Cologne

Cologne is much more than its gorgeous cathedral and beer cellars. It's a fairly walkable city, with little play spaces along the route and a variety of landscapes to keep you entertained. Begin with the Cologne Cathedral. The sheer height of the spires that penetrate the skies, on the other hand, is breathtaking, and families are invited to explore within. Then proceed to the river, where there is a little play area near the bridge. It's not immediately clear since it appears to be a sculpture. But this is a play art installation!

You can't help but notice the hundreds of love locks tied to the Hohenzollern Bridge, which spans the Rhine. Reading the names and dates is intriguing. On the opposite side, KölnTriangle offers spectacular 360° views of the city on a clear day. Then proceed to the left to reach Rheinpark's massive playground. Cologne also has a plethora of family-friendly museums and activities.

Cologne, like nearly all German towns, makes for an excellent family city vacation. During the summer months of July and August, Cologne becomes overrun with tourists, and hotel rates skyrocket, as they do throughout Europe. However, beer gardens and events (such as Summerjam, Eat Play Love, and the city's Christopher Street Day procession) are in full swing. The months of November and December are famous for visiting Christmas Markets, and Carnival Cologne takes place in mid-November.

Location: Germany