Stop googling away your every weekend.
In the rain: Papiliorama (Kerzers), Swiss Museum of Transport (Lucerne) or Aare Gorge. Free and still right at the top: Seeburgpark (Kreuzlingen), Ausflugs-Index 97. From birth, 65 of the 166 reviewed destinations work, from age 3 it is 112, two in three. The ConvivaPlus Ausflugs-Radar shows 18'694 destinations in all 26 cantons, the reviewed ones with their weaknesses.
Tell us who's coming and whether it's raining. The radar shows you what fits, and tells you when better not to go.
- 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 98/100🐐 Zoo
One of Europe's best zoos — the Masoala rainforest hall and the Lewa savanna circuit are real journeys, not just enclosures. A full day that captivates every age.
✚ Masoala hall is a tropical experience even in the rain✚ Kaeng Krachan elephant park with underwater viewing✚ continuous buggy-friendly pathways throughout✖ Admission in our 'expensive' price band✖ very crowded on fine weekends and during school holidays🌿 Weekday mornings (from opening) are significantly quieter than weekend afternoons.

🗓️ This weekend in Zurich
When NOT to go
What the brochure leaves out, we tell you first.
Go deeper — our excursion guides
- 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 97/100🐐 Streichelzoo/Erlebnis-Bauernhof · 🛝 Quartier-Spielplatzfree♿ wheelchair accessible · per Ginto / Pro Infirmis
Real animals (llama, pony, goats, rabbits) plus playground, café and under-3s area — free and right in the neighbourhood. Maximum family fun per effort.
✚ animals and play combined for free✚ rotating programme (kids yoga, festivals)✚ right next to Freibad Heuried✖ indoor area is small✖ café hours limited at weekends - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 96/100🚠 Schifffahrt/Fähre🐕
Hop on a ship with your ZVV day pass: quick circular route from Bürkliplatz, wind, seagulls, Alpine views. The cheapest way to see Zurich at its most magical — kids love the boarding and disembarking.
✚ included with ZVV day pass for public transport✚ lake breeze + Alpine panorama✚ short hops between boats possible✖ crowded boarding on peak days✖ winter timetable drastically reduced - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 97/100🌲 Aussichtspunkt/Gipfel · 🚠 Zahnradbahn🐕
Zurich's home mountain: take the S10 up, then explore the observation tower, playground and the Planetenweg accessible via public transport. A full mountain day that starts with a tram ticket.
✚ summit fully accessible by public transport✚ observation tower + panorama over lake and Alps✚ hiking trails for every level✖ tower climb means lots of stairs✖ views vanish in high fog — check webcam first🕐 Fine Sundays get busy up top.🌿 Start early or pick a weekday. - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 97/100🔬 Kunst/Geschichte
Swiss history in a fairy-tale castle right by Central Station: modern, child-friendly presentations, courtyard and often family programmes. Kids and teenagers free — indoors, any weather.
✚ free entry for under 16✚ modern staging, not dusty✚ right at Central Station, weatherproof✖ very busy on rainy weekends✖ lots of content — pace it with small children - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 97/100🐐 Streichelzoo/Erlebnis-Bauernhof · 🛝 Wasserspielplatz · 🛝 Quartier-Spielplatzfree♿ wheelchair accessible · per Ginto / Pro Infirmis
Splash pad, muddy water play, animals and an ice cream café — free and right in the neighbourhood. Maximum water fun for minimal effort on hot days.
✚ water play + animals free combined✚ ice cream café, plenty of shade✖ sandbox uncovered✖ café hours tight on weekends - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 96/100🐐 Wild-/Tierparkfree
Native wildlife — wolf, lynx, bear, wild boar — experience free in the forest. A genuine nature walk with animal highlights instead of enclosure course.
✚ free, native wildlife close-up✚ beautiful forest trail✖ no petting zoo✖ hilly, strenuous with buggy🕐 Wolf and bear enclosures busiest at feeding time. - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 97/100🍫 Schoggi-Erlebnis · 🍫 Manufaktur-/Fabrik-Touren
Chocolate experience world in Kilchberg with the world's largest chocolate fountain, interactive tour and tasting — a feast for the senses, in any weather.
✚ massive chocolate fountain✚ interactive tour + tasting, weather-proof✖ admission comparatively expensive✖ according to visitor reports very busy on weekends/holidays — time slot ticket recommended - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 97/100🐐 Zoo · 🐐 Streichelzoo/Erlebnis-Bauernhof
The children's zoo of circus family Knie in Rapperswil is like it was made for families: petting, pony rides, elephants and camels — a full day of animal moments.
