Cologne Travel Forum

I have about 12 hours between flights to see the town. I can walk the Old city, embankments and parks for a good 8 hours if the weather is nice. However, what to do if it rains or when I just get tired? Is there some swiming/bathing place near the station? Are there any shops open on Sunday? Anything else where I could relax and kill some time without eating or drinking beer? Any suggestion will be appreciated :)

Chocolate museum ! It is not far from the station. And afterwards you can taste the chocolate.

Well, it can't compete with CHOCOLATE(!), but there is a fine museum dedicated to Cologne's Roman past on the other side of the Cathedral from the train station - see http://www.museenkoeln.de/english/default.asp?s=252&tid=123&kontrast=&schrift=
Note that the museum is open Sunday until 5 p.m.

Yes, "Cologne" comes from the first word in the town's Latin name: "Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium", since Cologne was a major Roman town during the Empire and a major gateway between the wilds of Germania and the more civilized areas of Gaul.

Bill

The Agrippabad pool is not right by the station but in Kämmergasse, about 5 minutes away from the Cathedral/Hbf by S-bahn line 16 (going to Sürth or Bad Godesberg Stadthalle) or 18 (going to Schwadorf) from Dom/Hbf to the Neumarkt or Poststraße stop. Individual trip costs €2.30 but as you are there all day it might be worth buying a day ticket for €6.70.
http://www.koelnbaeder.de/index.php?scriptlet=KBA/Baeder&id=9

I would also vote for the chocolate museum.
And, as mccalpin says, you also have another par of museums near the station.

About swimming pools, I remember there was one (swimmimgpool and spa) on the other side of the river, in Rheinpark. A bit far, but it looks nice:
The link is:
http://www.claudius-therme.de/index_en.htm

I'm not sure which is the best way to get there: maybe the cable cabins??

I can give a thumbs up to the Claudius Therme. My husband and I were there in 2005 when passing through Cologne. It was a wonderful few hours and lunch in their restaurant was superb. We got there by taxi and I don't remember it being a long ride at all. Have fun.