This is broad I know but ... We are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Germany in late June/early July 2019. We will be visiting relatives in Dusseldorf but would like to take some day trips/overnights to other places within a 2-3 hour drive. Would like suggestions for cities/towns/villages to visit that are not the typical touristy big cities (like Amsterdam etc... we are debating that one), particularly if there are sites/experiences of interest to children. Thanks!
Posted by
Copenhagen, Denmark
971 posts
You could take the kids to nearby Wuppertal and ride the Wuppertal Schwebebahn. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuppertal_Suspension_Railway
Or to Cologne to see the cathedral and the chocolate museum for the kids.
Or you could go further south to check out some of the castle along the middle Rhine Valley, between Bingen and Koblens. The only truly preserved medieval Castle is the Marksburg.
Posted by
Paradise
6638 posts
Good suggestions above. Then there's the Münsterland region which is somewhat unique in Germany and very close to Düsseldorf - think moated castles, windmills, nice biking country. Münster is a nice city. From Düsseldorf I took the train there and to smaller towns line Lüdinghausen as well.
Bremen would be about 3 hours from D'dorf by direct high-speed train - but very worthwhile as well:
https://hastingshouse.typepad.com/hastings_house_us/2006/08/bremen_germany.html
Posted by
San Francisco
14507 posts
In which direction? For some interesting close by, ie going by the U-Bahn, I suggest Neuss and Kaiserswerth. Going to Neuss can be done on the Regional Bahn, the terminus is Venlo (Holland). From Düsseldorf Hbf the next stop is Neuss. You won't need a car.
Other choices: Bonn, Bad Godesberg, Düren, Soest/Westf. and Münster/Westf. as suggested above.
Posted by
Berlin
2231 posts
The Wuppertal Schwebebahn is currently out of order after a heavy accident - expecting that this will be the status for the next weeks. I do not know if this will turn into months? Just inform yourself on WSW website if it is driving or not, maybe use social media buttons to address a question.
On tourism website of NRW state you will find a lot of inspiring ideas especially for smaller / different places.