Industrial history at the Jahrhunderthalle, a demonstration mine 20 metres underground and expansive parks: Bochum offers a variety of reasons to visit. When planning, it helps to decide what you want to focus on first—guided tours, exhibitions and shows, or time outdoors.
Industrial history at the Jahrhunderthalle and Mining Museum
The visitor information centre in the pump house at the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum provides information about the hall and the surrounding cultural landscape. Guided tours take visitors through the halls, the underground areas and Westpark. They also show visitors parts of former utility shafts beneath the Bochumer Verein’s former gas power plant. These offer insight into the history of the Bochumer Verein and its operations at the time.
Westpark is a landscaped park on the former industrial site of the Bochumer Verein, surrounding the Jahrhunderthalle. It is used for recreation and events. Here, the history of an industrial site meets its present-day use as a park. Those interested in historic rides can also visit the Historic Fairground at the Jahrhunderthalle: it has become a regular fixture in the events calendar. The rides include a caterpillar ride dating from 1926 and a historic Ferris wheel; there is something for the whole family. Check current event dates when planning your visit.
At the German Mining Museum, a replica demonstration mine 20 metres underground gives visitors an impression of the underground network of tunnels, which extends for around 2.5 kilometres. A simulated mine-cage ride recreates the descent in a mine lift. From the museum’s observation platform, the view extends beyond Bochum’s city limits. This combination of an underground exhibition, simulation and views offers several different perspectives on mining.
Shows, gardens and viewpoints
The Zeiss Planetarium Bochum presents astronomy and music shows, live concerts and radio play performances. The programme also includes special shows for children, school classes and groups. This offers a different kind of experience alongside the historic sites; the right show depends on your interests. The Bismarck Tower in Bochum City Park adds another highlight: the 33-metre-high tower was built in 1909 in honour of Otto von Bismarck and inaugurated in 1910. Its gallery serves as an observation platform, with views stretching across the central Ruhr region.
The Botanical Garden at Ruhr University Bochum covers more than 13 hectares. Its areas include a tropical greenhouse, a geobotanical section and the Chinese Garden, created in collaboration with Shanghai University. One way to get there is to take the U35 underground line to either Lennershof or Uni-Center; both stops are just a few minutes’ walk away. Timetables may change, so check your connection before setting off.
Parks and outdoor routes
The Bochum Park Route connects Bochum City Park, Schlosspark Weitmar, Westpark and the Botanical Garden at Ruhr University Bochum, bringing together several different green spaces. At Lake Kemnade, there are hiking and cycling trails as well as the paved Ruhr-Inline skating route. The Bochum Railway Museum lies directly on the banks of the Ruhr and next to the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route—a useful starting point for anyone planning to explore by bike.
If you have several activities planned, allow time for getting around, meals and breaks instead of filling the day with sightseeing alone.
Discover more destinations: Essen, Bonn, Solingen, Remscheid, Dortmund, Mönchengladbach, Duisburg, Herne.
Back to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
