Itinerary Help - Baden-Baden to Berlin

"We are bringing our two boys, so activities are planned more around them... Then we will drive to Baden-Baden, spend two nights and tour the small village where my Great, Great Grandparents grew up and see area castles."

You may have selected Baden-Baden because Rick Steves gives it a lot of page space. But B-B may very well not be the best option for your family. It is not representative of the Black Forest region. It is mostly about pricey health spas, casinos and high-end shopping. I really don't get it at all as a venue for younger folks.

I wonder where this village is. Presumably it's somewhere in or near the Black Forest, which does offer plenty of sightseeing options. If you name the village, you might find some suggestions for other towns, activities, sights, and specific castles that might be better suited to your family. It would also be helpful to have the boys' ages and maybe some of their interests. This information would also be helpful in getting suggestions for the other regions, like northern Bavaria, that you have in mind.

Thanks for your reply Russ. The boys are aged 10 and 12. The village is Helmsheim, southeast of Buschal. We had planned to spend the one full day that we have in Baden-Baden going to Helmsheim and seeing the area.

Thank you very much!
Carol

The Black Forest offers walks, lakes, forests, castles and hills. Baden-Baden is like a mini Monte Carlo, not for 10-12 year olds.
You may not wish to know this but, ... Germany's largest theme park is nearby: www.europapark.de

"...southeast of Buschal..."
Prabably Bruchsal.

Speyer is the same size as Baden-Baden (which is over an hour away) with more to offer and closer to Helmsheim. It might fit the bill.
Speyer and its attractions
The Speyer Cathedral is a Unesco World Heritage site and known as a very fine example of Romanesque:
Cathedral
Speyer's Technology Museum:
Technik-Museum
Speyer has a nice Old Town.
Burg Guttenberg in Gundelsheim is in the Neckar River Valley region to the northeast of Helmsheim. Besides the castle, the raptor show would probably be of interest:
Burg Guttenberg
Schwetzingen Palace is northeast of Speyer:
Schwetzingen Palace

Thank you Russ and Chris! I'm already looking into changes based on your suggestions.

Add my voice to the growing list here who thinks your boys couldn't possibly be more bored if you decide to take them to Baden-Baden. And I would also point out... Baden-Baden is one of dozens of spa resort towns spread throughout Germany (but the only one Mr. Steves mentions). If your kids like shopping for overpriced hand bags, designer clothes and jewelry, they'll love Baden-Baden. If not...don't bother. Instead, if you want the German thermal treatment experience with plenty of stuff for kids, consider Thermen und Badeweld Sinsheim, (Sinsheim also has a good kid-friendly tech museum) or Crystal Palm Beach near Nuremberg. You didn't mention Munich or Berlin, but if your trip takes you by either, don't miss the fabulous Therme Erding near Munich or Tropical Islands, buried deep in the Spreewald near Berlin.

The tech museum mentioned by Russ in Speyer (a beautiful town, btw), is also very kid friendly.

"I know that we will be traveling during the height of the busy tourist season, so things will be crowded" With the exception of perhaps the famous castles at Schwangau or maybe Rothenburg odT, Germany doesn't really have a lot of attractions that feel "crowded" in the summer, unlike, let's say, some of the popular museums in Paris or Rome. Maybe Europa Park might also feel really busy.

PS- Go to Rothenburg if it lies along your path of travel. If not... don't bother. Kind of like Baden-Baden isn't as unique as advertised, neither is Rothenburg. Except for perhaps all the souvenir shops.

PPS... oops, you did mention Berlin.

Carol, If you are close by anyway, Rothenberg will be ok, but do not go out of your way to go there. Same for Heidelberg. TC

Speaking of Tropical Islands, it was featured today in an article on Slate.com