Recommendations in and around Prague?

[little.fox]

So BF is taking me to Prague for my 30th next month, does anyone have any recommendations? Anything we just cannot miss while we are there?

Our tastes are very broad, we're interested to hear suggestions relating to pop culture, art, litterature, science, film and architecture.

We already plan to visit:
-The National Gallery
-Museum of Decorative Arts
-The "Dancing Building"
-The Royal Castle

Edit to add: And I'm nuts for second hand shopping, so any thoughts on that very much appreciated!

[tulagirl]

My family is from there.  They use to have a puppet museum..I thought.  I have a puppet from there.  He has a little wooden head and a cloth body with wooden shoes.  I have not been there personally, but my family has.  We have a festival around the corner every year here in our neighborhood to celebrate Czech food, history, dance and arts.

This might be the one:

http://blog.best-bookings.com/en/prague-puppet-museum-art-magic/

Don't know if this fits into your interests, I only know its on my list should I visit with my family someday. In addition to the Moser Glass Factory I think its called. I love Czech glass. My mother has several pieces of their crystal.  It has a very beautiful and unique look to it.

[little.fox]

I didn't know your family is Czech, the festival sounds amazing!

The puppet museum sounds interesting, I'll defenitely look into it!

[LadyGuinevere]

We found the Museum of Communism very interesting, as it focused on Czechoslovakia during the Soviet period, which we knew less about. If you're interested in history, I would definitely recommend it, though it isn't very big.

[tulagirl]

Yes my grandmother and family on my paternal side all came from that country to America by a ship.  Some of my uncles still speak the language.  I was enrolled to take lessons but the cummunity center closed.  Its my maternal side where we have many nationalities in the mix from all over the globe.

[flutterwry]

I've been there quite often (1996-7-8, 2004, 2006, 2010/11) - here's what I recommend you:
1. Don't exchange money at one of those nasty exchange booths. Yes, you will be ripped off.
2. Stay away from those overpriced and cra..y sightseeing tours - explore Prague yourself and avoid those typical tourist spots as much as you can.
3. Don't stop a taxi on the street, they have a bad reputation for a reason...
4. If you buy a metro ticket, don't forget to stamp it.

So, a few places:

• The Astronomical Clock at the Old Town Square is really, really beautiful, but usually it's extremely crowded.
  
• Same thing with the Charles Bridge with all of its artists.
• Stay away from restaurants at tourist spots - they're usually way too expensive (especially the "U Fleku" has become a nasty tourist trap.) Try and find something one corner away from the beaten tracks.
• Sadly Wenceslas Square is not what it used to be - but the Narodni Muzeum at the upper end is worth a visit if you like old things.
• The Jewish quarter is quite interesting, but very crowded, too...
• The Prague Wax museum is not as artistic as Mme. Tussaud's, but still kind of cute.
• Try Korbacik cheese on fresh rolls. Soooo tasty!
• The music museum rocks.
• Prague has a beautiful zoo...
• Find the John Lennon Wall...

[kaoskat]

No suggestions but have fun on your trip! Sounds exciting!

[Loa]

I'm jealous!

[AnnaPommes]

i want to underline the national museum and the church where the windows desinged by mucha are in! also the karls-bridge in the mornign when the sund rises!! *o*
 when i was there with my class, an exibition was in the museum near the karls-brindge, i think it is the national museum. the original sketches and artworks are divine!

people will throw mucha-related items everywhere, but don´t get annoyed and see if you might be able to see some of his original works. it´s pretty sad they over-commercialize him .
oh, and if you see a museum with spiders, don´t go there.

we,, i just readed flutterwrys post again and yes, everything she said! i´ve been to the jewish quarter too, its very beautiful, i regreted not to bring my camera.

and maybe don´t go out after 10. thats what out hotel told us as a school-class and we really felt secure to do so.

ohh, and watch out for your bags!!
3 of our girls had thier stuff stolen, two complete bags and one got her bag cut open and the missed her phone and purse since then. ^^" be carefull if random strangers try to get you into a talk.

Praha is a beautifull city with so much architectual art! be sure to take pictures!
i want to go again soon, the puppet museum sounds great, also the communism museum. you never learn enought about history. you never learn enought at all.

have much fun on your trip!

[Sebby6]

If you have a spare day I would recommend getting the train over to Kutna Hora.
It's a medieval town where you can find the bone church (Kostnice)
The interior of the church is made entirely out of human bones but it's not in a scary way - it's just jaw dropping lol.
Also the town is really nice to walk around and a nice change from the flood of tourists in Prague.

In Prague itself I'd recommend the water fountain. It's a display of water and lights set to classical music - a bit like fireworks, but with water

It's true that you can get ripped off at the Exchange places, but on the other hand I've also gotten a way better deal than at home, so it depends where you go.

Definitely remember to stamp your ticket and remember if it's a 60 min ticket, then you need to have finished your journey within that 60 mins.
In a lot of other countries you just need to get on the tram/metro within the time, but my friend learned the hard way that's not the case over there

Oh and - likely it'll be very very hot there in May.

[bagheera86]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VU9DjQpvMQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jujG5X9iZs

these were filmed in prague, maybe these place would be good to see?

[Eviecorn]

It's been a long time since I've been to Prague, so I'd take everyone else's word for it.  Lovely city, though!

[ponybanker]

We just went to Prague in September and loved it. We went to a traditional Czech dinner * so much fun* we had russians, australians, and Irish at our table and had a blast. singing/dancing/alcohol! We also did a fun ghost tour at night. Have fun on your trip!

[little.fox]

Thank you for all the tips so far! BF is very into history and politics, so the Museum of Communism sounds like a must!

As I'm such a nut for second hand shopping, and ideas on that? I enjoy anything from flea markets to more upscale antique shops.

[Vintergatan]

If you have a spare day I would recommend getting the train over to Kutna Hora.
It's a medieval town where you can find the bone church (Kostnice)
The interior of the church is made entirely out of human bones but it's not in a scary way - it's just jaw dropping lol.
Also the town is really nice to walk around and a nice change from the flood of tourists in Prague.

i've just googled this since I've never heard of it and ...... WOW! That looks absolutely amazing and it's so macabre! now i want to go to Czech Republic too!

Back on topic, I myself have never been there so I don't have any recommendations, but many of my friends have and they are unanimously impressed Have a great trip!