Exploring Zurich in June: A Family-Friendly Itinerary and Travel Tips

Our family adventure began the moment we touched down at Zurich's impeccably clean and efficient airport. Our home for the week, Le Bijou Hotel, a family-friendly luxury establishment, is conveniently located just steps away from the exit at Bahnhofplatz in Zurich HB main station.

Through James, our Personal Le Bijou Concierge, we organized a private chauffeur service, and our driver was there, waiting for my family as we stepped out of the airport doors. His beautiful luxury Mercedes-Benz SUV added an extra layer of elegance to our arrival, making the start of our Zurich journey smooth and luxurious.

For lunch, we walked nearby Zurich's main station, where we discovered Brasserie Federal. This informal and airy brasserie, known for its arched windows and an extensive selection of over 100 Swiss beers, serves hearty cuisine. We indulged in traditional Swiss dishes like the "Swiss-style" sausage-cheese salad with onions and lettuce, chili sausage with a fresh bread roll and mustard, and the classic Zurich-style sliced veal in a creamy champignon sauce with Swiss potato rosti. Everything was delicious and I savored a local IPA called Orion, a perfect match for my lunch. The fact that they accommodated our youngest, who's a picky eater, with a simple hamburger (just meat and bun) was a thoughtful touch we greatly appreciated.

Our journey continued as we hopped on the Uetliberg Bahn at Zurich HB, which took us on a scenic ride to Uetliberg. From there, we took a rewarding hike up to the Uetliberg lookout tower, also known as Aussichtsturm Uetliberg, perched at the pinnacle of Zurich. This iconic steel-truss tower has an open observation platform, treating us to panoramic views of Zurich and the magnificent Alps.

After a well-deserved power nap, we hopped on local transport to the lake, where we enjoyed a delightful BBQ and reconnected with some local friends. It was the perfect ending to an already dreamy first day.

We set our alarms and got up early to get on local time and caught the train to Lucerne. The train journey itself was beautiful, as we moved through the picturesque Swiss countryside.

Arriving in Lucerne, we were welcomed by a sight that seemed straight out of a fairytale. Vierwaldstättersee, (or Lake Lucerne), was stunning with the crystal clear water and the majesty of the towering mountains that surrounded. The clarity of the waters provided a breathtaking backdrop for the city's medieval architecture, with the iconic Kapellbrücke, or Chapel Bridge, spanning the Reuss River.

We caught the ferry boat to Kehrsiten-Burgenstock so we could ride the Vier Waldstattersee to the elevated mountain top of Burgenstock Kersitin, where panoramic views of Lucerne and beyond. Perched high above the lake, this vantage point gave us an even more staggering perspective of the region's natural grandeur. We walked along the trail of Kehrsiten in hopes of reaching the Glass Elevator, but it was closed due to rock slides.

Lunch next to the Reuss River:

Took the ferry back to Lucerne and walked across Kapellbrucke into old towne Lucerne, and walked along the river and found a charming Italian eatery nestled up against the Reuss River. We enjoyed lunch and the gorgeous river views. Then we explored more of the olde town and climbed the Zytturm, which is a Monument in Zug, Switzerland. Train ride back to ZCH HB.

Dinner at Kronenhalle:

For dinner, I booked us into Kronenhalle, which has been open in Zurich for over a century. This legendary establishment unites culinary excellence with artistic opulence. We dined next to the exquisite masterpieces of Chagall and Picasso however the server did look at me like I had three heads when I asked for a black dinner napkin instead of the white linen napkin (I was wearing black pants!)

Strolling Through Bahnhofstraße:

We kicked off the day with a leisurely walk down Bahnhofstraße, a world-famous shopping avenue that loaded with sophistication. It's a paradise for those with a penchant for high-end boutiques and cozy cafes.

Old Town's Timeless Charm:

Our path then led us to Zurich's old town, where the echoes of history reverberate through every cobblestone street. The medieval buildings seemed frozen in time, and we couldn't resist taking a moment to explore the iconic Grossmünster, which graced us with panoramic city views from its towers.

Lunch at Zeughauskeller:

For lunch, we chose a dining experience like no other. Zeughauskeller, a 15th-century building, welcomed us with open arms. Its rustic ambiance, complete with oak beams and historic artifacts, set the stage for a feast of Swiss classics. The hearty dishes and draft beers were the perfect refuel for our day of exploration.

Late Dinner at Hotel Bourbon:

A local friend booked us into dinner at Hotel Bourbon, which was edgy and cool and felt like an upscale "local" spot. The espresso martini was the bomb, and my kids ordered a second serving of the Banoffee Pie for dessert!

Goldau Nature Park:

We got up early to catch a scenic train ride to Goldau Nature Park. Nestled amid stunning landscapes, this park offered well-marked trails, an encounter with native wildlife, and the kids loved feeding the animals.

Evening at the Opera:

(This was something I really wanted to do and my family all indulged me by coming along).

We embraced the artistic side of Zurich when I purchased tickets to a performance of "Der Freischütz." This opera was a bit dark for the littles but vibrant in color and costumes and told of a captivating love and magic story, filled with loads of timeless drama. The building was beautiful, but the patrons were not impressed to see kids in attendance. My family made it through the first two acts, but we left at intermission and walked back to Zurich HB through Olde Town and got the best ice cream I have ever eaten.

Our Sunday in Zurich was all about adventure and breathtaking landscapes, as we shifted from adrenaline rushes to serene hikes.

Adrenaline at Hoch-Ybrig:

The day kicked off with an adrenaline rush at Hoch-Ybrig. This alpine playground had us soaring through the skies with thrilling zip-lining experiences. The youngest was not tall enough, so she and I stayed at the top of the mountain for hot chocolate and croissants and watched the others enjoy "Europe's longest Zip Line". After lunch at the top of the mountain, we then hiked down the mountain and it was serving major "Sound of Music" vibes. Everyone was happy and tired on the train ride home.

Monday in Zurich marked a leisurely pause, a day where we embraced the city's laid-back charm and took things easy while my husband worked remote. The kids and I hit up a local toy store and enjoyed walking around casually exploring Zurich, strolling through its charming streets, and taking in the local atmosphere.

We spent our final day in Zurich on a super-fun river float down the Lematt River. The kids loved this and got to hang with some real locals. We packed our own drinks, snacks and bluetooth speaker and had a blast as a family. It was a perfect way to enjoy the city from a super unique perspective.

Return to Zurich HB:

After our river float, we caught the train back to Zurich HB, showered up and had our last dinner in ZCH.

Dinner at La Taqueria:

For our final dinner, we ate at La Taqueria, a delicious spot that reminded me of my Southern California roots. It's owned by a San Diego native who has made Switzerland his home.