Leipzig

Eco-friendly travel guide to Leipzig advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Leipzig, Germany.

Leipzig Central Station photographed from Panoramic Tower

Air quality: 4 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 3.5 / 5

Public transportation: 4 / 5

Parks: 3.5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 4 / 5

Locals' English level: 3 / 5

Safety: 4 / 5

Accommodation: US$70 - $100

Budget per day: US$150 - $200

Responsible Travel

When traveling around the world and experiencing the beauty of different countries up close, you truly understand that living on Earth is a gift. We must appreciate our planet more and give back to it. Traveling, while entertaining, can be quite taxing on the environment. As a tourist, your first preference for accommodation would be 5-star hotels, but try to avoid them. Instead, it would be best if you preferred eco-hotels, hostels, guest houses, and rental apartments. These options are not only affordable but are far better than the 5-star hotels. Also, the hostels and guest houses will give you proper exposure to the local culture as some of them host frequent social events where the guest can join and enjoy.

While traveling to the different areas of the city, avoid using rental cars and boats as the service providers usually overcharge tourists and emit many harmful gases into the atmosphere. Instead, it would be best to prefer public buses, electronic vehicles, bicycles, trains, and trams to travel in the city. These transports will also help you get a closer experience of the people's local culture and livelihood.

Avoid using disposable and plastic items as they create a lot of pollution, and a lot of natural resources are wasted in disposing of them properly. Instead, you should prefer reusable and recycled products like water bottles, handkerchiefs, cloth bags, etc. If you want to get the best Leipzig experience out of your trip, prefer local businesses as they possess an authenticity that other international and retail brands lack. You will support the local communities in growing and learning about the local culture and traditions.

The people in Leipzig's city follow various eco-friendly measures laid down by the government and the municipalities to keep the city clean and livable. As a tourist, you need to be aware of such laws to avoid any adverse harm to the local environment.

Air Quality and Pollution

The Air Quality Index value for Leipzig is 61. Hence, this signifies a moderate level of air pollution. Thus, the air quality is acceptable, and people are free to roam the city without any additional precautions. However, some additional protective gear may be necessary for those who may be unusually susceptible to air pollution. Citizens have easy access to drinking water and a sufficient number of green parks, which help keep the pollution levels minimum. Citizens generally do not have any complaints regarding the city's pollution levels, although it could be improving. The city has taken sufficient steps to ensure that they further reduce pollution levels to ensure a comfortable life for citizens and tourists alike.

Respect the Culture

Germans are known to be punctual and hardworking. Hence, it is always expected that when you fix an appointment with someone, you should get there in time. Generally, when introducing yourself to another person, you should use your title and your last name. First names are usually reserved for friendly and informal settings, where you have known the other person for quite some time. While German people do not dress differently than the rest of the western world, each region of the country has different traditional attire. Most people in Germany identify as Christian, and a small percentage of them identify themselves as Catholic Christian. Germany also has a minor Muslim population. One notable thing about Germans is that they love to care for each other. This occurs in various ways, as you will find when you visit the city of Leipzig. If you are acting improperly, or maybe behaving in a socially unacceptable way, Germans will be quick to point it out to you. This is not meant to be remaining or to put you down, but people do so because they see this as their social duty to help others out. Germans also love to care for others by returning lost things. If someone finds a lost item, they place it on the lowest branch of the tree. Hence, if the owner were to trace back their steps, they would quickly find their lost item.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Monument To The Battle Of The Nations: Monument to the Battle of the Nations is one of the popular monument in the city of Leipzig. It is located in Str. Des, Leipzig, Germany. The monument is dedicated to the Battle of Leipzig. It was constructed in the year 1912.

Zoo Leipzig: Zoo of Leipzig is located in Pfaffendorfer Str, Leipzig, Germany. It was established in the year 1878. It covers an area of 27 hectares.

St. Thomas Church: St. Thomas Church is located in Thomaskirchhof, Leipzig, Germany. It was established in the year 1889. The church is styled in the Gothic style.

Museum Of Local History: The Museum of Local History is located in Markt, Leipzig, Germany. The museum displaying documents, artworks, artifacts, crafts, etc.

