Heidelberg in Mid May

One of my favorite things to see in Heidelberg is the Student Prison. Mark Twain writes about the dueling and drinking done by the students. This is such a unique site. The Jesuit church is serene and beautiful as is the main church in the city square.

Riding the funicular up to the castle is interesting. Spend some time in the Apotheke museum while you are up there.

You might get out to Schloss Schwetzingen and the gardens there. Mid-May should be nice. Across the river above the Philosopher's Way is the Heiligenberganlage - Thingstätte (National Socialism) and the Klosterruine St. Michael. This area was also a Kelten site. If I remember right, getting up to the Philosophenweg, from the Neckar was a good short climb, but once there not too bad. I always drove up to the Thingstätte and never walked from the Philosophenweg. The Burg/Burgruien in Neckarsteinach are nice to see.

Thank you both for the suggestions and helpful information. Would you suggest a car or use public transport? Two members of my group are 68 & 70. Are there any discounted public transport tickets?

I am out of date for current public transportation in and around Heidelberg, but in my time there it was excellent. Not sure there is a way to get up to the Thingstätte though. Depending on where you are staying, parking could be a problem. There are multiple Parkhaus and many with 24hr parking though: https://parken.heidelberg.de/

Ginger, I will be in Heidelburg for 2 nights in April. I will try to remember to post here on what we did. We plan on the castle and the Philosopher Walk-depending on weather.

May has a ton of Bank holidays so make sure you check and see the dates. If you hit Heidelberg on a bank Holiday all the shops are closed in the Altstadt except for the really really touristy places.