Creating Memories at the German Movie Park and the Zoo

Your 4-day trip starts here in Cologne; a 2000-year-old historic town which is also the largest and most populated in Western Germany.
Cologne is famous for its unique architecture from Roman remains, Romanesque churches, museums and palaces. The city remains a huge cultural hub of Germany.
Cologne is also a major tourist attraction with its many galleries, and entertainment facilities and is also a great stop for shopping with its pedestrian-friendly streets especially Schildergasse and Hohe Straße.
Start your day early because you will have a lot of interesting and fun stops along the way!

Directly from Cologne, drive to the parking at the Parkplatz Neandertal-Museum P1. Although it comes at a small fee, the parking is clean and very convenient as it's just a few hundred metres from the Neanderthal Museum which is your first stop for the day where you are going to spend the better half of the morning.
Walk to the museum from here.

Located on the exact site where the first Neanderthal was found, the Neanderthal Museum is one of the most modern museums in all of Europe.
Featuring the evolution of humans, you will get the opportunity to learn about the latest research findings in archaeology and palaeontology fields which are conveyed using multimedia and audio presentations, traditional texts, and exhibitions in this museum.
In here, you will see life-sized models exhibited on four floors of the building which showcases the migrations of Neanderthals to modern cities from the savannas.
The kids will really love the visual shows and the human-like depictions of evolution. It's also an amazing learning stage for everyone who came on this trip.
While here, spare some time to also visit the museum's archaeological park; a Stone Age workshop and all the signs and audio guides are available in English and German.
Funny Note: On every first Friday of the month from 2 pm, the museum allows the visitors to bring their dogs to the museum- a day named DoggyDay.
Do you want to learn more online before visiting the Neanderthal Museum? Click here to visit their official website.
Open hours: Monday - Closed Tuesday - Sunday - 10:00 – 18:00

After the tour at the Museum, walk back to the parking - you are heading for lunch then to the German Movie park, more fun and more thrills for the kids especially!

While in Bottrop, why not try what the locals eat at their best cafe, furthermore, you must be really hungry after the drive from Cologne and the stopover at the museum.
You will make a stop at the Peramos Grill in the heart of Bottrop for lunch. The restaurant has a variety, and even serves exquisite Greek cuisine - hows that for a change?
Simply, the food here is amazing with a selection of tasty meals such as tasty gyros and schnitzels. The restaurant has fast food and vegetarian options on its menu and the service is really quick.
Enjoy! Open hours: Monday - Closed Tuesday - Saturday - 12:00 – 21:00 Sunday - 16:00 – 21:00

One of the most unmissable gems in Bottrop and one that everyone you brought along this trip will love and appreciate is the Movie Park Germany!
There are merry-go-rounds, water rides, roller coasters and so much more for everyone to enjoy in this theme park. The park covers 40 hectares divided into 7 areas, each offering a unique and thrilling experience for the family.
The kids will be spoilt for choice with the many attractions from the jet ski, frisbee, bumper cars, drop tower, river raid rides, carousel, tram tour, kart racing, maze, and speedway, to the simulator ride.
HINT: For convenience, use their own parking lot for a small fee. When you have the Moviepark Pass, you won't have to pay for parking.

After lunch, your next stop is at the Zoo. Open in 1949 and covering an area of 31 hectares, this is one of the largest and most visited animal enclosures in Germany.
It is divided into three different areas called 'safaris'. These are Alaska, Africa and Asia and each zone offers you the opportunity to see the wildlife associated with the respective worlds. In the Africa zone, there is a provision to try a boat ride - do not miss that!
Alaska safari features a Nearctic ecozone with animals like polar bears, California sea lions, snowy owls, reindeer and moose.
In this Zoo, you will get to see different varieties of animals like hippos, zebra, flamingoes, monkeys and lions among others.
Asia safari features the tropical climate with Binturong, Siberian tiger, Bactrian camel and the Victoria crowned pigeon.
In the Zoo, there are lots of things to do for smaller children like playgrounds, a boat tour, and a petting zoo and the paths are shaded to make your visit here as pleasant as possible.
Open hours: Monday - Sunday - 9:00 – 18:30

In the late evening, after the long drive from the Zoo, you will arrive at your dinner spot at the Marija's. Stuck in the heart of Bentheim, Marija's is one little-known gem with some of the most amazing steak.
This will be your stop for dinner before resigning for the night.
It is time for you to sit and enjoy a sumptuous and scrumptious meal in this highly rated restaurant. With a wide variety of fresh food on the menu, impeccable service, and an inviting setting, you will be sure to have a great experience here to culminate your day of unforgettable adventures. Marija's features a menu of pasta, meat, fish and dessert.
Eat to your fill before driving to your hotel for the night!
Open hours: Tuesday - Closed Monday - Saturday - 17:30 – 23:00 Sunday - 17:00 – 22:00

De Horst is homely and modest, offering the best accommodation while on this trip for your and the kids.
This modest B$B situated in a farmhouse is where you will spend your first night after a long day on the road. There is free private parking available and Wi-Fi for you to get in touch with friends and family back home, a tv, radio, and a few kitchen appliances for your use.
With each room on the ground floor and having a view of the well-maintained garden, you can choose to sit out on the terraces and enjoy the cool evening breeze.
With clean and tastefully done rooms, you will freshen up and get rest in readiness for tomorrow's drive!