Museum Of Fine Arts: Museum of Fine Arts is located in Katharinenstrabe, Leipzig, Germany. It was established in the year 1848. The museum is an art museum. Alfred Weidinger is the director of the museum.

Leipzig Panometer: It is one of the famous museums in the city of Leipzig. It is located in Richard-Lehmann-Strabe, Leipzig, Germany.

Belantis: It is an amusement park in the city of Leipzig. It is located in Zur Weiben Mark, Leipzig, Germany. It is established in the year 2010.

S.T Nicholas Church: It is one of the famous Evangelical Church in the city of Leipzig. It is located in Nikolaikirchhof, Leipzig, Germany.

Grassi Museum: It is one of the famous museums in the city of Leipzig. The museum is located in Johannispl, Leipzig, Germany. The museum was established in the year 1925.

Cossi: A lake in Germany. The lake is also known as Cospudener Lake. The area of the lake is 4.36-kilometer square. It is located in Saxony, Leipzig, Germany.

Grassi Museum

Explore

As part of the oldest cities in the World, Leipzig is the most visited city in Europe. Visiting these places will help you explore and learn about the history, culture, and significance of the area on a first-hand basis. It is an oasis for every traveler as it offers both natural and urban places that will make your visit a memorable one. The town offers various opportunities to the tourists and the locals to experience the Ancient culture, diverse cuisines, sunny beach coasts, and the hospitable people. Many places in the city of Leipzig are must-visit ones. While exploring, you will be able to indulge in the world-famous German cuisines that will only enhance your Leipzig’s experience.

City Parks

There is no better way to clear your head than breathing in the fresh air. To ensure that citizens can exercise comfortably, kids can play and have fun, and several parks are dotted throughout the city.

Clara-Zetkin Park
Flobgraben Lichtung
Johanna Park
Friedenspark
Oberer Park

Clara-Zetkin Park

National Parks

Here are some national parks in the city of Leipzig:

Leipzig Rivrside Forest
Stotteritzer Waldchen
Wildlife Leipzig
Lindenthaler Wald
Botanical Garden Leipzig

Stotteritzer Waldchen

Beaches

Leipzig's beach scene is something that you may not have come across before. From eateries to bars, you will find a host of different outlets scattered around the beach. Once you are done soaking up the sun, you can get up and explore the different options for eating and drinking. There are also several beach clubs that you may want to check out. Every club offers different services, so it is best to do y our research before deciding which one you should visit.

Stadtstrand Leipzig
Markkleeberger See Strandbad Ost
Barrierefreier Badesteg
Strandresort
Sunlight Von Beach

Landmarks

Some hubs and buildings have become a landmark for the local people. While you may not be able to cover most of them, ensure that you take your time to explore the city and find out more about the place's history. You will be thrilled to discover every new fact. A couple of days in the city just won't cut it. This is a place where you will want to visit over and over again.

Leipziger Baumwollspinnere
Clara-Zetkin Park
Bach-Museum Leipzig
Lake Stromthal
City-Hochhaus
Markt

Museums

When visiting Leipzig, you will not run out of Museums that you want to visit. From art museums to those that hold ancient relics, there is something that suits everyone's taste.

Bach Museum
Museum In Der Runden Ecke
The Dresden Zwinger
Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig
Grassi Museum

File:1986 - Venezia - Palazzo Grassi.jpg

Grassi Museum

Eat

Whether you are a picky eater or love to consume everything on your plate, you will find several options when visiting the city of Leipzig. Germans are known for drinking beer; they should also be known for the various types of bread they bake. Germans take a lot of pride in baking bread, and if you love bread, you will find a lot of options to choose from! Sweet, savory, plain, flavored, and ones with all kinds of seeds that you can think of, Germans have many different types of bread which they make.

Germans love to eat sausages, or as they call it, wurst. Wurst can be of various flavors such as beef, pork, and even veal. If you are vegetarian or vegan, there is no need to shy away from eating out. You will find several options for vegetarian as well as vegan food.

