a day on the lakes near Interlaken?
 

We are enjoying our week in Wengen. I am anticipating a free day on Friday for my family of 4 (DD14, DS11). Assuming the next two days go well, we will have done the walks I had set out to do and gotten a nice mixture of views in the area.

So, on Thursday night we'll discuss our options and interests. We might take a ride up to one of the higher peaks or we might go the other way and spend a day on one of the lakes (or even go to the Ballenberg Museum).

So, what's a nice way to spend a day on the lake? Which one? Is the intent to putter around and explore the various towns/villages? DW might like that but I fear that the rest of us might be a little bored (which is why it didn't make it on my top 5 list). Am I underselling it?

Which stretch would be best for a walk as well?

Thanks.

I'm sure that others with much greater knowledge will weigh in, but just in case it proves useful:

You already mention one clear option: Ballenberg. Depending on the time you leave Interlaken, you can take a boat to Giessbach, where you can get off for a visit of its glorious waterfall and stop for lunch (or coffee or whatever) at its elegant old hotel. (Check the boat schedules: You may "need" to spend 2 hours at Giessbach, but I found that the time passed quickly: I took the funicular to the hotel, stopped for a quick coffee, spent about an hour for a leisurely walk through the loop that covers the upper part of the falls, stopped for another cup of coffee, and then took a leisurely walk by the falls to the lake shore in plenty of time for the next boat.) From there, it's a short boat ride to Brienz, where you will be just steps from the stop for the bus to Ballenberg. I thought that the Ballenberg Open Air Museum included an incredible collection of buildings from throughout Switzerland -- different styles, different purposes, different eras ... and all in a lovely setting. And many buildings were staffed with people who could explain things or demonstrate various traditional activities or whatever. I don't have children, but I saw a LOT of children who seemed to be enjoying what they were seeing and doing, and I heard the taker of tickets at the gate I entered answer a lot of questions about the places that she recommended for family visits on that particular day (in light of which demonstrations were open, etc.)

Another lake option would be to go to Thun, enjoying the ride on the Thunersee and then exploring Thun and (if time permits) the castles in Hilterfingen and Oberhofen. Much as I loved these places, I'm not sure they would appeal to those aged 11 or 14. But you know your children and I don't!

Hope that helps!

BTW, the falls at Giessbach that are above the hotel include one place where a bridge crosses in front of the falls and another, higher up, where one crosses behind the falls. Very cool, even for an adult visitor!

I would recommend a boat ride from Interlaken Ost to Brienz, then catch the bus up to Ballenberg to visit the wooded acres with many demos (often including cuckoo whistles,etc) and picnic areas + self serv restos (bus back down), then train back to your hometown.
I don't think the kids would enjoy the elegant hotel at Gieesbach so much.

PS: Brienz has a paved walking path along the lake (direction: away from town) which leads to a small public beach, then a camping area, if you feel like a swim!

Combine Lake Brienz with either Ballenberg or Aar Gorge or Hasliberg-Alpen Taower or Gelmersee or Brienzer Rothorn, or .....

Combine Lake Thun with St. Beatus Caves, Oberhofen castle, Beatenberg - Niederhorn, Thun ....

Thanks for the suggestions. We'll review our options after our long outing today.