On a last minute work trip to Stuttgart but plan on maybe having a weekend in Brussels and/or Garmisch to explore. Only things I have planned would be Cantillon in Brussels and skiing in Garmisch. Plan on trying to see the Benz and/or Porsche museums in Stuttgart as well if able. Never been to any of these places before and would appreciate any recs on food and/or sights to see.

Brussels and Garmisch are in direct opposite directions, so it would be an either/or decision, not both. Personally I'd pick Garmisch and the Alps. Garmisch is about a 3-3.5 hour drive from Stuttgart (Brussels is about a 6 hour drive).

Garmisch is a typical scenic Alpine town (and a little touristy, but worth it), and a popular ski destination. The Zugspitze is right next to Garmisch, and is the tallest mountain in the German Alps.

A meal at the Gasthof Fraundorfer in Partenkirchen is worth it - typically includes music and German dancers.

Since you mentioned Cantillon, you might enjoy the Andechs monastery/brewery. It's between Garmisch and Munich, if you elected to drive that way (or on the way back). Andechs Doppelbock Dunkel is one of my all time favorites.

As far as Stuttgart, both the Mercedes and Porsche museums are worth visits, particularly if you're a car guy. My son was born about 5 minutes away from the Porsche factory when we lived there.

Due to Stuttgart's industry, the city was extensively bombed during WWII, so it doesn't have as much of the old architecture that other cities are known for. But a walk down the Konigstrasse is worthwhile, as is the Schlossplatz in the town center.

Thanks for the recommendations. The Brussels and Garmisch trips would be on different weekends. I'll keep an eye out for that brewery.

Any chance you'd be willing to buy me a Cantillion shirt and mail it to me when you get back (obvs I can send payment up front)? Mine went missing in Laos and I'd really like another one...

For sure, assuming I make it over there. Shoot me a message and we can work out the details.

I recommend checking out Bastogne, 101st foxhole positions at Foy, and the US and German cemeteries in Luxembourg. I did this in 2017 and it was pretty amazing.

Funny story, in 1978, my father took us to his old haunts in Stuttgart which was cool. We intended to go to the Mercedes Factory but it was closed due to a terrorist threat from some German terror group.

So, we wound up getting to the Porsche factory right as it was closing. They apologized for closing and gave my brother and I some nice Porsche stickers.

If I make it to Brussels I'm planning on making a stop off in Bastogne on the way back. Unfortunately it looks like the war museum there is closed right now.

My company is based just outside of Stuttgart, so I've been there a number of times now.

On the outskirts of Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg is great for a long day.
Take the tour of the Ludwigsburg Residential Palace. Two tours available: one for the King's residence
wing and one for the queen's wing.
Just out back of that is Schloss Favorite. this was the king's hunting lodge
Then take a stroll through FavoritePark. This is a large nature preserve with herds of sheep and other animals. After a 30 minute walk going through FavoritePark, you will end up at Monrepos Lakeside Palace. It's a great place to relax for a little while next to the small lake where swans and ducks swim and they have rowboats/paddleboats you can rent.


You could also take a 2 hr drive and stay in the old walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The whole wall is intact and you can walk the entire length of the wall around the city. Take a history and ghost tour of the city at night. It has one of the largest Christmas stores in the world. Kathe-Wohlfahrt. Open year round.


In Garmisch, go hike through the Garmisch gorge. 15 minutes away in Austria, hike in the mountain ruins of Ehrenberg castle, then walk across the Highline 179 suspension bridge to the ruins of Fort Claudia.
Neuschwanstein (Disney) castle and HohenSchwangau is an hour west of Garmisch,
Linderhof Palace was also beautiful. A smaller castle, but incredibly ornate with one of the first underground concrete grottos where the king would have parties and plays performed.

Fully agree with the Ludwigsburg recommendations.

Rothenburg is a great place to visit, if the OP is wanting additional alternatives. Also, Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen are slightly closer to Stuttgart, and less touristy, and are similarly beautiful walled cities. Nordlingen was actually built in the crater of a meteor strike.

But I'm not sure at this point in the year mountain hiking would be a good idea.

How was Cantillion?

It was awesome! Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Saw a few other sights around Brussels yesterday as well.

Stopped by Bastogne on the way back from Brussels today. Unfortunately 2/3 of the museums are closed til next month. I was able to stop by the 101st Airborne museum which was cool. Wasn't able to make it to the foxholes as they're apparently run by the War Museum and they close when the museum closes.

Nice! It is amazing that all the beer they make ferments in that shallow pan in the attic.