The best way to see the town is to wander through its historically evocative streets, most of which radiate from the meticulously restored Marktplatz. Schloss Park leads to the spa establishments on the right bank of the Tauber. The Kursaal is a pump room with both a visitor center and bathing facilities.
The most impressive structure in town, noted for its relatively large size, is the somewhat sterile and barren-looking Münster Kirche Sankt Johannes, Ledermarkt 12 (tel. 07931/98600), which was begun around 1250 and completed several centuries later. It's open daily 9am to dusk; entrance is free. More appealing is the medieval castle that once served as the Teutonic Knights' home base, the Deutschordenschloss, site of the Deutschordensmuseum, Schloss 16 (tel. 07931/52212; www.deutschordensmuseum.de). Inside is a sweeping retrospective of chivalry's preconceptions and preoccupations, with all the requisite displays of suits of armor and weapons. Surprisingly, this medieval order of knights has been restored and now serves as a religious and charitable organization. Note the corner towers in the inner courtyard, which are furnished with Renaissance spiral staircases. The museum is open April to October Tuesday to Sunday 10:30am to 5pm, and November to March Tuesday to Saturday 2 to 5pm and Sunday 10:30am to 5pm. Entrance is 4.20€ ($6.70) for adults, 3.20€ ($5.10) for seniors and students, 1.50€ ($2.40) for children 6 to 14, and free for children 5 and under.
A second-tier attraction that's a lot less worthwhile than a walk through the town itself is the Wildpark Bad, Bad Mergentheim Game Preserve (tel. 07931/41344), 5km (3 miles) east of the town center. It contains wild animals in cages and roaming within natural environments. Mid-March to October, it's open daily 9am to 6pm. Entrance is 8.50€ ($14) for adults, 5.50€ ($8.80) for children.
