Being stationed in Stuttgart means a variety of urban and rural landscapes. (Simon Dannhauer - stock.adobe.com)
Welcome to the state of Baden-Württemberg, one of Germany’s economic powerhouses. Bordered by the Rhine River and Black Forest and extending through the Swabian Jura mountains, this place has both incredible outdoor activities and popular urban sights, not to mention some of Germany’s biggest fests. Here are some highlights to get you started!
One of the most popular amusement parks in Germany, Europa-Park, is only about two hours away. With 10 European country themed areas, rides galore and shows it’s no wonder this park is a favorite. Tack on the indoor-outdoor water theme park, Rulantica, and you have a year-round fun family destination.
Not to be outdone, LEGOLAND® Deutschland Resort is nestled right along the eastern border of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, approximately halfway between Stuttgart and Augsburg. More than 55 million LEGO® bricks were used to create 10 fantastical lands throughout the area. There are a variety of rides, attractions and exhibits to discover for all thrill levels.
Make your way to Sindelfingen and go to Sensapolis. This indoor adventure park features a climbing wall, an art studio, ziplining, a fairytale castle, a fun shooter and so much more. There is something for everyone at Sensapolis.
For over 200 years, the Cannstatter Volksfest has wowed attendees in Stuttgart. Nine huge tents serve up beers and hearty fare; Göckelesmaier’s roast chicken is the fest’s signature dish. An outdoor French alpine village offers wine, crepes, flammkuchen and other treats. The midway has stomach-churning rides galore. Wine drinkers flock to the Canstatter Oberamt Tent, where local vintages flow.
Every spring, attendees can enjoy the local Frühlingsfest. Feel an adrenaline rush on dizzying thrill rides, or drink in a stunning view of the city from the 47-meter-tall Ferris wheel. If all the excitement leaves you with a little vertigo, take a break and peruse one of the 50 vendors selling handcrafted wares. Or stop at one of the beer tents sponsored by Stuttgarter Hofbräu, Dinkelacker, or Schwabenbräu to enjoy a refreshing brew or two.
In the mid-1800s, Crown Prince Frederick William of Prussia commissioned the present-day Burg Hohenzollern, incorporating the 15th-century chapel in the new design. The castle remains privately owned and houses an impressive collection of Prussian gold and silver objects and artwork.
Built in German medieval style in the 1840s by Count Wilhelm of Württemberg, Lichtenstein Castle is new by European standards. Called “Württemberg’s fairy-tale castle,” Lichtenstein’s stunning architecture and scenic mountaintop location rival those of the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle is only about an hour south of Stuttgart (and not in the country of Lichtenstein). It is open weekends February to November and seven days a week from April to October.
