The Not to Miss Things To Do in Lucerne, Switzerland with Kids

Lucerne is an amazing vacation destination unlike any other place on Earth. With gorgeous mountain scenery and endless historic streets and landmarks, there are plenty of exciting things to do in Lucerne, Switzerland with Kids.

We visited Lucerne last summer and loved the elegant medieval architecture. It wasn’t our first visit there, but it was the first time we visited as a family. Therefore, looking for immersive, cultural things to do and experience in this beautiful and walkable Swiss city was a top priority for us!

Located less than an hour’s train ride from Zurich, Lucerne looks like it is right out of a Disney movie. In fact, my daughter’s first comment was, “It looks just like Disney World!” Pristine Lake Lucerne, with its surrounding mountains and the famous Swiss transportation, makes it an ideal European destination for a family vacation.

Our trip to Lucerne sure was a memorable one! And even though we didn’t get to see snow-capped mountains, the stunning green scenery did not disappoint. And there are so many fun ways to discover the city, just like the locals do.

Are you considering a family adventure in Lucerne? I’ll let you in on all the secrets we learned while exploring this magnificent city with our three kids so you can have the ultimate family trip to remember.

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About Lucerne Switzerland

Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Lucerne in the Swiss Alps, Lucerne’s old town is compact and easy to explore on foot to see all the sights. The traditional Swiss buildings illustrate the centuries of history it has seen. The city is divided by the Reuss River, and crossing over the Spreuer Bridge and Chapel Bridge are two of the most popular sites to take in.

Besides the incredible scenery, the infamous Swiss transportation made getting around the area a breeze. The Lucerne railway station is centrally located and walkable to many nearby hotels, so if you’re touring Switzerland, visiting Lucerne is the perfect beginning or end of your trip.

From good food to outdoor adventures to a wealth of history, the list of things to do with kids in Lucerne, Switzerland, never ends! If this is your first time visiting Switzerland, you should definitely visit Lucerne, which has its museums, famous landmarks like the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument, and many shops, restaurants and hotels for families.

Top Things To Do In Lucerne, Switzerland, With Kids

My whole family loved our visit to Lucerne City because of its unique history and all the attractions and sights. Here are some of our favorite things to do in this lovely Swiss town.

1. Visit Lucerne Old Town and Old Town’s Squares

One of our favorite activities was strolling through Lucerne’s Old Town. The historic part of the town is a pedestrian-only area, making it safe and easy to walk with kids. We explored picturesque squares like Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt, Hirschenplatz, and Muhlenplatz and took in the charming Swiss architecture.

These beautiful historic buildings come in a variety of styles, such as:

Baroque style
Timber frame houses
Neo-Gothic
Italian Renaissance style

The different architectural styles represent the city’s age and cultural influences that make it one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The kids loved wandering through the narrow streets and admiring all the different colors and designs. Be sure and stop at one of Swiss bakeries for a treat and a soft pretzel!

You’ll also want to visit the Church of St. Leodegar or Old Town Hall (also known to the locals as the Hot Church) for some classic Lucerne Switzerland history.

2. Swiss Transport Museum

The Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, or Swiss Museum of Transport, is a giant complex with indoor and outdoor exhibits, all focusing on transportation, tourism, and communication. As Swiss transportation is famous for its efficiency and timeliness, it is a must see!

My kids loved the rockets, aircraft, ships, and more that you could follow from the earliest days of transportation to modern times. We also experienced the brilliance of Swiss transportation getting around the city by bus and to the city by train, and I must say – it lives up to its reputation!

3. Go on a Swiss Chocolate Adventure

You’ve likely heard about the famous Swiss chocolate, and what kids don’t love chocolate? Lucerne City has chocolate factories where you can learn the history of chocolate-making in Switzerland and, of course, taste this sweet delicacy – some of the finest in the world. There’s even a Lucerne Chocolate Tasting and Lake Lucerne boat trip you may want to consider.

We took the Swiss Chocolate Adventure tour at the Swiss Museum of Transport, and it was a hit with our whole family. If you’re a chocolate lover, this experience is different from one of the factory tours, which we also did to learn about the origins and production of Swiss chocolate by some of the world’s best chocolatiers.

This adventure is about 30 minutes and takes you on a multimedia adventure through the story of Swiss chocolate. At the end, you get to enjoy a sample of chocolate and buy some souvenirs.

4. Enjoy a Day Swimming at Lake(Lido) Lucerne

Located close to the Swiss Museum of Transport, Lido Lucerne is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Switzerland. A day at the beach on Lake Lucerne is a must if you visit the area during the summer.

