Stop in Nuremberg for half day between Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dresden?

I don't think this is a good idea. The Nazi rally grounds and the courthouse are both some way out of the centre and in almost diagonally opposed directions. Both will also take a good two hours or more to properly experience the exhibitions.

The remains of the parade grounds are a quick tram ride from the Hauptbahnhof. If you only visit the Documentation Center, it should take about 90 minutes- 2 hour round trip from the Hauptbahnhof. However, if you wanted to explore the vast grounds a little more thoroughly (it's mostly just a large park and most of the remaining structures from the Third Reich period have a current alternative use), add anything from an additional one to two hours. Especially if you want to indulge in the tasty Biergarten next door.

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I may not necessarily even visit the Documentation Center in Nuremberg. I visited the one in Berchtesgaden and found that almost everything was in German - I understand the one in Nuremberg is much the same. It was a beautiful, comprehensive facility, and I did have an audio guide for English, but all it did was read all of the written (sometimes lengthy) German text to me in English - and that quickly became boring so I turned it off and just walked and looked at the pictures and posters. I had thought that a guided tour in English might have been much more rewarding. I'll look into whether such a thing is possible at the Nuremberg Documentation Center.

I know it would be a rushed day in Nuremberg - I've done this sort of thing before and understand that there are trade-offs. I wondered if anyone really loved Nuremberg otherwise and thought it might be worth spending a night even at extra expense just to see more of the city than I could see in a few hours.

"...really loved Nurnberg..." I would visit the place at least once but not as a top priority city. Other places nearby are more worthy of your time ....Bamberg, Ingolstadt, Munich, I saw it the first time in 1973, didn't go back until 24 years later, then only to transfer trains. Besides the Nazi sites, see the Lorenzkirche. but that was plastered in the war too.

There's no guided tours of the Documentation Center. I can't remember if the displays have English captions. I've seen tour groups walking around the park, but I don't know from where the tours originate. Probably bus groups, judging by the parking lot.

Yes, Nürnberg got pummeled in the war, but the reconstruction of the city was pretty thorough. At least in the Altstadt within the walls, I think they did a better job of historic rebuilding then Munich. I wouldn't say I "love" it (but I'm not a city person to begin with), but I find Nürnberg a very nice town.

We went last July to Nuremberg for a couple of nights. Having a rental car and a GPS was the easiest way to see the Documentation and the Rally Grounds, then the courtroom and the small museum there. Parking was easy and free at both sites. Walking thru the downtown is pleasant- but the small, fingersized Nuremberg sausages are my favorites in all of Germany! I think we wound up staying at an Ibis because that was all we could find ( but I could be confused about that). Stay a full day if you can, it was a highlight of that 15 day trip. Rick's restaurant suggestions were spot on, too.

PS. I really think the Documentation Center is worth your time, even if you have seen others. It is not only the pictures, films, presentations.. when you get to the end, you are in a an important building.. it is not just a museum.... it was part of the plan....

I also think a car would be the easiest.