More than 11 percent of Hannover is green space, over 110 square meters per resident. Start at the Herrenhausen Gardens, where the 50.2-hectare Großer Garten showcases one of the most significant baroque designs in Europe, with water features and the Golden Gate.

Next door, the Berggarten grows more than 12,000 plant species, while the Georgengarten avenue leads back toward town. The Green Thread links 21 gardens and parks across the city.

Closer to the center, Maschpark, the Maschsee shoreline, and the Eilenriede forest offer easy walking without a plan. The city also maintains around 700 kilometers of cycle paths.

Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover is the anchor for a family day. Its themed worlds include a Zambezi boat ride past hippos, giraffes, zebras, and rhinos, included with entry in the summer season, plus Yukon Bay with polar bears and penguins, the gorillas of Afi Mountain, elephants and tigers at the Jungle Palace, kangaroos in the Outback, and Meyers Hof with its farm animals and adventure playground. Stadtbahn line 11 runs to the Zoo stop.

For a slower day, Maschsee has pedal boats and wide promenades, and the New Town Hall dome lift gives children a view worth the climb. The Old Town flea market runs beside the Leine every Saturday.

Evenings in Hannover run from formal to relaxed within a short walk. The Hanover State Opera is the grand option, with opera, ballet, and concert programming throughout the year.

For something easier, Brauhaus Ernst August brews at the edge of the Old Town, and Gilde and Herrenhäuser are the names to look for on a tap. Bars along Maschsee catch the sunset. In summer, the Maschsee Festival fills the shoreline with stages for 19 days.