Dusseldorf Alstadt

We ventured on the bus and train to downtown Dusseldorf.  The boys had a good time showing Greg all that they have learned about public transportation.  Pushing the stop button is definitely the highlight!

We headed to Heinrich Heine Allee.  This is the Altstadt...the old town of Dusseldorf.  It is known by locals as "the longest bar in the world".  There are about 260 restaurants and taverns in the narrow alleys of about a 1 square km between the Rhine and the Heine Allee.  It really was a constant stream of tables.  There were lots of people out enjoying their Sunday.  Kaleb got lots of attention:)

We didn't stop to eat anywhere - we had brought our own snacks.  I rarely go anywhere with out something for our growing boys!  Here are the boys eating their new favorite snack...store bought fresh waffles.  We found a bench along the Rhine to help our sweet boys that are regularly found saying, "I'm still hungry."

Dusseldorf is the state capitol of North Rhine-Westphalia.  80% of Dusseldorf was destroyed during WWII so it has since been rebuilt.  These are some of the remaining old buildings along the cobble-stoned roads and Rhine River.

Below is the Marktplatz and Rathus (Town Hall) dating in part from 1573.  It is a square that today was filled with cafe tables.

The equestrian statue is of the beloved elector Johann Wilhelm II who is said to have helped put Dusseldorf on the map by attracting talent from all over the country.

Our section of the Rhine River has a very fast current and lots of boat traffic.

Here's one of the many barges.  There's a minivan on deck, too.

There was a nice tree lined path along the Rhine.  Lots of bikers, runners, and walkers were enjoying the sun.  We haven't seen a lot of it lately with all the drizzle.  Almost everyday has had some degree of precipitation!  Liam, Kaleb, Alex, Carter and I were waiting on the path while Greg took some pictures. 

When we were finished walking around we found our way back to the Rheinbahn station.  At this location the train is underground.  The section that we usually ride is mostly all street level so the boys were excited to be under ground.  You can see that the stops are all very clean.  They say that it's actually volunteers that take pride in their local stop to keep it clean.  All of it really is clean and safe...the buses, trains, stops.  There is no eating or drinking on the transportation which probably helps.

Lots of time is spent waiting when using public transportation!  The boys are beginning to understand the signs at each stop which let you know when the train will arrive.  You can see it in the background.

Greg captured a train arriving:)

So that's glimpses of Dusseldorf.  There's much more to the city so we'll go to another area on a different day.  It's nice to be able to use the public transportation and not worry about driving in the city and finding parking!