When possible, I have formed a nice little tradition when visiting a city for the first time. Maybe…read moreyou'll find it a worthy approach, too. When exploring a city for the first time, it's nice to see the city from a helicopter level. That way, you start out big before diving into the city in a deeper way. KolnTrianglePanorama is an awesome way to do so. It offers panoramic views of the city from the top of a skyscraper. First off, I will say that it's not easy to find. Even with Google Maps, the directions weren't spot on. There are several skyscrapers in the general vicinity that look very similar, so it took us a while to find both the correct building, and the correct entrance. However, once you're in, for a small fee, you'll take an elevator to the observation deck. You'll have the opportunity to see the city from high above and take some nice pictures. A quick but fun attraction. And one that's listed on TripAdvisor as one of the top attractions in Cologne. Overall, Cologne was an awesome city! Enjoy it to the fullest if you're visiting just like I did.

This is a MUST-VISIT place when you are in Koln…read more As others have said, the views are spectacular, and are somewhat weather-dependent, so keep that in mind. The viewing area is roofless. Rather than with signs, landmarks are noted by delicate line drawings on the Plexiglas. A very nice touch. Admission was 3 Euros, well worth it. Visit this place !

I had heard of the love lock bridge in Paris, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that…read moreCologne has its own when I was doing research prior to my trip. Hohenzollernbrucke, or love lock bridge, is one of the top attractions in Cologne on TripAdvisor. Here's what you should do to make the most of the experience. Make sure to buy a lock before you arrive. You can buy a lock in the area, but you're going to pay a premium for it. Located in the heart of the city, part of the experience is just walking the bridge and seeing the endless number of love locks that couples have placed on the bridge over the years. It's a beautiful sight to behold. From there, it's time for you to find a spot for yours. As you would expect, pictures happen and a kiss also happens. It's a cool, little romantic experience. Love is in the air! Even if you're not stopping by with your significant other (or you don't have one), it's still a nice attraction to check out where you can snap some photos. And a quick one at that.

There is some website that states there is estimated to be 25,000 locks on this bridge, but I don't…read morebelieve that! It's got to be at least 100,000! There are many bridges that have lots of locks on this, but this one may be the most impressive I've ever seen. Lots of great photos can be taken at/on/near this bridge. This place is definitely worth a visit if you're in Cologne. If you took the train in or out of this beautiful city, you've likely crossed this bridge.

It is free, it is extensive, it has evil Russian propaganda. Do I need to say more?…read more I do have to take off a star for not accommodating stupid Americans like me. Even with the audio guide, there are some parts of the museum that you will just have to squint at intelligently, take pictures thinking that you will translate when you get home (you won't), and move on with the other children to the big tank. Big tanks require no translation. Neither does the life-sized canoe crashing through the wall with life jackets pouring out of it (bet you're going now, aren't you?)

This is one of the best museums to visit if you are at all interested in contemporary German…read morehistory (WWII and on). While it is a bit frustrating if you don't know German (only the major captions on signs are translated into English, though I heard you can ask for an English guide), the fact that it's free more than makes up for it. Regardless of my utter lack of German language ability, I still managed to spend hours in this museum. The best part? Admission is absolutely FREE. Definitely a must-see attraction in Bonn. Go with German locals if you can; it'll likely make your visit much more meaningful. Note: You will be asked to turn in your personal belongings at the coat check. Also, there is a direct entrance to the museum from the Heussallee/Museumsmeile U-Bahn station, on the western side of Friedrich-Ebert-Allee -- going through this entrance will actually allow you to see a neat car and train.

Scattered across Europe, or at least the parts of Europe that I visited, are this old gates that…read morehave remained despite the city walls having been pulled down by Napoleon. Okay, I did get into an argument with somebody about the green belts around some of these cities, which was claimed to have been set up by the city planners, however my position was that they happen to be located where the old city walls once stoon. Well, as it turns out, these gates happen to be located in these green belts, and there are a couple of them around Cologne. This one is on a rather large plaza, and there are some nice restaurants around here as well. It is pretty cool, and certainly does have some charm about it.

It is just amazing what man can do way back in the days. Just an astronomical beautifully…read moreconstructed architecture! To see this beauty in person just dwarfs you. So many intricate details on this building. Love the gothic age structures and how it's aged over time. Nicely organized with signs for parking and elevators. Tons of shops withing yards to shop at high end stores and bars.

Free to tour, the Cologne Cathedral is a must-visit while in Cologne. The size alone will take your…read morebreath away. Looking closer at all of the details, it's truly amazing. You could just stare for hours. The inside can be overwhelming, walking amongst crowds of people. The interior takes 30 minutes or so to check everything out. There is so much to look at and take in. Admission is free but keep in mind to be sober and dressed decently modest. We did watch people be turned away.