Off the Beaten Path Vienna

The Pension Suzanne is a hidden gem. It's located just inside the ring near some main attractions like the Stadtsoper, but you wouldn't even know it was there walking by. Quiet and set away from the bustle of the main streets, you'll still be within several minutes walking distance from many museums, parks, and other landmarks. This is the best place to stay to get the best of Vienna's downtown experience, yet feel like you're on your own private vacation....read more

The Pension Suzanne is a hidden gem. It's located just inside the ring near some main attractions like the Stadtsoper, but you wouldn't even know it was there walking by. Quiet and set away from the bustle of the main streets, you'll still be within several minutes walking distance from many museums, parks, and other landmarks. This is the best place to stay to get the best of Vienna's downtown experience, yet feel like you're on your own private vacation. It doesn't hurt that there's a lovely dining room at the Suzanne, and service that consistently goes above and beyond. Vienna is a wonderful city to explore on foot, so check in when you arrive and then set out for a stroll around the Ringstrasse to see some of the city's landmarks and unique architecture and parks. There are interesting churches throughout the ring, many of which are centuries old. Of particular note are the Gothic Franziskanerkirche, the Ruprechtskirche (Vienna's oldest church), and the opulent Jesuitenkirche, next to the old university. The Universitat Wien, on the western side of the ring, can also be an enjoyable place to walk through. Just near the Universitat is the Cafe Einstein, always bustling with students, which is a fun place to get the first schnitzel of your trip. In the afternoon, rent bicycles for a ride along the Danube. There is a nice bike path along the entire length of the river, so you can travel any distance you like, and the path branches off into trails that go to various locations around the city. Ride south or hop on the subway to visit the Friedhof St. Marx cemetary, and don't forget to bring along paper and pencil for a rubbing of Mozart's grave. Nearby is the Belvedere, a main tourist attraction, but the gardens and grounds are less-frequented and beautiful, and offer a breathtaking view of the city. Bike or take the subway back toward downtown for a classic Viennese dinner at Ofenloch, a charming local favorite. Check out the show schedule ahead of time at the Palais Palffy, and if there's one that fits your itinerary, catch an evening Vienna Walzer concert, amazing performances of Strauss and Mozart pieces accompanied by song and dance in period costumes.  hide

Hop on a train to head south of Vienna to visit the town of Baden, where the sulfur hot springs have been enjoyed for their medicinal properties for hundreds of years. There are several places around here to soak in, including the Romertherme (Europe's largest baths) and the Thermalbad Bad Voslau, a bit south of Baden but less crowded and with a delicious cafe. Also south of the city is wine country, where there are some well-known wineries including Feiler-Artinger,...read more

Hop on a train to head south of Vienna to visit the town of Baden, where the sulfur hot springs have been enjoyed for their medicinal properties for hundreds of years. There are several places around here to soak in, including the Romertherme (Europe's largest baths) and the Thermalbad Bad Voslau, a bit south of Baden but less crowded and with a delicious cafe. Also south of the city is wine country, where there are some well-known wineries including Feiler-Artinger, consistently ranked as one of Austria's best. In the small town of Rust and still family-run, this is a wonderful spot to visit for a tasting and a tour. For dinner, stop into one of Vienna's best restaurants, Steirereck. If you want the full experience, opt for the tasting menu, and approach the cheese cart with an open mind.  hide

Get back on the metro to head southwest of town to walk around the Lainzer Tiergarten, a huge wildlife preserve. Originally built in the 1500s as a hunting park, it is now a sanctuary filled with native flora and fauna. Take some time to stroll along the paths that criss-cross the park, and climb to the top of the observation tower. In the garden is also the Hermesvilla, now a museum dedicated to the life of Empress Elisabeth. Sit for a snack in the cafe here....read more

Get back on the metro to head southwest of town to walk around the Lainzer Tiergarten, a huge wildlife preserve. Originally built in the 1500s as a hunting park, it is now a sanctuary filled with native flora and fauna. Take some time to stroll along the paths that criss-cross the park, and climb to the top of the observation tower. In the garden is also the Hermesvilla, now a museum dedicated to the life of Empress Elisabeth. Sit for a snack in the cafe here. Take the train north a bit from the park to stop at the Jubilaumswarte, a tall observation tower that provides beautiful views of Vienna and the surrounding countryside. Continue north from the tower to visit the neighborhood of Grinzing, quaint and filled with lovely little places to sit and enjoy a glass of wine and some cheese. You can also take a short walk up a hill on the edge of town to get some more beautiful views of Vienna and the vineyards in the area. Save room for dinner at Gasthaus Ubl, a small Vienna institution known for its delicious classic fare. If it's a clear night, travel to the northern edge of the ring for a tour of the Urania Observatory, on the Danube, and a chance to see the skies through the telescope here.  hide

