Are you looking for the perfect weekend escape with your little ones just a short drive or train ride from Düsseldorf? Look no further! We’ve rounded up our top five destinations that were a blast for our kids (and us – as adults) and that we know you’ll love too! These getaways have everything from castles and nature parks to historic towns and adventure playgrounds.
Every one of these locations also features a stay at a comfortable and family-friendly Jugendherberge (DJH) to make your trip hassle-free, affordable, and enjoyable.
TIP: Anyone with a permanent residence in Germany can become a member of the DJH. A child’s membership (until the age of 26) costs 7€/year and 27+ or a family membership costs 22.50€/year. If you are not a permanent resident of Germany, you can purchase their International Guest Card for 3.50€ per visit.
Nideggen, Germany
Located in the heart of the picturesque Eifel region that we all know and love, Nideggen is a charming town that effortlessly blends history with adventure. Nideggen is known for its majestic medieval castle and its breathtaking views of the Rur Valley. Conveniently, they also have tons of outdoor activities that are perfect for families.
- By Train: Approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes. Take the train (RE1) from Düsseldorf HBF to Düren, then a bus (221) to Nideggen (the 49€ ticket is valid for this journey)
- By Car: Approx. 1 hour and 10 minutes via A1 and B477 (you can also just rent a car for a day or two)
Accommodation – Jugendherberge Nideggen
The Jugendherberge in Nideggen might be a youth hostel, but did you know that it is open to everyone? They offer family rooms and private bathrooms too. The best part is that, unlike many hotels in Germany, their amenities are designed to cater to both kids and adults, making sure it is an enjoyable experience for all.
Their facilities are equipped with a family playroom, an outdoor picnic area, a football and basketball court, and a huge dining hall where breakfast is included and you can also book an optional half-board or full-board package for lunch and dinner too. If you’d like to book in advance, you may even be able to book one of their family rock climbing programs too!
The selling point for us though was definitely their stunning aerial view of the Rur Valley and Nideggen Castle!
Here are some amazing things to do around Nideggen ⬇️
1️⃣ Explore the Nideggen Castle and the Burgenmuseum
For 7€ our whole family had the opportunity to explore Nideggen Castle and the medieval museum which you will find located inside the castle. Not only was the museum extremely kid-friendly, but they also host some pretty cool and interactive birthday parties for kids there too!
2️⃣ Hike around the Eifel National Park (and visit the Wilder Kermeter Adventure Centre – free entrance)
Hiking with children isn’t always easy to do, but when you find a hiking trail that is also stroller-friendly and includes a number of interactive activities for the kids, then you know you’ve found a winning trail!
3️⃣ Take a boat ride on the Rursee
You can actually rent your own boat to explore the Rursee yourself, but with children, I figured a round-trip boat tour departing from Schwammenauel – Heimbach would be the best option (there’s tons of parking there and an outdoor playground and restaurants while you wait). The round trip was 1 hour and 45 minutes long and you’ll find a washroom and a small restaurant on board.
4️⃣ Visit Bubenheimer Spieleland
No trip to the Eifel is complete without a stop at Bubenheimer Spieleland. Entrance tickets on weekends and holidays cost 13€ per person and are worth every penny (we actually agreed that even at 20€/ticket it’d be well worth it). Expect to spend the entire day here when you come, as they have both indoor and outdoor spaces for children of all ages. They have their own cafés and restaurants but also provide tons of picnic space for you to bring your own food and drinks. Here you’ll find tons of amazing adventure playgrounds (indoor and outdoor), mini golf, water fun, an all-weather sports area and SO much more.
Local Eats
Breakfast is included in your stay at the DJH, so we enjoyed easy and kid-friendly breakfasts every morning. For lunch, we chose to stop by local food trucks or even had a great lunch on board the Rursee Schifffahrt.
