Blogger Hollee Thornton from Moxiblog writes for us about her favourite outdoor playgrounds:
Near Luzern in Kanton Nidwalden are a few great mountain playgrounds with nearby restaurants and scenic hiking paths. All are accessible by public transportation, however if you prefer to take the car you can park at the lifts. A few on this list can even be reached with-out the gondola, just park your car nearby the playground and walk.
Our top 2 favorites are within 30 minutes of Luzern.
Stockhütte
Stockhutte– -is open from 8:30 to 12:00 / 13.00 – 17.30 clock / descent from Stockhütte 12.50 clock on the weekend-continuous operation.
Buy a Gondola ticket:
- adults are CHF 18.- with 1/2 tax CHF 9.-
- kids are CHF 9.- or free with a Junior Card
We love Stockhütte for many reasons, it’s close to our house, we enjoy renting the trotti-bikes, they have great walking paths, the kids can spend hours on the playground, and they have a large enclosed rabbit pin where you can go inside and play with the bunnies.
TIP: If you aren’t from around here you, the kids might love trying some of our favorite Swiss sodas: Try a Rivella- Blue or Red which are the kids’ favorites (you don’t want to know what its made from), Beckenried’s Orangemost (orange soda made in a nearby village), and Apfelshorle is my favorite because it’s made with real apple juice and is not terribly sweet.
Wirzweli
Wirzweli-is open from 7:40 until 6:20 and cable cars run every 20 minutes.
Buy a Gondola ticket:
- adults are CHF 18.- with 1/2 tax CHF 9.-
- kids are CHF 9.- or free with a Junior Card
Wirzweli has a fun playground with a large “tree” house, a pine cone slide contraption, teeter-toters and slides and all the normal trappings of a good playground, I wrote about it here. There are large grilling areas if you prefer to picnic and a restaurant if not.
TIP: The ice-cream sundae’s at the restaurant are delicious and the kids are probably satisfied playing while you watch them from the deck of the restaurant. Lucky for me, my kids usually prefer a popsicle which is far less expensive.
*also note -May 23 the lift and Playground open for the season (prior to that you can take a bus up to the restaurant and walking trails) There are usually plenty of parking places near the gondola and if you take the train there is a shuttle from the station to the gondola, or enjoy a short walk.
Three more favorites are with in about 30-45 minutes from Luzern.
Seelisburg
Seelisburg– is open from 8:30 until 6:30 during warm weather.
Seelisburg can be reached by car, or bus from the stans train station. It is a senic drive. Lake Seelisberg is between the mountains and is filled with stunning turquoise water. There is a playground, BBQ place, Kiosk, Beach Volleyball and toilets. You can rent deck chairs and rowboats. There is also a Camping site which you can use if you decide to stay:). I think there is a small entrance fee of about CHF 4.50.- adults and a few francs for kids, they also have a family deal that with 2 paying adults and kids are free.
Bruni
Bruni– is open from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm may 24- Oct. 19, and from Oct 19-Nov 23 8:20am -5:00 pm- cable cars run every 20 minutes. Park in the large lot in Engleburg next to the Gondola, or take the train to Engleburg and walk or bus to gondola.
Buy a Gondola ticket:
- adults are CHF 18.- with 1/2 tax CHF 9.-
- kids are CHF 9.- or free with a Junior Card
There are lots of kid oriented activities at Bruni other than just the playground. I wrote about it here. My family loves the summer time toboggan run that reaches speeds of 40 km per hour and is 660 meters long. Click on the link for pricing and details.
Engelberg
Spielplatz Grotzenwäldli– is open from 7:40 until 6:20 . The snow is usually melted by May and thru October.
Getting there:
Spielplatz Grotzenwäldli
Horbisstrasse
6390 Engelberg
Tel. 041 637 15 58
There is some parking near by, but limited and be prepared to walk. If you decide to take the scenic train ride to Engleburg you can ask their about public transportation options, or enjoy the easy walk up to the park, roads are not usually high traffic and on a nice day the mountain views are stunning.
The Park is one of the more unique and delightful in the area, I wrote more about it here. It’s kiddie heaven! Lots of room for playing, with a little lake to navigate rafts on (rafts are provided-just borrow from the dock- no fee), suspension bridges to cross, towers to climb… There are grill pits for those who want to still the hunger they’ve worked up being outdoors. This playground has a lot to offer, and the kids are sure to love it!
Tip : Pack a swimsuit in the summer necessarily (or change clothes ) a , because only about 50 cm deep lake will your kids guaranteed to dropped fountains entice .
* also note: The Robinson playground Grotzenwäldli is privately maintained and exemplary maintained. The necessary expenditure is financed by donations. It is therefore requested to make a small contribution in the respective point for the barbecue wood used .
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TIP: Its also worth noting the the scenic train that runs between Luzern and Engelberg offers a kids “scavenger hunt” promotion from June- October. You simply have to pick up a form (available at the train station, before boarding the train) and fill in the answers along the way. You only have to have a handful of answers correct to redeem the prize and it applies to trips taken originating in Luzern, Hergiswil, Stans, Dallenwil and other stops along the way. The prize last year was a treasure chest filled with lots of goodies from stickers to chocolates!
To read more about expat living in Kanton Nidwalden check out moxiblog.com
