Couldn't find any recent threads for this part of Germany. I'm looking for suggestions on which city I should use as my hub. The three cities in the heading are only because that's where the Marriott properties are located and I would use points, if it makes sense.

I'm looking to be in the Rhein-Ruhr area for three days this coming October 2021 (arriving on a Monday evening and departing on a Friday morning), provided I'm allowed to enter Germany and Bundesliga games are open to spectators. The things I already have planned are the Roman ruins and Bruhl Castle in Cologne and the Schwebebahn in Wuppertal. Essen industrial history could be added, if I can find anything that captures my interest. I've yet to find anything in Dusseldorf that interests me, but this is after only a limited search. I'd like to say that my itinerary would be planned around trying all the local beers, but I'm a lightweight when it comes to beer consumption (one and done, it fills me up). But something interesting is surely something I'd plan to try. For example, the smoked beers in Bamberg were really interesting.

Thanks for your help.