We will be driving from Alsace to Lucern. Would you recommend stopping in Basel for a hour or two? Is there anywhere else enroute that we should plan a stop at?? Thanks

I had almost a day there while flying back to London later that night. I enjoyed Basel; a nice old town and some really good art museums, but it was raining and I was slugging my big bag the whole day, so that put a damper on things.

I like Basel very much and think it's certainly worth a visit, but driving and parking in town is difficult. There are many one way streets, some very small, the layout isn't in a grid, and it also has pedestrian only streets.
I don't know what the parking situation is like near the SBB train station, but I wouldn't try to drive any closer than that into the old town. Also, I would give it at least three hours. Doesn't seem worth it to me for anything less.

Use the parking facilities at the Basel train station (the main one called Basel SBB) then go inside and stash your bags at the deposit service counter - don't leave stuff in a rental car in a parking garage.

Then go to the city's official tourist office inside the station, it can provide you with info and a pamphlet on the city center.

If you have a few hours, ask about a boat trip to Rheinfelden or thereabouts.

Read up on Basel, it has lots of history worth knowing. Check out

http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/guide/basel/index.html

WK

Yes Basel is quite capitivating - neat old city center and interesting riverfront - feeling ill or sad? Basel is perhaps the world's largest manufacturer of pharmacueticals i've heard.

I was thinking to stop and walk around the old town and see the cathedral. It sounds like there are several good art museums too. Do you think I need to take the suitcases out of the trunk if I am not using a rental...car will have german plates.

Also do can you recommend any other good stops.