A good problem to have! Free time in Switzerland!

When? Of course, time of year is significant.
I'd highly recommend Murren and/ or Wengen. I'll try to find Carrie's recent, well- written Trip Report to use as a resource.
Have a great adventure!

The Berner Oberland area is very popular for good reason. Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Murren and Grindelwald would all suit your needs. Wengen and Murren are up in the mountains and are car-free. You get there by cogwheel train or by cable car/train from Lauterbrunnen. You can easily spend a week there. We spent 5 nights in Wengen and never wanted to leave.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-switzerland-june-2024-my-trip-report

Carrie, hope you don't mind that I attached this! You write such practical and comprehensive reports.
Safe travels!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-alsace-wengen-murren-lucerne

And there's Barbara's recent adventures, also nicely written with plenty of detail.

I've just been in both Mürren and Wengen. Either would meet your needs and have great scenery. There are restaurants and the ubiquitous grocery store chain Coop (which have a good prepared food section) in both.

Thanks Pat! Candi, my trip included Alsace and a day in a Black Forest town. All were great but I’d have to recommend Mürren or Wengen, depending on when you are going to be in Zurich.

Thanks all. I will be there from 12 August, departing 20 August, which would actually give me from the 13th to the 19th. I'm not sure I want to spend the entire time in one place though. The thought of being in a crowded cable car worries me as I'm claustrophobic. I can ride in a train because I can move around but in a cable car there's only so much one can move about. Would I need to take a cable car to both Wengen or Mürren?

You don’t need to take a cable car to Wengen. The cable car to Mürren only takes 4 minutes, if that’s helps.

Thanks. I think I spoke too soon. Just looked at hotel and AirBnB prices. Way out of my budget for this trip. Think I might need to rethink we're I'm going to stay. :(

Yes, Germany will be less expensive than Switzerland. Consider Konstanz, Germany as well as the Black Forest. That’s an easy return to fly back from Zurich.

If you do want to stay in Switzerland, consider Appenzell.

Strasbourg was much cheaper than Switzerland. And it was a great base for Alsace.

What's your budget? Do you have hotel points to use?

Don't give up too quickly. Check hotel prices in Interlaken or Zermatt. However, if your hotel budget is under $200 per night, then Switzerland may not be an option for you. In fact, most "R&R places" will be $200+ anywhere in Europe.

In August, it will be quite warm in the Alsace region and you will need a car to really enjoy that region. Same is true in the Black Forest, a car would be necessary unless you just sit in one town.

Thanks for this information. I've traveled extensively in Europe but not as much in Switzerland. Have always been able to find accommodations under $200 a night as well as travel only using public transportation.

Stein Am Rhine and Hotel Geissbach for wonderful side trips!

We stayed in Strasbourg for 5 nights and did not need a car to explore the wine villages, Colmar, and a town at the edge of the Black Forest. We used the train for most travel, and a Hop-On Hop-Off bus for the wine villages. There are other places you could easily travel to by train--we just ran out of time. For more information on our June stay in Alsace, see my trip report:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-alsace-wengen-murren-lucerne

If you want to stay in Switzerland, I think the suggestion to try Interlaken might work. You could also try the Chalet Fontana in Mürren to see if there is a room. They are under $200.

Edited to add: I just did a search on booking.com and found single rooms under $200 for the third week of August. Try that approach, and then book directly with the hotel.

Also: Mardee on this forum did a trip in the Alsace/Black Forest area without a car. There is a good deal on train passes if you stay in some of the Black Forest towns, and the 24 hour Europass gives you a great deal on train travel from Strasbourg to nearby areas of Germany.

Thank you Barbara, I did a search as well, no luck. Nothing is under $200 a night unless I want to stay in a hostel, which I'm not wanting to do, not at my age. I enjoy my rest and sleep. I think my best bet is to stay one night in Zurich and leave for Germany. Or once I arrive in Zurich leave for Germany. I'm looking at staying in Gengenbach to take advantage of the KONUS card if I can find a hotel that offers it. Or else I'll stay in Freiberg and pay for the transportation myself. I really just wanted five days of rest and relaxation with maybe a day trip into Strasbourg or Colmar, didn't realize how difficult this was going to be.

Gengenbach is great and I’ve also heard good things about Freiburg im Breisgau. I really think if you persist you can find something there or in Alsace. Good luck. I hope you can work something out.