Traditional Local Restaurants

When exploring any new country and city, you must try out the local food. The local food is how you understand its culture, traditions and get to know the people better. Additionally, you may discover the new favorite flavor that you may not have discovered otherwise when trying out different cuisines. Here are a few of them:

Thuringer Hof
Food Lounge Im Listbogen
Killiwilly
Wiener Feinbacker Heberer
Restaurant Apels Garten
Gasthaus Bartgels Hof

Vegetarian and Vegan

Whether you are craving a veggie breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even late-night snacks, you will not have a problem finding vegetarian or vegan options to serve your needs. Some popular options that you can look at when looking for vegan or vegetarian food are:

Symbiose- Café Restaurant Bio Vegan
Zest
Green Soul
Vleischerei Haschke
Atacolypse
Quan Xanh Veganes Restaurant Leipzig

Street Food

The street food in Leipzig's city is legendary, and as a tourist, there are plenty of places for you to visit and enjoy some of the delectable goodies. This includes various types of cuisines worldwide, and it isn’t solely limited to Bavarian cuisine. In this section of the article, we shall list out some of the prominent street food dishes and the restaurants/carts at which you can relish them, so keep reading:

Rouladen
Sauerbraten
Stollen
Dresdner Stollen
Eierschecke
Quarkkeulchen
Meibner Fummel

Drink

While you can never go wrong with a beer in Germany, it is not the only drink that you should be trying out when you are visiting the city of Leipzig, on a night out with your friends; there are several options that you can choose from:

Kettenfett: Licorice Liquor, this tongue twister of a drink, is referred to as Kettenfett or Chain Grease. Those who like the flavor of licorice will like the salty and sweet taste of this drink. However, it is thick and has a distinctive flavor that not everyone may enjoy.

Schwesterherz: The name translates to 'sis,' who is short for sister; it is often considered a girly drink because of its mild flavor. However, this drink is quite popular in bars and pubs all over the city.

Flimm: If you want something truly out of the box to drink, this would be a popular choice. While the emerald green color may make you wary of the drink, it is a kind of sweet shot that goes down smoothly. First introduced in 2008, this has been a popular drink in bars and pubs ever since.

Tap-water

You’ll be surprised to know that the tap water in Leipzig's city is the safest in Germany. You can use the drinking fountains and other public water sources in the city to drink and will hardly face any problem. The water is filtered correctly and tested for bacteria and other harmful substances. Only after proper cleaning, the water supply is done to the various areas of the city. When you visit the city of Leipzig, you can drink tap water without any worries. Bottled water is not necessarily safer than drinking water. However, what you ultimately opt for depends on your preference.

Organic Cafés

There are many cafés in the city of Leipzig, but not all of them serve organic food. Organic food refers to food items made using locally sourced ingredients grown and produced by local farmers and producers. You will find a significant amount of organic cafés in the city of Leipzig that serve mouth-watering dishes of various cuisines. Here are some of the best organic cafés in the city that will enhance your experience:

Green Soul
Café Kater
Macis Leipzig – Restaurant
Sub + Salzig
Zest
Café Central

Breweries

Many breweries in Germany produce and sell world-class beverages with authentic tastes. You will find that Germans have a passion for drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages. Because alcoholic drinks are consumed in such high amounts, there are many breweries in Germany. The city of Leipzig also shares a significant amount of breweries in Germany. These breweries are must-visit places as you will learn a lot about the local German culture and traditions.

Cliff’s Brauwerk Leipzig
Weisse Elster Biere
Sternburg Brauerei
Synde Brau
Plagwitzer Brauerei
Bayerischer Bahnof

Activities

Leipzig's people know how to bring the community together and celebrate. You will not run out of activities to take part in when you are visiting the city of Leipzig. If you love to make new friends in every city they visit, then the city will be your favorite spot. Besides the tourist places, there are loads of other things in Leipzig that will help you understand the local culture, history, and traditions. Your trip to the city of Leipzig will become memorable if you participate and indulge in these activities. Doing so will also help you discover many astonishing facts and knowledge that will make all the money you spend worth it.

Yoga and Retreats

Leipzig homes a health-conscious community of people who indulge in activities that can help them stay fit. You can find many yoga studios and other recreational activity classes in the city of Leipzig that can help you keep your body and mind healthy. Professional and experienced teachers often guide these places, so you won't need to doubt the viability of their methods and practices.

