We plan on doing a Danube/Rhine river cruise at another time, & hoping to visit Bavaria (and surrounding areas) on a separate trip first.

Intentionally a broad question, but looking for suggestions on what to see that is not near the river? (want to avoid things that will be part of our river cruise)
Travelling in mid September, most likely starting in Munich, 10 days (maybe end in Frankfurt/Berlin/??)
Primary interests are history (esp WW2), architecture, and nature.
Rail and/or car rental would be OK.
Thanks!

Have a look at a map or at the programs of the various cruise companies.
Miltenberg, Schweinfurt, Wertheim, Wuerzburg, Bamberg, Nueremberg, Regensburg, Kelheim, Passau are the usual cruise boat stops between Frankfurt and Austria.

You already do many of the interesting cities in Bavaria on the trip if neckervd's list is indicative. If it were me I would pick an area to go where there are no cruise ships like maybe the Harz Mountains. It's not Bavaria but it is culturally a very interesting part of Germany and away from the rivers. It's north of Frankfurt by about 3.5 hours by train though so you would have to factor travel into the trip. Otherwise there are the usual sights in Bavaria like Rothenburg and Dinkelsbühl, but they are so popular that there may well be shore excursions there.

Lavandula