My kids really enjoyed swimming in the crystal-clear water and building sandcastles on the shore. Don’t forget to bring the beach essentials; use this beach packing list! There are generous changing facilities, restrooms and places to purchase food on site.

We also enjoyed a Lake Lucerne cruise on a boat to take in the sights and see Lucerne, Switzerland, from a whole different vantage point. Whether you book a quick boat tour or a themed cruise, you won’t want to miss a Lake Lucerne cruise, as it represents Lucerne sightseeing at its best.

5. Visit or Hike Mount Pilatus

If your family loves outdoor adventures, taking the cog railway up to see Mount Pilatus, a.k.a. Dragon Mountain, is a must! The best way to get there is to take a boat ride across Lake Lucerne and then take the cogwheel train up the mountain. It’s also worth noting that this is the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, which my kids thought was pretty cool.

But, if you are a hiking enthusiast, you can hike up the mountain. Many people were doing it while we were there.

Mount Pilatus gives you stunning views of the Swiss Alps and surrounding areas as it overlooks Lucerne’s old town and Lake Lucerne. Your whole family will love it!

To get back down the mountain, you can take the large gondola down and even stop along the way for some mountain coastering.

6. Eat at Stadtkeller Restaurant for an Authentic Swiss Dinner

One of our favorite restaurants was the Stadtkeller Restaurant for an authentic Swiss dinner, including Fondue. From April through October, you can see a Swiss folklore show and eat meat and cheese fondue in many variations — it doesn’t get any more authentic than that!

The Stadtkeller is a cultural monument where you can experience the musical and food roots of the area. We had a wonderful time enjoying traditional Swiss music and dance performances while dining on delicious local cuisine. It’s a perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy!

7. The Chapel Bridge and Water Tower

The Chapel Bridge is probably one of the most photographed iconic landmarks on Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland, and for good reason! Built in 1333, it’s the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe and still displays some of the original 17th-century paintings.

It is a central footbridge used daily by locals and visitors to Lucerne. But our family enjoyed taking time to enjoy the artwork in the beams and beautiful views each time we crossed it.

The Water Tower, now a historic museum, was built in 1300 as part of the original city walls. It was used as a torture chamber, prison, treasury, and more over the centuries. My kids had a blast exploring both the bridge and tower, learning about the history of Lucerne in a fun and interactive way.

8. City Walking Tour

When visiting Lucerne, one of the best attractions is the Lucerne Walking and Boat Tour, and it was one of my family’s favorite things to do in old town. You’ll get to see the most iconic Landmarks in and around the city as you explore Lucerne on foot and cruise Lake Lucerne.

9. The Lion Monument

The famous Lion Monument tells a sad story, but it’s one of the most visited places in Lucerne. In 1820, Bertel Thorvaldsen carved a large dying lion into the sandstone. It represents the Swiss guards who died defending Tuileries, Paris, and King Louis XVI during the French Revolution in 1792.

The kids were fascinated by the statue and its history, making it a great educational stop on our trip.

Speaking of France, if you want to take a trip here too, you’ll love these blog posts:

10. Glacier Garden or Glacier Cave

Across the Lion Monument, you’ll find the Glacier Garden, another popular Lucerne Switzerland attraction. Its glacier potholes have stumped scientists for centuries, which were formed 20,000 years ago in the last ice age. We were amazed by the ice crystals and ancient fossils embedded in the walls.

While you’re here, see if you can solve the Alhambra mirror maze dating back to 1896 and visit the observation tower if it’s open. The kids will love the palm fronds and shellfish fossils formed 20 million years ago!

11. Musegg Wall and the Nine Towers

The Musegg Wall and the Nine Towers are the perfect places to get a bird’s eye view of Lucerne, Switzerland, and Lake Lucerne, and trust me – the views are spectacular. The wall and towers are all that remains of the 14th-century medieval fortification. While it was a hike to get up there, we were stunned by the panoramic views, which made it all worth it.

Need hiking tips? These 15 Best Tips for Hiking With Kids made our trek so much easier!

Four of the towers are still accessible, including Zytturm, the tower that holds the oldest clock in the old town and is a genuine piece of medieval Lucerne culture. Your kids will love exploring these ancient towers and imagining themselves as knights protecting the city.

12. Hofkirche

Hofkirche, considered the most important Renaissance church in all of Switzerland, sits on the site of the old eighth-century Benedictine monastery of St. Leodegar. It was rebuilt around 1634, but the 1525 towers from the previous church still remain.

During our visit, we were in awe of the beautiful ornate interior, the intricate details of the organ, and the tombs of old Lucerne families. In the north tower of the Hofkirche houses, there is a sculpture of The Agony in the Garden, and the chairs and pulpit of the church date back to 1638.

