To Gruyéres or not Gruyéres...

I like Gruyeres ... especially hiking in the hills nearby but a 3 hour trip there and back, I don't think so. I can pretty much guarantee there are things to see that there is something equally as pretty and interesting, if not more, much closer to your home base. Besides, you basically talked yourself out of doing the 3-hour day trip in your question. If you are a city person, use that time for Lucerne instead.

Gruyere is a very cute hilltop fortified village. It is quite touristy but has lots of charm. It isn't large but has winding streets with shops, restaurants and a small chateau that you can tour. Although it's a nice place to visit I don't know if I would drive three hours to get there. There are many other great villages for a foodie like you and I think that driving to Gruyere isn't necessary to get your food fix. The cheese museum isn't anything terribly unique so don't go for just that either. I would choose the pretty city/cafe/cheese/chocolate plan!

There will be no shortage or cheese or chocolate in any part of Switzerland. I love both, but so far have not made it to Gruyere in several visits to the country. Appenzeller Extra is my favorite cheese, and you can buy Erika's locally made product from her cheese hut in Gimmelwald.

Thanks Anita! That was really helpful--especially the part about the process of making cheese in Gruyéres is pretty much the same as it is everywhere else in Switzerland. =) I'll bring my iPad and look at the Gruyéres Castle while sopping up rösti in a pot of melted Gruyéres in Gimmelwald ;-)

Thanks Laura! I will keep my eye open for Appenzeller Extra (just because you recommended it! =) BTW, I like more full bodied cheeses like Raclette & Gruyére rather than mild ones like Emmental. Any others you recommend looking out for?