My children are 5,5 and 7. We arrive to Frankfurt on June 21 and driving to Bamberg that day. We need to be in Rothenburg on the 23rd. Torn with this decision. I have reserved hotel (Barockhotel am Dom) in Bamburg thinking it would be nice to see Bamberg. If I go this route, Legoland is out. But if I go towards Rothenburg and stay in a town closer to Legoland, well, then we can go to Legoland. Is it worth not seeing Bamberg to go to Legoland in June based on my kids ages? I know it is a no brainer for me and most to pick Bamberg, but we will be driving all over southern Germany for 2 weeks thereafter and I feel like I should give them that diversion away from castles, scenery and the like. Thank you for any opinions on this!!

Compromise solution to the problem: Check out the Playmobil Park in Zirndorf near Nuremberg instead - much closer to Bamberg and easier to fit into your itinerary. I have never been myself but friends of mine who live in Nuremberg have four grandkids in Playmobil age and both kids and grandparents are enthusiastic about the park.

I have read your previous posts. You seem to make quick decisions.

Have you ever thought about staying on a farm? It would be fun for the kids, and there are many farms with family-friendly accomodations near Rothenburg.

Your kids are the perfect age for Legoland (or the Playmobil park). Legoland is a nice, clean theme park that can be done in a day. We took our sons there for a day when they were your kids' ages and we were touring Germany. We enjoyed our visit there. It was a good break for our children.

At the usual, standard tourist attractions, your children won't see many local kids. One of the benefits of adding a local theme park to your itinerary is it allows your kids to be around European children (playgrounds are good for this too).

I also have not yet been to the Playmobil park. However, I used to sell Playmobil and we had 2 Playmobil play days a year. Kids had a great time playing with the products. Not only do kids love playmobil, but some adults too - my 2 most enthusiastic customers were in their 50's and 60's!!!

You could dump the plan to go to Rothenburg unless you have to be there for business or something and substitute Bamberg which also has a wonderful (and much more historically significant than Rothenburg) Altstadt. Eliminating Rothenburg should allow you to include Legoland.

You could then make old Rothenburg a short, photo stop as it is pretty much just a tourist enclave--a very lovely, photo-worthy tourist enclave, but not a place of much interest otherwise unless you have a fascination with tourist-oriented shops and tour bus groups from all nations.

1 vote for LegoLand! My girls 7 and 4 loved it!