✚ lots of petting + pony rides✚ elephants/camels, thoughtfully designed for kids✖ admission not inexpensive✖ according to visitor reports very busy on fine weekends/holidays🌿 Arrive early in summer. - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 97/100🐐 Streichelzoo/Erlebnis-Bauernhof · 🍓 Beeren-/Obst-Selbstpflücken · 🍓 Kürbis-/Erlebnis-Bauernhof
The legendary pumpkin farm above Pfäffikersee: massive pumpkin exhibition in autumn, animals, large playground and pick-your-own — a seasonal classic for families.
✚ world-famous pumpkin exhibition in autumn✚ animals, large playground, pick-your-own✖ reportedly extremely crowded during pumpkin season✖ parking and access congestion on weekends🌿 During autumn pumpkin season, come on weekdays or early. - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 96/100🐐 Wild-/Tierpark · 🌲 Wald-/Naturpark/Naturreservat
In a primordial landslide landscape live bears, wolves and lynxes — and mouflons eat from your hand. A natural animal park that combines wilderness and close encounters.
✚ bears/wolves + free-roaming deer/mouflons to feed✚ spacious natural terrain✖ hilly, lots of walking✖ crowded on fine days🕐 Bear and wolf feeding draws most visitors at midday. - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 97/100🌳 Stadtpark · 🐐 Streichelzoo/Erlebnis-Bauernhoffree🐕
Large lakeside park at Lake Constance with free animal park, playgrounds and paddling area — a complete family day by the water, without spending a single franc.
✚ free animal park + playgrounds✚ right on Lake Constance, paddling area✖ very popular in fine weather✖ little shade at the waterfront - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 97/100🔬 Technik-/Verkehrsmuseum · 🔬 Wissenschaftszentrum
Switzerland's most visited museum: locomotives, aircraft, space travel and countless interactive stations, plus planetarium and film theatre. A full day that captivates every tech enthusiast.
✚ huge, incredibly much to try out✚ planetarium + film theatre, weather-proof✖ admission expensive (additional offers extra)✖ very crowded on rainy weekends/school holidays🌿 Arrive early on bad weather weekends — it fills up quickly.
🏆 Top pick97© No machine-readable author provided. Pjetter assumed (based on copyright claims) · CC BY-SA 3.0🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 97/100🐐 Reptilien/Insekten (z.B. Papiliorama) · 🌳 Tropenhaus · 🐐 AquariumHundreds of free-flying butterflies flutter through tropical domes, plus a nocturnal animal house, rainforest and petting area — a warm, vibrant experience, especially on cold days.
✚ free-flying butterflies, nocturnal house✚ tropically warm — perfect for cold/rainy weather✖ entry fees aren't cheap✖ domes are humid and warm- 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 96/100🎢 Freizeitpark · 🎢 Märchen-/Themenpark
Germany's largest amusement park and one of the best in the world: over one hundred attractions in lovingly designed country-themed areas — a mega-day for the whole family.
✚ World-class theme park, huge variety✚ suitable for all ages, excellently organized✖ located abroad — passport/border + long travel time✖ admission expensive, very crowded during peak season🕐 Peak season/holidays very crowded.🌿 Arrive early, plan for wait times. - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 98/100🔬 Technik-/Verkehrsmuseum♿ wheelchair accessible · per Ginto / Pro Infirmis
The only science center in Switzerland — and not a museum where you keep your hands in your pockets: over 500 stations beg to be touched, turned and tried, plus a 15,000 m² outdoor park with a 130-metre marvel bridge. A whole day passes before you've seen half of it. When it rains outside, this is the best spot in the canton — accessible right into the last lab, but price-wise the opposite of cheap.
✚ 500+ hands-on stations, touching encouraged✚ outdoor park with 130 m marvel bridge (Easter–Oct)✚ fully wheelchair/stroller accessible + loaner wheelchairs✖ admission adults CHF 34, children 6–15 CHF 21 (technorama.ch, as of 3 Nov 2026)✖ packed on rainy days + ZH school holidays, especially Wednesday afternoons🌿 Quietest on weekdays outside the holidays and right at opening (10 am); sunny Saturdays are surprisingly empty. - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 84/100🛝 Robinson-/Waldspielplatzfree
Here children can do what's normally forbidden: build with real tools, make fires, let loose. Supervised, free, at the forest edge — adventure instead of plastic slides.
✚ supervised building/crafting with real materials✚ fire pit + forest proximity✚ free✖ bound to supervision times/season✖ less suitable for very small children - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 85/100🌳 Stadtparkfree🐕
Spacious meadow right by the lake, with playground, the China-Garten just next door and the Heureka artwork in sight. Picnic, running, lake views — lake atmosphere free of charge.
