The Dinopark in Kaiserslautern (the Gartenschau) isn’t just a fabulous place for kids and families, it’s a beautiful natural retreat in the heart of the city. There’s plenty to see and do for couples, people with limited mobility, and anyone who wants to spend the day surrounded by beauty, whimsy, and enchantment.
Count on spending at least a few hours here, or all day! I’ve rarely seen a park laid out in this way, but kudos to whoever designed it because it really does have something for everyone! Every time you turn a corner there’s something to discover. Let’s dive in.
Parking at the Dinopark Kaiserslautern
⚠️ But first, the most important thing. If you type in “Gartenschau Kaiserslautern” or “Dinopark Kaiserslautern” into Google Maps, it will give you directions but you will end up by the loading dock of a furniture store. As we sat perplexed and Google said, “You have arrived!” we noticed there were several cars behind us that did just what we did, so we knew it wasn’t just us!
Below you will see a map showing you where the parking is (in yellow) and also where you will end up if you listen to Google Maps (red sad face). After playing around with it for a little while, I’m confident that if you type in “Parking near Gartenschau Kaiserslautern“ it will get you to the parking lot.
You could also park on Forellenstraße if there are places available on the street. There is an entrance to the Gartenschau that will bring you right to the fountain (brunnenlage) in the platz.
If it’s a busy weekend, think about taking public transportation because the parking may fill up quickly. At the bottom of this page are directions on how to arrive by bus or train.
The Fountain Area
Even if you didn’t go in the Dinopark itself, the platz by the fountain is lovely. There’s a bistro with lots of outdoor tables and umbrellas, pint-sized stone dinosaurs to climb on, beautiful flowers, lots of space, and a lovely large fountain. We were there during the Pumpkin Festival and they even had a cool pumpkin sculpture set up outside the gate.
Tickets and Opening Hours
On the opposite side of the fountain area, you’ll find the ticket booth.
The Dino Park in Kaiserslautern is open only from late March to October 31st.
Prices are tiered with a single adult ticket at €8. There are reduced rates for adults with a disability card, evening tickets, students, groups of kids, families, and season tickets. Children up to and including 5 years old, and someone accompanying a person with disabilities are free.
You can see all current prices for the Gartenschau at the link.
The Dinosaurs
You’ll find dinosaurs all throughout the park, sometimes in places you least expect! This, to me, was the fun part. Where will they turn up next? Some are absolutely huge and you can spot them from a long way away. But others are nestled in the shrubbery, or even under water! Kids especially will have a fabulous time spotting and identifying all the dinosaurs in the park.
There are even a few Ice Age mammals, and a nod to the movie Ice Age to be found!
Legos at the Blumenhalle
As you enter the park, the building called Blumenhalle (the flower hall) will be on your right. It has a fabulous display of Legos showing various places and times in history – everything from the French Revolution to Cologne Cathedral, to the US Civil War. It’s definitely worth checking out. There is no extra cost.
Sculptures in Sand
When you pass the Blumenhalle, you’ll come to the sand sculpture exhibition. We thought at first that these were permanent sandstone sculptures, but no! They are actually formed and carved from compacted sand derived from the red sandstone that used to be quarried for building material from this site.
The sculptures change every year and last for a whole season.
Entering the Park
After this, you’ll see a big T-Rex pointing the way. You’ll pass the bus station on your left, and go up a ramp to a pedestrian bridge that will take you up and over the road to the other side where most of the park is located.
Once you come off the ramp and enter the park, you’ll find a great map which tells you where everything is so you can plan your activities. The map is all in German, so if you need help, use the photo translator on Google Maps to assist. I suggest taking a picture of the map for use later. At one point we were trying to figure out where we were, and it came in handy!
Events
Whatever you do, try not to miss the annual Pumpkin Festival that happens from early September through the last day of the season, October 31st! Each year is a different theme, and huge creative displays are scattered all over the lower level of the park from the entrance and throughout. Here are some rainforest beauties we really enjoyed!
Needless to say, great photo ops, seasonal atmosphere, and some pretty creative squash art!
The Two Main Areas of Dinopark Kaiserslautern
Street Level Neumülepark
The plantings of flowers are beautifully planned from spring to fall, so whenever you go, you’ll find a feast of flowers from early blooming bulbs to late-season stunners. There are also little areas with theme gardens. More on that later.
For sport enthusiasts or those with energetic kiddos, you’ll find a bocci court, a small soccer area with a goal, miniature golf complete with a water feature, any possible kind of playground equipment you can imagine, and even a hidden trampoline that looks like a storm grate! And there’s a very shallow stream that runs through the park and there were tons of little kids running in it and splashing and having the time of their lives while parents were chilling out on a picnic blanket.
And if you’re looking to relax, there are also picnic benches, and really nice lounge chairs spread out all over.
Kaiserberg
Getting to the Top
You’ll find the second area of the Dinopark Kaiserslautern at the top of a hill called the Kaiserberg (Emperor Hill). You can either get to the top via stairs, or by a sloped trail marked with a baby carriage and an arrow.
