North Rhine-Westphalia is bigger than many people think. Between the Rhine and the Ruhr, between the Eifel and the Teutoburg Forest, there are excursion spots that will make children’s eyes light up and parents no less delighted. The best thing about it: Most of the highlights are closer than you think. No long travel, no stress – just go. Here are the most beautiful excursion tips for wonderful family moments in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The circular route starts and ends at the Eifel Nature Center in Nettersheim and covers more than six kilometers of varied landscape. There’s a lot to discover at 20 stations: fossil hunting, animal sightings, nature games and interesting facts from Roman times. A figurine of Ollie the hedgehog accompanies you on a hike, shows you the way and marks places where you can engage in active recreation on your own. QR codes at stations lead to explanatory videos. For the little ones there are play areas with a zip line, climbing tower and badger den, while older children can balance on beams or wander through the bush. Recreation areas invite you to picnic, and the path is easily accessible with a stroller.
If you want to combine exercise, thrills and nature, Xanten Adventure Park is the right place for you. Right on the shores of the Xanten-South Sea, high and low ropes courses with more than 50 climbing elements await you. The rope complex reaches a height of up to ten meters and offers different levels of difficulty. The continuous safety system eliminates the need for constant changes of clothing and makes the track especially suitable for family recreation. Children as young as three years old can have their first climbing experience. Entrance to the ropes course costs 23 euros for adults and 19 euros for children and youth. The park is open on weekends, public holidays and public holidays, and daily during school holidays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
With the onset of dusk, the life of bats begins. Together with volunteer bat conservationists, families go on an educational tour of Düsseldorf and the surrounding area and observe the nocturnal hunters in their natural habitat. Depending on the entry, the approximately two-hour walk will take you through parks, cemeteries or other green spaces. Participants will learn how bats hunt and communicate, what species are native to the region, and why they are so important to the ecosystem. Tours usually start between 8 pm. and 9 p.m. Participation costs five euros per person, children under 14 years old are free. Current meeting dates and locations can be found on the Fledermaus NRW website.
How did the first people live? The Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann takes you back millions of years. The interactive permanent exhibit tells the story of human development using original finds, life-size reconstructions and numerous hands-on stations. A visit to the museum can also be combined with a walk to the famous Neanderthal discovery site and a visit to the Holenblick adventure tower. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, and on Mondays on public holidays. Admission: 14 euros for adults, 9.50 euros for children from 6 to 16 years old.
A canoe trip on the Nier is one of the most beautiful little adventures on the Lower Rhine. The river meanders through meadows, floodplains and small forests around the areas of Viersen and Mönchengladbach. Stripes, grasslands and small bridges – if you’re lucky, you’ll also be able to spot waterfowl. Several rental companies along the route offer canoes and kayaks for two to four people, including Hammans Freizeit in Süchteln, Canoe & Kayak Rentals Goetzens in Wachtendonk and bakotours in Viersen. Short family tours are available from around 20 euros for an adult and around ten euros for children.
One of the most unusual natural events in North Rhine-Westphalia awaits you in the middle of the Rothaar Mountains: the wild bison on the Rothaarsteig near Bad Berleburg. The hike takes you on a three-kilometre adventure trail through mostly natural terrain, where Europe’s largest land mammals once again live freely. Anyone who sets out on the sometimes uneven path will embark on a small expedition – over roots, through patches of forest and, if lucky, right within sight of a herd of bison. Depending on your pace, the tour lasts two to three hours. Viewpoints along the route always provide opportunities to spot animals – with no guarantees, but that’s what makes it so attractive. Wisent Wilderness is open seasonally from Friday to Sunday and holidays, in the summer from 11:00 to 16:00. Families receive reduced rates.
A real little adventure awaits families on the summer toboggan run at the Kappe adventure mountain in Winterberg. You go down a slope of about 700 meters – quickly or leisurely, because the speed can be controlled directly on the sled. Children aged 8 years and older are allowed to use the cable car independently. The toboggan run is part of the Kappe Adventure Mountain, which also features a panoramic bridge, a climbing forest and other playground attractions that are ideal for turning your trip into a full day of adventure. The establishment is open daily from 9:30 to 18:00. A single ticket costs about three euros for children and about four euros for adults.