What can you do when it’s freezing cold outside? Have a good time anyway! That’s why we’ve put together our best tips, destinations, and activities for winter in Hesse. They’re guaranteed to get you through the cold season.
All About Cheese in Hungen
For us, winter always means hearty food that warms the body and soul. And cheese in all its forms often plays a central role. If you not only enjoy eating this noble food yourself, but also want to take a look behind the cheesy scenes in the style of the popular german children’s TV show “Sendung mit der Maus,” you can do so at the “Käsescheune Hungen” near Giessen. In seminars, guided tours, and other events, knowledgeable staff introduce visitors to the magical world of cheese maturation and explain, among other things, why cheese goes so well with wine.
Of course, it’s worth a visit all year round. But now in winter, there are also a few rustic gourmet evenings on the cheese calendar. Here, a wide variety of cheese specialties from the region are served with the perfect accompaniment of drinks in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. And if you still haven’t had enough or want to share your cheesy happiness, you can make a detour to the farm shop to stock up on characterful delicacies.
👉 Click here to visit the Käsescheune Hungen website.
Ice Age in Wiesbaden
One of the greatest joys of the many Christmas and winter markets in Germany is competing with friends and family in curling (“Stockschießen”) or performing artistic pirouettes while ice skating. In Wiesbaden, fans of this frosty competition have the opportunity to do so for a little longer than just during the Christmas season. The large, illuminated ice rink in front of the Hessian State Theater in the city center is open until January 11.
Curling is available even longer at “Martha – Die Hütte” on Neroberg. Two lanes are available here for anyone who wants to compete until the end of February (with advance booking per hour). Large groups can simply rent the entire hut, which is well heated and filled with winter treats. For that extra bit of winter fun.
👉 Click here to visit the Martha – Die Hütte website.
City Tour By Yourself
Frankfurt may not be the capital of Hesse, but it is its largest metropolis. And one with a rich history that can be traced in numerous corners of the city. If only you knew where to look. Don’t worry, even without a pre-booked city tour, this is possible with the “Frankfurt History App” (also available in English) from the Frankfurt Historical Museum. It couldn’t be easier: download the free app, select one of the exciting themed routes, and rediscover the city with an audio guide on your headphones, whether in Roman times, the Middle Ages, or the 20th century. This is also a wonderful activity on a sunny winter’s day. And afterwards, the hot cocoa in a cozy café tastes twice as good.
👉 Click here to visit the Frankfurt History App website.
Warm Thoughts on Cold Days
When it gets dreary and cold outside, a trip to the museum is always a good idea. This is especially true at the “Vulkaneum Schotten” on the Vogelsberg. As the name suggests, everything here revolves around the Earth’s interior. And as we all know, it’s pretty warm down there. The museum is a real highlight, especially for younger visitors, as it has plenty of interactive exhibits that are designed to be touched, tried out, and experimented with. This ensures that what they learn will stay in their minds for longer. The Vulkaneum focuses in particular on the Vogelsberg itself. How was the mountain formed, how does the movement of the earth still influence it today, and what effect do volcanoes actually have on the climate? Questions like these, which are certainly not only of interest to children, are answered here in a knowledgeable and playful way.
👉 Click here to visit the Vulkaneum Schotten website.
Cultivated Coffee Enjoyment
It may be cold outside, but that makes hot drinks taste all the better in your favorite café. And perhaps winter is the perfect time to brush up on your barista skills. In the Hessian capital of Wiesbaden, this is possible at Kaufmann’s coffee roastery. In small groups, interested participants learn what makes a good espresso and how to make it at home. Those who want to express their artistic side can choose the latte art course to learn how to conjure up the perfect coffee for the eye in their own four walls. Either way, there are plenty of opportunities to ask questions, try things out, and, of course, enjoy yourself. And with a little luck, you might even make a few new friends.
👉 Click here to visit the Kaufmanns Kaffeerösterei website.
On Foot Through the Snow
So, enough complaining about the cold weather, now it’s time to celebrate it. A good winter hike gets the circulation going, brings a healthy color to your face, and lets you forget your everyday worries. And it doesn’t have to be a 20-kilometer day hike with heavy luggage. How about the relaxed 3.8-kilometer winter hiking route in the “Frau-Holle-Land” geo-nature park instead? It leads you through wonderful landscapes and conveniently even passes a mountain inn. Perfect for a Sunday outing. And, before you start worrying: when there is snow, the trail is even rolled by a snow groomer. The people of Hesse know how to provide service!
👉 Click here to visit the geo-nature park’s website.
Exploring Frankfurt’s Past With Smart Glasses
And here’s another tip for anyone who found history lessons a little too dry: at “Timeride,” guests embark on a journey through time to Frankfurt in days gone by. All with the help of virtual reality. Thanks to the glasses, visitors interested in history get a lifelike insight into the past. There are two tours to choose from. In “Timeride Senseum,” time travelers stay in the building and are transported back to 1891, where they visit a middle-class family in their grocery store and living quarters. In “Timeride Go,” on the other hand, Frankfurt is explored in real life, but the glasses are put on at certain locations. This way, participants can see the difference between the past and the present in concrete terms, for example at Frankfurt’s historic Paulskirche.
