Baden-Baden or Stuttgart for boy with disability?

Robert, I've been to both and, based on the fact that your 13 yr old son will be with you, I'd probably suggest Stuttgart. If he is like many 13 yr old boys, then he probably loves cars (I know I did at that age...and still do in my 40s!), so he would probably enjoy the car museums. The M-B one, in particular, is great. I LOVED Baden-Baden and, if it was, say, just you and your wife traveling, I'd likely suggest it. But I'm just not sure how much a young teen boy would enjoy an old, genteel spa town. IF you did decide on Baden-Baden, then, of the 2 baths/spas; the Friedrishbad (Roman Irish Baths) and the Caracala Baths, the Caracala would be for you. It's more family-oriented (in the Friedrishbad, for example, I believe one must be at least 16 yrs old; and that may even be 18, as nudity is mandatory, and thus, certainly not appropriate for a 13 yr old!). The center of Baden-Baden is a car-free pedestrian zone, and there is also a very long path (I believe called the Lichtenthaller Alle-sp!-) that runs along the Oos river, and takes you past the legendary (and legendarily expensive!) Brenner's Park Hotel, so that would be easy for you and your son to navigate. I don't recall if the M-B and Porsche museums are wheelchair accessible, but it strikes me that most major museums in Europe are, so that most likely would not be a problem. I'm sure you can check that easily on both sites. Whichever you choose, you and your family are bound to love it; they're just different, with different points of interest for the traveler/tourist. Enjoy, and happy travels.

Why not ask your son which activity he would prefer? My guess is the cars will win out over going in some pool hands down. You can find thermal baths as well as great indoor pools all over Germany, so to visit Baden-Baden is not going to be something special for him. Visiting the Porsche and Mercedes museums will be though.

Thank you both for your feedback. I realized a kink in our plan when I discovered that both car museums are closed on Mondays. We would have to take an earlier train Sunday and then stay late. We may still make it work, though. My son's disability also affects his speaking, so he can't tell me which he would prefer, but I know he loves cars AND water about equally. He would probably be just as happy splashing in an artificially heated swimming pool as he would be at Baden-Baden, though.

The Porsche Museum would be perfect. It is similar to the Guggenheim in that it is a continuous ramp to go up the building. No stairs. No problem for the wheelchair.

Here's another possible option for a pool/spa facility that might be a more contemporary option for your son than Baden Baden: its called the Königstherme Königsbrunn. Its a pretty large facility, and would be close to half way between Frankfurt and Garmisch. Its located in the town of Königsbrunn, which is just south of Augsburg, and not too far from Munich. I haven't been there for a number of years, but I know its still there.

Robert, I would contact the spa/baths in Baden Baden directly through their websites( they have english) and ask specifically about what they have for pool access, they offer rehabilitation programs , so its a possibilty they even have a sling lift for son.
None of us know the exact nature of sons impairment, a visit, even to a car museum may not be best choice.

I also would recommend Stuttgart. Just walking through the main pedestrian shopping area is nice as well and can be done in a wheelchair. There's a large mineraltherme in Boeblingen by the Mercedes factory as well. You'll be passing Legoland as well if that interests your son. It's fun for the day.