Seeking recs for Bavaria/Austria in August for family of 6

I would suggest you stay in the Innsbruck area--about 2 hours south of Munich. From there, you can get to Fuessen, Salzburg, the Dolomites and many other places of interest within an hour or so.

My favorite drive is the Grossglockner High Alpine Highway--south of Zell-am-See. It's the most beautiful place I've ever been to in my worldly travels.

With Tirol being such a major ski area, there are an incredible number of bed and breakfasts and small hotels in all the area towns.

And the local scenery is absolutely incredible too. I went to college there many years ago.

Will you have a car?

Then stay in Buching near Füssen in a Holiday appartment for a week

https://www.ferienwohnungen-hipp-buching.de/wohnungen/fewo-nr-3-6-pers/

Lots of activities and sightseeing around esp Neuschwanstein Castle

Check "Umgebung" on the website link above
Maybe google helps in translation

We were there for a week and loved it

So when you decide to go there more about it from me

August is going to be the most crowded, expensive, time to visit southern Bavaria. That being said, you may want to stay somewhere where you can do the castles, and then move for the rest of the trip. Tours to Neuschwanstein are easy to arrange from Fussen, Garmish, or Munich. You'll have to do some digging to find one that meets your daughters criteria. An alternate to that is just go to Fussen, get up early, drive over to Hohenschwangau and climb out on the bridge. Mornings or evenings are best for the light if a photo is the quarry.

If you stay in Munich spend an afternoon at Therme Erding. It will be worth it.

If you want to hike,etc. I recommend a stay in Reutte or Ischgl in Tyrol, or over by Dornbirn or Konstanz by the Bodensee. Yes, they will be tourist laden, everywhere will be. You may also want to consider this; go to Otztal, and then stay in one of the towns between there and Hochgurgl. This is skiing country, but very nice for wandering around in summer also. Not as well know to Americans. And last, consider Prien on Chiemsee or Schonau am Konigsee.

I suggest you travel between places by train, and then rent a car for local trips you can't arrange via train. That way you won't have to fit the luggage in with you.

Schönau a. Königssee. Book a holiday apartment within hiking distance of the Königssee. Book now.

My first inclination with a large group is Munich and one other stop. Salzburg? I just cant imagine marching 6 people around Salzburg it just wasnt that pedestrian friendly in the large scale. You said Bavaria "slash" Ausria so, maybe Bavaria and Vienna? I guess in your shoes I would go to Viator and Getyourguide to see where the tours go from each possible base. That would give me an idea of how easy it would be to keep 6 people amused for two weeks. The two stops (home base) could be just about any place because the difficulty of the move isnt much different if its a 2 hour trip or a 4 hour trip. And dont get bogged down too much in borders. Go where the interest. Explore in your research.

I guess budget is not an issue? Cause Austria isnt amoung the least expensive places in Europe.

You mentioned wanting to see WWII stuff; Dachau concentration camp is just north of Munich, but I don't recommend taking kids under 16 there. It can be traumatic to see for kids.

Salzburg is great, but Berchtesgaden has the Eagle's Nest. You should be able to do both. Also, consider visiting Vienna for 2-3 nights it is special.

You mentioned Fussen, also consider nearby Garmisch.

We have been with a family of 4, so I get it. We did Munich, Salzburg and Rothenberg. While in Munich, we took a day tour to Neuschwanstein with Mike's Bike Tours and absolutely loved it. I thought my husband and son would think it was cheesy, but they had a great time as well. They take you by coach bus and you do a bike ride out there first, then lunch, then up to the bridge and then Neuschwanstein itself. The bike ride was easy, so as long as the 8 yr olds know how to ride, they will be fine. We rode out to a lake and back, and had the paved trail all to ourselves. Take a look at their website as I am sure it gives a much better description than what I am doing, lol.

Thank you all so much. This gives me a lot more to look into! Very much appreciate all the recommendations.

Just make sure you all have a meeting place. Neuschwanstein is going to be crowded, Honestly, except for the view most people like Hohenschwangau better. But both will be crowded so for 6 people, I'd pick a meeting place when you go sightseeing.

Be aware of ticks during the warm months in Bavaria, esp. protect children.