✚ huge meadow by the lake✚ playground + lake access✚ China-Garten within walking distance✖ little shade on the open meadow✖ heavily frequented on summer evenings - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 86/100🌳 Tropenhaus · 🌳 Botanischer Gartenfree
A free insider tip on the lakeside: one of the world's largest cacti and succulent collections in quiet greenhouses. Compact, fascinating, perfect for a quick wonder-stop.
✚ free admission✚ world-class collection, compact✚ indoors — lovely even in rain/cold✖ for looking, not for running around✖ greenhouses can be stuffy and warm - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 86/100🌳 Botanischer Garten · 🌳 Tropenhausfree
Three climate domes (tropics, subtropics, savanna) and a sprawling garden — free. From Zurich to the rainforest in minutes, no admission fee.
✚ free admission✚ walk-through tropical greenhouses✚ beautiful garden for lingering✖ signage primarily technical✖ domes can be humid - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 85/100🌳 Stadtparkfree🐕
A surprisingly wild park with its own pond near the university campus: ducks, turtles, meadows and a good playground. City nature that feels like a little outing.
✚ pond with animals✚ lots of space + playground✚ free, near public transport✖ playground not huge✖ dry/brown in peak summer - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 86/100🔬 Naturmuseumfree
The free insider tip for animal-loving kids: over a thousand taxidermied animals, mammoth, skeletons — plus audio stations with animal sounds. Compact, free, open in any weather.
✚ free admission✚ animal sounds + touch stations✚ cool and dry in heat/rain✖ one floor — quick visit✖ classic display cases, no high-tech experience - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 85/100🔬 Kindermuseum/Mitmach · 🔬 Technik-/Verkehrsmuseum
Interactive museum in a real historic mill: grind grain, watch the massive machinery in action and take home fresh bread. Hands-on instead of just looking — exactly what kids love.
✚ active grinding + warm bread to take home✚ authentic mill machinery in motion✚ indoors, weather-independent✖ rather compact✖ full mill demonstration not always available - 🏆 ConvivaPlus Index 87/100🌳 Tropenhaus · 🌳 Botanischer Garten · 🌳 Stadtparkfree♿ wheelchair accessible · per Ginto / Pro Infirmis
Three tropical greenhouses with butterflies, plus playground and plant world — free. In heat or rain, a cool, green mini-jungle outing.
✚ free tropical greenhouses + butterflies✚ playground, indoors in rain✖ signage primarily in German✖ greenhouses can be humid
🧭 Swiss day trips: Uri ahead of Grisons, Zurich ranks 23
Uri: 16 destinations per 1,000 residents. Zurich: 1. Measured against the people who live there, the small canton is far ahead, ahead of Grisons (13); Zurich ranks 23 of 26.
The places come from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata, the residents from the official population statistics (FSO). These sources do not cover every canton equally densely, so this is a finding about the directory, not about all of Switzerland. The radar lists 18'694 destinations in 26 cantons, plus 5 near the border on Lake Constance.
⚖️ Honestly rated: 368 named weaknesses
Not one of the 166 reviewed destinations gets away without a weakness, not even the 3 that share the top score of 98. For the Technorama, the weakness is the admission price: adults CHF 34, children aged 6–15 CHF 21 (technorama.ch, checked 3 November 2026).
In total, 438 strengths stand against 368 explicitly named weaknesses. A tourism site says "family-friendly" and "perfect in any weather" because it belongs to the destination or lives off it. Here the same entry also tells you when it is packed and what it costs.
For public places the verdict is direct. For named private businesses, critical points stay explicitly opinion based on experience, never a statement of fact. That is what allows us to stay critical.
166 out of 166 reviewed excursion destinations carry at least one explicitly named weakness — 368 downsides against 438 upsides in total.
🏆 ConvivaPlus Ausflugs-Index: 57 to 98 points
The ConvivaPlus Ausflugs-Index is a number from 1 to 100 that works without a profile: how strong is this destination in general? It runs from 57 to 98, with a median of 84. It is deterministic: the same data always give the same number, which you can recalculate on the methodology page.
The five verdict levels break down like this: 18× Top, 67× Strong, 49× Solid, 32× Situational. The fifth level, "Avoid", has never been awarded so far: it exists, it is strict, and it is empty because no visited destination has earned it.
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💸 Free day trips: Seeburgpark (Kreuzlingen) scores as many points as Knie's Kinderzoo (Rapperswil)
Seeburgpark (Kreuzlingen) charges no admission and scores 97 points in the Ausflugs-Index, as many as Knie's Kinderzoo (Rapperswil), where adults pay CHF 23 and children from age 4 pay CHF 9 (price checked on 4 November 2026). On average it does not hold: free destinations sit at 75 points, those with an admission fee at 85.
