Dusseldorf Christmas Market

On Saturday we took the train for a day trip to Dusseldorf, Germany for the Christmas markets. We booked the direct ICE train and reserved the awesome kid compartment (Kleinkindbereich). We had it to ourselves and cozied in for the bright and early 8am departure (though who are we kidding, we had the same 6am wake up call we have every day...). We were last in Dusseldorf 4 years ago on our way home to Miami! Wow, time flies. Also, these pictures are not nearly as good as the ones I took 4 years ago. With two kids, the nice camera is often left at home! 

Using all of the technology! Enjoying Elf with Jude. 

2 1/2 hours later we were in Dusseldorf and I had a soft pretzel in my hand! 20 minutes later, we had walked into the town center and I had my first Gluhwein in hand. A great day already! 

Maeve had fallen asleep on the walk into town so while she slept and I drank, Jude and Pete went ice skating. Or rather, Pete ice skated and pushed Jude around :) Either way, they both looked pretty happy out there!

The Welters joined us, having come by rental car and we got lunch at the market stalls. 

Yumm.. bratworst! 

The markets were crowded as expected so we didn't do any shopping, but instead focused on the gluhwein stands and kids activities, just soaking up the atmosphere.

The cutest little kid ferris wheel. Jude had fallen asleep so it was just the girls. I was a bit aprehensive sending Maeve and Joey off in that thing alone! But they LOVED it!

The city had around 5 different markets in different areas. All of the different gluhwein/hot cocoa vendors had their own mugs, which you pay a deposit on and then decide if you want to keep them. You could keep them all (ahem, Welters) or choose a few you like. Ours are below :)

I knew we wouldn't get away with a trip to Germany without a stop at a brewery for Pete. Dusseldorf is known for Alt beer. Uerige was bumping so we hung outside with Santa and his band.

Proost! 

Love pedestrian only European streets where kids can run free! 

We spotted the carosel while enjoying our beer and headed to the main square market next.

And from that square, we could spot the big ferris wheel along the river. Up up and away!

Below the ferris wheel was a kiddie land, where we blew some more money.

We had an hour or so left before we needed to catch our 6pm train home so we went to the last series of markets. This section is the newest and very lively as it was getting dark. I wish we could have stayed longer! There was a kids tent that was doing crafts so we popped in there before heading back to the train.

Then it was back to the family compartment with some take away pizza, more screen time and exploring the train. There was a bachelor party taking up two of the private compartments and they were quite boisterous. Jude proclaimed, "These boys are very loud. Boys can be like that sometimes." The exhausted kids were tucked in by 9:30 and the spent parents followed shortly after! A fun day getting in the Christmas spirit!