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  • Stadtgarten (Playground paradise)

    Stadtgarten (Playground paradise)

    Wangen

    Since the 2024 Landesgartenschau, Wangen has completely transformed a huge area of the town. We visited the event that year and were so impressed with what they created — especially for children. Throughout the town gardens you’ll now find several themed playgrounds, all originally built for the Landesgartenschau and now open to the public. If you have younger kids who love a good playground, this area is absolutely worth the trip.

    There are three main playgrounds, all within a five‑minute walk of one another. I recommend parking at the Süd/Aussichtsturm Parkplatz, which was used during the event and is still free. From there, the first playground is only a short walk away.

    Spinnerei (Spindle) Playground

    This one is best suited for older children. It’s a full rope‑and‑bridge climbing playground, with sections that are quite high off the ground. Younger kids may find it too challenging, and it’s difficult to assist them unless you climb up too. For confident climbers, though, it’s brilliant.

    Energy Playground

    Built from old machinery — including a water wheel — this playground teaches kids how movement and energy work. It looks incredibly cool and has some standout features:

    • A life‑size hamster wheel (a fun challenge for kids and adults)
    • An old pipe slide that my girls would happily have used all day
    • A small water play area
    • Shaded seating for parents

    It’s such a creative playground.

    Water Playground

    Just around the corner from the energy playground is the water playground, surrounded by knee‑high water during the summer months. Kids can hop onto little rafts and float around happily when the weather is warm.

    The attached playground area is open year‑round, with sand, climbing structures, and a great slide. The only downside is that there’s very little shade for parents.

    More to Explore

    Once the kids have had their fill of the playgrounds, take a wander through the gardens and discover the wooden marble runs dotted throughout — a simple but brilliant idea that keeps children entertained.

    The old firehouse was transformed for the Landesgartenschau and now features a huge slide, which is still in place today.

    To finish your adventure, climb up the viewing tower built for the event. It’s still open and offers lovely views over the area.

    Food & Drink Nearby

    There are several new cafés and restaurants around the area. In summer, the beach bar next to the water playground is a great spot to relax. And don’t miss Carderie by Pierre — a seriously cool café with cakes you won’t be able to resist.

    Website: https://www.wangen.de

    Address: Energy Spielplatz: Auwiesenweg 66, 88239 Wangen im Allgäu

  • Culinary Gems Just Across the Border

    Culinary Gems Just Across the Border

    If you are happy to travel just a little bit — just a hop, skip, and jump across the border — you’ll find some wonderful culinary gems waiting for you.

    Schmidt am Bodensee

    Photo credit @ Schmidt am Bodensee

    Wasserburg

    This beautiful winery has it all, amazing views, wine and food. Even my husband, a pure beer drinker, drank their house wine on our entire visit. The winery is situated on top of a hill and so the views out over the lake are fantastic. We went for the wine, but had the best meal, with their menu filled with fresh, local, seasonal dishes. We rode our bikes here the first time, but then realised that we couldn’t get a case of their wine home again, and so drove back a few days later to stock up.

    Photo credit @ Hopfengut

    Hopfengut No. 20

    Tettnang

    If you are more of a beer drinker, then head over to Hopfengut. This brewery is also a restaurant (kid friendly), a museum and a popular wedding venue. It location is stunning, and the food exceeded all of out expectations. My husband even stated that it is one of the best schnitzels he has eaten. Their menus offer something for everyone, and the quality of the ingredients that they used was obvious straight away. They offer numerous events throughout the year, including family tours, so this really is not just for the beer drinkers in the family.

    Photo credit @ Max&Moritz

    Max & Moritz Brauerei

    Kressbronn

    Another brewery, but another definite hit with the entire family. This place is huge (but I would still recommend booking a table) and again offers stunning views out to the lake. The children are the really spoilt ones here, with a great playground, and indoor play area, but in summer they bring out a huge inflatable that both young and old kids will spend the entire time on, leaving you to enjov a good meal in peace. They also host various events, and offer brewing courses.

    Carderie by Pierre

    Wangen

    Since the Landesgartenschau in 2024, Wangen has undergone huge developments. This newly opened café in the Spinnerei is one of the standout additions, offering a fantastic space for all occasions. Their food menu — especially breakfast — is excellent, and their selection of cakes is truly mouthwatering. It’s the perfect spot to catch up with friends over a coffee, but also a great meeting place for families. Their playroom is the kind of space both children and parents dream of. Despite being family‑friendly, the café never feels overrun. The space is large enough for those without kids to find a quiet corner, or you can sit outside on the terrace and enjoy a peaceful moment.

    https://www.schmidt-am-bodensee.de/weingut/das-gut
  • MounTeens Detektivweg

    MounTeens Detektivweg

    Oberstaufen

    Detective Trails on Imberg – A Fun Mountain Adventure for Kids

    Just over the border you’ll find two different detective trails for children roughly between 5/6 and 12 years old. Each trail explores a different mountain. We chose the Imberg trail, as it’s slightly easier than the one on Hündle — perfect for our daughters.

