Nowhere else in Düsseldorf can one feel the city’s heartbeat so clearly as in the Altstadt. Those who want to party, people in search of culture or history lovers will all be equally well catered for in this area between the Rhine and Heinrich-Heine Allee, that covers an area of less than half a square kilometre. This tiny space is crammed with around 260 eateries, pubs, bars, discos and restaurants, and one would be hard pressed to find the like in any other city. The Altstadt is also home to Altbier – a real Düsseldorf speciality.

Hortus Botanicus is one of the world's oldest botanical gardens established in 1638 as an herb garden with medicinal plants for Amsterdam doctors and pharmacists. The plants were brought here from all over the world by the traders of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Today, Hortus Botanicus holds more than 6,000 different plants, including unique ones, like the 2,000 years old agave cactus and a 300-year-old Eastern Cape giant cycad. The garden's orangery has a beautiful cafe with a large outside terrace open to the garden. Find some peace and quiet here, especially on a drizzly day.

York River State Park is where freshwater and saltwater meet, creating a unique ecosystem filled with diverse wildlife. The park has miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails, plus opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and fossil hunting along the riverbank. History buffs can check out programs on the area's colonial and Native American past. It’s a great spot for a day outdoors—just pack a picnic and explore.