Programme proposal with a focus: Family & Children in Vienna

Are you planning a holiday in Vienna with the family and wondering which sights and museums are child-friendly? What places can your children explore and where are there programs that are tailored to the needs of children and families?

In this program proposal, we introduce you to Vienna's sights and museums from the perspective of the youngest visitors. Use the HOP ON HOP OFF bus to travel comfortably from station to station and experience Vienna with your children. A separate children's channel also provides exciting entertainment during the bus ride.

Many of the sights mentioned are also included in the Vienna PASS, which you can purchase here.

1. House of Music – sonorous experiences

(Station No. 1 State Opera – blue, yellow & red line)

This interactive museum covers all aspects of music, from sound and sound waves to the city's most famous composers. Many hands-on stations invite children to explore and experience and they can even try their hand at the baton and conduct an orchestra. There is also an audio guide for children on the museum's website, as well as puzzles and quizzes through the exhibition for download. There are also regular concerts for children.

2. Albertina – Discover Classical Modernism

(Station No. 1 State Opera – blue, yellow & red line)

Art is boring? Not here. The colourful, imaginative paintings by Picasso, Chagall, Magritte and many other artists also inspire children. A puzzle rally through the permanent exhibition can be purchased at the ticket office for a small contribution towards expenses. On weekends, there are special children's tours for different age groups, for which you have to register in advance. As in all federal museums, admission to the Albertina is free for children under the age of 19, guided tours are subject to a fee.


3. Wien Museum – Free workshops on a wide range of topics

(Station No. 1 State Opera – blue, yellow & red line)

The Wien Museum specializes in the life and everyday life of the Viennese over the centuries. Numerous special exhibitions always focus on different aspects. On weekends and during holiday periods, there are topics of the exhibitions include a variety of free workshops and guided tours for children. It is advisable to register in advance on the website of the Wien Museum.
 

5. Kunsthistorisches Museum – Treasures of Egyptian Civilizations, Antiquity and the Middle Ages

(Station No. 2 Kunsthistorisches Museum – blue & red line)

The Kunsthistorisches Museum offers art treasures of all kinds from a large number of epochs. Here, in addition to paintings by classical artists, you can also marvel at the works of art from past cultures such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. In addition to an audio guide for children, there are also special guided tours and studio workshops. Admission is free for children under 19 years of age.

6. Spanish Riding School – Dancing Horses

(Station No. 2 Kunsthistorisches Museum – blue & red line)

A visit to the white Lipizzaners of the Spanish Riding School is not only interesting for horse lovers. During a performance or morning work, you can experience the "Ballet of the White Stallions" live and be captivated by the dancing horses. During a guided tour of the stables, you will learn interesting facts about about the history of the riding school and on the keeping of horses. A children's tour is also offered.
 

7. Sisi Museum – The Exciting Life of the Empress

(Station No. 2 Kunsthistorisches Museum – blue & red line)

The Sisi Museum is all about the life, death and legacy of Empress Elisabeth, known as Sisi. Many everyday objects and stories from the life of the empress can be seen here. In the imperial apartments, visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Sisi's private living quarters. On Saturday and Sunday, children's tours also take place here.

8. Zoom Children's Museum – Discover the world in a playful way

(Station No. 3 Mariahilferstrasse – blue & red line)

A museum just for children? That's what you can find in the Museumsquartier in Vienna! Every year there is a different hands-on exhibition on a selected topic, prepared for children aged 6-12 years. Here the children can learn about the topic in a playful way, research and experience adventures with their peers. For younger children aged 8 months -6 years, there is the ZOOM Ocean, where everything revolves around the wonderlands of the seas. Here, too, people play and experience the underwater world together. In the studio and animation studio, workshops on various topics for different age groups take place regularly. Registration in advance via the museum's website is required.

9. Landgut Wien Cobenzl – Up close and personal with the farm animals

(Station No. 40 Cobenzl - green line - seasonal / only in operation in the summer months)

At Landgut Wien Cobenzl on the outskirts of Vienna, your children can experience life on the farm and the topic of agriculture. Here the animals can be visited in the stable or on the pasture in good weather and a lot can be learned about their nutrition and husbandry. In the petting zoo, the animals are happy about specially provided food and cuddles.

10. Ferris Wheel – High up in the red gondolas

(Station No. 18 Prater/Riesenrad – blue line)

A special highlight, not only for children, is the ride on the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel. The red gondolas carry you high above the rooftops of Vienna at a height of about 64m. Here you can not only see the Prater, but also discover many sights from above. Directly after the entrance there is also a small exhibition about the history of Vienna and the Prater on the basis of miniatures.

11. Madame Tussauds – Meet the Stars

(Station No. 18 Prater/Riesenrad – blue line)

Since 2011, there has also been a branch of the world-famous wax museum in Vienna. Meet stars from Hollywood, the music industry or historical personalities with your children. Not only international stars are presented, but also many Austrians.

