Hunt elephants in an asphalt jungle. Fly the sky in a bouncy castle.
Let the wind carry your hair while you ride a pony: Vienna, the
romantic imperial city of the Habsburgs, metropolis of arts and
culture, is also a city for kids. Action, fun and almost unlimited
leisure enjoyment for the entire family.
"Mom, I'm bored!" is the complaint you get from children
the world over - even during vacations. But in Vienna there is no
time for yawning. "Action, Action, Action!" is the name of
the game whatever your age.
And the Austrian capital has plenty of space for all that action.
Unlike many other major cities, Vienna boasts huge green areas where
children can play to their hearts' content. But that is by no means
all. Maybe a little princess would like to dance a minuet in a hooped
skirt and old-fashioned bodice? Or a super-detective would like to
find some unicellular organism with a special microscope, travel
across the starry sky or re-invent electricity? Become a child
artist? Discover the senses of sight, hearing, smell and taste in a
completely new way? No problem. And it's also easy to stroke some
snakes or to design Friedensreich Hundertwasser's KunstHausWien anew.
These are just a few of the Hits for Kids&ldots;
Action
for water rats and climbing fans
The Danube Island is the place for "cool" action on hot
days. This Viennese open-air paradise with 42 kilometers of riverside
pursuits is the ideal territory for almost every kind of outdoor
sports activity: swimming, inline-skating, skate-boarding (halfpipe
near Reichsbrücke bridge), street soccer, beach volleyball,
basketball, soccer, trampolines, boating, biking and water-ski lift
adventures at a weir (Wehr 1). And when the little super champs get
hungry or thirsty, they will find dozens of restaurants at the Copa
Cagrana (as the lively promenade of the Danube at the "northern
mainland" near Reichsbrücke is known) selling cool drinks
and inexpensive snacks.
It is cozier and quieter at the Old Danube (Alte Donau). There are no
inline skaters racing by. Families sun themselves on spacious grass
areas, sit in restaurants near the water or go boating in row boats,
pedalos or electric boats. Young aspiring admirals can also take
courses in sailing.
There are plenty of other places in Vienna for your little bundles of
energy to let off steam. Kilometers of cycle paths through the city,
and open grassland and walking trails in the Vienna Woods, Lainz Game
Preserve, Lobau and Prater ensure that everybody "keeps
moving." And anyone still not tired after all that exertion, can
literally climb walls. The 35-meter-high exterior wall of the former
anti-aircraft tower in Esterhazy park awaits climbers young and old
from Easter to autumn.
Elephant
park, crocodile pavilion and a night in the tropical forest
The best place to go for an excursion into the wondrous world of
animals is Schönbrunn Zoo which celebrated its 250th anniversary
in 2002 (adults: 12 euros, children through age 5: free,
schoolchildren: 5 euros, tel. +43-1-877 92 94-0, www.zoovienna.at).
The world's oldest zoo - yet one of the most modern, too - is a
first-rate attraction. Black-and-white fur, huge paws and large round
eyes: Fu Long - the "Happy Dragon" - the baby panda bear
and his parents have taken the hearts of visitors of all ages by
storm. The young bear is the first baby panda to be born at a
European zoo for over 25 years. In the Elephant Park, these
good-natured giants can be experienced really close up, separated
from them only by swinging ropes. A highlight of the zoo is the
Aquarium and Terrarium House - with the largest coral reef in
Austria, a breeding area for rhinoceros iguanas; a glass tunnel
taking visitors through the "Waters of the Amazon", a
crocodile hall with African flora; and also an area where one can
experience "Night in the Tropical Forest". The
Rainforest-House gives you a feeling of Tarzan in the jungle - an
adventure for eyes, nose and ears. The Polarium, completely renovated
in 2004, is particularly worth visiting. It has given the seals and
penguins at the zoo a new home which is even closer to their original habitats.
After visiting animals from around the world and those living in the
wild in Austria, children may want to visit an original Tyrolean
farmhouse and learn interesting things about keeping pets and
everyday life on a farm. This will certainly dispel a child's idea
that milk is produced at the supermarket. Children who have grown
attached to the animals may want to celebrate their birthday at the
zoo. The birthday child and guests will have much fun during a
special guided tour and a big birthday party.