Many recommended Ratskeller Nideggen for traditional German cuisine for dinner, but we decided to head to their local campground to have dinner by the river at Restaurant Gaststätte Hetzinger Stüffgen.
Blankenheim
Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Eifel region is another fantastic kid-friendly town worth visiting. Welcome to Blankenheim – a charming town steeped in history and natural beauty, which similarly also offers families a perfect blend of medieval charm and outdoor adventures.
- By Train: Approx. 2 hours. Train from Düsseldorf to Blankenheim (Wald), with one transfer.
- By Car: Approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes via A1 (you can also just rent a car for a day or two – this is what we did)
Here are some amazing things to do around Blankenheim ⬇️
1️⃣ Visit the historic Blankenheim Castle (this is also where we slept 😉)
Since it is a running Jugendherberge (hostel), you’ll need to head to reception and ask if it’s okay to tour the facilities. Nonetheless, there are some beautiful hikes around the castle and the courtyard is spectacular.
2️⃣ Explore the Ahrquelle, the source of the Ahr River
Nestled in the tiny town of Blankenheim you’ll find the Ahrquelle squeezed in between two half-timbered houses and found in the cellar of one home from 1726. It’s pretty spectacular to see this tiny little source that flows into the Rhine after 89 km running. There’s also a section of the spring where the kids can dip their toes into (a highlight of our weekend).
3️⃣ Take the kids to the Blankenheim Abenteurerspielplatz
We were only planning on making a short stop here while those who wanted to watch the public viewing of the football game in the community hall across the pond, but the kids had so much fun we came back again and again. It’s a short 10-minute walk down from the castle grounds.
4️⃣ Relax by the Schwanenweiher
Conveniently located beside the playground (I snapped this photo from the playground) and often where local events take place, this is the place to come together in Blankenheim. Across the pond you’ll find the community hall where we were able to watch a public viewing of the football matches, but you’ll also find lots of community events hosted here too.
5️⃣ Take the Sommerrodelbahn at the Erlebniswelt Eifeltor
If you’ve got a car with you, you can also drive 20 minutes down the road and experience all there is to do at the Erlebniswelt Eifeltor. Our kids chose to go on the Sommerrodelbahn a few times, but there is also minigolf, quad rides, a restaurant, a playground, and other exciting things for the kids to take part in.
This facility is a little run down, but if you don’t mind the ‘classic outdated German kid’s parks’, then you’ll love it here too!
Accommodation – Jugendherberge Blankenheim
The Jugendherberge Blankenheim hosts many different camps and family programs if you’re early enough to book one, but if you’re just planning on coming by for the weekend to explore the surroundings, that’s an option too! While they offer plenty of rooms for youth and school groups, they also have private family rooms (my family of 9 stayed in adjoining bedrooms with a shared bathroom) and it is a popular choice for hikers and cyclists stopping in for a night or two as well.
The cooks offer breakfast (included in the price), lunch (or option lunch packages to-go), and dinner. We opted for breakfast, lunch packs, and dinner since we spent more of our days out exploring the town. As a large group, we were also provided a private dining room that we were also able to use to play games and celebrate our nephew’s 12th birthday. 🎉
Local Eats
Brasserie an der Ahr: Traditional and modern German food in a cozy Brasserie setting. There were also two tables outside which we decided to sit at to enjoy the view of the little cobble-stoned street.
There were also a few other places for pizza and ice cream in the area as well if you’re looking for something a little quicker. We passed by another café called Landlust which also looked very sweet as well. 💛
Xanten
Although I highly recommend Xanten as a day trip, spending a night or two here with the kids is also definitely recommended! Xanten is a quaint cobbled stoned town with a mix of ancient ruins and modern life. However, I suggest spending a night or two because Xanten is more than just an old town, and Archaeological Park!
- By Train: Approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes. Train from Düsseldorf to Xanten with one transfer.
