Interlaken Museums and Art Galleries

(Interlaken, Berne, Switzerland)

There are several good museums located in Interlaken, suiting those wishing to move away from the mountains and recreational activities available there. The Interlaken Tourist Museum is the place to learn more about the Jungfrau area and how the town has been influenced by the influx of winter tourists.

Families with young children will also enjoying visiting both the town's Model Railway Exhibition and also Teddyland, home to a truly huge collection of teddy bears, both old and new. The city of Thun is close to Interlaken and just 30 minutes to the west of the town. Tourists visiting Thun for the day may be interested in checking out the Historic Museum at Thun Castle, the Swiss Gastronomy Museum at Schadau Castle, and also the Thun Art Museum, which is one of the region's most noteworthy contemporary art galleries.

Tourist Museum of the Jungfrau Region (Touristik Museum der Jungfrauregion)

Address: Obere Gasse 26, Interlaken, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 033 822 9839
Although the Tourist Museum may be fairly small, it is certainly worthwhile and charts to history of tourism in the Jungfrau region. Exhibits illustrate how the area surrounding Interlaken has experienced nothing short of a tourism boom since the 19th century. Highlights include many old photographs and pictures, along with historical sports equipment and an English-language summary of all that is displayed here. The Tourist Museum lies across the Aare River and is close to both the Hauptstrasse and the Freihofstrasse.
Open hours: May to mid-October, Tuesday to Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Model Railway Exhibition (Modelleisenbahn-Treff)

Address: Rugenparkstrasse, Interlaken, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 033 823 2555
The Model Railway Exhibition is known locally in Interlaken as the Modelleisenbahn-Treff and is just one of the town's many family-orientated attractions. With beautifully laid-out tracks, complete with their own miniature landscapes, the Model Railway Exhibition is sure to please and can be found alongside the West train station, near to the town centre and the Hoheweg.
Open hours: daily, May to mid-October, 10:00 to 12:00, 13:30 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Teddyland

Address: Jungfrau Railways, Schynige Platte, Interlaken, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 033 828 7233
Located on the Schynige Platte and close to the Alpine Garden, Teddyland is a museum for all ages. Home to an enormous collection of literally thousands of different toy bears, a number of which are quite old and valuable, Teddyland is a delight for children, who are often keen to purchase a teddy or two as they leave.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free