About 20 minutes from Basel by tram and bus, across the border into Germany, Vitra is a museum to…read moredesign and furniture. And it's a massive retail shop. It's well worth the trip to see a bit into chairs that you'd never actually sit in and stuff you'd never actually have in your home. Yet some people actually buy this stuff. Several videos and movies (in Italian without subtitles) explain the history of the designers and architecture. The museum is only 8 CHF. I've been here once, should I return to Basel I would skip coming back. It's a one-time thing. They have a cafe on site which accepts Euros and credit cards.

We biked in from Basel. The ride was worth it…read more The Vitra Design Museum was indeed impressive. The coat racks at the front are of course a row of Eames Hang-It-All. It was interesting to see advertisements for furniture in their envisioned habitat along with the pieces themselves. Several tours (including English) show visitors the campus daily. Next to the museum is the Vitra Haus; an enormous retail floor wrapped in an impressive building. There is also a delicious and reasonably priced cafe on the patio. If you enjoy modern furniture and are in the neighborhood - drop by!

Food hall with a great atmosphere and lots of varied food and beers. Prices seemed a bit below…read moreswiss averages. Had some Carbonara from Si Chef that was really good. Very lively place, highly recommended.

Inside a dome shaped building near the center, this food hall has plenty of options from wine to…read moreThai to pastries. There's lots of seating, restrooms, and even a slide for kids.

Terrific English bookstore…read more Upstairs in this German bookstore, there is a large and excellent English bookstore. Extremely well stocked not only with light reading, bestsellers, and books about Switzerland, but with the latest titles form New York and London papers. Makes it eaasy to keep up with what's happening back home. Oh, and if you're longing for a taste of home, there is a well-stocked selection of British comfort food. Marmite, tinned puddings, Colman's mustard, all the brands Mum used.

When you cross the river (from old town and a side where train station is), Manor is just a few…read moresteps away from the bridge. It is a department store having great super market on the basement level and good food court on the 5th floor (it says restaurant on the directory). It is very reasonable and lots of options for salad, desserts and fresh fruit juices. They offer three sizes at different prices. You can choose portion size too! On 4th floor, you can find some Switzerland souvenirs and cute accessories/toys. On basement level, there are salad bar and bakery and supermarket. Prices are good (a little cheaper than Coop store or other supermarket). PS: Dairy stuff, chocolate and bread are so good and cheap! Get some!!!

When looking for a flat in Basel - we gave the relocation assistant one criteria - It MUST be…read morewithin walking distance of Manor!!! Manor is a department store of similar style/quality as Macy's (USA) or John Lewis (UK) BUT in the basement there is a grocery store/food hall that is simply amazing!! What's most amazing is it really can be your everyday place to shop - but in addition to your onions, potatoes, juice, milk, flour, cleaning supplies..... there is also an astounding selection of cheeses, meats, poultry, fish, fresh bakery for breads and cakes and a small café with pizzas, salads, stir-fry's (a bigger café is on the top floor). There is a good selection of organic produce (labelled BIO), and most of the fruit and veg are local and very seasonal. In the US and UK I got used to having access to pretty much anything at any time of the year, so the seasonality was a bit strange at first but now I look forward to changes in produce as the year progresses. Besides the cheese.... I mean food, there is a good selection of accessories (I LOVE tights and nearly passed out when I saw the selection), clothing for all the family, beautiful home goods, and a good selection of electronics. Prices are, well, Swiss but overall its not too bad and twice a year (Jan and July) there are really good sales. Maybe being within walking distance wasn't such a good idea..... ;-)