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| | bernese oberland | |||
| Interlaken | |||
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Interlaken, situated in between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, is a jumping off point for fun things to do in the Bernese Oberland, and is less than two hours by train from Zurich. | |
| Tip: Hotels provide you with a visitor's card for free transport during your stay for the Interlaken, for local buses and trains between Interlaken East and West train stations (Bahnhof). In addition, the card provides discounts for bike rentals, mini-golf, Bodelibad, Jungfrau Park, paragliding, and more. Click here for the complete list. |
| William Tell Open-Air Theater (Tell-Freilichtspiele) – The Swiss legend of William Tell comes alive at performances in this open-air theater, staged outdoors with authentic costumes, 13th century style buildings, and a large cast. In the play, a tyrannical Austrian governor unfairly arrests William Tell and demands he shoot an apple off his son's head at hundred paces. Performances are on Thursdays and Saturdays, free for kids under 6. | |||
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Lake cruises – Choose a clear day to set out on a cruise around Lake Thun or Lake Brienz and you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. For cruises on Lake Thun, pick up the boat at Interlaken Westbahnhof, or at Neuhaus. Lake Brienz lake cruises leave from the Interlaken Ostbahnhof and Bonigen. Here's the schedule. | ||
| Lake fun – Go out on the lakes in a pedal boat, kayak, row boat or paddle boards. Waterskiing, tube riding and boats with a private driver are also available for rent. Boat rentals are located at Neuhaus on Lake Thun, or Bonigen beach on Lake Brienze. | |||
| Walks – It's great to just get out and walk with the kids. Stop into the tourist office and ask for the free Interlaken "Wandern" walking and hiking map (or click here for the online version). The map has over 60 different hikes in the area. Here's just three different walks. | |||
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Kleiner Rugen – Instead of hiking up the hill to Heimwehfluh and Grosse Rugen, take the trail that goes to the left, Klein ("little" Rugen). At the beginning of the trail is a nice picnic area with wooden tables in the shade. The trail is a loop trail that goes around hillside, takes 1 -2 hours. |
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| Go paragliding – Teens and older kids will want to take flight, in tandem with an instructor, gliding down from high up , with incredible views of the peaks and lakes, landing back down in Interlaken on the big grassy field (Hohematte) in the center of town. For kids 6 and up, helmets and jackets are provided. | |||
| Bodelibad Interlaken – Everyone in the family can relax at this water park with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, two children's pools, snack bar, and 18 holes of miniature golf. (The indoor pool is open year round.) | |||
| Horse trekking – Go for a 1 1/2 hour ride in the forests behind Interlaken, pony rides for younger kids. No experience required, helmets provided, but wear closed toed shoes. | |||
| Jungfrau Park – If weather turns gray, Jungfrau Park has an indoor and outdoor playground with slides, climbing structures, ball pit, bouncy house, water play area, for younger kids, plus bungee trampoline, go-karts, movie theaters with 360 degree panorama shows of the Swiss Alps, and laser shows. April to October. |
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There's plenty of fun things to do with kids in and around Interlaken, but you'll need a fun place to stay. Here's our own Travel for Kids hand-picked list of Interlaken family hotels, all styles and price ranges, in neighborhoods comfortable for families, and near to places you'll want to explore. |
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| Interlaken family hotels | |||