112 of 166 reviewed destinations are free or cheap, the majority: 57 charge no admission, 55 fall into the cheap band. Free, for example: BärenPark Bern (89 points) and Tierpark Lange Erlen (Basel) (85).
In the radar, "Budget: free" is a filter, not a promise: it only shows what is tagged free and leaves out everything else. If you would rather read than filter, the long version is in our guide 50+ trips under 20 francs.
🌧️ Rainy day trips: 59 reviewed destinations hold up
Papiliorama (Kerzers), Swiss Museum of Transport (Lucerne) and Aare Gorge: the strongest destinations for a rainy day, in 3 cantons. 4 of the 59 rain-proof destinations are even fully outdoors, among them Waldlabor Zürich and Marzilibahn.
What "rain-proof" does not mean here: "has a roof". The tag is about the experience, not the building; an indoor pool in the rain is just an indoor pool. Dated events on the same day are in the seasonal overview, the radar keeps the permanent destinations.
♿ Wheelchair accessible: 29 confirmed, 17 explicitly not
For 17 destinations it says plainly: not with a wheelchair. That saves the trip to the foot of a staircase. 29 reviewed destinations are confirmed wheelchair accessible, 24 partly.
Set the "Wheelchair" filter and the radar shows only the confirmed destinations. Where the data comes from and what is still open: see "How we rate".
👶 With a toddler: 65 destinations from birth, 112 from age 3
Enter your child's age in the radar: destinations rated as suitable for that age move to the top. From birth that is 65 of the 166 reviewed destinations, from age 3 it is 112, with pram, nap and a window that closes at 3 pm. Only 4 require age 13 or older.
The age band is its own filter in the radar, not a label. "Family-friendly" means one thing for a baby and another for a ten-year-old, and that very lumping-together makes most outing lists useless for parents.
🐕 Day trips with dogs: more often no than yes
72 reviewed destinations say no to dogs, 46 say yes. What is not confirmed is not claimed.
Dog, public transport and rain at once: 4 of the 166 reviewed destinations, all in the canton of Bern: Aare Gorge, Botanical Garden of Bern, Marzilibahn and Mürrenbahn. That is the question the radar's filter is built for.
⏰ Quietest times: 82 destinations with a crowding note
"Fine Sundays get busy up top": that is what our verdict on Uetliberg (Bahn + Aussichtsturm) says (checked 21 June 2026). The nicest day is the busiest there, and 82 of the 166 reviewed destinations carry a note like this.
Sentences like "weekdays from opening, much quieter than weekend afternoons" decide an outing more than the admission price. No business advertises that it is packed on Sunday afternoons.
🔍 How we rate — and where the limits are
The radar lists 18'694 destinations in 26 cantons, plus 5 near the border on Lake Constance. 166 of them (1 %) have been visited and rated by our editors, 106 of those in the canton of Zurich. The other 18'528 are listed with data from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata; they carry the note "not yet reviewed" and never count as a match.
The ConvivaPlus Eignungs-Radar matches your profile against each place's tagged properties: age band, indoor/outdoor, weather, accessibility, duration, budget, season, interest and public transport. The full formula is on the methodology page.
Three limits we don't hide: first, of the 18'694 destinations in the directory, 166 carry an editorial verdict with an Ausflugs-Index; the rest is a directory, not a judgement. Second, wheelchair data comes from a solid source only for the city of Zurich (Ginto / Pro Infirmis); for 96 reviewed destinations the question is therefore still open, and we only show what is confirmed. Third, a verdict is a dated editorial opinion, not a measurement. Through the feedback form any business and any visitor can challenge a verdict. More tools of the same kind are in the tool directory.
Sources, licences and what comes from them
- Wikidata — base data and coordinates (CC0) — 6'936 destinations carry a Wikidata ID
- OpenStreetMap — coordinates and place attributes, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Open Data City of Zurich — wheelchair accessibility data, supplied by Ginto / Pro Infirmis (CC0)
- opendata.swiss — open government data portal of the Confederation, cantons and municipalities
- Federal Statistical Office (FSO) — official municipality register for canton and municipality assignment
- Wikimedia Commons — place photos, licence and author shown per image
People also ask
Related questions from our magazine
Our list of day trips under 20 francs gathers free experiences and destinations with honest prices, so a family day does not fail at the ticket desk.
The season calendar shows for every day which markets, parades and customs are on, by canton and with a source, so you never stand in front of a closed gate.
The methodology shows the three axes of the Ausflugs-Index with their weights, from the substance of the verdict to the evidence, and how missing details feed into the score.
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ConvivaPlus Editor · Family & Day Trips
Writes about day trips, family and local life – honestly assessing what's worth it.
- Day trips
- Family
- Local
- Cities & regions
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