AN AMERICAN IN BREMEN

Stadtbibliothek (City Library)

The Zentralbibliothek (main library) of the Stadtbibliothek is conveniently located just east of city center. Of course, it has an impressive selection of books, films, and various media, but there is something special about the Stadtbibliothek.
Maybe it is the atmosphere. With a grand architecture and art all over the walls, it is hard to decide whether the Stadtbibliothek feels more like a library or a museum. It is quite fun to just walk around, as there is so much to be seen and every floor is different.
There are a few things that you have to make a point of checking out though. First, on the third floor the Krimiraum (mystery novel room) contains the only books in the library that can't be rented out. Instead, you are forced to enjoy the large leather chairs in the old room decorated with wooden trim. Also located on the third floor is the Internationale Romansbibliothek (international books library), which contains books from all over the world including many that are written in German on the odd pages, but have an English translation on the even pages (very useful!!!). And if you are there, you should check out the Teen Spirit section next door, designed specifically for teens.
The most remarkable attribute of the library is definitely the Graphothek, where you can actually check out paintings, photos, and other pieces of artwork for two months or more. In other words, if while walking around you see a painting that you like, you can take it home and hang it on your wall! Of course in addition to what is on display the library has countless paintings and pictures in storage. You simply view them online or in a catalogue, find the one you want, and the library will get it for you to check out in the next few days. As a Graphothek year long membership costs only 10 Euros, this is revolutionarily cheap and effective way to decorate your apartment, especially if you are only staying for a short time!

General Eat and Drink

Bremen has more food and drink to offer than one could manage. There are foods from all over the world (German, Turkish, Italian, American), from all price ranges and all levels of quality. Specifically, the German food is of course wonderful and easy to find. The Turkish Döner Kebab stands are always cheap, and the popular ones are quite good. Otherwise, here are a few examples and recommendations.

Schlachte

The Schlachte is the wonderful Biergarten and Restaurant promenade directly on the Weser. South of City Center and directly on the Weser, people go there to enjoy the weather or to enjoy some good food and drink. There are many restaurants, and they are all quite good. The majority have searving both inside and outside, and when the weather is good, sitting outside is the way to go.
This website (in German) is an excellent display of the promenade, and also has a description of all of the restaurants/bars located on the Schlachte.

http://www.schlachte.de

The Viertel

The Viertel is the wonderful part of the city located just east of city center. It is more or less centered on one long street, but it of course extends to the side streets. It is quite lively, both during the day and for nightlife. There are many cool bars, restaurants, shops, and business of every type that vary in price, size, quality, and in every sense possible.

Every Bremer knows the Viertel, and if you visit Bremen you simply must go there. The best is to just walk through it and check it out. You will feel the energy and the livelihood of the area. Begin in Domsheide (city center), and walk east on the street Am Wall until Ostertorsteinweg, and you are already there! (3 minute walk). You can of course also ask anyone on the street or visit this website for more details.

http://www.dasviertel.de

If you would like a complete list of all the bars, restaurants, and shops in Viertel, please visit:

http://www.dasviertel.de/suche.asp

Tower Musikclub

There is something for everzone at Tower. On the first floor, drinks are abundant from the two well placed bars while the Rock DJ in the corner controls the perfectly sized dancefloor. The second floor offers a chill atmosphere, with a lounge DJ, games, tables, and of course the mandatory third bar. Everyone at Tower is just there to be themselves.
Tuesdays at Tower are especially good because of the free entrance Studenten Dienstag (student Tuesday) party.
Take a look at the website, because Tower also offers rock concerts.
http://www.tower-bremen.de

Olbers-Planetarium

The Olbers-Planetarium is the wonderful, small and intimate planetarium in Bremen. It is located in Neustadt, at the Hochschule Bremen University of Applied Sciences. It is quite modern, with all the high tech lights and sounds of any planetarium, but with only 40 or so seats. In other words, you feel up close and personal to the night sky, not just becuase you are in a planetarium, but because you are in such a lovely, more intimate planetarium. That is why is the most visited small planetarium in Germany!
They offer in summer a program almost every day, and they offer different types of programs, some for adults and some for kids and younger people.

Here is the planetarium website
http://planetarium.hs-bremen.de

And here you can find the program calendar
http://planetarium.hs-bremen.de/programm/index.php

Rathaus

"I was wandering through the Rathaus when I stumbled upon a magnificent room. It was large, and had a chief and mysterious feel to it. It looked at least 500 years old - clearly many important things happened here. It had enormous and majestic wooden carved ships hanging from the ceiling, each complete with cannons, sails, ropes, the works. There were also giant paintings on the wall, clearly meant for the room and some painted directly on the wall. You can't miss the chandeliers, with the characteristically German two intertwining birds at the top. The room was only complimented, if not completed, by the ornate wooden decorations. Hand carved and out of this world, one could spend hours on end getting lost in them. It was the most unbelievable room that I have seen yet." Landon Robinson (Visitor from the USA)

The Rathaus is directly in city center, across from the Dom. There are many more interesting and beautiful rooms inside. Tours through the Rathaus are available, and there are also many events and talks offered inside.

Kleine Weser / Werdersee

Climb the small hill and your eyes will find a wonderful sight - the Kliene Weser (Little Weser). Choose the side that feels right: the right bank offers a grassy slope to read, relax, or just take in the sights. Cross the bridge to reach the busier side and the paved path, which is used for running, walking, and biking.
Walk down a ways to find the Werdersee, complete with a beach. On a nice weekend day, the river is not the only sight to see. Men and women of all ages relax on the beach in their swimsuits, soaking up the sights and the sun. Here you can barbeque, play frisbee, soccer, or tan, but only the strong venture into the water. Try it out to test your bravery, as it is quite cold.
On a nice day, the Kleine Weser / Werdersee is a must see.