The MFO Park in Oerlikon is truly a special place. The large steel structure, which is overgrown…read morewith climbing plants, creates its own atmosphere that changes with the seasons. It's not a typical park with wide lawns or playgrounds, but that's exactly what makes it so interesting. You can explore the different levels, walk on the stairs and balconies or simply enjoy the peace and quiet. The roof terrace is particularly beautiful - the view from up there is really impressive. There are also enough corners to retreat, read a book or simply unwind. The park has a modern, urban feel that fits well with the history of the neighborhood. It is a place that shows how old industrial sites can be transformed in creative ways. Anyone looking for something special and likes to discover unusual places will like the MFO Park. Not a classic, but definitely worth a visit!

There are two places near Burkliplatz that one can have a nice BBQ/picnic on a warm day: (1) China…read moreWiese [in front of the Chinagarten] near Bellevue or at (2) Arborteum near Enge. China Wiese is a much bigger stretch of land and gets more sunshine than the other side at the Arborteum. So if you are looking for sun, come here; but if looking for shade, go to the other side (Arborteum). It is also more geared to a mixed crowd, from families, couples, friends, groups, etc. On the weekends you can also catch the excitement of watching tight rope walkers practice their gig. Watch, or even partake! Good balancing required. For those who want to show off their booty and immerse in a "fun to be young" bikini frisbee/volleyball/football crowd, they should head to the Arborteum, to see, and to be seen. You can also BBQ/picnic there, but the land area is smaller, and is shadier/cooler.

Fun park owned and operated by Migros. Great for any kind of weather. There is a rather large…read moreindoor climbing structure with slides for rainy or cold days and a beautifully landscaped outdoor area for warmer weather days. There is a motorized train for kids that is a virtual steal at 1chf per ride. They also have a very mini coin operated carousel. The playground and sand areas are newly refurbished and very nice. I am not sure of the schedule, but they also host puppet shows for the kids in the late afternoons.

I stumbled upon Stadtgärtnerei while exploring the neighborhood in late autumn. The greenhouses are…read morereally lovely. I especially like visiting Bosi the Toucan in the Palmenhaus! There are other birds, as well as fish and turtles.

Technorama is a nice science museum, but it is pretty pricey. It's 28 CHF a ticket but if you use…read moreyour student ID, you can save 3 CHF. It's about a 20 minute train ride outside of Zurich (which if you're not a tourist with any form of Swiss Travel pass, the train ride will cost you about 25 CHF round trip) They have many different exhibits and lots of hands on activities. I would say you need two to three hours to explore everything, not including the shows. We were only able to catch one show, which was the gas one. Although the show was in German, which we don't speak or understand, we were still able to follow along. Tip - they have lockers by the entrance that you can put your belongings there. You just need a 2 CHF coin for deposit (which you'll get back).

On Sunday we chose to spend our afternoon at the Technorama-- the Swiss Science Center in…read moreWinterthur. It is about. 30 minute train ride, however, double check which stop is the closest to the science center. We chose to get off at the main station in Winterthur and took a 45 minute walk from there, but there is a train stop MUCH closer. The center is 3 floors of exhibits based on light, magnetism, optics, electricity, water, and much more, and even more wonderful is that the exhibits are all interactive in which visitors can touch and do. In fact, there were as many adults as children participating, doing things. It is EASY to spend an afternoon there for sure and not notice the time going by. The museum is a large space, hence the peculiar location, on the edge of town in Winterthur. The center also has workshops for children to participate, however, they are in German. They also have a demonstration, and this too is in German, but they have placards/booklets to explain what the speaker is saying. It is a neat place to visit, and especially if you have kids of ANY age....they will all enjoy being here, really. A few people reviewed this place and included comments about the food. Honestly, it is fine, but again, you don't come here for the food...it's cafeteria food, European style. We did take the bus back. It is the #5 and it goes to the main train station. Unfortunately, from there we couldn't tell it went since it didn't indicate it , meanwhile the Technorama ends/starts there. Overall, a 4.5 for sure. My one critique is that it isn't well noted on the "tourist boards" which point you in directions of different spots compared to other things from the main station.

If you want the best vantage point in Zurich, Lindenhof is well worth the uphill walk. It takes a…read morelittle bit of effort and uphill steps to reach the top, but the payoff is immediate. The view from the terrace is genuinely breathtaking--you get a stunning look across the Limmat river, the historic church spires, and the rooftops stretching across the city. The park itself has a relaxed, peaceful vibe under the trees where you can just sit, take photos, and soak it all in. Once you're done enjoying the scenery, it's an easy, charming stroll right down into Old Town (Altstadt) to explore the alleyways, check out the local shops, and grab some good food. Definitely a must-visit spot when exploring central Zurich.

Found this Park/Scenic Location by luck! Climbed some old winding steps and wow! The view is…read morespectacular! Turns out it has a lot of history and it a great place to take picture and see a panoramic view of old town Zurich.