Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Lucerne, Glasi Hergiswil is a great destination for families, especially on those poor weather days. At this more than 200-year-old glass factory, guests can enjoy a museum tour, watch artisans blow glass, navigate the glass labyrinth, interact with child-friendly exhibits, race marbles on the glass marble run, and shop in the stores. Overall there are several things to do and see, and a visit lasts around 2 hours.
The “Formed by Fire” museum tour tells the story of glassmaking through interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations. The tour leads guests through a series of rooms to learn the history of glass blowing and the Glasi Hergiswil Factory. You can request the tour to be in English, and it would be more enjoyable for older kids. The tour ends at the factory floor, where guests can watch skilled glassblowers transform molten glass into beautiful pieces. Guests can still watch the artisans at the factory floor without taking the tour.
Housed in the building next to the glass factory are the interactive exhibits for the family. Entrance is free, but there is an additional charge for the glass labyrinth. The glass labyrinth is a maze filled with light and sound effects. The kids love navigating through this world of glass. The interactive kids exhibit was another highlight, featuring musical glass instruments and hands-on experiments that fascinated both children and adults. Outside is a large glass marble run and playground overlooking the lake. Glass marbles can be purchased at the store.
At the glass shop stunning glassware and souvenirs can be purchased. We enjoyed purchasing a few unique pieces to give as gifts and also to decorate our home. You can even have pieces personalized with engraving.
After enjoying the museum, check to see if Glasi Bar am See is open. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and the patio is perfectly situated with stunning views over Lake Lucerne. The casual setup, where you order food at the bar and it’s brought to your table, made it easy and relaxed for our family. The menu offered a delicious variety of Asian dishes like dumplings and spring rolls, which we thoroughly enjoyed, while the kids happily munched on classic chicken nuggets and fries. What really made the visit special were the interactive water installations right on the lake—our children were fascinated by the buttons that controlled the water spouts, providing endless entertainment as they played by the water’s edge.
There is a guest parking lot just past the factory or a pay parking lot in front of the lake. We have also enjoyed lunch at both the Glasi-Restaurant and Restaurant Felsenclick which offer good traditional Swiss cuisine. Both are within walking distance. A visit to Glasi Hergiswil is filled with a combination of education, creativity, and fun.
