The area around Bad Oeynhausen is full of visitor attractions. The surrounding countryside is a densely woven mosaic of valleys, rivers and streams waiting to be explored. Visitors can learn all about the fascinating history of the now extinct giant lizards at the dinosaur park, while Lake Steinhude is a great place for leisure activities and relaxation. In the "free flight" hall at the insect museum, you can get up close to 600 colourful exotic butterflies in the heart of a tropical forest. The charming river scenery along the banks of the Weser is also well worth seeing.Münchehagen Dinosaur Park
Münchehagen dinosaur park is one of the biggest attractions in the whole region. Approx. 130 million years ago, giant herds of dinosaurs lived close to Lake Steinhude and they have left their traces. 250 fossilised dinosaur tracks form the heart of this impressive open-air museum, which provides comprehensive information about the various geological eras and features around 120 captivating life-size replicas of dinosaurs.Lake Steinhude Nature Reserve
The largest lake in northwest Germany at approximately 30 square kilometres, Lake Steinhude to the west of Hannover is at the heart of the nature reserve of the same name. Although Lake Steinhude covers an area of around 8 x 4.5 kilometres, it is only 1.5 metres deep on average. This shallow lake is predominantly fed by ground water. The lake has two artificially created islands: Wilhelmstein military academy and fortress built in 1761-65 by Count Wilhelm and another island with a sandy beach near the south shore completed in 1975.Weser Cycle Route
The Weser Cycle Route is one of the most attractive cycle routes in Germany - the beautiful tour from the Weserbergland hills to the North Sea coast takes you through an incredible wealth of picturesque countryside. The cycle route runs predominantly away from main roads, along well-maintained, almost flat paths through fascinating river scenery with impressive castles and palaces associated with fairytale characters and legendary figures. On its course, the route covers everything from Romanticism and Renaissance architecture along the River Weser to the tallest ships on the seven seas in Bremerhaven.