Things to Do: Canton Vaud
Town of Gruyeres
CH-1663 Gruyeres
A picture-perfect medieval town atop a small hill complete with château and three very different museums. A must see. Free parking and numerous restaurants in the town. Combine with a trip to the cheese factory (La Maison du Gruyere) or chocolate factory, Maison Cailler, nearby.
http://www.chateau-gruyeres.ch/
http://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch
http://www.cailler.ch/en/
Château de Chillon
Av. de Chillon 21, 1820 Veytaux/Montreux
A wonderful castle situated on the edge of Lac Leman, one of the most visited historic buildings in Switzerland, the château can be reached by boat as well as the more usual options. Free parking nearby. Combine with a trip to Montreux and a walk along its beautiful lake-shore promenade.
http://www.chillon.ch
http://www.montreuxriviera.com
Rochers de Naye and Marmot Paradis
Travel by cog railway from Montreux up to Rochers de Naye at 2,000m for stunning views. You can walk and lunch there, visit the alpine garden and see the marmots at Marmot Paradis (free).
http://www.goldenpass.ch
Signal de Bougy
Parc Pre Vert du Signal de Bougy, 1172 Bougy-Villars
A 250 acre (free) park with children’s playground, farm, boulangerie, mini golf, restaurant and frequent shows and musical activities. Parc Aventure, a forest obstacle course, is sited in the adjoining woods. Free parking.
http://signaldebougy.ch/
http://parc-aventure.ch/
Swiss Vapeur Parc
Rte de la Plage, 1897 Le Bouveret
A model railway park where you can ride on the minature steam trains via bridges, viaducts and tunnels, past models of Swiss buildings. There is a buffet on site.
http://www.swissvapeur.ch/
Vineyard train
Take the Lavaux Express petit train from Lutry or Cully through the Lavaux vineyards, with stops for wine tasting.
http://www.lavauxexpress.ch
Jura Parc
Rte de la Vallée 3 1342 Le Pont/Vallorbe
A small alpine zoo in the Jura mountains, where bears, wolves and bison cohabit. Free parking and restaurant on site. Combine with walking in the Jura or other outdoor activities in the nearby Vallee de Joux area, or visit the Grottes de Vallorbe limestone caves.
http://www.juraparc.ch
http://www.myvalleedejoux.ch
http://www.grottesdevallorbe.ch/
