Discover Usingen

In Usingen, striking rock formations, a historic palace garden and museums covering very different subjects are all close together. There is also a sports swimming pool and, nearby, a bathing area in the Usingen town forest.

Cliffs and palace garden

The Eschbach Cliffs rise twelve metres high, providing a striking contrast to the gently rolling landscape of Taunus Nature Park. They are located in the heart of the Usingen region. The Buchstein rock, also known as the Eschbach Cliffs, is a highly visible destination for hikers and a popular place for climbing. From there, the view extends across the Usingen Basin and the Taunus. Parking is available close by; it is best to check the parking situation before your visit.

The Usingen Palace Garden brings gardens and history together. The surviving grounds lie close to the former Usingen Palace and Palace Square; their origins date back to the 17th century, to the time of Walrad, the first Prince of Nassau-Usingen. The upper section of the garden, which is open to visitors today, includes a fountain, a monument to Prince Walrad erected in 1905, and a war memorial. The palace garden also includes the adjoining rose garden and a nature-themed playground in the upper section.

The garden also hosts various summer events. These include a family festival during the Hessian summer holidays, a summer night festival and a rose garden festival. Specific dates may vary. If attending an event is part of your travel plans, check the dates for your chosen period.

Museums and Usingen traditions

The Museum of Prehistory and Early History is located in the basement of the historic town hall. Its archaeological finds from the Usingen region span the period from the Palaeolithic to the Germanic era. Special opening hours apply: From spring to autumn, the exhibition is open every other Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm. Special guided tours for groups, including school classes, and, in exceptional cases, for individuals can be arranged outside regular opening hours by appointment. Check the opening hours before your visit.

The Usingen City Museum, housed in the historic Kavaliershaus, offers a different perspective on the town’s history. It displays famous Usingen residents, as well as household appliances and tools, covering the period from the 17th century to around 1950. The two museums have different focuses: one highlights archaeological finds and earlier periods, while the other features notable people and objects from everyday life and crafts.

A lively tradition is the Usingen Laurentius Market in September. Its programme includes the Laurentius fair, a market selling household goods, a countryside fair and district livestock shows. Since the dates and programme matter when planning a visit, it is worth checking the latest event information.

Water experiences with different characters

Usingen’s Taunusbad offers a 25-metre sports pool, 1-metre and 3-metre diving boards or platforms, and starting blocks. The pool’s facilities are therefore clearly geared towards swimming and diving. Nearby, Hattsteinweiher is a bathing area around four metres deep, northwest of the town at the edge of the town forest. The body of water covers around 1.6 hectares and has a sunbathing lawn, a sandy beach and a designated non-swimmer area. Parking is available near the pond. If you are choosing between the water attractions, you can opt for a sports swimming pool or a bathing area nearby, each offering a different experience.

Usingen and other destinations in the Hochtaunus

Usingen is well connected via the A3 and A5 motorways and is linked to the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund rail network. The wider Hochtaunus travel region also has distinctive destinations with other points of interest: the Hessenpark Open-Air Museum is located in Neu-Anspach in the Hochtaunuskreis district. A family trail shows children and adults alike how people lived, made their homes and worked in the past.

The Saalburg Roman Fort also adds a historical dimension to the Hochtaunus. Guided tours cover the interior of the fort, the outer civilian settlement and the Limes. The museum and interior rooms of Kronberg Castle can also only be visited as part of a guided tour. For trips to Hessenpark, bus route 63 connects Wehrheim or Neu-Anspach/Anspach railway station with the Neu-Anspach/Anspach Hessenpark stop. Check the timetable details before departure.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Eschbach, Weilrod, Grävenwiesbach, Wehrheim, Oberursel, Steinbach, Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Glashütten.

To the main travel guide: Hochtaunus.