It is part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site that encompasses the Old City.

Zeughausgasse was originally called vor den Predigern after the nearby Prediger Abbey.

The Zeughaus or armory, that the street was named after, had originally been a workhouse for the abbey and occupied what would become Zeughausgasse 18-28, Nägeligasse 4-6 and 7-13.

The former city council hall for the outer city (German: Ehemaliges Rathaus des Äusseren Standes) at Zeughausgasse 17 is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

Two other sites, the former Kornhaus (a type of granary) which is now a museum and the city theatre (German: Stadttheater), are at the end of Zeughausgasse but with a Kornhausplatz address.