Too tired to walk home? Every 30 minutes the Schönbrunn Panorama
Train (adults: 5 euros, children aged 3 to 14: 3 euros, round trip 1
hour, runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., stops at Schönbrunn Palace and the
Gloriette every full and half hour) takes visitors back through the
palace gardens to the entrance - or to the palace of Empress Maria Theresa.
Visiting
imperial palaces
Fifteen siblings and a giant palace as a playground - who would not
be envious? Special children's guided tours of Schönbrunn Palace
make such a dream come true. They are led through the world of
Empress Maria Theresa, who spent her summers in this enormous
building with her 16 children. However, at that time it was not much
fun for the little ones, as the imperial mom was pretty strict and
regulated the life of her children to the last detail. Endless
lessons were the order of the day: the children had to learn all the
rules of good behavior and master the stringent court etiquette with
its profusion of details.
Children who have paid attention during the guided tour may want to
turn into little archduchesses or princes afterwards. They can wear
baroque costumes with corsets and hooped skirts, dance the minuet and
practice a deep curtsy. The curtsy is important if you later want to
get an audience with Empress Maria Theresa. (Special guided tours for
children aged 6 to 12: 4.50 euros, tel. +43-1-811 13-239, www.schoenbrunn.at)
A museum has also been opened for young visitors in the apartments of
Princess Gisela where young visitors can experience the life of
princes and princesses 300 years ago, listening to tales, seeing
pictures and even smelling the dishes then served (duration: 1 hour,
4.50 euros).
How the Austrian emperors and their children actually lived in the
main imperial palace in the city center, the Hofburg, and what they
did on an average day, can be discovered by kids aged 6 to 10 on
special guided tours through the Imperial Apartments of the former
residence of the Habsburg emperors. Here, too, they may try on grand
costumes and experience imperial life at first hand. (Duration:
approx. 1½ hours, 4.50 euros, accompanying persons: 7.50 euros,
further information: tel. +43-1-533 75 70, www.hofburg-wien.at)
Stroking
snakes and watching butterflies
An exciting underwater world can be explored at the Vivarium Wien
located in the former anti-aircraft tower in Esterhazy Park (Flakturm
Esterhazy Park, 1060 Vienna, Fritz-Grünbaumplatz 1, tel.
+43-1-587 14 17, www.haus-des-meeres.at, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily,
Thurs. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.). More than 3,500 creatures from all seven
oceans inhabit the aquariums, and you can travel from the North Sea
to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia in just 15 seconds - by
elevator, over three floors. Colorful fish from tropical waters,
crocodiles "Kroki" and "Puppi", and of course the
majestic sharks hold a magical fascination for children. Every
Wednesday at 2 p.m., a special thrill awaits children when they are
permitted to stroke the snakes. Shortly after, at 3 p.m., you can
watch the piranhas and sharks being fed (Wed. and Sun. 3 p.m.,
reptiles Sun. 10 a.m. and Thurs. 7 p.m.).
Children can also marvel at hundreds of free-flying exotic
butterflies at the tropical Butterfly House in the Imperial Gardens
(Burggarten). One of the most beautiful species on view is the Blue
Morpho Butterfly with its shining wings; the largest is the Atlas,
who - we admit - is actually a moth. For children who have been
especially good, he will open his giant velvety wings during daylight
hours as well and convey incredible stories of dark tropical forests
and labyrinths with creeping vines and lianas (April to October: Mon.
- Fri. 10 a.m. - 4.45 p.m., Sat., Sun, holidays 10 a.m. - 6.15 p.m.,
November to March: 10 a.m. - 3.45 p.m. daily, children aged 3 to 6: 3
euros, schoolchildren and students: 4,50 euros, adults: 5,50 euros,
Burggarten, 1010 Vienna, tel. +43-1-533 85 70, www.schmetterlinghaus.at).
