Great tips thanks guys. I also heard Bamburg has a good brewing museum.
If I get there early during the week I'll have no problem getting into a tent right? BeerCigars, do you think we'll be able to hop tents in the afternoon and at night or just afternoon?
It gets harder at night. You have a better chance since you are going during the week. Give it a shot, if you cant get into one, then move onto the next. Hofbrau is by far the busiest but most touristy. Lots of Americans, who wants that when going to Oktoberfest in Munich! You are not missing out if you skip it all together.
Hippodrom One of the smaller tents, it's the first tent that many visitors see at the fest. As well as serving normal Wiesn beer, it has a Sekt (sparkling wine) bar and Maß of Weißbier. Considered one of the trendiest tents, and attracts the occasional celebrity. Traditionally in the evening the Oktoberfest band the Münchner Zwietracht plays all the Oktoberfestclassics.
Armbrustschützenzelt Translates as the "Crossbow Shooters Tent", a competition that has been a part of the Oktoberfest since 1895.
Hofbräu-Festzelt The counterpart to the famous Hofbräuhaus, this tent is especially popular with Americans, Australians and New Zealanders.
Hacker-Festzelt One of the largest tents on the Wiesn, they have a rock band that plays from 5:30 each evening (as opposed to the traditional brass band). This tent is also known as "Himmel der Bayern" (Heaven of Bavaria)
Schottenhamel Reckoned to be the most important tent at the Oktoberfest, mainly because it is where it starts. On the first Saturday of the event, no beer is allowed to be served until the mayor of Munich (currently Christian Ude) taps the first keg, at 12pm. Only then can the other tents begin to serve beer. Very popular amongst younger people.
Winzerer Fähndl This tent is noted for its huge tower, with a Maß of Paulaner beer sitting atop it.
Schützen-Festhalle This is a mid-sized tent. Situated under the Bavaria statue, the current tent was newly built in 2004.
Käfers Wiesen Schänke The smallest tent at the Oktoberfest, it is frequented by celebrities, and is known for its especially good food. In contrast to the other tents (which must close by 11pm), it is open until 0:30am, but it can be very difficult to get in.
Weinzelt This tent offers a selection of more than 15 wines, as well as Weißbier.
Löwenbräu-Festhalle Above the entrance is a 4.50 meter (15 foot) lion who occasionally drinks from his beer. This is overshadowed by another tower where another drinking lion sits.
Bräurosl (Hacker-Pschorr) Named after the daughter of the original brewery owner (Pschorr), this tent has the usual brass band and a yodeler.
Augustiner-Festhalle Considered by many locals to be the best tent, due to the fact it sells the favourite local brew, Augustiner, from individually tapped wooden kegs rather than stainless steel vats used by the other tents.
Ochsenbraterei True to its name, this tent offers a great variety of ox dishes.
Fischer Vroni Another of the smaller tents. Fisch is the German word for fish and this tent carries a huge selection in its menu.