Rheinberg has its old fortifications and a replica medieval village if you are looking for the past. Well preserved historic buildings can be seen downtown.
And the Town Archives are worth a visit for displays of North Rhine-Westphalia through the ages and extensive information about the town’s beginnings as a customs outpost on the Rhine River in the 13th-18th centuries.
You might also want to pay a visit to the town’s War Cemetery, where whitewashed grave markers face a central monument bearing a large cross, inscribed below, “Their name liveth for evermore.” Local groups offer inexpensive guided tours of the entire town, including nearby Orsoy.
But to truly appreciate the best that Rheinberg has to offer, you will want to experience the present, not the past. The town takes great pride in its gastronomic delights, outdoor recreation activities, and cultural opportunities. They support a thriving convention business, for which the area is now well known.
You can see why the stylish pavilions of the Messe Niederrhein draw crowds here for some 50 trade shows a year. You may wish to time your stay for the Building Construction Show, Housing and Remodeling, The BIKE Motorcycle Show, and Fighterama, as well as pet shows, gourmet food fairs, and the annual Garden of Dreams expo.
Of special interest to visitors, and families in particular, is the ongoing line-up of musicals, comedies, stage plays, and cabaret acts here. For more than 25 years, children and youth have been enchanted by the town’s portrayals of Robin Hood, fairy tales and musical classics. There is a school of music focused on youth, and performing arts are scheduled monthly at the ever-active Town Hall Little Theater.
One must-see attraction is the compact TerraZoo, specializing in exhibits of reptiles, including poisonous snakes. Amphibians and spiders are also featured, and the zoo is especially popular with children.
Numerous bike and hiking trails characterize the outlying area, and Rhine River tours are available daily. So outdoors or indoors, you know you are going to enjoy yourself in Rheinberg. ;-)