    Costs & Practical Info

    The trail isn’t completely free:

    • A detective booklet + wooden ball for the marble runs cost €6 when we visited
    • Additional wooden balls cost €3
    • You also need a cable car ticket (unless you want to hike up and down)
    • Parking is free.

    Starting the Adventure

    The trail is 4 km and took us about 2.5 hours. We visited on a Monday during the summer holidays and arrived at 9:00 when the cable car opened — only about five other cars were there. You can buy the detective booklet and wooden balls directly at the cable car register.

    As soon as you step into the cable car, the adventure begins. You scan a QR code in the booklet and the kids can listen to the first part of the story as you head up the mountain. Make sure your phone is fully charged — there are around 17 QR codes along the trail (my Austrian mobile had reception the whole time). You can also read the story from the booklet, but for our kids listening was much easier and kept them engaged.

    Treasure Chests, Puzzles & Forest Challenges

    This trail is built around treasure chests. At each station the kids solve a puzzle, answer a question, or search for clues in the forest to find the correct symbol. The tasks were perfect for our daughters — easy enough for younger kids with a bit of help, but still interesting for older ones. Whether a 12‑year‑old finds it exciting depends on the child, but the concept is very well thought out.

    Along the way there are also small mountain playgrounds with challenges themed around the story characters, plus plenty of wooden marble runs, which our girls loved. The path is easy to walk, offers beautiful views, and has shaded forest sections.

    We even passed a farm just as the cows were being brought in for milking — a huge highlight for our youngest.

    Because we started early, we barely saw anyone else on the trail all morning. But by the time we finished, the car park was pretty full and lots of families were just beginning the trail.

    The Final Treasure

    Once you crack the code and find the treasure, each child receives a small gift from the register once you are back down. The staff member at the register made the experience even better — he was so friendly and got the girls genuinely excited about the trail.

    Food & Guesthouses

    You pass three guesthouses along the route at the top of the mountain, but check opening days and hours. We finished our morning with lunch at Berggasthof Auwinkel, right next to the base cable car station. It was perfect after a morning of adventure — great playground, good food, reasonable prices, but cash‑only.

    Website: https://www.oberstaufen.de/mounteens

  • Pfänder Adventures Starting from the Landesbibliothek

    Pfänder Adventures Starting from the Landesbibliothek

    Bregenz

    If you’re looking for a free activity in Bregenz (you only pay for parking), whether it’s a family outing or a solo hike, Pfänder has plenty to offer — not even starting from the main Pfänderbahn station. Instead, park at the Landesbibliothek, where you’ll find a whole network of paths suited to every mood and ability.

    Gebhardsberg & Känzele Loop

    Before we had kids, one of our favourite routes took us past Gebhardsberg and then down and back up towards Känzele. It’s a beautiful walk along the base of the mountain’s huge rock walls, shaded by woodland and offering fantastic views. The trail eventually brings you out at Fluh, from where you can continue upwards towards Pfänder if you’re in the mood for a longer hike.

    Caves Near Gebhardsberg

    Just above Gebhardsberg, if you veer off the main gravel path heading towards Fluh, you’ll find a few small caves tucked into the hillside. Our girls love exploring these — they’re a fun little detour and a great way to add a bit of adventure to the walk.

    Schlossburgtrail Activity Loop

    Our absolute favourite route now is the Schlossburgtrail, a 1.7 km loop with activity stations that starts directly next the Landesbibliothek car park. We’ve walked it in sunshine, rain, and even snow — and the girls (4 & 6) adore it. The length is perfect for keeping them moving and entertained from start to finish.

    Along the way you’ll find:

    • A tyre bridge
    • various balance beams
    • A slackline
    • A small climbing wall

    Even though you’re only a stone’s throw from town, the trail feels wonderfully tucked away. It’s an easy, accessible way to get a quick dose of fresh air and nature.

    Walderlebnis Pfad

    Across the road, on the way up to Gebhardsberg, there’s another Walderlebnis Pfad — perfect if you want to extend your outing.

    Alternative Access Points

    There are plenty of ways to reach these loops. You can park near the hospital, in town, or choose one of the smaller side streets depending on the route you want to take. This flexibility makes the area ideal for spontaneous trips — you can tailor the walk to your time, energy, or the kids’ enthusiasm on the day.

  • Golm

    Golm

    A Mountain Full of Adventure for All Ages

    When we ask our girls what’s on their “list” for summer, Golm is always the first place they mention. And even after several visits, we still haven’t experienced everything it has to offer. From Golmi’s Forschungspfad to the Waldrutschenpark and the Alpine Coaster, Golm is packed with activities for the young — and the young at heart.

    Getting an Early Start

    Our kids are early risers, so we make the most of it and aim to arrive as soon as the cable car opens. It’s the best way to beat the crowds, especially when you have younger children who don’t love waiting in long queues.

    Once we had our cable car and coaster tickets, we headed straight for the Alpine Coaster. Early in the morning there’s usually no queue at all, which is ideal. The girls adore this ride, and it’s not over in ten seconds — it’s a proper experience. Exciting for the kids, and genuinely enjoyable for adults too, with beautiful views and a fun ride through the forest.

