We are staying at the HI Nuernberg for a weekend in April. Besides walking around and going up to the castle, anything else to see? Also greatly appreciate a couple of local restaurant suggestions. Thanks for your help.

There is a restaurant/cafe behind and to the east of St. Lorentz church that is good and not frequented by tourists. We were told of it by the people at Hotel Drei Raben. The food was good (although I'm no foodie) and it was busy. I believe it was called Cafe Lorentz.

The place didn't have any English menus. The lady (hostess?) was very apologetic and kind of funny about it. She came over to our table with the German menus and a book which turned out to be a translation book for mainly food items. We were pretty easy customers and it only took a minute.

Considering the location and size of the place I'm surprised it isn't frequented more by tourists. I guess it looks more like a business lunch place.

We were there last December so I only remember the Christmas Market. It was huge (actually seemed too large).

Directly in Nuremberg, downtown is very nice. If you're into art and museums, don't miss the Duerer house, and if you're *really* into museums, the Germanisches Nationalmuseum is the place to go. To quote from their www-page: "Its incomparable stores of exceptional art and artisanship afford a panoramic overview of the cultural history of German-speaking central Europe" (starting in 3000 BC...). The presentation is very good (you can spend a whole day in there, but the highlights are presented in a way that 1-2 hours would be enough).

In terms of newer, and much sadder, German history, there is a new documentation center at the Reichsparteitagsgelaende. This was the central grounds where the Nazis held their Germany-wide meetings. The presentation there gives a good overview of this part of German history, which should and will never be forgotten. This can be well combined with the exhibit at the site of the Nuremberg trials (I haven't been there yet but I hear it is very good).

Although I am biased because I live there, may I suggest a day trip to Bamberg? That's about 45 minutes by train/S-bahn (take a day ticket, less than 15 Euros for two people, valid on all public transportation to and in Bamberg [except the ICE]). This is the largest medieval downtown in Germany, much much larger than, e.g., Rothenburg. It's an UNESCO world heritage site and really very, very beautiful. And if you want more than just culture and things like that, it is also the world center of beer brewing (and I'm sure the author of that page will soon also chime in, he knows Franconia better than I'll ever know it, and I live there...). There are lots of good restaurants all over downtown Bamberg.

While you're going up to the castle, I recommend you stop for a beer (or any multiple thereof) at the Schwarzer Bauer (also known as Hausbrauerei Altstadthof) where they have some of the best beer I know. As a former local I go there every time I go back to NUE.

What specific interests do you have?

Yup, almost - it's the Lorenz.

I grew up in Europe, so his is nothing new, but Mrs. EX is impressed by the historic sites, the cobblestoned streets etc. ( She feels in Europe as I feel in Japan and China ). Castles and the likes are always welcomed. Of course we want to see the Duerer Haus. For me it's the food and an occasional beer as well.

Stayed for a night at the HI N�rnberg last summer, and had an enjoyable steak and some beer at the cosy "Gutman am Dutzenteich" Volksgarten a 10 -15 min walk from the HI. The Gutman is located by the lakes and Bayernstrasse , inbetween the rally grounds and the documentation centre.

I agree with all of the above and would just add that there is a tour that shows you the water system that was used to supply Nuremberg. It was quite interesting, though a bit on the expensive side.

http://www.felsengaenge-nuernberg.de/en_index.htm

The tour office is actually just outside Hausbrauerei Altstadthof and when you exit one of the tours you come out in the courtyard of the bier haus, ready for a drink

Sounds fascinating. We might give it a try.