An interesting introducton to evolution in an apt location: a few hundred metres from where the original "Neanderthaler" remains were found. The actual cave was subsequently obliterated during the course of limestone minng, however, the topography and verdant vegetation still explain why our forebears chose this valley to elude the rigours of the Ice Age. The Museum is very child-friendly. Warning to adults: The (even slightly) anthropologically literate might find the commentary a little facile, so ditch the headphones.
I would say this museum is more aimed on school kids, but interesting for adults as well. It tells the story of the Neanderthals and the humans through the centuries. Fascinating really, a separate species like Neanderthals living alongside our ancestors. They still don’t know exactly why the Neanderthals became extinct. Probably because of the increasing colder climate of the Ice Age. You walk up a long spiraling walkway with excellent exhibits until you reach a small café with a large glass window, which gives a nice view of the valley. The entrance price is €8, plug-in audioguide included. Information is in German and English.You can get here easy and quick from the Central Station in Düsseldorf with S-Bahn 28, stop Neanderthal. Then a short walk to the museum, by road 300 meters, by footpath a 150 meter
A great Museum easily reachable from Dusseldorf via the Train towards Mettman has its own stop. a short walk later your at the museum over many floors packed with exhibits and information well displayed and explained not all the audio is available in English but enjoyable all the same. After the museum we went on the art walk and then on the walk to the Discovery sight a bit underwhelming but that may of been partly the fault of the rain would definitely recommend.
The museum is located in such a beautiful part of Germany. I found it highly interesting and educational, and has excellent exhibits to get the children interested. As well as providing English and German descriptions for the exhibits, they also provide you with a set of head phones so you can plug them in to a socket and listen to audio related to the exhibit you are viewing. You are either given a pair of English or German head phones so you'll hear the audio in whichever language you have chosen. Whether you know much about Neanderthals or not, you absolutely must visit if you're in the area. Who doesn't want to learn about how modern humans have evolved?
We took the train out from the Dusseldorf Train station, and we sure are glad we did. The museum is a short walk down the hill and the train runs frequently. The museum is very modern and tells the story of how Neanderthals were discovered and their place in human history. There are interactive displays for all ages and a small cafe at the top of the museum (you walk up a long spiraling walkway staring at the bottom and ending up at the top). After seeing the museum, make sure that you walk to the field where the discovery was actually made.
What an impressive museum. It focuses not only on what happened to the Neanderthals but also Humanity itself. It took a little over 90 mins to go through it. Thus not too long to bore little kids and Not too short to bore big kids. The exhibits were informative in dual languages of German and English. The free audio provided was in German. Outside the museum across the road is even a little hiking trail. Free parking for visitors provided too. It's actually in Mettman and not Dusseldorf.
I visited the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann, Germany, a short train ride away from Duesseldorf Main Train Station. Located at the site of the first Neanderthal man discovery in the Neander Vallwy , it features an exhibit centered on human evolution. Even as you enter you come face to face with the Man himself in furs and ancient wear. But the big surprise is upstairs where you see him casually leaning over the gallery dressed in formal evening wear.The museum also includes an archaeological park on the original discovery site, a Stone Age workshop, as well as an art trail named "human traces". All signs in the museum as well as the audio guide offered by the museum are available in German and English, except on the trail where it is only German.They also have regular features and stone age parties for kids.
If you are visiting Europe for the first time you probably want to get that sense of history and this is a great place to start..The Neanderthals time frame includes the beginning of human migration into Europe and it is easy to imagine them living in the forest surrounding the museum.Plenty of exhibits, stimulating and entertaining. And the Neanderthal face mouse pads are very easy to pack up to take home, and very popular. There was a very traditional restaurant a short walk through the bush worth going to before you head back to town.
As usual, I had a weekend to fill with "edu-tainment" and quality time with my kids (8, 10, 12, 13). Living close by, we decided to spend the pleasent spring weather to see for ourselves where mighty "Caveman" had lived.It was quite crowded, so we took shortcuts in the stunnung architectural layout of the main building; a nono I would avoid next time, yes, next time back there with more time and hopefully less crowd. The kids in particular have so many options to open drawers and listen in on taped explanations. The guided tour is perhaps the best to do with younger kids to get acquainted with your flintstone craftsmanship;-)Somesthing to repeat, I insist with more time and in beforehand well fed kids.World Cultural Heritage of the finest kind!
Went here with friend. They have multi lingual recordings at each exhibit, so my poor German did not distract fromthe experience. We spent a couple of hours. I found the exhibits well done and informative. There were also interactive exhibits for kids. We tried to walk out to the site from museum, but a surprise heavy rain stopped that short walk. Plan ahead..we went in the museum it was sunny and clear. The area is amazing, you think the valley is a wilderness, but it is very close to cities and roads. I'll go back to be able to walk around the valley.