Stoffe Markt Kaiserslautern

Fabric is very expensive here in Germany so whenever I hear about a Stoffe Markt (Fabric Market) I do my best to go and buy some fabric at cheaper prices. Here is a link to the one I went to this week so you can keep an eye out for the next one coming up. 

Tips for the Stoffe Markt

-Be sure to do a lap before buying. Many vendors had the same prints but prices varied. One print I bought was 12€ a meter. A few vendors down, I saw the same print for 9€

-Bring cash

-Go early! I got there right when they opened and no one was there. About 15 minutes later it started to get busy and 30 minutes later it was crazy packed!

-Bring a bag to carry your new fabric

-Know some German

Here are some words or phrases you can keep on a pad of paper to read aloud

excuse me ..... entschuldigen

half ..... hälfte

1..... eins

2 ..... zwei

3 ..... drei

meter ..... meter

please ..... bitte

thank you .... danke

Kaiserslautern October Fair (Kerwe)

The annual Kaiserslautern October Fair (Kerwe) takes place the end of October for about a week at the Messeplatz fairgrounds.

The Kerwe includes everything you would expect from a carnival or city fair in the United States, with the added benefits of traditional German food and yummy chocolate covered fruit!

 my favorite

Monte Mare in Kaiserslautern

I had some friends invite Rand and I to go to an indoor pool in Kasierslautern. I was pleasantly surprised by all this place had to offer. It was very pricey. You can buy a 3 hour or day pass. All under one roof you will find this amazing sauna and spa resort - with 10 saunas and steam baths, hourly infusions, spa massages, relaxation rooms and much more! Swimming pool and leisure pool with wave pool, hot tub, several slides, children's play area, 25-meter swimming pool with diving towers. Also, you will find a restaurant and bars. 

I did not take many photos so I hope to go again soon and will take many more!

Kaiserslautern Farmers' Market

Every Tuesday and Saturday morning Kaiserslautern’s pedestrian zone is full of farmers selling fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh flowers, cheeses, eggs, honey, baked goods and much more. You can also find lots of fresh meats and fish. You can easily grab a coffee, pastry or bratwurst at a vendor at the market for a quick bite to eat or go to one of the many restaurants nearby. 

Do not worry if you are not fluent in Deutsch. Many of the vendors speak some English. Just remember to be extra friendly and smile.  Some easy phrases (that I even write down on a paper and keep in my pocket) are: “Ich hatte gerne _______” (I would like ___) and “Vos costet das?” (What does this cost?). If you forget or are too nervous, just smile, point, and say "bitte" (please) and “danke”(thank you) and the sellers will help you with the rest!

Parking: Kaiserslautern has tons of parking garages but we favor the Q-Park near the theatre

Stiftspl. 1, 67655 Kaiserslautern

Farmer's Market Address: Stiftsplatz, 67655 Kaiserslautern

Tips:

-Bring lots of smaller euros (like 1, 2 and 5 euros)

-Bring your own grocery bag(s)

-Bring a cooler if buying meat or fish

-Bring a translator

Fabric Market

Stoffe Markt!!! Fabric is hard to find in Germany and when you do find it, be prepared to pay A LOT! A couple times a year, a fabric market happens in Kaiserslautern and that is when you stock pile your fabric collection. I have always missed the ones in the past but I was able to go to the one this year. The market is in Stiftsplatz and you honestly can not miss it. I bought some great fabrics and adorable buttons. I ended up chatting with another American at the market who said she has gone to this for many years and this year the prices have almost doubled front the previous :( After hearing that I decided to head home. 

Gartenschau Kaiserslautern (Dinopark)

Gartenschau (also known as Dino Park) is only about 20 minutes from RAB and is a great place to let the kiddos run around. Daily tickets cost €7 for adults and €3 for children. Evening tickets after 5 p.m. are half price. Season tickets for at least two adults and all own children costs €45 for the whole season; the price for singles is €35. You will also have to pay for parking.

 The park always has special themes like pumpkins during the fall where they have displays of pumpkin made sculptures and artwork. Other attractions are the dinosaur exhibit, with giant dinosaur models and the Biblical, farmers’ and medicine gardens. 

Several playgrounds are scattered around the park with a sliding tower and pirate ship, a skate rink, soccer field, beach volleyball field and miniature golf in Neumühlepark. 

The Kaiserslautern Gartenschau also has numerous musical events, children’s programs, family fests, markets and guided tours.

The food at Brauhaus is also pretty good, so if you forget to pack a lunch, grab a bite there!

Tickets are discounted if you use Kaiserslautern City Works or SWK. The Gartenschau ticket is also valid for the Japanese Garden, which is down the road on Lauterstrasse. The park is open from 9am-7pm (M-F) and 10am-7pm (Sat & Sun). 

Address:

Lauterstraße 51

67659 Kaiserslautern