Hannover has a number of options for those who fancy getting active, as well as for those with kids. The picturesque Herrenhauser Garten is one of the main attractions in town and comes with a zoo and decent aquarium. Lake Maschsee offers boating, ice skating and general chilling out, while cycling and golfing are also pastimes.

Big Aquarium (Sea Life Grossaquarium)
Located on Herrenhauser Strasse amid the stunning Herrenhauser Garten, the aptly named Big Aquarium has dozens of enclosures containing creatures from around the globe. Like so many other aquaria of this nature, Sea Life Grossaquarium has a huge tank complete with walk-through glass tunnel so you can get up close with the sharks. The aquarium is ideal for rainy days and also comes with tropical rainforests. 
Phone: +49 511 126 0420

Cycling
Like many other cities in Germany, Hannover has miles and miles of cycle paths. Many of these are dedicated sections on highways going through the town yet there are also interesting paths going through pleasant parkland. You can hire bikes in the city by the hour or day and also get on a tour of Hannover with a guide.

Golf
There are good golf courses near to Hannover where non-members can have a swing. Golf Club Hannover is beautifully located near Blue Lake just outside town, a historic course with two of its holes the other side of a motorway. There are also several high profile courses in the Lower Saxony region in the towns of Burgdorf Ehlershausen, Fallingbostel, and Gronau. 
Phone: +49 513 77 3068 (Golf Club Hannover)

Hannover Zoo
Hannover Zoo is another of Herrenhauser Garten’s attractions, complete with five distinct zones—Yukon Bay (Alaskan wilderness), Zambezi, Gorilla Mountain, Meyer's Farm, and Jungle Palace. Each zone is well done and represents animals from that part of the world. Meyer's Farm has animals from the Lower Saxony region. 
Phone: +49 511 2807 4163; http://www.zoo-hannover.de/zoo-hannover/en/zoo_v3/home.php

Lake Maschsee Recreation
Lake Maschsee has the best options for getting active in Hannover, where tourists can walk, cycle, rollerblade, and go boating. The lake is just south of town and about also offers ice-skating in the winter when it freezes over. A number of restaurants and beer gardens can be found around the lake along with a casino. 
Phone: +49 511 700 950

Swimming at the Southern Fringe
Good swimming in town can be had at the Southern Fringe in summer at the natural bathing pools of Dohrener Masch and Ricklinger. This is a fun area to come during the summer for couples and families to enjoy a picnic and also for singletons to have a wander. It is very picturesque and also has some fine walking.

Cultural attractions in Hannover are pretty diverse and interesting, despite its near obliteration at the end of WWII. The beautiful Herrenhauser Garten is perhaps the most breathtaking attraction in town, while the original 15th-century town hall is still in evidence. The bustling area known as Kropcke is the most interesting part of town.

Aegidienkirche
Located on Osterstrasse Mitte, the Aegidienkirche is a ruined 10th-century church which has been left as it was after the bombs of WWII gutted the nave. It has remained in this state to commemorate the victims of the war although still retains its belfry and has lots of foliage growing up the side of it. 
Phone: +49 511 364 370

Hanover Opera (Opernhaus)
Located in the pedestrian area known as the Kropcke, the Opernhaus features many international players in the world of ballet and classical music. German operas and Italian operas are the most popular here, although sadly nothing is in English. Popular shows include Mozart's Magic Flute (Die Zauberfloete) and Strauss' The Bat (Der Fledermaus). Prices are reasonable. 
Phone: +49 511 368 1711

Herrenhauser Garten
The Herrenhauser Gardens are vast, stunning and symmetrical with matured landscaping and manicured lawns and flower gardens. There are fountains and walking paths galore here and the herb garden, English Garden and Baroque Large Garden (Grosser Garten) are highlights. The city’s zoo and aquarium are located onsite, along with an open-air theatre. 
Phone: +49 511 1684 7583

Kropcke
Kropcke is perfect for culture vultures. It lies in the centre of the city and is a large pedestrianised area complete with oodles of shopping, cafés and restaurants. The Opera House (Opernhaus) also famously resides here and the green clock tower is also a focal point. If you are here over Christmas, take a gander at the bustling Christmas Market.

Lower Saxony State Museum
One of Hannover’s better museums, the Lower Saxony State Museum tells the story of the region’s past. Highlights are a fine collection of archaeological items, including well-preserved prehistoric bodies, and 900 years’ worth of paintings and sculptures. You will find the museum on Willy Brandt Allee, next to the Maschpark. 
Phone: +49 511 980 7686

Hannover has lots of eating options and all types of food, from local meat dishes and desserts to American stodge in fast food joints as well as plenty of ethnic choice. The popular pedestrianised tourist area known as Kropcke in the heart of the city has the best options for eating, while the Market Hall (Markthalle) also offers a wide range of food at affordable prices.

Hanoverian cuisine is heavy and hearty, based around meat and potatoes, and can be found in everything from brewpubs and biergartens to street-side cafés and full-service restaurants. Sauerkraut, bratwurst, and pommes fritte are all widely available along with the delicious local white desert known as welfenpudding. Vegetarians are also well catered for in Hannover.

Shopping options in Hannover are also good and prices are invariably cheaper than higher profile German cities. There are several popular shopping thoroughfares in town and the good thing is that the city’s compactness makes it easy to get around. Pedestrianised areas to head for are the central Kropcke square, the Old Quarter, and the Linden district. The Passerelle 'Shopping Mile' in the city centre also has good shopping.

Designer items can be had along the upmarket Niki de Sainte Phalle Promenade, which is also good for window shopping, while the Lister Meile is quite pleasant with its many picturesque boulevards. The Hannover Market Hall (Markthalle) offers an entirely different shopping experience and is also good for eating. There is also a regular flea market on Saturday mornings on Leinepromenade, along Leine River Canal.