Dinosaur
skeletons & KunstHaus surprise bag
Dinosaur skeletons, fascinating minerals, interesting animals and
rare plants: all of this and more can be encountered at the Museum of
Natural History, particularly on a special children's guided tour
(age 5+, Sat. 2 p.m., Sun. & non-school days 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.,
admission for all 2 euros; 3-5 year-olds: every last Sunday in the
month 4 p.m., tour ticket for children only 2 euros). Aspiring
researchers can embark on journeys of discovery through the
microscope, study unicellular organisms or simple worms, admire
minerals, and learn about prehistoric man - and will surely be
impressed at the amount of imagination nature invests in even the
smallest details (Microtheater Sat. and Sun. 1.30 p.m., 3 p.m. &
4.15 p.m., 2 euros, tel. +43-1-521 77-335, www.nhm-wien.ac.at).
A virtually inexhaustible treasure house of ideas also awaits
children at the KunstHausWien. Friedensreich Hundertwasser's bizarre
and colorful museum confuses visitors of all ages. Children are maybe
even more confused (and delighted) because, all of a sudden, they are
transported into a world which is, essentially, their own. And, at
the ticket office, they get a surprise bag whose contents help them
design their own "KunstHaus". Special children's guided
tours for groups and by prior arrangement only. (tel.: +43-1-712 04
95, www.kunsthauswien.com)
Klimt
paintings and horse-drawn trains
Many of the 100 and more museums in Vienna are also fun for children.
The Zoom Children's Museum at MuseumsQuartier (MQ), featuring
hands-on exhibitions, close-up encounters of physical phenomena and
active discovery of the senses (open daily, varying opening times,
info tel. +43-1-524 79 08, www.kindermuseum.at). Even toddlers can
have fun here in the "Ocean". Right opposite at MQ there is
an info point for children called "wienxtra Kinderinfo"
where you are provided with free information on everything going on
in the city for 3 to 13 year olds and can spend some time in a
specially styled play area (Tues., Wed. and Thurs. 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
Fri., Sat., Sun. & holidays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., info tel.
+43-1-4000-84400, www.kinderinfowien.at).
Modern art usually appeals to children: "He paints like me,"
is an oft-overheard comment. That's why the children's tours at the
Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK) in MuseumsQuartier are so popular
(bookings tel. +43-1-525 00 1313, www.mumok.at, admission: children:
2 euros plus 2 euros materials contribution, adults: 9 euros). At the
"Sunday of Fantasy" every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.,
children aged 5 to 12 can embark on a thrilling expedition of various
themes in the collection (themes change monthly). The Museum of Fine
Arts with the largest collection of Bruegels in the world, the
Belvedere with its Klimt and Schiele paintings and a host of other
museums also offer special guided tours for children (www.vienna.info).
The Museum of Technology is a world unto itself. Children (free of
charge aged up to 6) can playfully gain first impressions of some of
the world's technical and natural phenomena. The light-flooded
central hall showcases technical achievements of the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries, from the steam engine to computers, bearing the
theme "Modern Times." The old racing car
"Silberpfeil" (Silver Arrow), the first horse-drawn railway
"Hannibal", propellers, penny farthing bicycles and a giant
crucible used to make steel are all a fascination to little whiz
kids. A further key attraction are the high-voltage displays in the
energy department. Forty models demonstrate energy in various forms,
from muscle power to steam energy and solar energy to atomic power.
However, kids' absolute favorite is "KI" (German for AI), a
figure with artificial intelligence, which reacts to the movements of
the person it is facing. Whether a child lifts his/her hands or does
a somersault, "KI" imitates it. It is difficult to get
children away from this fascinating exhibit! Special guided tours
make technology fun even for the youngest kids (from 2 upwards). But
there are also guided tours taking up school themes such as music,
physics, astronomy and bicycles. (tel. +43-1-899 98-6000, www.tmw.at,
prices, bookings and information: workdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Amusement
park, music encounter & star gazing
More than 250 action-packed attractions await children at the
Wurstelprater amusement park in Vienna's Prater grounds. They include
the Jungle Train with the chirping of tropical birds; the House of
Mirrors where Mom looks as thin as a toothpick and Dad as fat as a
barrel; pony rides and mini roller coasters where even the tiniest
tots screech with delight. There is also the dark and forbidding
world of dinosaurs; the fairytale world and the bouncy castle where
you bound into the sky with the wind blowing in your hair. With
shining eyes and glowing cheeks, happiness is then complete with a
large helping of cotton candy and a colorful balloon. (Full details
of everything going on at the Prater at www.prater.wien.info. Main
season: mid-March to end of October, open from 10 a.m. daily.)
