St Gallen is world-famous for its stunning cathedral and medieval library. The Stiftsbibliothek St Gallen (abbey library) is a rococo jewel that houses 170,000 precious books as well as 2,000 priceless medieval manuscripts. The cathedral is a baroque confection, set in pretty grounds that are lovely to laze around in on a sunny afternoon.
The whole abbey precinct of St Gallen is a Unesco Cultural Heritage site surrounding which you'll find a maze of charming cobblestone streets populated with historic buildings that contain businesses, restaurants and cafes and the obligatory chocolate shops.
The area also has a rich history in textile making and decoration, which you can explore from St Gallen itself and surrounding towns. St Gallen's Textile Museum is a good place to begin, and from here you can take a three-hour, self-guided 'textile trail' walking tour. Check the tourist website under the Details tab above for more information.