Tons to do in Zurich

We actually went here because my guidebook said it was free AND you get a free cup of coffee. It's no longer free admission, as they've recently added the Media-Café in the basement. This is where you can look at the making of porcelain, watch some videos, view photos, etc.



How to get there: Simply walk south on Limmatquai along the river. The street name will change to Utoquai and then Seefeldquai. Just stay along the river, which will then become a lake. The street becomes a beautiful lakeside promenade and you'll see the sign for the Kaffee Museum. The entrance is on the left side of the building.

Things in the museum are labeled only in German, but you can ask for a sheet with English translations to everything on it. Coffee upstairs is a specialty coffee you have to pay for, but you get a free cup downstairs.

The upstairs display changes. Right now there's an exhibition on "Porcelain: status symbol - industrial applications - everyday objects." Check out the website for the current exhibition at www.johann-jacobs-museum.ch.

BONUS! We also found, to our delight, that you can use the Internet down there - for free! So, once you've explored the museum, grab a cup of coffee (they also have tea), sit down, and watch a video on porcelain or get your emailing done.

The Schweizerisches Landesmuseum is housed in a huge mock-Gothic castle. There is so much inside that it can be a bit overwhelming. You're given a sheet with a list of what exhibits are on which floors, so it's best to go straight prehistory (100,000 to 800 BC) to medieval book illuminations to 20th-century fashion exhibits.

My personal favorite were the "historical rooms," 16th- and 17th-century rooms. This is on the first floor. The children's toys exhibit was somewhat disappointing. There just aren't that many toys on display. If you're into fashion, however, you'll be happy to know there are tons of Swiss regional costumes on display on the third floor and 18th- to 20th century fashions on the second floor.

Overall, it's a great museum which has something to offer just about everyone!