Bonn is located right next to the Rhine metropolis of Cologne, but in recent years has emerged as a cultural center in its own right. It is home to many major museums such as the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Bonn Museum of Modern Art, and Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik, a museum dedicated to modern German history. The central City Hall and its square as well as the Elector’s palace with its grand gardens are famous places to visit. From May to September, the traditional Bonner Sommer outdoor music festival features a wealth of open-air concerts in every conceivable genre from jazz, reggae, rock and roll and soul to salsa, swing and hiphop. Here, striking up a conversation with the locals is an ideal way to put your newly acquired German skills to the test. The city of Beethoven's birth also offers an outstanding program of classical music, for instance at the annual Beethoven Festival. The house of birth of Ludwig van Beethoven is another highlight of the cultural possibilities.
