Like the town itself, the area around Darmstadt has numerous attractive places to visit. The Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch and the Messel Pit Fossil Site - both designated world heritage sites, are high on the "must see" list.Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch – UNESCO World Heritage site
Lorsch Abbey lies between Darmstadt and Worms. The well-known gate hall or "king's hall" is one of Germany's most important pre-Romanesque architectural relics. Close by is a museum centre with three distinct sections: a collection tracing the history of the abbey, an ethnological museum and a tobacco museum.Dreieichenhain
Dreieichenhain is on the southern stretch of the German Half-Timbered Houses Route. Its picturesque old quarter with a castle, castle chapel, medieval town walls and lovingly restored half-timbered buildings make Dreieichenhain a historical and architectural treasure.Messel Pit Fossil Site – UNESCO World Heritage site
Messel Pit Fossil Site documents the history of the earth 57 to 36 million years ago, when the animal and plant world changed dramatically following the death of the dinosaurs. With 10,000 finds to date, the Messel Pit Fossil Site is one of the most fruitful fossil sites ever. The diversity of species discovered here is immense, and the quality of the finds superb.