Vienna, often dubbed the heart of Europe, is more than just a hub for grand operas and classical symphonies. It’s where architectural marvels meet historical tales, especially its palaces. Dive into the “17 Best Palaces in Vienna with Family and Kids” and discover a city that’s a living, breathing museum.
Imagine the awe in your children’s eyes as they roam the vast gardens of Schönbrunn Palace or the intrigue as they wander the opulent rooms of the Hofburg. Every palace, from the famous to the lesser-known, holds stories of grandeur, tales of emperors, and whispers of bygone eras. And while Belvedere Palace offers a blend of art and history, other palaces present a chance to step back in time.
With 17 palaces to explore, each visit becomes a unique adventure. Some might transport you to grand balls of the past, while others reveal secrets of historical treaties. It’s a journey through Vienna’s rich tapestry of history, ensuring your family trip is both enchanting and enlightening. After all, who said learning can’t be a royal affair?
1 The Butterfly House
The Butterfly House is where you can awe hundreds of beautiful and rare butterflies fluttering their wings while moving from one tropical plant to another. Moreover, this stunning glass building, attached to the Hofburg – the official residence of the President of Austria- is the ideal spot for budding naturalists.
2 Vienna Zoo
Tiergarten Schönbrunn, or the Vienna Zoo, is the oldest zoo on the planet. It’s located on the grounds of the Imperial Schönbrunn Residence, a picturesque surrounding with historical significance. It feels less like a zoo with such surroundings and is also attached to a vital educational center. The activities kids love at this zoo are watching the feeding times of Siberian tigers and the arctic wolf.
3 National History Museum
A tour of The National History Museum in Vienna would give kids a plethora of information regarding various subjects. The museum exhibits different animals and dinosaurs, but the meteorite hall is highlighted. It is home to the world’s largest meteorite collection, enough to keep your kids in amazement. Besides, it’s certainly an experience to witness for kids of all ages.
4 Zoom Children’s Museum
The Zoom Children’s Museum is a fantastic experience for young ones. It has four areas dedicated to different age groups as follows:
- Ocean for 0-6 years
- Studio for 3-12 years
- Hands-on Exhibition for 6-12 years
- Animated Film Studio for 8-14 years
It’s so much fun that kids don’t realize it’s an educational activity.
Pro Tip – Participation is limited, so you need to book in advance.
5 House of the Sea
Haus des Meeres, or House of the Sea, is a unique aquarium in Vienna. The aquarium takes up 5000 square meters to house 10,000 land and sea animals. You can find everything from monkeys, crocodiles, sea turtles, sharks, and brightly-colored corals. The place also has a rooftop terrace for fantastic views of Vienna. You can also fill your stomach at the self-service restaurant Café Sharky.
6 Museum of Illusions
It is a museum where kids can have fun experiencing holograms and optical illusions. It is a unique experience to gain in a dizzying tiled room with a rotating cylinder tunnel. There are also interactive puzzles and educational games to keep people guessing. Finally, you can click some images to add to your album of memories.
7 House of Music
The House of Music takes visitors on a musical journey. Some exhibits denote the magic of music and the impact it can have on our lives. You will feel all of this while walking around in this vibrant setting. In addition, you can buy a musical souvenir to remember from the gift shop.
8 Opera House
Wienna Staatsoper is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Let your children immerse themselves in opera music designed for young people. Children above 6 can enjoy ballets, concerts, dance workshops, and guided tours.
9 The Clown Museum
The Clown Museum provides excellent value for money and allows your kids to have a ball time. Kids can learn about a circus’s operation and what happens behind the curtains. Also, they can dress up as clowns and get hands-on experience.
10 The Tech Museum: Vienna travel with kids
The Tech Museum has exhibitions and various activities for the entire family. The museum brings the magic of cinema to life. Further, there are several activities in which kids can take part. In addition, they can enter the techLAB to design something that can be printed out in 3D.
11 Vienna Underground Walking Tour
It is a very informative tour for kids, that is, if they are not afraid of the dark. They can learn about historical facts about what happened in Vienna. A guide will take visitors through a passage that leads to different areas. The main part of the tour is the crypt of St. Miachael’s Church, where there are human skulls, mummies, and hundreds of coffins of significant Viennese citizens.
12 The Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School is a unique experience suitable for kids over 3. Kids experience talented riders on stunning white stallions moving around to classical Viennese music. Also, it’s an excellent opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with horses.
13 Giant Ferris Wheel Ride
The Giant Ferris Wheel Ride is the perfect opportunity to watch the Austrian capital from above. Moreover, it provides you with panoramic views of the city by day or night. The ride takes between 12 to 15 minutes and offers ample time to contemplate every corner of Vienna. Pre-booking the session means skipping the queue to enter the ride.
14 Wiener Prater Amusement Park
Wiener Prater is the city’s most famous amusement park in Central Leopoldstadt. The area consists of everything from rollercoasters to restaurants and sprawling green spaces. Some of the notable rides in the park are the Praterturm, the giant ferris wheel, and the 117-meter flying swing. Moreover, kids will especially enjoy the Grottenbahn, a train ride that brings popular childhood characters, like Little Red Riding Hood, to life.
15 Marionette Theatre Schönbrunn Palace Vienna
The Marionette Theatre Schönbrunn Palace Vienna is where kids can see the best marionette shows. It’s particularly interesting for kids who like puppets and see the magic in puppet shows. Furthermore, the theater has specifically designed shows that take a short time to suit your kids’ attention span.
16 Madame Tussauds Vienna
Madame Tussauds has created a brand in almost every city it is in. The same applied to Madame Tussauds Vienna, a must-visit attraction in the Austrian capital. As usual, you can find notable characters in history made of wax. Apart from that, you can also see significant people that represent Austrian culture and history.
17 Time Travel and Magic Vienna History Tour
Time Travel and Magic Vienna History Tour is something you must experience with your kids in Vienna. It takes you back in time and teaches you many things about the history of Vienna. Moreover, it’s a fun and educative tour for kids where they learn about many significant events in the city’s history.
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