Since the 1970s old farmhouses, stables, bakehouses or barns are no longer demolished when they are due to be replaced by modern buildings. Instead, the buildings are dismantled stone by stone, and rebuilt in the Ballenberg Open Air Museum.

What began in 1978 with 16 characteristic Swiss buildings, is today an extensive exhibition with about over 100 residential and agricultural buildings from all over Switzerland, on a 66 hectare large area: this is the Ballenberg Open Air Museum. The historic buildings and their kitchens, chambers and living rooms illustrate rural life in Switzerland.

Ballenberg has been brought alive primarily by the original, indigenous plants and crops that are cultivated here and over 200 native livestock species. Traditional handicrafts are kept alive in the workshops of the open air museum: basket-weaving, forging, braiding, spinning, weaving and carving are just some of the many handicrafts on show every day. Visitors can look over the experts' shoulders or join in themselves.

To complete the attractions: a petting zoo, a house with historic toys to try out, a forest trail, gardens, medicinal herbs, themed exhibits, special events and courses on culture and customs.