The ruins of a Roman watchtower can be seen at Schänis on the Biberlikopf at Ziegelbrücke. The Schänis Abbey, long an aristocratic convent, was founded in the 9th century. In 1782, the convent building and the church were renovated, or rather rebuilt in rococo style. In 1811, the Canton St. Gallen Greater Council decided to abolish the abbey. The beautiful church was taken over by the parish.

Schänis is famous with glider pilots: the small airfield in the Linth plain, with its two asphalted landing strips is Switzerland’s most popular airfield with gliders.

As a result of deforestation in the Glarus region, in centuries long ago the Linth swept large quantities of debris into the valley and created marshlands. People caught marsh fever and many died. On the initiative of Hans Konrad Escher, the Linthkanal was opened in 1816, freeing the inhabitants of the region from their great misery. A monument to Escher now stands in Ziegelbrücke.

Further sights worth seeing at Schänis are the Gallusturm, the rebuilt remains of a Roman church complex dating from the 11th century, which was destroyed by fire in 1824, the Steinerhaus at the northern end of the village, the Selinerhaus in the town hall square, the St. Sebastian Chapel and the local museum. The Maria Bildstein pilgrimage church in nearby Benken is also worth a visit. In Filzbach at Walensee lake, an adventure indoor minigolf course offers a bad weather alternative. The skiing and recreational regions of Flumserberg and Atzmännig are attractive, all-year excursion destinations in the surrounding mountains.