Switzerland plans

I would not stay in Bern. I would stay in Luzern for 2 nights and take a day trip from there to Bern. Luzern is absolutely stunning. We did everything we wanted in Bern in less than a day. In Bern, there is an interesting and large exhibit on Einstein at their history museum. The old town is very interesting, watch for the fountains and the clock tower. There is a park/natural area by the bear pits along the river. In Berner Oberland, I would not stay in Interlakken, I would stay in the mountains in Lauterbrunnen, Murren or Wengen.

As an alternative, You can refund your money and book 2 nights in Luzern and 3 nights in Wengen or Lauterbrunnen in the Berner Oberland region. That area is picturesque.

https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/switzerland/berner-oberland

I would choose Murren or Wengen over Interlaken. You will be staying right in the Alps. I would choose 2 days in Lucerne instead of Bern, but that is just a preference. Hiking is easy from either Murren and Wengen and the views on the hikes are fantastic. Enjoy Switzerland.

Thank you both. We were interested in exploring history of Einstein in Bern, but a day trip sounds great.
I will move things around.

Marnie

Bern has an Einstein museum which I consider to be relatively good.

I agree with jules m. Stay in Luzern not Bern. Bern is a nice enough city, with city attractions like parks, museums and shopping. But its not in the mountains and that is what you go to Switzerland to see. Luzern has both city and mountain attractions and you could easily spend all your time there. But also suggest you go past Interlaken (at the foot of the mountains) and go up into the mountain valleys to stay in Mürren, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald. Its just a bit further, but you will be in the hiking/mountains, not looking up at them from below.

When you get to Bern have a seat on one of the several Einstein Benches. Selfie or fun - both great.

Benches are at the Rose Garden, the Bear Park, the Historical Museum and the University of Bern.

Bern has an Einstein museum which I consider to be relatively good.

This is comedy gold, people!

So, count my wife and I as two people who prefer Bern over Luzern. Don’t get me wrong, Luzern is pretty enough and there are things to see and do, but on our first trip to Switzerland 4 years ago, we spent 3 full days in Luzern in the beginning of our trip, then a week in the Berner Oberland area, ending with a day/night in Bern. When we got to Bern, we were disappointed that we spent more time in Luzern vs. Bern. We have returned to Switzerland two times since and skip Luzern, instead choosing to supplement our trip to the Berner Oberland with Bern. To us, Bern is a real town. There are some nice churches, museums and it is just pleasant to walk along the river and through the old town. Assuming your two children are pretty good swimmers, nothing beats the experience of floating down the river with the locals. It is amazing. Since you will be there in July, it is likely you could experience that for yourselves. For us, Luzern just seemed a little “too pretty”, like it only exists to serve tourists, a bit like Venice or Bruges. I am sure there are non-touristy things to see and do and you could have a great time in Luzern, as many posters on here apparently do. To each their own, I suppose, I just wanted to throw out a vote for Bern is all.

Now, as you head to the BO area, I share others opinion that the area should not be missed and passing through Interlaken to head straight to Wengen, Murren or Lauterbrunnen is the way to go. Have fun.