I would be visiting Zurich from13-19th July with my wife and 2 sons aged 6 & 2.Can you suggest how to plan day

Show all answers

Goddess of Grammar

Swim in the lake (Zurichhorn is nice), take a boat trip, take the train up the Uetliberg, go to the zoo (Big and expensive, it's not worth it unless you spend most of the day there), go to Lucerne (an hour away) or Schaffausen (also about an hour, in the other direction), eat chocolate.

I can only assume your kids love trains, and if so, Zurich's your town. Get the 9 o'clock pass and travel anywhere in the canton by train, tram, bus, boat or funicular.

Unfortunately the riverfront is all under construction and probably still will be in July.

diversenz

Some good day trips or activities from ZÃ¼rich:

Go to Winterthur by train (every 10 minutes or so, plenty to choose from including the S8, S7, and S12) and visit a discovery centre called Technorama. Here ths kids can learn all sorts of neat scientific things in a very hands on place.

Take a train to Effretikon (S3 or S8) and then the bus to Kyburg. Here is a castle that you can go through for about 3usd. It is quite fun to look around these (plenty of castles in Switzerland).

If you want to get a great view over the city, take a train to Uetliberg (the ZÃ¼rich house mountain) and eat some fries and Bratwurst at the outdoor cafe of the hotel there.

For a fun water theme park day, take a train to Alpemare at the southern end of Lake ZÃ¼rich, in Pfaffikon. This is very fun place for kids with lots of slides and so on, and the parents can relax in theraputic hot pools.

The zoo is fantastic, said above, and should be reached in a ZÃ¼rich tram, another must do.

For a mountain trip from ZÃ¼rich, I recommend taking the train to Luzern (every hour - one hour trip) and going up Pilatus (a mountain) by gondola. Return down the mountain on the worlds steepest cog railway. It is a little scarey, but normally more for us old folk.

Switzerland is incredible. I call it home.

HearKat

Here's a site that might help:
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/toptipps.cfm?category=Family

The trains have always been a big hit with kids; The zoo is really nice, too. A day hike in the mountains is always fun, as well. I have fond memories from my childhood and with my son at Wirzweli: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/navpage.cfm?category=Family&subcat=Nature&id=28277

Barista

Zurich has a great Zoo! I'm sure the kids would love that. also a boatride, a swim in the lake... And a Trainride, always fun for the whole family!!!
My little girl (5 yrs.) talks about the trainride all the time!!!

love2travel

This site offers some suggestions: http://www.magicswitzerland.com/activities/zurich.htm

Definitely plan to take a boat ride on the lake, which is beautiful. You and the kids will love it.

Non-commercial tips: http://www.thetravelzine.com/table.htm#Switzerland

Have a great time!

porky

They have suggested enough.... but you do not need to rent a car becuase the public transport is so good. Just take a train from the airport to the HB (main station) and then from there you can catch any train or tram that you need in order to get to where you want to go. They are exactly on time, and they run very frequently. good luck.

Spicoli

check out rick steve's book on switzerland at your library. it has great list of intineraries, maps, and tours.

CleverGal

Take a stroll down Bahnhofstrasse to see all the shops. Make sure to stop off at Sprungli for some chocolate. When you get to Paradeplatz, turn left, stop by the Fraumunster on your way across the bridge over the river. Visit the Grossmunster and be sure to go to the cellar to see the statue of Charlemagne. Across the street from the Grossmunster is a very good Fondue restaurant in the Zwingli-strasse/platz area. Have lunch or dinner there. Next visit the Kunsthaus Museum, the most important museum in Zurich, which is on the same side of the river, a few blocks away. End the day with a ride on one of the boats on the river or the lake. Have fun!

Oh, and one other thing, try not to wear white tennis shoes. Try the brown rubber soled hiking sandals made by Teva, Merrell or others instead. They are cooler and less conspicuous. Nikes scream "American"! Try to have a couple of key phrases in German under your belt such as "How much does this cost" and "I would like to have...please." Any request or question should also be accompanied with the word "bitte" or "please". The local greeting you will hear is "GrÃ¼ezi", pronounced "grew tsi". Making an attempt to speak the local language is always appreciated by the Swiss who will generally recognize your non-Swiss accent and choose to respond in English so they can get their own practice in with your language. I found the Swiss people to be a bit shy but friendly and helpful if you are friendly and respectful to them. I love Switzerland and cannot say enough good things about it. Have a great time!

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: