Surroundings, Aarau

10km/6mi northeast of Aarau on road 5 lies Wildegg (alt. 357m/1,171ft), at the foot of the Kestenberg, with saline springs containing iodine (water available only bottled). Above the town to the north (1.5km/1mi by road) stands the imposing Schloss Wildegg, alt. 433m/1,421ft: 12th and 17th century; now open to the public as a museum (opening times given). The Schaerer-Citterio Weapon Collection and the Erlach House have been open to visitors since 1988. The latter was built by Albrecht von Effinger in 1825 in Biedermeier (early Victorian) style for his half-sister Sophie von Erlach-von Effinger. On the left bank of the Aare, a little way downstream, is Schloss Wildenstein, now an old people's home.

5.5km/3mi downstream from Wildegg we come to Bad Schinznach (alt. 355m/1,165ft), an elegant spa established in 1694 (closed in winter), with sulfurous water (34° C-93° F) which is effective in the treatment of rheumatism and metabolic disorders; beautiful park (restaurant) and golf course.

Beyond Bad Schinznach, on the left, a steep narrow road ascends (2.5km/2mi) to the ruins of the Habsburg (alt. 513m/1,683ft: inn), on the Wülpelsberg. The castle, built about 1020 was in the 12th and 13th centuries the seat of the Counts of Habsburg, one of whom, Rudolf III, was elected King of Germany in 1273 and thus became the founder of the Imperial dynasty of Habsburg. From the 24m/79ft-high tower there are superb views. The castle can also be reached from Brugg on a steep and not very good road (3.5km/2mi).

East of Aarau by way of Buchs is Lenzburg (alt. 400m/1,312ft), a little town of 7,000 inhabitants well known for its food-preserving factories (particularly fruit preserves). Above the old town with its unspoiled 17th and 18th century houses rises the Burgberg (512m/1,680ft: road to top) crowned by the large Schloss Lenzburg (11th-16th century), now the property of the town of Lenzburg and the canton of Aargau (cantonal historical museum, opening hours given). To the west on the Staufberg (520m/1,706ft: view), is a Gothic pilgrimage church with 15th century stained glass. To the west of the highway access road are the foundations of a Roman theater of the first century AD discovered in 1964 and restored in 1970-1972. 8km/5mi northeast on the Baden road, in the old country church of Wohlenschwil, is the Swiss Country Museum (Bauernmuseum: house types, costumes, weapons).

Mellingen was a medieval town with numerous finds from the Middle Stone Age and the Neolithic period. The clock tower on the west side of Mellingen features a historical collection.

Between 1853 and 1883, the town transformed into a farming community. An annual two-day festival takes place in early October.

The Saurier Museum in Frick is a dinosaur museum with a complete Plateosaur skeleton plus other skeleton parts, fossils and minerals.

ATTRACTION IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED.The small town of Kolliken, just south of Aarau has a straw house and village museum and an icon museum.

Church treasures from the 17-19th C and paintings by local artist Caspar Wolf (1735-1783) are seen in the Klostermuseum.

The town of Seon, near Villmergen, has an interesting and informative local museum. The museum contains information on the town and its colorful history.

Straw crafts are exhibited including dozens of hats plus a millinery demonstration.

The village museum in Gränichen is housed in the parish hall. There are archaeological discoveries dating from the Neolithic period.

The Village Museum in Möhlin features crafts and traditions of the region as well as the history of locals and industrial opportunities.

The museum in Oeschgen features an overview and insight into the world of two-and three-wheel vehicles.

The Village Museum in Rupperswil is housed in an old restored farmhouse. Displays include photos, crafts, and household items.

The town of Rothrist, just south of Olten, has a local museum.

The town of Suhr south of Buchs has a local museum.

Tegerfelden is a small town, near the German border.

Key works of the artist and natural healer Emma Kunz.