the museum was the large restoration workshop. Unfortunately no one was at work when we were there but normally large windows let you watch them making full-scale working replicas of the Roman boats. There are videos showing the boats being trialled on the Rhine. Mainz was a very important ancient Roman port so there is a lot of additional information about the Roman settlement. Large colourful dioramas across whole walls show what Mainz might have looked like at that time. There are displays of marble busts, sarcophagai, relief sculpture, coins, urns and other artefacts like discharge documents from Roman sailors. We spent well over an hour here and could have spent two but it is only small so you can visit it relatively quickly too. GETTING THERE: It is right by the Romisches Theater train station. From the cathedral it is about 12 -15 min walk. Once you’ve finished, you are very close to the river which makes for a lovely walk along the promenade. Walk past the Hilton Hotel and see where the boats were uncovered.
6. Markt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 606 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
The best time to visit Marktplatz (the central square) is Tuesday, Friday and Saturday when the Farmers’ Market is on. The square fills with local seasonal fruit and veg, wines, cheeses, colourful flowers and hot food stands with German sausages and specialties. The flowers weren't the only colourful thing. The blue and green cheeses (lavender and basil pesto) on the cheese stall also caught our eye. If you are looking for some slightly different gifts to take home rather than the usual souvenirs, then there are some good foodie gifts here (wine, nougat, honey, biscuits). We picked up some local Riesling and a selection of different fruit nougats (see photo). There is a great atmosphere and the stallholders were very friendly. It starts early and finishes around 2pm I think. While you are there, look out for: • 1000 year old Mainz Cathedral • Pretty pastel coloured row of traditional style buildings • Marketbrunnen – lovely pink Renaissance fountain • Heunensaule ‘Giant’s Pillar’ – column in centre of the square • Nagelsaule – a fascinating oak pillar that raised funds in WWI by selling the nails that were hammered into the wood was a WWI fundraiser people
7. Fastnachtsbrunnen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By toycp - Melbourne, Australia
It doesn't look like much from the distance but on closer inspection you can see all the figurines depicting the carnival. It stands over 9 meters tall with over 200 bronze figurines, with some more nearby, a nice area to stop and relax on a hot day.. Do check it out , you won't be disappointed.
8. Kirschgarten
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Reviewed By bdon257 - Morpeth, United Kingdom
We enjoyed this part of old Mainz with its half timbered buildings. It is a lovely part of the city, mainly pedestrianised of at least traffic restricted so walking around here is a pleasant activity. Bars, cafes and restaurants abound and it is easy to find a good place to sit and enjoy people watching.
9. Schwarzlichthelden Minigolf
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
The first black light minigolf in Rhine-Main-Area. 18 exciting courses. Special UV-Colors pop out and will make u amazed. Unique putt: Less standard, rather individuell Minigolftracks look forward to varied and unique Parcours which must be mastered. 470 sqaure meters Graffiti art at it's finest. Made by the international artist Costwo: 3d effect due to special glasses - your golfbll seems like hovering above the obstacles an the characters on the walls appear with impressive plasticity. 100% weather-independent: A cool breeze in summer an in winter warm thanks to air condition. Central in the old town = ideal staring position Well connectable with other activities. Just a few steps away is the bar and clubscene, the Cinestar-theatre or even the Rhinepromenade and shopping at the pedestrian zone.
10. Theodor-Heuss-Brucke
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By EvaF2Eva - Weissenburg in Bayern, Germany
This bridge connects to capital cities - Mainz, capital of Rhineland Palatinate and Wiesbaden, capital of Hesse. I really loved it and found it very photogenic. Either driving over it or watching it and photographing while walking along the river bank was exciting experience.
TAGS
