Basel advice
 

Hello,

Traveling with my cousin (both in our very late 50s as Garrison Keillor might say) and will be in Basel for 2 days before a river cruise departs in early December (1 full day then cruise leaves late on the 2nd day). Our hotel is centrally located and looks like it is within a 10 minute walk of the town hall. We would like suggestions on what we might see on a Sunday and Monday. Thank you.

The old jail above Barfusserplatz is now a museum of ancient instruments, with each cell representing a different type of instrument (strings, winds, etc.).

Between the train station and Barfusserplatz there is an old mansion which is part of the Basel historical museum. It has an interesting collection of old signs and watches, among other things.

I loved Basel! Great museums and public squares, the university's botanical garden, easy access to the museums in Riehan.... BUT I don't know off hand what is open on which days. :-( You might want to consult the Michelin Green Guide, which had great info on opening times, IIRC.

I thoroughly enjoyed a meal at Zum Isaak; YMMV.
www.zum-isaak.ch

Oops: Rieh<b><u>e</b></u>n.

Always use fresh basel for pesto.

"You might want to consult the Michelin Green Guide..."

Or you could consult me, as I've been living and working in Basel for the better part of a decade now. ;-)

Actually, I'd be happy to give the OP a guided tour of Basel if interested. In the past two years, the city has done an excellent job of restoring more of the historic districts (there are several) and the city has neighborhoods as beautiful in their own way as any Alpine village; sad that most visitors don't know about them. And of course, Basel also has some great examples of modern architecture if that's of interest.

Early December is a lovely time to be in Basel. The Christmas market is open and there is always a chance of snow at that time of year.

The Old Town of Basel is simply beautiful. The Gothic City Hall is just unique. Do not miss the quaint ferry across the Rhine - it is like it was half a millenium ago.

Basel is a main centre of modern art in the world. The Kunstmuseum is temporarily closed for renovation, but this is rather an opportunity than a disadvantage because many of the paintings are now at display in the Schaulager.

The Schaulager is stunning. It is a brand new building designed by famous architects Herzog & de Meuron (they also designed San Francisco Art Museum) which houses the Hoffmann art foundation, one of the world's largest art foundations (Hoffmann was the owner of Hoffmann-La Roche pharmaceuticals). 300 of the 1000 pieces of the collection are currently shown together with several dozen installations which have been made exclusively for this exhibition.

The current exhibition (which will be still running in December) is world-class and a must-see for anyone who has a sense of modern art. It starts with the classic modern artists Chagall, Picasso, Max Ernst and others, continues with Warhol and Beuys and ends with contemporary artists, most of them with excellent and often humorous works. You could spend days in the Schaulager. Be there at least three hours - you won't regret!

http://www.schaulager.org/future-present/en/

There is also the Tinguely Museum which is devoted to the sculptor with his funny machines and, as said, the Fondation Beyeler in nearby Riehen, another stronghold of modern art. But they are no matches for the Schaulager.

http://www.tinguely.ch/en.html
http://www.fondationbeyeler.ch/en/Home

Another option is the Vitra Design Museum on the German side in Weil am Rhein.

http://www.design-museum.de/en/information.html

If you do not mind renting a car for a day you might also visit the farmhouse museum in Alsace:

http://www.ecomusee-alsace.fr/fr/

The Schaulager is closed Sunday and Monday.

Sorry, I meant it's closed Mondays.

All Basel museums:
https://www.basel.com/en/search/culture?f[0]=field_tax_art_venue%3A7
Don't forget that Basel is less than 1 hr by train from Bern, Solothurn, Zurich, Schaffhausen/Rhine Falls, Freiburg and other gems

Thank you everyone. There is a lot for us to consider here--you are all so helpful. We might be hoping for a little snow being southern Californians, I have to buy a coat for this trip because what I wear here won't do in a colder climate.

If you have favorite restaurants or shops we would like to hear about those too. I am especially looking forward to the Christmas market.

If going to the Vitra chair museum in Weil (building by Frank Gehry), do not miss the Fondation Beyeler for its modern art housed in a Renzo Piano building.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...7622927438333/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...7622927438333/

Both, Beyeler at Riehen and Vitra Design at Weil have frequent tram and commuter train connections with Basel. The German bus 16 between Riehen and Weil is much less frequent (every 30 min)

There's a tram stop by the Vitra Design museum? Which one? Most people I know who don't go there by car take the direct bus (number 55) from Claraplatz which has a stop by the museum. Last time I was there (2014) I didn't see a tram stop nearby. It's about a 1 km (15-20 min) walk from the Weil am Rhein stop.
http://www.design-museum.de/en/infor...eral-info.html

The Beyeler is served by the number 6 tram which has a stop right by it.