Gemeinsam Entspannt
Yoga Royal
Mit Yoga Leipzig
Ashtanga Yoga Loft Leipzig
Shanta-Yoga Leipzig

Accommodation

Your trip is only as good as the accommodations that you get. Traveling all day is fun, but when you do not get to stay in the right place, you may be missing out on the fun. While staying in a central location, it is important to cut down on the travel time, sometimes stay a little further away from the city, and allow you to explore lesser-known tourist attractions and get to know the city a bit more.

Green Hotels

Green hotels or eco-hotels follow various sustainable measures like eco-friendly products, renewable resources, recycling of waste, etc. Hotels that follow such practices are better choices than 5-star hotels that directly and indirectly harm the local environment. Here are some of the best green hotels in the city of Leipzig, where you can get quality services and budget-friendly prices:

Radisson Blu Hotel Leipzig
Nh Leigzig Messe
The Westin Leipzig
Atlanta Hotel International Leipzig
Adina Apartment Hotel Leipzig
Innside By Melia Leipzig

Hostels and Guest Houses

If you prefer living your life like an adventure, you should opt for staying at hostels and guest houses rather than hotels. These hotels and guest homes enable you to meet and interact with other fellow tourists in the city of Leipzig and learn from them. By stay in a German hostel or guest house, you will be able to live in an environment filled with energy, social events, and lots of fun. Some of these places also regularly host various social events to learn about the local German culture and traditions. Here the famous hostels and guest houses of the city:

Multitude Hostel
Hostel And Garten Eden
Hostel Absteige
Hostel Blue Star
Pension Walther

Apartments

If you want a cheap and better option than hotels, hostels, and guest houses, rental apartments are the best choices. You can find many apartment buildings in the city of Leipzig where you can lease a room for the time you are in the city of Leipzig. While choosing an apartment, make sure to inspect it properly before paying any amount to the landlord. Also, prefer apartments closer to the city center or central districts to walk away from all significant places.

Couchsurfing

Couch surfing is a comparatively new concept in the world but is very prevalent in Europe. You can easily find many couch surfing hosts in the city that offer free or charged stay at their homes. You will need to find a host before visiting the city and setting a deal regarding your stay. These couch surfing hosts serve more than one tourist, which means you will be able to meet other fellow tourists and even befriend them.

Camping

Some camps are inside the city in the city parks or campgrounds, whereas others lie in the town's outskirts. If you want to spend some time outdoors, then the campsites outside the city are the ones for you, but they may not be as cheap as the city's campsites. Many of these campsites host various activities where the campers can enjoy and learn about the local German culture and traditions.

How to Get There

When we travel, the form of transport that we opt for is quite important. When deciding on any form of transport, it is essential to look at the vehicle's carbon emission and how long the journey will take. There may not be many options for many people to choose from depending on where they are starting their journey and any travel restrictions they may have.

Air

Leipzig is served by the Halle/Leipzig Airport in Germany and has domestic flights. If you are outside the country, you can either direct or transfer flights to Frankfurt, but direct flights are the better option as they will not waste your time and give you trouble.

Leipzig Airport

Bus

Leipzig is well-connected to other major cities in Germany and other European cities as well. You can certainly find bus routes that will lead you to the city, if you are a fan of long road trips, this may be the perfect option.

Bus in Leipzig

Train

There are several train options to the city, and depending on which region you are in, you may also be able to opt for high-speed train options. Trains are convenient and travel-friendly, so you should not have too much trouble opting for them.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is not for the faint of heart. Those who want to ensure that their travel plans do not add to the carbon emissions or those who love to go where the road leads them may be fans of hitchhiking to places. While it is impossible, hitchhiking may not be the easiest option for anyone. However, if you are dedicated, you will surely find a way to hitchhike to Leipzig.

Others

You should avoid taxis and rented car services as they harm the environment, and tourists are often overcharged. Therefore, they prefer the public and efficient ways of transportation rather than cars and taxis. Besides these basic transportations, you can opt for tramcars, boats, and cruise ships for areas where you can't use airlines, buses, or trains. Yachts and cruise ships can be used to get to the many Islands off the mainland's shore. They are more straightforward and can be cost-effective ones as well.

