Zurich: Things To Do

Foundation E. G. Bührle Collection Fans of French Impressionism should beeline to this private collection to see paintings by art-superstars like Renoir, Monet, Cézanne, Degas, van Gogh, and Gauguin. There’s even a small sculpture collection. The museum will feel shiny and new when it reopens post-renovations in summer 2008. Riesbach; Zollikerstrasse 172, near Tiefenbrunnen station & Wildbachstrasse tram stop; 011-41-44-422-0086; www.buehrle.ch
culture | museum | art

Fraumünster Overlooking the Münsterhof (former pig market), the 13th-century Fraumünster was built on a Benedictine abbey founded in 853 by Charlemagne’s grandson Emperor Ludwig. The spire is pretty and organ elaborate, but visitors come for the Marc Chagall-designed stained-glass windows, best appreciated early. Left Bank; Fraumünsterstrasse; Am Münsterhofplatz; 011-41-44-211-4100; www.kirche-zh.ch
family | culture

Kunsthaus Zürich Zürich’s Fine Arts Museum is one of Europe’s finest, famed for its 19th- and 20th-century old Masters and contemporary art. Highlights include works by Swiss-born Giacometti, Picasso, Chagall, Mondrian, and Edvard Munch. Right Bank; Heimplatz 1; 011-41-44-253-8484; www.kunsthaus.ch
culture | museum | art

Musee Suisse / Swiss National Museum Families love the fascinating 100-year-old Musee Suisse, or Landesmuseum, as much for its fairy-tale castle architecture, as for its engaging exhibits on Swiss culture and history (see prehistoric artifacts, Roman clothing, medieval weaponry, Swiss clocks, and 19th century dolls-houses). Left Bank; Museumstrasse 2; 011-41-44-218-6511; www.musee-suisse.com, www.landesmuseen.ch
family | museum

Museum Rietberg Zürich Visiting this engaging museum showcasing art, sculpture, and crafts from Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Latin America makes you feel like you’ve taken a trip around the world. Zürichsee; Gablerstrasse 15; 011-41-44-206-3131; www.rietberg.ch
family | culture | museum | art

Zürich Zoo World-class zoos filled with elephants, monkeys, and rhinos are exotic no matter what their location, but there is something spectacular about seeing 2.7 acres of tropical rainforest against a backdrop of Alpine mountains. East Bank; Zürichbergstrasse 221; 011-41-44-254-2505; www.zoo.ch
family | zoo