A week in Stuttgart and the Black Forest with a toddler

Ludwigsburg is a short train ride from Stuttgart. The Schlossgartens there have a Märchengarten (Fairy Tale Garden). It did not appeal much to us but we are not into fairy tales. There was also a bird sanctuary area that might appeal to a young child. We have an 18 month old granddaughter; I suspect she would find the birds more interesting. Google Images: ludwigsburg märchengarten.

Stuttgart... Killesberg Park? Here's one family's visit... https://www.packthecorkscrew.com/?p=2530

The mini steam train runs through October. https://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/en/a-killesberg-railway-stuttgart

Thanks for the suggestions!

I've not visited Stuttgart but one of my brothers once had a splendid long weekend there. Ludwigsburg has three distinct palaces and the fun pumpkin festival should be on when you are there, the main activities taking place at weekends.

Tübingen is close by and is a very handsome university town.

Re Black Forest Open Air Museum - yes.

Triberg and Triberg Falls - the falls, yes, the town not so much.

Walk around Schiltach, Gengenbach, or Titisee - Schiltach yes, though small. Stop in Café Bachbeck Konditorei and try any number of cakes on offer. The bienenstich (beesting) cake is the best I've had by far. Gengenbach is a fantastic little place. If you have the time, Schluschsee is a better visit than Titisee.

Titisee = cute and touristy in an international way

Schluchsee = outdoorsy, touristy in a German kind of way, but much less than Titisee

I visited Stuttgart in early October a few years ago and thought it was absolutely wonderful! It's such a lovely time to be there.

My favourite things (that would still be toddler-friendly) were:

Esslingen

• Loved, loved, loved spending a Saturday morning in this town (about 20 minutes by S-bahn from the center of Stuttgart)
• Very nice market (on Saturdays and Wednesdays) - https://www.esslinger-wochenmarkt-ev.de/
• Enjoyable walk up the castle walls for a nice view of the town
• Tasting of Kessler sekt from the open-air bar. The happy tasters were overflowing into the nearby street and square with families who stopped for a glass of sparkling wine after visiting the market, with strollers everywhere and children running around
• Had an excellent breakfast at the bakery/cafe FLO Schwesterherz, which seemed very child friendly (we were the only table without small children while we were there)

Wine Walking Trails & Besenwirtschaften

• You're in wine country and there are beautiful trails through vineyards, often on paved tracks (perfect for strollers)
• I did this one while I was there and it was lovely: https://www.germanwines.de/tourism/wine-hiking-trails/wein-wandern-detailseite/winetour/wuerttemberg-stuttgart-wine-hiking-trail/ (more info and photos here: https://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/a-weinwanderweg-obertuerkheim-uhlbach-rotenberg-untertuerkheim#/article/5beb46d9-d049-4f9f-b790-e9b5c0afe2e0)
• Also try to find an open Besenwirtschaften, a seasonal restaurant marked by a broom (besen) near the entrance. It's neuer wein season so you'll find that everywhere, along with delicious zwiebelkuchen

Have a wonderful trip!

Thank you!