Moving Around

Walking is an alternative mode of moving around but is the healthiest and cheapest mode. While exploring the city, always prefer using public transports or electric vehicles to maintain your carbon footprint and make use of the town's local services. If you want to travel and explore the various areas of the city, then the best option at your disposal is public transports such as subway trains, available buses, and electronic vehicles. These modes of transportations are efficient in helping you move around Leipzig's city and discover the hidden gems of the city.

Walk

If you prefer a healthy way of moving around the city, then walking is the best option for you. The streets and roads are completely safe, and the chances of getting into a road accident are relatively low. Walking will help you move around with ease and cost you not even a penny. You will learn a lot about the local German people's livelihood and culture. You can even discover some hidden gems in the city that will make your experience a memorable one.

Bicycle

Bicycles are the best alternatives to walking as they will help you stay fit and cover lots of distances in a short time. You will find that mechanical and electric bicycles are colossal popular in European countries as they are the healthiest and eco-friendly modes of transport. You have the options where you can either choose to buy or rent a bike from a local bicycle shop in Leipzig, but as a tourist, you should always prefer renting out any vehicle as it will cost you less.

Electronic Vehicles

The government has also given various subsidies regarding parking fees, charging costs, and vehicle purchases to make more people use them. These vehicles are more eco-friendly, and you can even hire one for some time to maintain your budget and get the best experience while exploring the city of Leipzig. Electronic vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles, electronic cars, etc., are recently introduced by the German government to lower carbon emissions. The government promotes electronic vehicles by setting up various charging stations and parking areas for such cars. The users of electronic cars and bikes also receive relaxation for taxes. You can easily find many electronic vehicle stores, but you may need to make a booking to ensure that you can get a vehicle on the day of your travel.

Public Bus

Public bus and trolleybus are some of the most common travel modes for the locals as they are relatively cheap and have a vast network. These available buses operate from 5 a.m. to midnight and are relatively safe, even for women. Public buses in the country are the cheapest mode of moving around the city of Leipzig. Using a public bus is the most standard means of moving around in Leipzig, and the advantage is that it is cheaper than other forms or means of transportation you would find. The trolleybuses are more environmentally friendly than regular buses, so you should use them if you want to be eco-friendly. These buses are a standard mode of transportation for the locals and are entirely safe for tourists. You can use public buses to travel to different city areas and gain some useful information from the locals on the bus. Tourists usually depend on the locals' help for understanding when it comes to languages and signs that they do not understand. These buses are connected to even the remotest areas and provide easy travel to both locals and tourists in Leipzig.

Tram, Train and Subway

Trams and trains are the best way of moving around the city as they have an efficient and widespread network that covers almost every area or district. The metro system has about nine suburban routes and nine underground routes. It is the most reliable and affordable mode of transport and is used by almost every Leipzig resident. You can buy the ticket online using the metro system's mobile application.

Sustainable Shopping

Sustainable shopping is a concept where the impact on the environment, health, and society is maintained. It is a way by which people avoid products and services that are harmful and against their beliefs—some of the most popular places for sustainable shopping in Leipzig. Sustainable shopping is a means of patronizing and buying the local craft of the people. Undeniably, there are always unique things that would catch your eyes when you visit a new city. It may also be their Lacquered Boxes, from their skills in iron painting, a leading cosmetics brand in the city. Eco-friendly sustainable stores that promote zero-waste are increasing rapidly in the city, and many locals are tying hearse products. In the city of Leipzig, it may be their Imperial Porcelain, and you can take it back home as a memorial of your stay in the city. It helps to give you the best experience and witness the culture up close.

Food Markets

Street food markets are not new to the food scene, but they seem to be gaining popularity in recent years. Street food markets are the best way for any tourist to try out authentic regional dishes. With these food markets, you not only get to try out authentic food but fusion as well. You also get to take a look at Leipzig's local spin on western food items. Locals of the city frequent Food Markets quite often; although they are partial to their traditional cuisine and tend to prefer local food items, you will find a wide variety of options to choose from.

Schonauer Fishchhalle
Russisch Brot Market Ug
Frische Paradies Feinkostmarket & Bistro Leipzig
Leuchtturm Fisch & Meer
Mekong Asia Supermarket

Flea Markets

Flea markets are the best places for people that are low on cash and can’t afford branded products. These markets are the places where local people sell second-hand items at reasonable rates. You can find a wide variety of products like utensils, paintings, furniture, books, clothing items, equipment, etc. Such markets are the best places to get deep insights into the local people's culture and livelihood.

