Kid Friendly in Vienna

Check into the Pension Suzanne upon arriving, a small but very clean, friendly, and perfectly located hotel in the heart of Vienna, just a block from the Opera House. The more expensive rooms have kitchenettes, which provides a nice alternative from eating out for every meal. Breakfast here is excellent. Spend the day wandering around the inner city, where there are plenty of interesting little shops, cafes, and parks to keep interested and busy. The Stephansdom...read more

Check into the Pension Suzanne upon arriving, a small but very clean, friendly, and perfectly located hotel in the heart of Vienna, just a block from the Opera House. The more expensive rooms have kitchenettes, which provides a nice alternative from eating out for every meal. Breakfast here is excellent. Spend the day wandering around the inner city, where there are plenty of interesting little shops, cafes, and parks to keep interested and busy. The Stephansdom cathedral, on the Stephanplatz square, is particularly beautiful, and can be climbed by adults and older children for a great view of the city. Lunch or a snack can be found in the form of a huge pastry selection at Cafe Diglas, a block or two from Stephansplatz. For smaller children, a tram runs around the entire perimeter of the Ringstrasse, providing a chance to see the whole Ring without too much walking. Introduce the family to Viennese fare at dinner at the Gulaschmuseum, a lively restaurant with plenty of options and fun for kids.  hide

An easy and pleasant walk from the pension, the beautiful Belvedere palace offers several options for travelers with children. Tickets can be bought for just the Upper or Lower Belvedere, cutting back on some time, and the Upper level has some kid-friendly art. There is also a cafe and an ice cream shop on the grounds, as well as a botanical garden. The palace grounds are a public park with no fee. Swing south of the ring on the way back to visit the Naschmarkt,...read more

An easy and pleasant walk from the pension, the beautiful Belvedere palace offers several options for travelers with children. Tickets can be bought for just the Upper or Lower Belvedere, cutting back on some time, and the Upper level has some kid-friendly art. There is also a cafe and an ice cream shop on the grounds, as well as a botanical garden. The palace grounds are a public park with no fee. Swing south of the ring on the way back to visit the Naschmarkt, which is a street market combined with a flea market (on Saturdays), with plenty to see, smell, and taste.  hide

Arrive early at the Tiergarten Schonbrunn, a huge zoo that features the only panda bears in Europe, as well as plenty of local and other international wildlife. There is a breakfast pavilion, as well as other dining options. There's also a petting zoo and a giant ferris wheel which provides city views. Try Danieli for dinner, a warm and friendly Italian restaurant, for fabulous pizza and pasta.

Good for children under age 13, the Zoom Kindermuseum is in the heart of the Museum Quarter. It has several zones, including Exhibition, Ocean, and Studio. Most have free admission for adults with a paying child. For dinner, Livingstone provides a enormous variety of cuisines, including American (with a somewhat Asian twist), and has steaks and burgers. Delicious and not too formal or overpriced.

If you want to spend some time outdoors in a nature area, the Lainzer Tiergarten is a preserve east of the inner city featuring tons of local wildlife. There are miles of paths, an observation tower, a visitor center, and plenty of dining options. There is a tram route directly from the Opera House to the park's main gate. To continue the nature experience, have dinner at Palmenhaus, which is housed in the Imperial Greenhouses and offers hearty Viennese fare...read more

If you want to spend some time outdoors in a nature area, the Lainzer Tiergarten is a preserve east of the inner city featuring tons of local wildlife. There are miles of paths, an observation tower, a visitor center, and plenty of dining options. There is a tram route directly from the Opera House to the park's main gate. To continue the nature experience, have dinner at Palmenhaus, which is housed in the Imperial Greenhouses and offers hearty Viennese fare in a unique and beautiful setting just minutes from the hotel.  hide

The Schonborn palace features lots of kid-friendly attractions, including a zoo, labyrinth, and a children's museum, as well as lots of gardens and other museums. There's also a cafe that offers beautiful city views. For dinner, nearby Schnattl is a bit upscale but unpretentious, with lots of delicious Viennese options and a beautiful courtyard to relax in.

If there are any horse lovers in the family, you can go watch the morning workouts of the white Lipizzaner dancing horses at the Spanish Riding School, which is cheaper and more relaxed than the actual performances. Enjoy one last Austrian meal at nearby Kolar for lunch, then check out of the hotel.