Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, has the best Zoo in an 1-hour drive from Strasbourg. Plus, if you are craving for waterpark and Rulantica seems a bit pricy, – you can opt for Karlsruhe waterpark, it’s much cheaper!
Those and 7 other attractions for families are in the post below:
Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg: things to do
1. Water park Europabad
Modern, family-friendly indoor/outdoor water park with swimming pools, slides, saunas and a lazy river, we like it:

Erika with daddy at the obstacle course, Europabad:

In the video below: Artem at one of the slides:
2. Botanical garden
Botanical garden, pictured below, has plenty of interesting spots and a nice greenhouse with huge water lilies:
3. La Rose, Syrian cafe
This cafe in 5 min walk from the Botanical gardens, has great meals and authentic setting. Don’t hesitate to try the pomegranate juice, locally made.
Address: Akademiestraße 32, 76133 Karlsruhe

Pictured below: La Rose, Syrian cafe:

4. Karlsruhe Castle
The Castle is located in the center of the city and until 1918 served as the official residence of the Grand Dukes of Baden. Since 1921 it has housed the The Baden state museum, worth to visit with older children:

5. Palace Garden Railway
Just behind Karlsruhe Castle, the castle park is a green oasis in the middle of the city. In summer, 3 different small trains run their rounds here: the Greif steam locomotive, the Red diesel locomotive and the Historic Porsche locomotive.
6. Karlsruhe’s Zoological garden
There is a great collection of animals at the Zoo and inside it a huge city park with electric boats you can rent out:

The zoo has early 800 animals of 150 species, including elephants, hippos, giraffes, polar bear, leopards, penguins, etc..
Pictured below: red panda up-close:

7. Turmberg’s Funicular Railway
Turmberg’s Funicular is one of the oldest funiculars in the Germany, opened in 1888. It transports passengers up Turmberg hill, offering panoramic views of Karlsruhe and the surrounding Rhine Valley:

8. Forest playground at Turmberg
There are swings, slides, table tennis tables, and sandpits. The playground is spacious and surrounded by many trees, great place to play on hot days. It could be reached by Funicular Railway or by car.
9. Schlossgarten Durlach
Durlach Castle Garden is a historic park that surrounds the ruins of the Karlsburg Castle. The garden features beautifully landscaped paths, ancient trees, rose garden, and remnants of the old castle. One of the pros of this place – there are rarely crowds here!
Make sure to check out hours, fees, and conditions before you go
Thanks for reading, friends!
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