12. Prater – Roller Coaster, Carousel & Cotton Candy

(Station No. 18 Prater/Riesenrad – blue line)

Whether young, old, small or large, the Prater offers something for everyone. Numerous attractions, restaurants and games halls invite you to an experience full of fun and joy. Admission to the area is free of charge, and you pay per attraction. If your stay in the so-called "Wurstel-Prater" is too loud and hectic, you will find relaxation within walking distance in the "Green Prater", a large park with numerous meadows and waters.

13. Danube Tower – Above the rooftops of Vienna

(Station No. 21 Danube Tower – blue line)

At a height of 150m, you can enjoy the view from Austria's tallest building. On days with good weather, you can even see as far as Bratislava. But there are also the sights of Vienna to be seen from above in the immediate vicinity. You can get even higher in the tower café or tower restaurant. A new highlight is the tower slide, where you can slide from 165m high to 150m high and enjoy the view in a unique way through the transparent roof of the slide. Great fun not only for children!

14. Swimming Pools Old Danube – Off to the cool water

(Station No. 22 & 23 Old Danube & UNO City – blue line)

Just a short walk from the Danube Tower or from our HOP ON HOP OFF Station No. 22, you will find one of the most beautiful baths on the Old Danube, the "Strandbad Alte Donau". In addition to access to the Old Danube, there are many sports fields and swimming pools for children and adults. So everyone can splash around in the way that brings the most joy. If you are looking for free swimming, go to station 23 and go to the so-called "Kaiserwasser". Here there is a shallow access to the Old Danube and a large sunbathing lawn.

15. Danube Island Water Playground – Splashing in Nature

(Station No. 24 Reichsbrücke/Danube Island – blue line)

The Danube Island in Vienna provides a lot of nature in the middle of the city. In addition to various bathing accesses on the side of the New Danube, there is also a beautifully designed water playground. Here, even the youngest children can splash around in the water with joy and there is a lot to discover for slightly older children.

16. Technical Museum – Experience and try out technical achievements

(Station No. 30 Schönbrunn – yellow line)

The technical museum is a highlight for children on every trip to Vienna. There is not only a lot to see here, but also a lot to try out. For children from 1.5 – 8 years there are two different adventure and exercise areas. In addition, the museum's app has audio guides for children and young people on various topics, which are expanded using augmented reality. The puzzle generator on the museum's website is also exciting. Here you can put together riddle questions before the visit depending on your area of interest and age group and take them to the museum. Admission is free for children under 19 years of age.

17. Schönbrunn Palace + Children's Museum – The World of the Emperor's Children

(Station No. 30 Schönbrunn – yellow line)

Schönbrunn Palace is a must on every visit to Vienna. And for children, there is even a separate museum here, which deals with the life of children in the time of the Habsburgs. Stations and exhibits on the topics of teaching, toys, fashion, food and many more invite you to join in and try things out. There is also a large costume and costume corner where you can feel like a real prince or princess.

18. Schönbrunn Panorama Railway – By train through the palace park

(Station No. 30 Schönbrunn – yellow line)

The castle park is very extensive and there is a lot to discover, which can be very exhausting for children. Therefore, the best way to explore the park is with the Schönbrunn Panorama Railway. At the stations you can get on and off as often as you like. So you can easily make it to the Glorietteberg even with a stroller. There is also an audio guide with 7 different languages.

19. Tiergarten, Desert House + Palm House – A Visit to the Animals of the World

(Station No. 30 Schönbrunn – yellow line)

Elephants, giraffes, seals and co. can be visited at Schönbrunn Zoo. Awarded the "Best European Zoo" award, the oldest zoo in the world still in existence attracts over 2 million visitors every year. The enclosures are continuously modernized according to the latest standards and beyond, and a large number of species conservation projects have been initiated and carried out. Children can experience many exotic animal and plant species here and develop an awareness of species and environmental protection. In addition to the zoo, there is also the Desert House, with animals and plants from the sandy desert world, and the Palm House, with plants from all over the world.

20. Belvedere – Discover the Palace Gardens in a playful way

(Station No. 34 Belvedere – yellow line)

In the Belvedere, there are not only impressive works of art to see, but also a beautiful palace garden to discover. The best way to do this is with the help of the augmented reality application "The Fantastic Palastics". With this web-based application, children can playfully explore the castle garden and its history. They are led by animals that lived in the former menagerie. Admission to the museums is free for children under 19 years of age.

In Vienna, children never get bored either, in almost all sights and museums there are activities and programs for children. You can reach your highlights particularly easily with the HOP ON HOP OFF buses from Vienna Sightseeing.

Our tip is to use the Vienna PASS for your visits, which offers you free admission to numerous museums and which you can purchase here.

Book your HOP ON HOP OFF Vienna tour conveniently online and enjoy the wonders of this great city with the whole family at your own pace. Be inspired by the beauty of Vienna!