A day in Chamonix... what would you do?

Take a cable car ride and enjoy spectacular views! Otherwise, it will be dead in Chamonix itself.

We've been there twice, and these are some of the things we did: Went up cable cars to Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc (Amazing!! We used the photo we took of the two of us w/Mont Blanc in the background for our Christmas card that year. Spectacular!), rented bikes and rode through town out into the countryside along the river (so beautiful and very fun), rode on the Luge in town (see RS France guide), Hike #3 in RS France guide for Chamonix, walked around town going in shops, and watching street performers in the center of town, ate pastries, crepes, and had our first French Chinese sit down dinner. Very fun!

Oh thank you so much!!! Now I am even more excited!!!! :-)

By all means, as others have said, take the cable car up to Aiguille du Midi--actually two cars because you have to switch at the half-way point. But then once you are on Aig. Midi, take the gondola ride across the glacier to Helbronner Point (just over the border in Italy) where you will see peaks so sharp you'll swear they can spear birds. The views there are spectacular--you'll want to take lots of pictures. You will also be able to look down on the Italian village of Entreves in the valley. The ride across the glacier is a 3-mile ride during which you will feel like you are drifting over Antarctica. One note: Don't be surprised if you encounter topless sunbathers on the decks at Aig. Midi; warmth and weather cooperating, it's a popular place to sunbathe. By the way, pack a pair of compact binoculars; you'll be so glad you did!

I cant believe I will be there so soon!! Thanks everyone :-) Really appreciate your time, experience and ideas.

I would recommend the trip (rack railway then cable car) to the Mer de Glace glacier.