Einstein Museum

image of Einstein. Visit Bern with kids and experience a Swiss Museum dedicated to Albert Einstein - one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century. The Einstein Museum in Bern, Switzerland is one of the best Switzerland Museums to visit and learn on location. #VisitBern #EinsteinMuseum #BernWithKids #TravelWithKids #VisitSwitzerland

Switzerland Family Vacation: The Einstein Museum

E=MC²

Excitement = Museums x Coffee²

Well, my kids would say excitement includes cookies, candy, chocolate or cream puffs, but whatever! If we planned to visit Bern with kids and experience an exhibit dedicated to the life and works of one of the greatest people of the 20th century, I needed reinforcements to get the most out of this great destination which has become one of our favorite family trips. The Einstein Museum is just one of the many things to do in Bern with kids. Thankfully, good coffee (and chocolate!) is easy to find in Bern, Switzerland the capital of the Bernese Oberland canton.

image of meadow with wild flowers wth ext overlay 480 wasy to save in Switzerland with the Swiss Rail Pass

If you didn’t catch my recent post about why you shouldn’t plan for only 1 day in Bern? It’s a good read and essential to planning your visit to Bern with the kids. I spill the beans on a few of my Swiss travel pro tips for Bern and prove that this medieval city with a gorgeous old town really needs to be on your family holiday bucket list.

Odds are you will arrive in Bern by a delightful train ride through the Alps with a gorgeous view of mountain peaks and maybe even Alpine lakes. if you are using your swiss travel passes (Swiss Rail Pass) you are in for a special treat – discounted or free admission into Bern’s top museums.

Image of Old Town in Bern, Switzerland. Clock Tower and streets lined with Swiss flags with Text overlay saying "Bern Switzerland City Guide : A Must Do List."

Bern’s Old Town & Clock tower

When you get off the train, grab a quick coffee to properly prepare for the excitement. Then, head into the Old City. the part of this beautiful town that’s been around since the medieval ages. It is even considered a Unesco World Heritage Site. Bern has oodles of engaging things to see along the way to the museum. Don’t miss all the architecture, fountains, museums, and streetcars. Yup, you share the road with the cars and streetcars if you opt to not walk through the shopping arcade. Enjoy the experience, but be careful! I got so busy taking a picture of a fountain, the tram driver had to honk his horn at me! I’m sure I wasn’t the first!

Ready to experience the life of a genius? It’s just across the bridge and close to the Alpines Museum der Schweiz.

The Einstein Museum took us several hours. It was so absolutely fantastic! All science, history, and even some art all wrapped into one. This great place had so much to teach us about World War II history from the perspective of a Jewish scientist living in Switzerland. It’s the kind of learning that won’t come from a textbook. It’s interesting for the entire family and makes a perfect morning activity before you enjoy outdoor activities in the nearby picturesque towns.

The museum also did an excellent job of making Einstein’s Theory of Relativity approachable and understandable – even for young kids. Videos and hands-on activities really helped simplify Einstein’s ideas for the not-so-genius masses. I loved the cushioned benches around the museum that made me feel like I was in Einstien’s family room whilst I learned about his life and scientific works.

Bern with Kids Pro Tip:

If you are wanting to splurge on a meal, the bistro attached to the Bern History Museum is lovely. There is so much to take in at the History Museum in addition to Einstein, you might want to eat before you go in, if time allows. There’s nothing but the Bistro close by, so plan ahead if you need to. Another option is to take the whole family back near the clock tower and find a perfect spot to have lunch in the park. Your older children will enjoy street food while exploring the many water fountains that decorate this Swiss city in the Bernese Alps country.

Bernisches Historisches Museum.

Since the Einstein Museum is in the same gorgeous building as the History Museum, I recommend heading outside for some fresh air before you hit the rest of the History Museum. Our brains were on overload after just the Einstein Museum! We did head back in to see the highlights of the museum as it is (what I would consider) one of the best museums of Swiss history in the country. There is so much to learn about this tiny, quiet, neutral country! The fresh mountain air will clear the cobwebs and you will be ready to head back in using your easy access travel passes that allow for free museum entry

Bucket List Friendly Budget

Traveling with kids means stretching the budget to make the most of your bucket list travel dreams, doesn’t it?. For us, this was a somewhat expensive day as we splurged on the Bistro, but we still came in at the budget of about 100CHF a day for food. Which is easier when there are just three of us, like today. Enjoying unforgettable family hikes and beautiful gardens make for a fun day that is inexpensive in one of the most expensive countries to visit in Europe. Head on over to the Bucketlist Bern post for a list of all the free museums you gain entrance to when you flash your Swiss Rail Pass.

Image of Bern, Switzerland old town and bridgle over river with text overlay, "Switzerland: Bucketlist Bern".

Bern Best Places Pro-Tip:

Don’t miss the Bern Bears in the park! We nearly did. While the Aare river is not their natural habitat, they are beloved animals of the city. the park is a perfect place for kids to relax and parents to have a coffee and enjoy the panoramic view.

If you are headed to Bern with kids, plan at least 1-2 days. Enjoy a few museums and get outside and enjoy the parks and the medieval city. It really is one of Switzerland’s family friendly destinations. If you are there in the winter be prepared for the cooler mountain temperatures and use the museums as places to warm up. Bern has so much to offer! If I only had one city to choose from of the many family destinations to see in Switzerland, I think it might be Bern. You could spend a week giving yourself a deep soak in history, art, science, architecture, shopping, and food. And don’t forget about the alpine peaks and outdoor adventures for kids of all ages. It’s truly magical!

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Bern with Kids made easy

Adding Bern to your Switzerland trip is easy to do especially if you have a home base in central Switzerland. The best way to reach this city is to hop on a nearby train so you arrive early. My kids slept or did schoolwork on the train. Riding the double-decked train through the beautiful valley was one of the best study locations we have ever had on public transportation. So grab some bread, cheese, fruit, or yogurt for breakfast and enjoy your Switzerland vacation by train to the city center of Bern and let your Swiss pass get you into the museums for free. Your quality time on the train is a great way to catch up on sharing the good news about your trip and older kids will enjoy the view as much as anyone.

For other memorable experiences in this great country don’t miss, the Swiss Transportation museum, Lake Lucerne, St. Moritz, or the shores of Lake Geneva. Each region is truly unique. If spending more than a few days in Switzerland is beyond your budget, consider making your home base in a bordering country and then making day trips into Switzerland to visit your favorite areas.

The Zurich airport and the Basel airport offer great transportation links to get you wherever you want to go. We considered staying in Lindau, Germany, and Basel, France because of the easy transport connections to the parts of Switzerland we really want to experience. Of course, if you have friends and family, or can secure a house site opportunity, that will make your travel budget go even further.

Swiss flag blowing in snowy Swiss Alps scene with text overlay, "Switzerland Homeschool Digital Deals & Freebies." Study Switzerland.

Consider all your options when you plan your Switzerland Family Travel Adventure. The resource below will help you get it planned in no time! Above all enjoy an easy hike, eat lots of chocolate and visit old town areas for each city for an epic Switzerland family trip.