Hello All — hoping to get feedback on our planned itinerary and a few questions!
The basics:
- Family of 4, mid-40s, kids ages 8 and 6. First visit to Switzerland.
- June 21–July 2, flying Zurich in/out from ATL
- 5 nights Lucerne (Renaissance on points, 5th night free), 5 nights Wengen, 1 night Zurich before flying out
- plan to use public transport entire time
- Kids are great travelers — flexible, up for longer days, go with the flow
- Active but not "8-mile hike with kids" active
- Interests: nature, light-to-medium Alpine hikes, playgrounds, history, cultural immersion, and most importantly this trip — slowing down and smelling the roses. Balance is the goal.
- Also looking for a chocolate factory/tour that makes logistical sense within the itinerary below. Open to any option, not just Lindt.
Big questions:
- Is this too much, or a good balance of activities and breathing room?
- Any suggested changes or tweaks? Are there too many mountain excursions — will they get redundant?
- Any must-do kid-friendly activities at these destinations we're missing?
- Passes: Leaning toward Half Fare Card + Bernese Oberland Pass, but wondering if the Swiss Travel Pass is worth the extra cost for the convenience alone. Thoughts?
Itinerary (days are flexible and weather-dependent):
June 21 — Land Zurich → train to Lucerne → easy acclimation walk: Old Town, Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument
June 22 — Day trip to Engelberg → Trübsee, Smuggler's Trail, monastery/cheese factory. Skipping the Titlis summit (first full day, altitude adjustment, other mountain days ahead). Any other Engelberg suggestions?
June 23 — Pilatus Golden Round Trip → Dragon World, playgrounds, toboggan
June 24 — Marble Run day trip. Still deciding between Hasliberg (Meiringen) and Seebodenalp on Rigi — kids absolutely love marble runs so this is a must. Thoughts on which is better? Still Lucerne-based this day.
June 25 — Lucerne city day → Transport Museum, city walls, Glacier Garden. End with Stadtkeller folklore dinner show — worthwhile or tourist trap?
June 26 — Train to Wengen, stopping in Lauterbrunnen en route → store luggage at station, possibly rent bikes, Trümmelbach Falls. Any suggestions for easy kid-friendly activities in Lauterbrunnen before heading up? Hit Coop once in Wengen.
June 27 — Männlichen → Royal Walk, cow playground, Panorama Trail to Kleine Scheidegg
June 28 — Lake Brienz day → boat cruise, Giessbach Falls, funicular to the Grand Hotel. Possibly the wildlife park and/or wooden cow museum. Any other recs in this area?
June 29 — Schilthorn → Mürren exploration → walk down to Gimmelwald
June 30 — Grindelwald day → Pfingstegg activities, Grindelwald Gorge, village exploration. Is it easier from Wengen to take the train to Grindelwald or do gondolas round trip?
July 1 — Travel to Zurich. Nothing planned yet — open to suggestions given the rest of the itinerary.
July 2 — Morning flight home
Thank you!!