Leipzieg Tourist Service E. V
Agra Second Hand Market
Flohmarket Kleinmessplatz Leipzig, Cottaweg
Kiezflohmarket Leipzig-Plagwitz
Antik-Und Gebrauchtwarenmarkt

Second Hand Stores

These stores are the best places to visit if you want to buy cheap but quality products. You will find a wide variety of products, from the necessary utensils to furniture items. These stores are usually preferred by low-income German families and are the best places for low-budgeted tourists. You can find many antiques in these stores that can be the perfect souvenirs from your trip. Here are some popular thrift stores in the city of Leipzig:

Humana Secondhand & Vintage
Oxfam Shop Leipzig
Resales
Sozialwarenhaus Ggmbh
Wmc Waschmaschinen Center Leipzig

Eco-Fashion

You will find that many small and medium-sized businesses in Leipzig's city provide such sustainable fashion to the locals and tourists. These local businesses use eco-friendly practices and follow their corporate social responsibility by supporting and helping the local communities grow and get good opportunities in education and career. There is a new concept in the fashion industry, where clothes and accessories are sourced from organic and environmentally friendly sources. It is gaining significant popularity in Europe as a part of sustainable living and protecting our environment.

Recycling

You will find that there are various recycling shops in the city of Leipzig where you can take your recyclable waste. These shops also possess some uniquely recycled items that you can buy. Leipzig's government offers various schemes under which you can avail of specific amenities like reduced tax rates. Many volunteering organizations in Leipzig's city focus on promoting proper recycling techniques amongst the people and realizing the need for such lifestyle changes. If you want to help the government and organizations work effectively, you can voluntarily start helping them.

Waste

The government and the municipalities in Leipzig have put forth many schemes, rules, and restrictions to ensure that the locals and the tourists don't harm the local environment. Various garbage containers and trucks are assigned to Leipzig's different areas and districts, where everyone can dump their waste for proper disposal and cleanliness. Both the local Germans and the tourists are expected to follow such rules, and those who fail to follow them and violate them knowingly are fined. It would be best if you always preferred abiding by the authorities to avoid any troublesome situations.

Work and Study Abroad

Working and studying abroad allows individuals to be able to experience a different country and city up close. It is an excellent way to explore the city and discover how the city works truly. When visiting a country as a tourist, it is easy to miss out on life's daily intricacies in a different country. However, suppose you truly want to experience and learn more about a different country and appreciate its culture. In that case, you can only do so by living there for a substantial amount of time. The city of Leipzig welcomes international students, workers as well as volunteers. From Student Exchange programs to volunteer work, there are several ways for people from international cities to come and stay in Leipzig and learn more about the city.

Exchange Student

Studying in the city of Leipzig can be a great experience for you. It homes a significant number of world-class institutes when you will get quality education and learn a lot about Leipzig and Germany's culture and history. The Student Exchange Program is the one that offers students from different countries to get the chance to study in another country. It is a great initiative where you can build and expand your knowledge. If you want to become an exchange student, all you need to do is register yourself for the program and meet the requirements.

Au Pair

You will find that Au pairing is trendy in European countries, and many low-income families use the help of foreign individuals in meeting their basic needs like education, household management, and financial assistance. An Au Pair can be a couple or just an individual who is part of the Au Pairing program, a worldwide program to help people become the best version of themselves. If you want to help out any family, all you need to do is get yourself registered on the au pairing website and wait to get approved. By doing so, you will be able to help someone build a better life. You will need to look for companies that offer Au Pair services or apply directly for an Au Pair job. Once you have been selected, you will need to file for the appropriate visa so that you can stay and work in the city of Leipzig.

Volunteering

Many organizations in Leipzig are helping people become aware of the various societal issues that need to resolve. You will find that several young people take an active part in such activities and providing their vital help in spreading awareness on various social issues like the need for environmental protection, animal protection, proper recycling and disposal of waste, etc. Several organizations have provisions for international volunteers to participate in volunteer work in the city of Leipzig. These voluntary services can last for up to a year. Volunteer services are available for youth and senior participants alike.