Bavaria Road Trip - Must see spots?

Salzburg is nearby, and lovely in December, with several nice Christmas markets in a couple of spots around town...including one atop the hill at the Hohensalzburg fortress.

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It's depressing and will bum you out the rest of the trip.

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Agree here. We spent several days in Munich for Oktoberfest several years back, and made the trip to Dachau. We had a few hours to spend, but it wasn't enough to study the whole area (more of a walk-through). It was eerily somber and definitely deflating.

We took a trip to Neuschwanstein Castle one day, and took the train to Saulzburg for a long day trip. Both were worth the trip.

Why go to Dachau. The holocaust happened, why spend a day on that shite. It’s so macabre.

Go to Regensburg, Nuremberg, Salzburg, or Bechestgated/Eagles Nest

Old Town Nuremberg is definitely worth a trip. It's about a 2-hour drive.

As mentioned, Salzburg another great one and 2 hours away.

Definitely visit Dachau. If you're pretty familiar with WWII and Holocaust history it won't ruin your trip - you'll have heard and seen worse than you'll experience in your visit. That it's so heavily reconstructed will probably also keep it from being too much to handle. Honestly, the most startling thing about it is seeing how close the town is and just imagining that not all that long ago it was but one of many, many more just like it, some much, much worse. There is quite a juxtaposition about seeing that (and many of the Nazi buildings left standing in the vicinity) and knowing that a couple blocks away people are going to work and having lunch with this in their backyard. It's fascinating, if brutal, stuff.

I found Dachau exceptionally depressing...if you go, go toward the end of your trip.

the Deutsches Museum in Munich is well worth visiting, wonderful car collection and other things as well...

If you're into cathedrals, the Munster in Ulm is worth seeing (and climbing as it's the highest steeple in Europe if not the world)

Thanks for all of the info. It looks like Ulm could be a good spot if we don’t have time for Nuremberg. I think we will skip Austria and just stick to Garmisch, Fussen and then the romantic road north to Rothenburg or Nuremberg. It looks like about a 2.5 hour drive from Fussen to Rothenburg so we should be ok on time.

We were planning on just seeing where we end up each night before booking hotels, but do y’all have any favorites along this route? Or restaurants?

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We are flying in/out of Munich in early December

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We did this 2 years ago. A lot of things will be closed but the slopes may or may not be open yet. Several people said that they have been getting their snow later and later. First week in December 2 years ago, they were spraying fake snow on all the slopes to try to get them open. Ludwig's castles are a must do. Neuschwanstein Castle is gorgeous. Mary's Bridge usually closes by the first week of December so you will probably not get that breathtaking view from there. Just know that the castle is WAY up a hill. Its a good 30 minute walk up a pretty steep incline. It's a nice hike though. You can also rent a horse drawn carriage to take you up most of the way. As others have said, Oberammergau is a cute little town. You will be right at the beginning of the Christmas markets. There are many great ones all over. Try the french fries with mayo and onions. There is a great kiosk in the Marienplatz christkindlmarkt. Get a currywurst as well. Come before noon and watch the Glockenspiel. Its really cool. There are better Christmas markets in other towns but that one is good to get your beak wet on. Drink much Gluhwein! Add a shot of amaretto or rum. Keep the glass.
Also, drink as much Augustiner beer as you can!