In many ways, we think Lucerne and Central Switzerland is a better base for a family vacation in Switzerland than the more popular Zermatt or Jungfrau regions. Central Switzerland has so much variety, with gorgeous lakes and mountain resorts in all directions, meaning tourists and locals spread out more instead of being concentrated in one area.
Children will be happy to find many interactive theme trails, alpine playgrounds and other amusements for all ages. For spring, Central Switzerland has many lower elevation hikes, meaning you can usually start hiking already in May. It also has great indoor options for the dreaded rainy days.
Here are our favorite destinations in Central Switzerland for families.
Overview of Lake Lucerne Region
Luzern is located in the middle of Switzerland, the hub for many many popular mountain destinations including Pilatus, Rigi and Engelberg.
How to get around the Lucerne region
Central Switzerland is well connected by public transportation, so it is easy to access most destinations by train & bus.
If you are staying in Lucerne, you can take advantage of the Tell Pass, which is a multi-day travel pass that covers public transportation, mountain transport and some attractions within the Central Switzerland region.
Almost everything I’ve listed below is covered or partially covered by the Tell Pass, exceptions noted. This makes traveling more affordable for tourists.
Mountain viewpoints
These tall mountain peaks are popular destinations for tourists and tour groups that have limited time and want to see something pretty, not necessarily hike.
In all cases, you ride up cable cars, gondolas, and mountain trains to large viewpoints, where you can wander around the top soaking in the view.
There are restaurants, cafes, gift shops and some have amusements like a suspension bridge or glacier cave.
If you want to hike, Mt. Rigi is your best choice from these mountains. But scroll down to the next section for more hiking options.
- Lake Lucerne Region
- Lucerne Region
- Lake Lucerne Region
- Lucerne Region
- Easy
- .5 h
- 1 k
- 30m
- 50m
- Lake Lucerne Region
- Lucerne Region
- Lake Lucerne Region
- Engelberg
Fun Hikes for Kids near Lucerne
If your kids are small and/or not enthusiastic hikers, try theme trail with activities along the way to encourage them to keep walking. Most of these also have playgrounds and other amusements as well. Here are some of our favorite theme trails in Central Switzerland.
- Easy
- 2 h
- 5 k
- 110m
- 100m
- Lake Lucerne Region
- Einsiedeln-Ybrig-Zürisee
- Easy
- 1 h
- 2.7 k
- 5m
- 350m
- Lake Lucerne Region
- Stoos Muotathal
- Easy
- 1.5 h
- 3 k
- 20m
- 360m
- Lake Lucerne Region
- Lucerne Region
- Easy
- 1 h
- 3.3 k
- 40m
- 40m
- Engelberg, Lucerne Region
- Moderate
- 1.5 h
- 3 k
- 0m
- 270m
- Lake Lucerne Region
- Engelberg
- Easy
- 1.4 k
- 20m
- 20m
- Lake Lucerne Region
- Entlebuch Sörenberg
Best Playgrounds
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can simply visit an alpine playground with a view and enjoy a meal or snack at a mountain restaurant. Here are our favorite playgrounds with a view in Central Switzerland.
Kids love this big amusement center in the mountains, with lots of trampolines and bouncy castles, an alpine slide, a slight scary suspension bridge, and a beautiful panorama trail if you feel like stretching your legs.
So many amusements here: a short barefoot path around a lake, water play, climbing structures, slides, tranpolines, alpine slide and even a theme trail if you feel like hiking.
We love this new playground at the top of the Fronalpstock chair lift, with a slide, swings and lots to climb on. It has fantastic views and an adjacent restaurant for snacks or a full meal.
This fun playground has a couple trampolines, slides, swings and climbing structures plus beautiful views and a restaurant. You can hike here from the top of Mt Rigi or take the cable car directly here.
We usually end our hike at this playground as a reward. After jumping around and eating some ice cream, we ride the scooters the rest of the way down the mountain.
This new playground has beautiful mountain views and a little marmot habitat to visit. Then you can hike for a bit and end at another playground at Stockhütte.
Rainy Day in Lucerne Region
If you get a rainy day while traveling, don’t despair. There are lots of fun indoor activities near Luzern to keep you busy and entertained. Here are a few of our favorites.
Here are a few we haven’t visited yet but seem to be popular: Gletscher Garten, ChocoWorld Aeschbacher, Paradisimo indoor playground. See also our Rainy Day Guide for Zürich Kids.
- Switzerland
- Zürich Region
- Lucerne Region
- Lucerne Region
- Bern Region, Emmental
- Emmental
- Lake Lucerne Region
- Zug
4 responses
Thank you so much for providing such detailed and informative posts about Switzerland! We are heading back for our second trip to Switzerland in mid-October to the Lucerne area. I know the weather is unpredictable, but do you think we’ll still be able to hike/boat/cable car that time of year?
Yes, there are many hikes that you can still do in mid October. But check the websites for current opening hours. Some facilities close in early October.
Hi there, I’ve read/watched so much of your fantastic informative blogs/vlogs, thanks so much for doing them! I wonder if I can ask for your help formulating an itinerary for our family? We are only in Switzerland a short time and I’m trying to decide where we should go but I’m feeling completely boggled. I’m hoping you won’t mind me direct messaging you? Thanks so much!!! Julz from nz
Hi. So glad you’ve found my website helpful. If you need some detailed help planning your itinerary, you can welcome to book some time with me through my trip planning services. My base package is just CHF 50 to cover my time. See this post for more info: https://swissfamilyfun.com/custom-itineraries-switzerland/ You can simply email me at hello@swissfamilyfun.com if you are interested. Otherwise, you might look at some of our itinerary ideas on the website: https://swissfamilyfun.com/category/itinerary/