    Golmi’s Forschungspfad: Learning Without Realising

    After the coaster, we took the next two cable cars up to Grüneck, the starting point of Golmi’s Forschungspfad. We love a good experience trail, and Vorarlberg does these brilliantly — getting kids excited about hiking without them even realising they’re learning something along the way.

    The path is 2.4 km long, perfectly manageable even for smaller legs, and with 22 stations there’s always something new to discover. Water stations, nature exploration, mountain facts, animal learning — it’s all there. Our highlights were the water seesaw, the water playground, and the musical cow bells at the end.

    The Big Highlight: The Slides

    After a quick ice cream stop, it was time for the Waldrutschenpark — the famous mountain slides. You get a glimpse of them from the cable car, but you don’t realise how long they are until you’re actually sliding down one.

    The concept is genius. Many people enjoy the challenge of hiking up mountains, but hiking down can feel like a chore. For kids, teens, and fun‑loving adults, these slides turn the descent into an adventure.

    I’ll admit, I was a little nervous before the first slide. But after hearing how much fun my daughter had, I swallowed my pride and went for it. I didn’t anticipate how fast you slide — leggings make you quicker, shorts slow you down a bit, so choose your clothing depending on how adventurous you’re feeling.

    One daughter loved the slides immediately; the other hated them at first and refused to go again. So I walked down with her, meeting Papa and our other daughter at the end of each slide. The second year we visited, she tried again — and loved them.

    At the end of the last slide there’s a steep staircase down. It’s narrow and can be challenging for younger children.

    More Adventure: Flying Fox & Mountain Views

    We watched people on the Flying Fox soaring over the water, and our girls have already announced that as soon as they’re old enough, they’re doing it.

    The newly built Restaurant Grüneck is modern, bright, and offers panoramic mountain views. There’s a large kids’ play and adventure corner, so parents can enjoy a peaceful moment while the children explore.

    There are also plenty of other hiking options in this area for all ability levels.

    Whether you’re visiting for a summer adventure or skiing in winter, Golm is always worth the trip. For a family this day out will cost money and all of the attractions are extra — but the cable car ticket is valid all day, and we certainly made the most of it, going up and down the mountain at least five times without paying extra. We took a packed lunch and left it in a cool pack in the car, and once we’d done the slides in the morning, we simply picked it up and found a spot to eat. This saved us carrying it around all day and saved our money for ice cream and a drink. I personally think that if it is in the summer budget, this is such a good day out to invest in.

    Website: https://www.golm.at/en

  • Möggers Adventure Walk

    Möggers Adventure Walk

    Möggers

    A Woodland Adventure for All Ages

    Starting the walk

    One of our go‑to adventure walks with the girls often takes us to Möggers. Here you’ll find both a Wald Erlebnis path and an Inspirationsrund — each offering different levels of difficulty, depending on your child’s age or anyone’s sense of adventure.

    You start the walk quite gently, and as an example of what to expect, the first station you come to is a wood station, where you can learn how to age a tree, tell the difference between species, and admire some incredible wood carvings. From there, the path continues down towards the river. Do note that at the start and near the end of the main loop, some parts are quite steep — little legs might need a helping hand.

    The erlebnis path

    The larger Erlebnis path continues with two river crossings, where you step over stones to reach the other side. The river isn’t deep, but there’s a good chance of getting slightly wet feet — especially if you have to rescue a child who was adamant they could do it alone! Soon you’ll reach a lovely rest area with swinging hammocks and picnic tables — perfect for a snack break.

    Now it’s decision time: if you prefer a shorter route, continue on the main path where you can build a house from wooden logs, cross a suspension bridge, play natural musical instruments, and let the kids climb a big tower. Make sure to visit and interact with every station — there are a few surprises along the way that will leave everyone smiling.

    The inspiration loop

    If you’re feeling more adventurous (and your group doesn’t include very young children — our youngest was four when she could do everything on this loop herself, with just the occasional helping hand), take the Inspiration Loop. It circles back to the starting point, so you can easily continue on the main path towards the car park afterwards.

    We were hesitant at first — our girls were quite young — but decided to give it a try, and we’re so glad we did. It was such fun! The first part lets you rope swing across the water (don’t worry, there’s a way around if you prefer to stay dry), then rope climb up a steep, muddy bank (steps are available at the side).

    Some sections are narrow, uneven, and steep‑sided along this loop, so it’s not ideal for very young children. You’ll pass under a small waterfall, balance along a beam, and shimmy across another stream using ropes — among other fun challenges.

    Unless it hasn’t rained for a while, expect to get muddy! Most of the paths wind through the woods, offering plenty of shade, so it can get a little chilly even on warm days.

    Practical details

    There’s paid parking available, and at the start of the loop you’ll find a donation box to contribute to the upkeep of the trail. They’ve truly made the most of the landscape here — it’s educational, adventurous, and downright fun.

    Local tip: The nearby Berggold Camembert factory has a vending machine, often with more varieties than you’ll find in shops — perfect for a treat to take home.

    Website: https://www.walderlebnispfad.at/

    Address: Walderlebnispfad Möggers, 6900 Möggers