Picnic paths, mountaintop slides, and living history at Ballenberg — Switzerland’s open-air time machine.
📅 July 15, 2025
We woke up to another rainy day in the Alps — and instead of staying inside, we made a new plan: explore Switzerland’s past.
After our usual morning train-cable-train commute, we transferred at Interlaken and rode around Lake Brienz to the quiet village of Hofstetten. That’s where we found Ballenberg — a place we’d never heard of before this trip, but now can’t stop talking about.
Before our trip, we’d never heard of Ballenberg — and chances are, you haven’t either. Tucked into the green hills above Lake Brienz, it’s not a place with flashy signs or crowded tour buses. Instead, Ballenberg is an open-air museum unlike any we’ve ever visited: over 100 historic Swiss buildings — real homes, barns, and workshops — rescued from all across Switzerland and reassembled here, piece by piece, into a walkable storybook village.
PDF: Museum Map 2025 (English)
It’s massive — 163 acres of forest trails, farm animals, costumed artisans, and hands-on history. We wandered through working gardens and timbered houses, watched a blacksmith at the forge, tasted fresh cheese, and tried our hand at woodworking. It’s a place where the past comes to life — not behind glass, but right under your feet.
We even found a quiet spot inside the park to enjoy a picnic before exploring — a slow, refreshing start to a day full of discovery.
The first surprise came just beyond the meadow: a forest playground built for imagination. A log cabin and seesaw were fun enough — but the real standout was a wooden walkway weaving through the trees, leading to a tall spiral slide that twisted through the canopy like something out of an alpine fairytale. Jonas climbed to the top and paused. The slide looked fun… but also dark, wet, and a little scary.
We told him the truth: he didn’t have to go down. Either choice would be fine.
And then — he took a deep breath and pushed off. His laughter echoed through the trees.
A smokey barn had rows and rows of sausages hanging from the rafters.
That moment of taking risks in the treetops would repeat in new ways throughout the day. In one village barn, a local volunteer showed us how Swiss craftsmen used to debark wood using a drawknife — a sharp two-handled blade anchored to a shaving horse. Jonas wanted to try. Alina and I exchanged glances. A sharp blade? But we took a breath, let go, and trusted him. Under watchful eyes, he peeled the bark clean — and lit up with pride.
Around every bend, there was more to discover:
- A stall of braying sheep and waddling geese
- A heart we learned to weave from grass
- A merry-go-round near the museum’s center
- Cheese sampling
- And later, traditional Swiss musicians playing live as we enjoyed ice cream on a wooden bench
This was a modern model Swiss house and we were impressed with the simple and stylist design.
This blacksmith showed us how he uses a forge to work metal.
A quiet church from a distant past…
After a long day of exploring, we made our way home by bus and train. The rain hadn’t let up much, but the memories were already warm and glowing. Back in Mürren, we finally treated ourselves to dinner out — our first restaurant meal of the trip. Hotel Alpenblick, just steps from our apartment, served up roasted chicken and pork belly with crispy rösti and vegetables. Jonas sketched dragons with borrowed pencils as we waited for our food, and we all felt it: that quiet, contented tiredness that only comes from a day well lived.
🏙️ Highlights of the Day
Ballenberg Open-Air Museum – 66 hectares of hands-on Swiss heritage, from woodcraft to cheese making.
Forest Slide Adventure – A treetop playground where Jonas learned bravery on his own terms.
Dinner at Hotel Alpenblick – Our first restaurant meal, full of local flavors and family joy.
🧳 Parenting & Perspective
Some risks aren’t about heights or danger — they’re about choice.
At Ballenberg, Jonas hesitated at the top of the spiral slide. We didn’t push — we gave him freedom. And he chose courage.
Later, when he wanted to try a traditional woodworking blade, we let go of our nerves and let him try. These moments taught us that trust isn’t just about letting go — it’s about inviting growth.
He left that museum a little taller.
🏛️ Travel Tips
Getting There: Mürren → Lauterbrunnen → Interlaken Ost → Train to Brienz → Bus to Ballenberg
Museum Tickets: CHF 16/adult with discounts, child free
Time Needed: 4–5 hours minimum
Must Bring: Sturdy shoes, rain jacket, snacks, and an open mind
Extras: Don’t miss the woodworking station and live music near the center!
✨ Favorite Quote or Moment
Jonas yelling with joy while launching into the spiral slide… again… and again l😂
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