Another beautiful garden is owned by the Universitat Wien, and is southeast of the city near the Belvedere. Open much of the year, the garden is part of the Life Sciences department at the university, and is filled with thousands of plant species. If you're interested in trying Viennese food with a unique twist for lunch, go to Alt Wien, known for its unusual and somewhat gloomy atmosphere as well as its hearty food. Spend the afternoon exploring more of the...read more

Another beautiful garden is owned by the Universitat Wien, and is southeast of the city near the Belvedere. Open much of the year, the garden is part of the Life Sciences department at the university, and is filled with thousands of plant species. If you're interested in trying Viennese food with a unique twist for lunch, go to Alt Wien, known for its unusual and somewhat gloomy atmosphere as well as its hearty food. Spend the afternoon exploring more of the ring on foot. There's the Schmetterlingshaus, fun to visit for the architecture alone but also filled with thousands of brilliantly colored butterfly species, right near the State Library, an immense and magnificent Baroque institution. Forgo a tour and explore the Grand Hall and the rest of this incredible building at your own pace. Also walk by the Parlament building, massive and surrounded by remarkable sculptures and monuments. When you get hungry, stop into the Grand Cafe for more delicious Austrian fare and some truly great desserts. After your dinner, walk over to the Heldenplatz, the square in front of the Hofburg most famous for being the site of Hitler's 1938 speech. It's also, however, a lovely spot to visit at night, when the whole square is beautifully illuminated, and soak in a bit of Viennese history.  hide

One of Vienna's most pride-inspiring bits of history is the many great composers that were born and lived here. Instead of taking a guided tour of the more famous spots in town, take your own tour on bicycle of the more personal places that these remarkable men used to inhabit. Then, take the train south to Schloss Laxenburg. This is one of the most spectacular palaces in the region, but is much less visited than the Schonbrunn, the Belvedere or the Hofburg....read more

One of Vienna's most pride-inspiring bits of history is the many great composers that were born and lived here. Instead of taking a guided tour of the more famous spots in town, take your own tour on bicycle of the more personal places that these remarkable men used to inhabit. Then, take the train south to Schloss Laxenburg. This is one of the most spectacular palaces in the region, but is much less visited than the Schonbrunn, the Belvedere or the Hofburg. There is some fine art in the main buildings, but one of the best things about this location is the extensive beautiful parks and gardens around the property, and the small town of Laxenburg. Bring a picnic for lunch and sprawl out on the lawns when you find a spot that looks appealing.  hide

On your last day, begin with a walk around Spittelberg, a charming neighborhood that has retained its charming old-time village feel. There's also lots of little craft and art shops around to pop into as you explore. Try lunch at Podium, a restaurant enjoyable for its innovative meals and its atmosphere that's both stylish and comfortable. There are some more interesting places to visit inside the ring, such as the Akademie der Wissenschaften, in another fascinating...read more

On your last day, begin with a walk around Spittelberg, a charming neighborhood that has retained its charming old-time village feel. There's also lots of little craft and art shops around to pop into as you explore. Try lunch at Podium, a restaurant enjoyable for its innovative meals and its atmosphere that's both stylish and comfortable. There are some more interesting places to visit inside the ring, such as the Akademie der Wissenschaften, in another fascinating neighborhood and filled with interesting art, or the Alte Schmiede, a former blacksmithy now used as a museum and cultural center. One of the lesser-known but fascinating museums in town is the Borse Palais, impressively built and decorated and filled with historical information. If you are up for a short trip out of town, there are few tourists on weekdays in Kahlenberg, and this is one of the best views around. Grab a snack at the cafe at the top, and go for a short hike around the hills. For dinner, Alter Rathauskeller is a fun and unique restaurant experience in the city's town hall, and has great beers and more good Viennese food.  hide