Traveling from Nuremberg to Switzerland

Having been to Heidelberg and Strasbourg, I would choose an overnight or two in Strasbourg. It's a great little city with a lot to see and great Alsatian cuisine. Rail connections from Nuremberg are good as are the ones to Luzerne. Here's a link showing the routes on Rome to Rio.

Thank you, Philip. I actually didn't realize Strasbourg was in France... thought it was Germany until your post made me look more carefully. Is it pretty easy to enter France from Germany? Or Switzerland from Germany?

And after reading more and more, perhaps it would be a good idea to rent a car instead of taking a train, as I can stop and see what I want. Perhaps stop and stay one night along the way and making it a two-day road trip from Nuremberg to Lucerne?

You will not even know you are crossing a border, except suddenly everybody will be speaking French.
Driving to Switzerland has some issues, namely high international drop fees, and you must remember to purchase a vignette (toll sticker) immediately upon entry into Switzerland.
I find traveling by train much more relaxing than driving a car, especially in unfamiliar territory. You can also travel with a Quer-Durchs-Land ticket. 44 EUR gives unlimited travel on regional trains all over Germany after 9 am weekdays. So you can literally hop-on and hop off.
https://www.bahn.com/i/view/USA/en/prices/germany/quer-durchs-land-ticket.shtml

shandean,
"Is it pretty easy to enter France from Germany? Or Switzerland from Germany?" - yes. All three countries are in the Schengen Area, so there are no immigration (passport) checks, all you will notice is the language changing. Switzerland is not in the EU, so there is technically customs, but they don't bother train passengers, just goods vehicles.

One problem with renting a car in Nuremberg and returning it to Zürich is that there is a large surcharge for dropping of a hire car in a different country - you have been warned.
You need to scope out your proposed rail trips in terms of times and costs. You can do this on the German railways site: www.bahn.de or for Swiss internal trains (e.g. Luzern to Zürich airport) at the Swiss site: www.sbb.ch
It only takes 1 hour from Luzern to Zürich airport, so unless your flight is really early there is no need to stay a night at the airport.

Ah, thanks again you all! I will go and explore the train's site posted. And although I realize it's a short trip to Zurich from Lucerne, I was planning to spend one night and the first part of the day there in Zurich prior to going home. What are everyones' thoughts on Zurich? I don't typically enjoy larger cities, but it may help me round out my trip and a true feel for the area.

I'm strongly strongly biased as I get to Luzern (local spelling) as often as I can, usually every year, but one quick half day in Zurich was enough for me.

I'd take the extra night in Luzern and ride a boat or go up Titlis or Rigi, or check out the Transport Museum (one of the world's best) or one of another dozen things in and around Luzern rather than Zurich.

YMMV, many may disagree with me.

So, what are the must-see's in Switzerland? I have definitely decided to stay in Lucerne. Mt Pilatus and Interlaken are on the agenda. What else should I do on my solo trip?