As you get ready to leave the lower section of the park you’ll see all kinds of informative signs that talk about how the area was once a sandstone quarry. It is now protected nature reserve and habitat for all the critters who currently live in the red cliffs of the quarry that you can see from the trail. I used to wonder where all the red sandstone buildings in Kaiserslautern came from, and now I know!
The stairs up to the Kaiserberg consist of several flights of uneven sandstone steps. There is a very sturdy handrail to assist, and about half way up is a spot to rest if you or anyone in your group needs it.
At this point you’ll discover the Meuth Tower with its hanging sandstone staircase and arched gothic windows. This is the only remains of the summer villa of Kaiserslautern industrialist Franz Flamin Meuth which occupied the grounds of the Gartenschau in the late 1800s. The tower is the only remnant of a former two-story garden pavilion and was used to observe the starry sky.
After one more flight of stairs you’ll get to the top and see a sign telling you what attractions you’ll find by going left vs. right. But the trail is actually a big circle which will bring you right back to where you started, so follow your heart!
The other option to get to the Kaiserberg, if you don’t want to use stairs, is to follow a longer sloped trail which is marked by signs with a baby carriage and an arrow.
Gardens and Attractions
Once at the top of the Kaiserberg, you will notice all kinds of beautiful tended themed gardens. There’s a rhododendron garden, a Bible garden shaped like a mandala with plants mentioned in the Bible, a farm garden, and even a garden for the blind which makes use of plants and flowers with unusually strong scent and interesting textures.
And yes, there are dinosaurs up here too! Plus a cute little witches house for photo ops, an orchard filled with apple trees, and all kinds of whimsical things of interest, and informational signs along the trails.
You’ll also find the Wiedenkirche, a church constructed from large arches of living greenery.
We really had a great time exploring up here, especially when we found the “humming stone.” You are supposed to stick your head inside and hum to hear a soothing reverberating surround-sound. It totally works! Just don’t hum too loudly!
Food and Drink
There are several places at the Gartenschau to grab a bite and a beverage!
First is the Gartenschau Brauhaus, a family-friendly brew house right at the front gate. This is a great spot to sit and look at the fountain and have lunch either before or after your visit.
There’s also the Bistro Neumühlepark to the left as you enter the main section of the park, located near the restrooms. This is near the main play/kids area of the park.
And if you’re in the mood for a picnic, there’s a formal picnic area with tables and benches, and a huge lawn where you can lay out a blanket and a picnic basket.
Up on top of the Kaiserberg, there’s also a nice little place called the Colorful House that sells ice cream, and a small but delicious selection of food including weisswurst and pretzels, flammküchen (a thin crust flatbread with toppings), currywurst, and even NY style hot dogs.
There’s also beer, wine, coffee drinks, tea, and Aperol spritzes in addition to soft drinks. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating here, and a nice overlook to the surrounding forest. This was a great spot to cool off, catch the cool breeze, and enjoy the view.
The Gift Shop
Right next to the ticket booth at the exit/entrance is the gift shop. Predictably, you can find lots of dinosaur things to buy and also a nice selection of Lego sets.
There was also a little display of local food products like honeys and fruit spreads. And there’s also a freezer with an assortment of ice cream bars.
Things to Know Before You Go to the Dinopark Kaiserslautern!
🅿️ Parking – Remember, enter “parking near Gartenschau” to get to the actual parking area!
🇩🇪 Language – Many signs are in German and English, but there are a few only in German so have your Google Translate at the ready to learn about the history of the area.
🎫 Online tickets – You can purchase tickets online in advance. This works well for Sundays and public holidays when the park is more crowded and there may be a line. Also it will save you a few euros!
🌭 Grill Area – There is a cool spot on top of the Kaiserberg that you can rent out for family gatherings or other events. If you want to check it out in advance, you can take a peek during the open house which is the last Sunday of the month.
♿️ Strollers and Wheelchairs – The lower level especially is very friendly to things with wheels. The paths are wide, flat, and well maintained. Areas off the trail like lawns and picnic areas are also flat and easy to navigate. And there are super-cute dinosaur strollers available at the park!
🐾 Dogs – Sadly dogs other than service animals are not allowed in the park.
🚴♂️ Bicycles – No bicycles are allowed in the park, and other wheeled things like skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters are only permitted in designated skate areas.
🌞 Be sure to check the weather conditions in Kaiserslautern before you make plans!
🎃🦖 Check the official Gartenschau link to find out all the current scheduled events at the Dinopark Kaiserslautern!
See You at the Gartenschau!
By now you realize that the Dinopark is WAY more than just dinosaurs! Whether your aim is total relaxation, lots of activity, walking in nature, or having a beer and a brat, this truly is an entertaining and thoughtful place that makes sure everyone has a great day – kiddos and adults alike!
Related posts about other cool things in the Kaiserslautern area:
- 21 Best Things to Do in Kaiserslautern Germany
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- Stahleck Castle in Bacharach: A Gorgeous Hike with a Dark Past
- Saarbrücken Castle – Explore This Fascinating Underground World
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