What to do in Swiss Plateau

Designer clothes, jewelry, watches, perfume and shoes: Shopaholics will be in their element on Bahnhofstrasse. Zurich’s major thoroughfare runs 1,530 yards (1.4 kilometers) through the center of the city. The stretch from Zurich Hauptbahnhof, the main train terminal to the north, down to Lake Zurich is pedestrianized, except for trams. Allow yourself two or three hours to walk the length of Bahnhofstrasse.

Chapel Bridge is located in the heart of Lucerne and serves as a symbol of Switzerland’s medieval town. Also referred to as Kapellbrücke, the bridge is named after nearby St. Peter’s Chapel. The bridge is famed as an architectural masterpiece, because of its wood construction and iconic covered style. It is the oldest covered bridge in Europe, dating back to the 14th century.

Join some of the many thousands of visitors each year who come to admire the majesty of the United Nations European Headquarters. Set aside a few hours to explore this important institution and to enjoy the elegant monuments set in surrounding Ariana Park.

See a slice of Switzerland’s age-old history at the Swiss National Museum (Landsmuseum Zürich). Learn about prehistoric lifestyles, national arts and crafts, present-day history and up-to-date social issues. The Swiss National Museum has a collection of more than 840,000 original artifacts as well as interactive and audiovisual displays. The exhibits are spread throughout the halls of a fairy-tale chateau built in 1898 by the revered architect Gustav Gull.

Zoo Zurich is a superbly maintained wildlife attraction with areas that mimic several of the world’s landscapes and ecosystems. This zoological park shelters over 360 animal species, some native and others endangered. At Zoo Zurich spot bears, butterflies, elephants, giant tortoises, lions and pandas. Discover a cloud forest, desert, prairie and tropical rainforest, among other habitats.

The Lindenhof quarter is one of the oldest and most historic neighborhoods in Zürich. Walk up Lindenhof Hill with a picnic, relax under a tree, admire the sweeping views of the city and enjoy the rich history the area has to offer.