Over the weekend Ryan and I went to Zurich to visit family. Ryan’s twin brother Aaron, his wife Katy, and their 1-year-old son Boden moved there a little over a month ago and we were excited to see them, explore the city a bit, and eat some cheese.
It was a whirlwind of a trip. We left super early on Saturday. So early in fact, that I was able to snap a lovely photo of the sunrise. And then we returned to London on Sunday evening. All in all, a fast weekend in Zurich however I’ve got 5 things about the trip I want to share with you. Four of those things you too can do in Zurich, and all of them are kid friendly. Here we go.
1. Go on a walking tour of Free Walk Zurich
Free Walk Zurich offers a number of walking tours around the city each with different content. You meet the guide at a designated spot, walk and learn for about 90 minutes, and then tip your guide (if you want to) what you think is fair. So, if can be free but tipping is a nice thing to do.
I think we did the Downtown Zurich Tour. There were about 25 people on the tour and we walked up and down the lovely cobbled streets of Zurich. We saw the Fraumünster Church, which has some gorgeous frescoes. We also saw many fountains. The guide told us that there are over 1200 fountains and all of them give out clean drinkable water. Awesome right? I’ll admit, I wasn’t always so good at listening during the tour because the city is really beautiful. The trees were bright autumn colors, the water is gorgeous, and the building architecture was fun to look at.
What I really love about walking tours is that they make me look up. It’s easy to walk around a city and focus on where you’re going without looking at the details around you. On so many buildings there were beautiful statues, faces and animals carved into tiny ornamental flourishes, and lovely paintings like those you see below. The painting on the left is a painting of the old city of Zurich. The one on the right is of the three patrons of Zurich. Apparently two of the patrons, Felix and Regula are often remembered and depicted but the third one, Exuperantius is usually forgotten. Poor Exuperantius.
Now, Aaron and Katy might have a more informed opinion about whether or not this was a kid friendly activity – but I would say it was pretty good. There were some stairs during the tour but only one long staircase and a nice guy from the tour offered to help Aaron carry their stroller. The other participants were mainly young 20-30 something adults and all seemed to smile nicely at Boden (I thought). No one seemed too concerned with serious contemplative focus – I mean we were out in a noisy city for goodness sake, so a little baby noise wasn’t going to be bothersome. Also we were outside so it was easy to walk apart a bit if need. Most importantly look how cute Boden is? Who could possibly mind him? 
Afterward we got delicious sausages from a nearby street vendor. Then Katy and I ditched the boys and wandered around, looked a flea market, bought cheese, and enjoyed the view of the boats on the lake. All in all pretty great. I recommend it.
2. Eat delicious Raclette
I was really excited about going to Switzerland so I could eat some delicious cheese. The only cheese dish I knew about was fondue, but wonderfully Aaron and Katy introduced me to something new – a different cheesy Swiss dish. They served us delicious, warm, and comforting raclette.
Raclette is a semi-firm cheese that’s used for melting. The machine above is also called Raclette. It’s awesome. Here’s how it works. You put a slice of the cheese into the tiny pans. Top the cheese with onions and bacon and then put it in the bottom layer of the apparatus. Leave it there until the cheese is bubbling all over and is temptingly gooey looking. The top shelf is like a grill and we used it for sausages and vegetables.
Once the cheese is melted and bubbling take your pan out of the machine and quickly pour the cheese over a boiled potato. Then you eat and repeat. Better yet, get another slice of cheese melting while you’re working on your first potato. Then you can have non-stop cheesy goodness. We had four different kinds of cheese: regular, garlic, chili paprika, and pepper. All tasty, a little bit stinky, and so satisfyingly good. This meal was hearty and filling without being too heavy. Also clean up was super easy. A really great dish and if you’re in Zurich find a restaurant, or a local, who will serve you this dish!
3. Take a cable car from Adilswil to Felsenegg Lookout
On Sunday we decided to take in some views and do some walking. We went over to Adilswil and took the cable car to the Felsenegg Lookout.
Ok, let me be honest. Before we could do any walking we needed caffeine. We sat in the restaurant right at the top and had the creamiest cappuccinos I’ve ever tasted. Finally ready to go, we hit the trails. There were a number of different walking paths of varying difficulties. We choose a 3km one with little incline. Katy had done it before so we knew we’d be able to make it with the stroller. There were one or two small, yet tiring, hills but the five of us made it.
This walk was my favorite thing we did in Zurich. We got lucky to be there while the trees were bright with autumn colors. Everything was gorgeous. Honestly though, I found this short walk breathtakingly beautiful. I totally recommend doing this. It’s a perfect half day activity. 
We walked up and down the hills and slowly the fog burned off and the sun came out. It was so amazing to be in a place so scenic only a short trip (about 20 minutes) outside the city. In addition to gorgeous countryside, we saw cows, charming Swiss homes, barns, and a mound of decorative gourds. I love a good knobbly decorative gourd. It really shouts autumn to me.
Mostly, I liked being outside and having the opportunity to just chat with my family. During the holidays I think we can get caught up with doing something and being busy. I like getting the chance to just relax and talk. It was perfection. When they come to London I’ll have to find some outdoor walking for us to do. (Any suggestions anyone?)
4. Have brunch at Fork & Bottle
Aaron and Katy had been to the Fork & Bottle lots of times before, but never for brunch. It has a large outdoor seating area with a playground so it’s perfect for families. Also, Katy said there is a playground inside too. The outdoor area is lovely. There are big gnarled trees in the center of the outdoor space which are beautiful and a little bit spooky. The tables are long picnic tables arranged in rows. Just outside the restaurant was a pen with tiny horses and mules (I think, but maybe they were donkeys?) 
Boden played nicely with the toys in the play area while we ate our meals and took in the sun. Seriously, I think Ryan and I may even have gotten a little color. As for the food, it was really yummy with fairly generous portions (by European standards, I know American breakfast burritos are as big as newborn babies). I had the breakfast burrito which was protein packed! It was filled with eggs, beans, and chorizo and topped with guacamole and salsa.
But the best part was the hot chocolate which was topped with a fluffy pillow of a marshmallow. That was the best part. It made me want to try to make giant marshmallows at home. I also really enjoyed the long shadows cast by the sun in the photo above.
5. Play with your cute nephew Boden. Oh wait, this one is just for me.
Ok, so this is the part that you the blog reader can’t do. But, who doesn’t love photos of cute babies? Hopefully you don’t mind me being a proud and gushy aunt. The last time I saw Boden was last Christmas when they were still living in Colorado. Then he was a tiny wiggly peanut. Now he is a boy with a personality. He is smiley, shy at first then very warm, and he is so active. So active. 
This boy can crawl fast. Really fast. He’s everywhere and always getting into a new activity. He is curious, playful, and likes to look out the window. He played peak-a-boo with me in my scarf. He giggled at Ryan when Ryan pretended to be the tickle monster. And he let us cuddle up to him as we read him a bed time story. 
It was nice to spend time with him (and Aaron and Katy too – I feel a little bad I didn’t take any pictures of them). It was nice to get to feel like a real aunt and be a part of his life. I can’t wait to see him again. I think he might feel the same. Look how excited he is in that photo above!
Anyway, to end this post let me say that Zurich is a small city with beautiful architecture, scenery and food. There’s lots more to do there than what I did, but I think this list could you set you up for a nice weekend away. I for one look forward to going back.
