Day trip from Nuremberg - Wirtzburg vs Bamberg vs Rothenburg ob der Tauber

As far as the trains are concerned, the difference is not so dramatic. Rothenburg: The station from Ansbach is small and the one from Steinach is tiny, and a short transfer time is not a problem. Würzburg: You can also get there in about 1:10 with the regional train and the Deutschlandticket (which, of course, is valid on the tram from the Hbf to the center), so you don't have to take a more expensive ICE. Bamberg: This is of course the easiest option, as there are usually several trains per hour, and ther's public transport by bus from the station to the center.

When it comes to:

grab a beer and food

Bamberg would be the first choice, as it is the undisputed brewery capital of Franconia. In Würzburg it's all about wine (there's beer there too, but ...), e. g. at one of the large wineries (my preference would be the Juliusspital) or the small taverns (e.g. the Maulaffenbeck, Maulhardgasse 9). Bamberg is more attractive in terms of the cityscape, as the destruction of the war in Würzburg has left its mark in the form of some ugly post-war buildings. However, Würzburg has a world-class architectural monument in the form of the prince-bishop's residence (Napoleon himself said "what a superb vicarage"). Have fun making your decision!

Rothenburg: It's no trouble making connections at those train stations. Identify in advance which track your next train leaves from, then follow the signage and walk to it. Others getting off your train will be going to Rothenburg too. Thousautds of people go there every day, many by train. If you get off the arriving train and are confused, ask someone near you.

The only bugaboo with Rothenburg is that German trains no longer run on time. If your arriving train is a little late, the next train will wait a little... But a really late train may not get that courtesy. I've heard of people not making their trains on this route occasionally when this happens. And of course your trip from Nuremberg has 2 trains to catch, so in theory two chances for train tardiness.

Soaking up culture: Bamberg wins this round by a knock-out. It's the unofficial cultural capital of Franconia in the eyes of many. I don't see much culture in Rothenburg, mostly because tourism is essentially the only industry that employs the townfolk there. In this regard it's a bit like Disneyland without the rides... the way of life there for locals is overwhelmed by the need to serve the interests of tourists. Bamberg is a university town and a jreal place with a variety of lifestyles - and very different in this regard. Rick Steves doesn't say much about Bamberg (why??) but he has referred to Rothenburg as resembling a "medieval theme park," not without reason.

You might also consider Amberg, an easy 50 minutes away and usually tourist free. Bad Windsheim has a great open air museum and that's worth a trip too.

First, they are all great choices and all are well populated with tourists. All will entail walking.

Amberg was pleasing as well. The train station is right at the edge of the town center. We liked the Schloderer Bräu brewery for food. I am a wine drinker and did not sample the "Bier".

Of the three you asked about, I tried to think which might entertain a 5 year old as well as the parents. I think the Würzburg Residence Gardens and its old bridge (with statues of saints) across the River Main might be good places to walk with a child. The Main River is very attractive there with a lock. You can use the D ticket on regional trains to get to it. The train station is fairly close to the town center.

Bamberg - short 40 minute trip that I can take a regional train (Use
D-ticket) and have the flexibility of coming and going when I want.
The old town looks nice for strolling, and we can check out some
smoked beer :-).

Bamberg's old town is pretty compact. With the D-Ticket you can take the bus from the train station to the ZOB and back to save a few steps. The ZOB is about 500m from Maximilianplatz. From there walk via Gruner Markt toward the Dom. You'll pass through the shopping zone with lots of shops and street markets. Is moslty flat until you are near the Dom. Make sure you walk through/under the Altes Rathaus.

To get up to the Dom there are a set of pretty steep steps. After the Dom visit the Rose Garden behind the Residenz (don't need a Residenz ticket to access the garden) for a nice view over the city.

Come back down the steps and visit Schlenkerla for (IMHO) the finest smoked beer in Bamberg. The food is pretty good as well. If you don't want to retrace the 1k walk back to the ZOB, the busses there or to the Hbf are just a few of block away from Schlenkerla.

big thanks- love that itinerary- and already had the Schlenkerla on my list - I don't mind the steps, and walking is OK as long as it is relatively stroller friendly. We are at that odd age where she can easily walk, but also I don't want to get a mile from where we are and have her be "all done" so we take the stroller still when she gets tired so we can keep sight seeing.

We visited Bamberg on our last trip and it was one of my favorite places to visit. The little shops were so much fun. I love the decoration on the townhall. The hubby enjoyed a smoked beer and we were there during Spargel season, so we stuffed ourselves silly on white asparagus.

We have also been to Rothernburg and Wurzburg as well. Out of the three Bamberg was my favorite. But there are gems in all three.

Enjoy you trip!