13. The Jesuit Church

You definitely want to add the Jesuit Church to your Lucerne itinerary, as it’s one of the most stunning sites to see. It is located on the banks of River Reuss and was the first baroque building constructed in Switzerland in 1677.

The Jesuit Church is a vital piece of Switzerland’s religion, architecture, and history. We loved the grandeur of the church’s interior, with its beautiful frescoes and ornate decorations. It truly is a must-see for anyone interested in art and architecture.

14. Dine At the Old Swiss House

Take the family out for another authentic Switerzland experience at the Old Swiss House. You’ll dine on Switzerland and Lucerne classics like Wienerschnitzel and Bratwurst and sample delicious Swiss chocolate while you look at centuries-old antiques and the Mouton Rothschild collection.

My husband and I have dined here a few times. He still reports the Beef Stroganoff and chocolate mousse as his favorite meal he has ever had. We especially enjoyed the ambiance of this charming, historic restaurant. Nearby there are many small shops with cuckoo clocks and Christmas candle carousels, which make for great Swiss souvenirs.

15. Shop for Souvenirs

While you’re in Lucerne sightseeing, you’ll find plenty of places to shop for traditional Swiss items like Swiss sports gear, a Swiss watch, a Swiss Army Knife, or a cuckoo clock. My kids loved browsing the shops and picking out their favorite souvenirs to bring home.

As a big soccer family, my kids love looking for soccer jerseys of the local, regional or national team. Rest assured there are many traditional shops in Lucerne along with specialty craft and souvenir shops.

Old town Lucerne has many neat shops to tour. There are also little restaurants to eat at in between touring famous attractions like Glacier Garden, the famous Chapel Bridge, and the Swiss Transport Museum. These places were some of our favorite things to do in Lucerne.

Other Things to Do in Lucerne, Switzerland

If you have time, here are some other Lucerne attractions and fun places to visit in this historic old town.

Richard Wagner Museum
Heidegg Castle
Lucerne Art Museum
The Lucerne Carnival
Find Lucerne’s oldest church, St. Peter’s Chapel, in the Lucerne city center
Grand Casino Luzern
Go to a Concert at the Culture and Convention Centre
Visit the town’s fish market

Day Trips from Lucerne

You’ll find plenty of mountain excursions and day trips from Lucerne, and here are a few I recommend.

Mount Rigi, also known as the Queen of the Mountains
Hike Mount Pilatus
Zurich – Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and has plenty of places to visit.
Mt. Titlis Day Tour – Take a cable car ride for 360-degree views and experience the neat glacier caves at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jungfraujoch – Ride a cable car gondola to the Eiger Glacier, then take a cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch for one of the best day trips from Lucerne.
Day Trip to Grindelwald and Interlaken – Visit these two resorts and see the famous triple peaks, Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

Best Places To Stay in Lucerne

Hotel des Balances – If you want to embrace the history and culture of Lucerne, you’ll love staying in this former 18th-century Guild Hall
Palace Luzern, Lucerne – If you’re looking for luxury, stay at this impressive hotel overlooking Lake Lucerne and other popular Lucerne attractions.
Hotel Waldstatterhof – This 100-year-old building is just steps from the Lucerne train station and boasts beautiful suites and upgraded rooms.

Getting Around Lucerne

Getting around this Swiss city as a family is easy as it’s walkable, and many attractions are close to each other. Public transportation is also great, and you can get the Swiss Travel Pass or use the Lucerne Visitors Card. We downloaded the SBB mobile app, and it made buying tickets and traveling so much easier.

Getting to Lucerne From Zurich

One of the best ways to get around Switzerland is by railway. There’s only one train that takes you to Lucerne from Zurich Airport, and that’s the IR70. It’s about an hour’s train ride and runs every 30 minutes. There are other railways that run to Lucerne, but you’ll have to switch trains.

You could take a car or sign up for one of the famous tours that include transportation. But, in our opinion, nothing beats a good old train ride through the Swiss countryside.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Lucerne, Switzerland

We’ve visited many places in Europe over the years, and Lucerne, with all its stunning sights, is definitely in my top 10 list of truly beautiful places we’ve visited. You won’t regret spending some time in this neat place.

From touring a chocolate factory to visiting medieval churches and taking a scenic boat ride, there are plenty of awesome things to do for families. I know you and your family will love exploring Lucerne just as much as we did. This Swiss city will forever be in our hearts, and I know we’ll definitely be going back!

Ready to experience the Swiss Alps like never before and make some unforgettable memories? Pack your bags, get your camera ready, and head to Lucerne! You won’t be disappointed.