Ford manufacturing facilities
Join a tour of the Ford manufacturing facilities in Niehl and see what it takes to get your car on the road.
[Call the Ford Visitors Center on Tel 0221/917 55 33 to arrange for a date. Tours are in German, but English tours can be arranged for large groups.]

Art-in-the-Park
Enjoy art-in-the-park on Insel Hombroich, where the art is displayed in 10 buildings skillfully hidden amongst the trees. Outdoor sculptures are also dotted over the park. Try the Farmer's Lunch (Bauernmahlzeit) while you're there.
[A57 direction Krefeld, exit Neuss-Reuschenberg, continue to Neuss-Holzheim, follow the signs to Insel Hombroich.]

• Kröller-Müller Museum
  Visit the Krüller-Müller Museum in the Hoge Veluwe Park in Holland. It houses a fabulous collection of Van Gogh masterpieces, as well as works by Mondrian, Seurat and Picasso.? You can leave your car at the park entrance and ride to the museum by bike, as a more energetic option. You will also find a fascinating “underground” museum here where you can discover the wonderful world under our feet.
  [A3 (E35) north to Arnhem, pass Arnhem and follow the signs to the Nationaalpark De Hoge Veluwe. Less than a 2 hour drive]

Neanderthal Museum
Delve into natural history at the Neanderthal Museum (Museum zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der Menschheit) and learn all about Neanderthal Man in a multimedia presentation. English headphones are available.
[A3 direction Oberhausen, exit Düsseldorf/Mettman. Talstrafle 300. Tel 02104/31149.]

• Nederlandse Openlucht Museum
  Take the road north and check out the Nederlandse Openlucht Museum, where you can experience Dutch farm life first hand. Take a stroll through the farms and past buildings representing different periods of life. If you don't feel like walking, you can always hop on the small train chugging around the area.
  [A3 to Arnhem, follow signs to the Open Air Museum.]

Paper Museum
Learn how paper is made, what it's used for and how many different brands of toilet paper are currently on the market (!) by visiting the fun and very interactive Paper Museum in Bergisch Gladbach. It has a lovely little shop with great gift articles.
[A4 direction Olpe, exit Bergisch Gladbach, follow directions to Bergisch Gladbach. Then follow the signs for K¸rten. The museum is on the left hand side, but for parking you need to drive up the hill to the parking lot on the right hand side.]?

Rheinisches Open Air Museum
Step back in time at the Rheinisches Open Air Museum. A wide range of historic buildings from all over the Rhineland has been reconstructed on 70 ha. of land, and? offers an interesting glimpse of daily life in the 16th to 19th century. They also offer regular events at the museum, for example a traditional fair over Easter. Guided tours can also be arranged on Tel. 02443/7561. [A1 direction Euskirchen, exit Wiflkirchen, follow the signs Mechernich/Kommern. Look for the Rheinisches Freilichtmuseum signs.]

• Römisch-Germanisches Museum
  If antique glass is your passion, then the Römisch-Germanisches Museum is the place to visit. Apart from the world's largest collection of antique glass, it also contains various Roman works and prehistoric items.
  [Roncalliplatz, next to the Dom and the Hauptbahnhof.]

WW II Airborne Museum
The WW II Airborne Museum brings together tanks and other military equipment, as well as an indoor display of battles, depicted in the movie “A Bridge Too Far”.
[A3 towards Arnhem. The museum lies in Oosterbeek in Arnhem. Call Tel 026/3337710 for directions.]