Zürich Summer Bucket List

We are still a few weeks away from the official start of summer, when my girls get out of school. They get 5 weeks off for summer so I don’t really count the beginning until we are all together all day. For my summer bucket list this year, I want to try out as many Lake Zürich badis as we can. With all this hot weather, spending time swimming sounds like a great idea to stay cool.

It’s my first summer staycation in Zürich without flying to the USA. With the upcoming arrival of our baby in October, it’s not the best idea to do an 11 hour flight, so here we are. I would be 31+ weeks flying home from the USA and I’m just not sure I feel up for it this time around. Back with my first pregnancy, I flew at 7+ months from Seattle to Sydney without any problem. But still the doctor prescribed full support hose as well as baby aspirin. And that was 8 years ago. Anyway…I’m very excited to stay put for the summer.

We are going to take it easy and stay in Zürich this summer, so here is a bucket list of what we are excited about seeing and doing in and around Zürich with the kids.

Jump In Lake Zürich

Lake Zürich is absolutely amazing to swim in right now with all the hot weather we have had. There is plenty of choice when swimming in the lake. You can choose between many amazing badis listed here, or find a quiet free entry place to sit, make a bbq or picnic, and take a swim. The badis are nice as they have full facilities such as bathrooms, showers, food, pool, and slide. The badis have very different vibes, so try a few and see which one works best for your family. I think the Seebad Enge is nice to meet friends to catch up, sit, and chat, while some of the other badis are more family friendly with large grassy areas, slides, and pools where kids can be kids.

For more of a relaxing escape, try the free lakeside spots in Küsnacht near the China Garden, Wollishofen, Rüschlikon, and Thalwil. We went to a spot in Thalwil last week and had the most beautiful and relaxing spot to swim, stand up paddle board, and row a friend’s inflatable raft. You have to bring all your own stuff, but it was a much quieter spot than the more all-inclusive badi experience. (Also, the popular Limmatschwimmen is August 19, 2017 and you can register here)

See Lake Zürich By Boat

We love to hop on and off the Long Round Trip boat around Lake Zürich. It’s fun to get on at the Burkliplatz and get off at China Garden, get some Gelati am See, and run around the large grassy area. We also like to get off in Rapperswil to explore the castle and make a day trip out of the Knies Kinderzoo.

Explore The Kunsthaus

If all the outdoor activities and amazing summer weather has gotten the best of you, just head for the Kunsthaus on a Wednesday when admission is free to the public.

Free Walking Tours

I must admit this has been on my bucket list since we moved to Zürich. I am going to take the kids on a free walking tour this summer and learn more about the city we know and love. And there is a new Chocolate Tour every Saturday for 30chf starting at the Paradaplatz. (Although I suggest this Chocolate Tour by my amazing friend and food enthusiast Kerrin, here is my blog post from her wonderful tour last year.) I want to do the historical tour and the New In Zürich tour.

Celebrate Swiss National Day

August 1st is Swiss National Day. This is a huge deal in Switzerland with fireworks and brunch! Make reservations to have brunch on a farm. Here is more information on Swiss National Day.

Family Fun At Theaterspektakel

The fantastic lakeside Theaterspektakel at Landiwiese takes place August 17-September 3, 2017. We have been to this every year and it was so gorgeous and fun for the family. Bring your swimming suits and cash as the food trucks are cash only. The girls got their faces painted, swam in the lake, watched theater performances, and ate delicious street food all in the fabulous 18 day event. The ticket box office opens July 12h.

Opera House Open Day

The Zürich Opera House Open Day is September 23rd at 10am. We will definitely be doing this as the girls can get an up close and personal look at the inside of the gorgeous Opera House as well as a ballet rehearsal. The Opera House has so many wonderful child friendly performances of all kinds throughout the year. We loved Peter and the Wolf as well as the Opera For All in front of the Opera House in the Sechseläutenplatz.

Take A Day Hike In Zürich

Hike from Uetliberg to Felsenegg. This is a great local mountain to take visitors. Take the train up to Uetliberg from the Zürich HB, get off and play in the playground for a bit, climb the giant black tower for an amazing view, get ice cream, and walk the Planet trail to Felsenegg. Take the gondola down from Felsenegg and take the train back to Zürich. We do this hike often now, but here’s our first time trying it a few years ago. It can be a quick trip in under an hour if you are in a hurry and going just for the epic Zürich view, or as long as you like.

For my bucket list I would like to explore some new day trips this summer that we haven’t done before. Here are our favorite day trips we have done. I want to try these 10 theme trails, 10 swimming spots, and I want to get back to the Lauterbrunnen area to the Allmendhubel playground which was closed this month when we spent a long weekend there.

Cycle To The Market

I really want my girls and I to cycle to the market this summer. (If you want to rent free bikes in Zürich, here you go.) The wonderful Burkliplatz Market takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6-11am. We love seeing friends and getting our weekly supplies at the market. On Saturday mornings there is a wonderful antique/flea market. I get such a cool Zürich city vibe from this market and love wandering around looking at all the gorgeous displays of flowers, fruit, vegetables, and cheeses. After the market I head to one of my favorite cafes or brunch spots.

Here is my list from last summer, my girls favorite things to do in Zürich, and our favorite playgrounds.

What are you looking forward to doing this summer? Will you and your family be in Zürich? Or will you be off on an amazing holiday destination? I would love to hear what your summer bucket list looks like.