- By Car: Approx. 1 hour via A57 (you can also just rent a car for a day or two)
Here are some amazing things to do around Xanten ⬇️
1️⃣ Archaeological Park Xanten
The Archaeological Park Xanten is truly where history comes alive in the most exciting ways! Imagine strolling through ancient Roman streets, exploring reconstructed temples and amphitheaters, and even getting the chance to test your gladiator skills. Perfect for families, history buffs, and anyone looking for a unique day out, this park is an adventure waiting to happen.
2️⃣ Adventure sports on the Xantender Südsee
I used to think that the Südsee in Xanten was just a really cool-looking beach, but it took me spending 2 nights in Xanten to realize all that they had on offer.
- Wakeboarding and waterskiing
- Adventurepark (Hochseilgarten)
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Stand-up paddling (SUP)
- Scuba diving
- Boat rentals
- And more!
3️⃣ Boat tours on the Xanten North Lake (Xantener Nordsee)
Sadly, we missed out on a boat tour since they were closed during the Sommerferien, but I would still highly recommend checking it out as a way to enjoy the Nordsee. There are some great waterfront snack bars and restaurants worth checking out afterward as well. We opted for some Backfisch and Pommes at the Nordsee Harbour.
Accommodation – Jugendherberge Xanten
We stayed two nights at the Jugendeherberge Xanten which I have to say is probably the best-located accommodation in the whole of the city. You’ll find them located right on the lake and just a walk away from the Naturbad Südsee and the inner city. They have multiple different family rooms and private rooms available and you’ll find people of all ages at this location (with and without children).
We opted for their all-inclusive package for breakfast, lunch, and dinner because of their delicious meals and fresh ingredients. For breakfast, we indulged in fresh homemade bread and homemade marmalades (apricot, strawberry, cherry).
Local Eats
Since this visit to Xanten, we opted to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Jugendherberge, we only had an opportunity to snack on some Backfisch and Pommes at the Harbour snack bar along the Nordsee (which I can highly recommend). However, if you’d like to check out a couple of other options, here you are. ⬇️
- Neumaier’s Restaurant & Cafe: If dinner events and 3-course meals are your thing, then some German cuisine with a kid-friendly menu at Neumaier’s might be just what you’ll love!
- Hafen Restaurant Plaza del Mar: Although nothing super fancy, I wanted to mention the Hafen restaurant due to its international cuisine with a kid-friendly menu and its prime location right on the water.
Neuss
Have you heard of a staycation before? It’s a vacation in your own city/town! Whether the reason is for a travel-free vacation, budget-conscious trip, or lack of time, I’m all about staycations! While we have tons of amazing hotels to staycation at in Düsseldorf, if you’re looking for a little relaxation along the Rhein that’s both affordable and kid-friendly, then look no further than the Jugendherberge Neuss-Udesheim.
Located just across the Rhein from Düsseldorf, Neuss-Uedesheim is a charming and historic town that’s also close to all the modern amenities of Neuss City. But what makes it extra kid-friendly is its proximity to the beach!
- By Train: Approx. 15 minutes. Direct train from Düsseldorf to Neuss.
- By Car: Approx. 15-20 minutes via A52.
Here are some amazing things to do around Neuss ⬇️
There are tons of things that you can get up to around the Neuss area like visiting the Quirinus-Münster Basilica, skiing at the Neuss Skihalle (an indoor skiing and snowboarding park), or strolling through the Neuss Botanical Garden. However, since I had the little ones with me, we decided to:
1️⃣ Spend all day at the beach and playing at the multiple kids’ play stations in the Jugendherberge
The beach was only a few hundred metres from the Jugendherberge which made it an easy option to go and play in the sand with the kids. Between the beach and playing in 3 different playrooms scattered around the Jugendherberge we were super busy having fun most of the day! After dinner, we also managed to get out and play in their field where we found a ping pong table, some playground installations, and a court for sports.
