Neanderthal Museum
Overview
This museum is a great place to learn about Neanderthals and how they lived. The museum is located in Mettmann and emabarks on a journey of the evolution of man. It's built around the fossilised remains of a Neanderthal that was found in 1856 in the town of Mettman, estimated to be ca. 42,000 years old.
The museum opened in 1996 and has a simple construction that allows one to go in an oval shape nicely across the "three" floors, spiraling upwards. There is an elevator at the top along with a café that allows, for example, strollers or disabled folks to take the elevator back down rather than the staircases.
At the very bottom of the museum, in the basement, you'll find an area with lockers (2x 0.50 cents) and bathrooms, as well as a small room off to the left of the lockers that plays a video to watch. The room next to the stairs is a small area for the temporary exhibit.
Parking is available across the street (paid), and is right next to the hiking area along with the beautifully designed neanderthal playground (themed).
Overall the museum is a great visit, particularly exciting for children, where you'll also find hands on activities throughout the exhibition.