Southern Germany is the perfect mix of fairytale castles, colorful towns, outdoor adventures, and kid-approved fun. These were some of our favorite family day trips!
1. LEGOLAND Deutschland ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Our boys’ favorite! We spent the entire day at LEGOLAND and still didn’t feel like we had enough time. Between the rides, LEGO displays, and attractions, there was something for everyone. Our boys even got stuck on the NINJAGO ride—not exactly part of the plan, but definitely one of our favorite travel stories!
2. Lichtenstein Castle 🏰 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This tiny castle perched dramatically on a cliff looks like it came straight out of a fairytale. The castle is fun to explore, while the surrounding views and trails make this a great stop with kids.
3. Black Forest 🌲 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Black Forest is where typical travel meets kid-focused travel. You get gorgeous scenery, mountains, forests, and charming villages, but there is also plenty for kids to do. We hiked, explored, and enjoyed the outdoors all day long—without anyone asking when we were leaving!
4. Freiburg ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Freiburg combines a beautiful historic Old Town with easy access to the outdoors. Kids will love the little Bächle waterways running through the streets, while families can also head into the surrounding mountains for hiking and exploring.
5. Tübingen ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
This colorful university town is full of narrow streets, historic buildings, and the beautiful Neckar River. Take a punt boat ride, explore the castle, and enjoy a relaxed day wandering together.
6. Lake Titisee ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
A beautiful Black Forest lake surrounded by mountains and trails. Walk along the waterfront, explore the town, and enjoy an easy outdoor day with the kids.
7. The Best Playgrounds (play ground hop) 🛝 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of our favorite things about traveling through Germany with kids was discovering the amazing playgrounds. From forest playgrounds to huge adventure parks, they gave the boys a chance to run, climb, and play while we enjoyed the scenery. Sometimes the playground ended up being the highlight of the day!
8. Esslingen am Neckar 🏘️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
For a classic German small-town experience, wander through Esslingen’s colorful half-timbered streets. The cobblestones, colorful homes, and historic center make it feel like a fairytale—and it’s easy to explore with kids.
9. Calw 🏘️🌲 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Calw is another beautiful Black Forest town filled with colorful half-timbered homes. It’s small enough to explore without exhausting little legs and easy to combine with a playground or outdoor adventure.
10. Neubulach Mine ⛏️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For something completely different, head underground at the Neubulach historic mine. Exploring the old mine tunnels gave the boys a chance to experience something hands-on and adventurous. It was one of those stops that felt more like an adventure than traditional sightseeing—and a close second to LEGOLAND for us!
Our Family Favorites ❤️
🥇 LEGOLAND — Our favorite!
🥈 Black Forest — Beautiful and genuinely fun for kids.
🥉 Neubulach Mine — Our close second!
⭐ Lichtenstein Castle — A real-life fairytale.
⭐ Freiburg — Best mix of city and nature.
⭐ Tübingen — Charming and easy to explore.
What we loved most about southern Germany was that we never felt like we had to choose between what the adults wanted to see and what the kids wanted to do. We got castles, colorful towns, history, and beautiful scenery—and our boys got hiking, climbing, exploring, mines, and plenty of playground time along the way.