2️⃣ Visit the animals at the Neuss Kinderbauernhof
Not far from Udesheim is the Neuss Kinderbauernhof which has free entrance, a beautiful walking trail, plenty of animals to interact with, and a water playground for kids. We ended the day at the café where we indulged in some homemade quiche and iced tea.
Accommodation: Jugendherberge Neuss-Uedesheim
We stayed at the Jugendherberge Neuss-Udesheim which was filled with kids when we got there. During the summer months and holidays, they also run kids camps where they take part in different nature crafts, sports, and even archery or rock climbing! This Jugendherberge has tons of family-friendly facilities, a full games room, an outdoor play area, and even a play area inside the dining hall and one right outside our bedroom on the upper floor. The kids had so much fun that we didn’t have much opportunity to even explore Udesheim!
We also lucked out and managed to book a family room which has a private bathroom and two bedrooms, one with 4 beds and a crib and the other with two single beds. Absolutely perfect!
Local Eats
We had all our meals at the Jugendherberge. Even on the days when we went out to explore, they provided us with lunch packages to bring with us on our adventures. However, if you’d like to try out some new places around the area, I’ve heard the following are pretty good! ⬇️
- Im Dom: A traditional “Brauhaus” restaurant with a variety of dishes and a children’s menu.
- Café de Luna: For some of the best coffee and brunch around town.
Panarbora
Nestled in the serene landscape of Waldbröl, Panarbora is an enchanting nature park that offers families a unique blend of adventure and education, featuring tree-top walks, interactive exhibits, and eco-friendly accommodations inspired by countries from all over the world.
- By Train: Approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes. Train from Düsseldorf to Waldbröl with transfers.
- By Car: Approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes via A4 and B256 (you can also just rent a car for a day or two)
NOTE: We will be visiting later this summer and will be updating this post with more amazing things to do and inspiring photos!
Here are some amazing things to do at Panarbora ⬇️
There are also some amazing things to do around Waldbröl, but since you can spend a weekend in Panarbora alone, we’ll focus on staying on the park grounds.
1️⃣ Experience the tree-top walk and nature discovery park
You can climb to the top of the look-out tower or continue your way through the tree-top boardwalk where you’ll find tons of interactive activities for kids and adults. However, I have to say my favorite part was the gorgeous 360 view you get of the entire valley. I would come back to Panarbora just for this lookout point again!
2️⃣ Adventure playgrounds, labyrinth, and much more!
In the park itself you’ll find chill zones, BBQ zones, animals to feed, play tunnels, a labyrinth, an adventure playground and so, so, so much more!
3️⃣ Educational programs and workshops for kids.
If you’d like a few tips for outside the park too, we really enjoyed visiting the Siegfall, Burgruine Windeck, and Burg Dattenfeld, all of which were 15 minutes away from Panarbora. We also stopped by at Krewelshof on the way home for some fun and games.
Accommodation: Jugendherberge Waldbröl “Panarbora”
In Panarbora, you’ll find accommodations that fit everyone’s needs. We chose to stay in the treehouse-style accommodations, but they also have other guesthouses that are inspired by South America, Africa, and Asia. They have family rooms, 2/4/6/8 bedrooms, and tons of activities.
Local Eats
We went to the Panarbora Park Restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as they offer meals and snacks suitable for the whole family (both meat and vegetarian options). As a park guest, you can also take advantage of their delicious offerings, but as an overnight guest, you’ll be able to grab a much more affordable rate when booking a half or full-board accommodation package.
You can also visit nearby local restaurants in Waldbröl for more dining options!
These five destinations are all within NRW, all great fun for the entire family and all offer educational activities for the children, which is exactly why we mentioned them in our top list of kid-friendly weekend getaways! 🤩
With easy access from Düsseldorf, comfortable accommodations at Jugendherberge hostels, and plenty of family-friendly dining options, I think your next family adventure is going to be a great one. Pack your bags, gather the kids, get out there, and have fun!
