Stuttgart, the capital of the German state Baden-Württemberg, offers an eclectic mix of things to see, with charming green spaces and remarkable architecture at every turn. Design, history, and car enthusiasts will enjoy trips to the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums, with classic examples to make even a non-enthusiast's mouth water. Visit Königstrasse, Germany's third-largest shopping street, and Fernsehturm Stuttgart, the world's first telecommunications tower now a viewing platform with unparalleled views of the city and the Black Forest beyond. Wilhelma is another must visit. The zoological-botanical garden with its grand Victorian greenhouses was created in the late 1800s by King Wilhelm I. It shows off a well-kept menagerie of unusual animals including yaks and tapirs. Book lovers and architecture fans need to head to the Public Library Stuttgart, where books are displayed in a stunning white inverted pyramid. And continuing with the cultural theme, don’t miss the shiny cube that is the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, the contemporary art museum, right next to the imposing Schlossplatz in the heart of the city.