The House of Music demonstrates that music is something to be seen
and felt as well as heard. A hands-on journey of discovery through
real and virtual rooms on six floors allows music to be experienced
with all the senses. The grand finale is the chance for young
visitors to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic. But a word of caution:
the Austrian musical elite can be quite critical of baton amateurs!
(10 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily, every Saturday and Sunday guided tours for
children, combi tickets, adults: 10 euros, children under 3: free,
children under 12: 5.50 euros, details: tel. +43-1-516 48,
www.hdm.at)
After so much action, rest and relaxation is called for. "Sit
still and pay attention!" is the motto in Schönbrunn
Palace's Marionette Theater, at the Niedermair Children's Theater; at
the Lilarium; at the Theater der Jugend (Youth Theater) and at the
Wiener Kindertheater. The Theater in der Josefstadt now even permits
children a peek backstage while parents attend a matinee: the
workshop and costumes of the theater can be visited, and they can
even try their hand at putting on a little make-up (bookings: tel.
+43-1-42 700-359, www.josefstadt.org). Children preferring to gaze at
stars in the heavens as opposed to stars on stage can explore the
universe at the "Planetarium" observatory in the Prater. In
the kids' show "Yanni and the Pebbles from Outer Space" a
comic mouse flies to the moon with its parents in a homemade
space-ship and experiences weightlessness there in "Mausa"
space suits. The one-hour shows "Cosmic Scout" for children
aged 10+ and adults, and "Star-Date - Rendezvous with the
Stars" for children aged 8+ and adults, project some 9,000
twinkling stars onto the dome of the planetarium, comets hit Jupiter,
you see volcanoes and geysers on its moon, and you can fly through
the rings of Saturn and follow the planets on their course around the
sun. (Information on starting times: tel. +43-1-729 54 94,
www.planetarium-wien.at) Meanwhile, at the Kuffner Observatory,
children may even explore the skies with a historical telescope
dating from the year 1886. (Information on show starting times: tel.
+43-1-914 81 30, www.kuffner.ac.at)
And Vienna also boasts the only "City for Kids" in Europe.
Minopolis is a child-sized city built on an area of 6,000 sqm.
Youngsters aged between four and twelve can slip into adult roles and
playfully discover what is involved in various dream jobs at 25 theme
stations. Whether aspiring doctor, journalist or fire-fighter,
Minopolis is a fascinating place for exciting role-play and
educational adventure (1220 Vienna, Wagramer Strasse 2, at Cineplexx
near Reichsbrücke bridge, tel. +43-1-810 970 270, www.minopolis.at).
And a tip for rainy days: Austria's largest indoor playground BOGI
Park offers 3,500 sqm of fun, games and sport for children aged 1 to
12. A giant fun park, fairytale grottos, volcano climbing and a
toddlers area provide plenty of family entertainment. Experienced
child supervision available. (open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily, children
from 3 upwards: 7.90 euros, toddlers aged 1 - 3 years: 2.90 euros,
adults: 3.90 euros; 1230 Vienna, Gutheil-Schoder-Gasse 17, tel.
+43-1-23 000 00, www.bogipark.at)
Family Fun is a recently opened attraction that offers excitement and
action for the whole family. There are simply no limits to your
imagination. Here are just some of the things kids aged 1 thru' 12
can expect to find here: jumpy castles, an XXXL slide, a climbing
wall, 9 trampolines, a bungee trampoline, a climbing labyrinth, rodeo
rides, mini karts, an infants area and much more besides. There's
even a lounge and catering for parents too. (Mon. - Fri. 1 to 7 p.m.,
Sat., Sun., holidays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., 1220 Vienna, Breitenleer
Strasse 77, tel. +43-1-236 70 70, www.familyfun.at)
So, in a nutshell&ldots; "Mom, I'm bored!" is a sentence
you are unlikely to hear in Vienna.
Even more information, addresses and opening times may be found in
the Vienna's Tourist Board's family brochure and at www.vienna.info
in the "Specials" section as well as in the event database.
Article Author: Vienna Tourist Board
