Vienna with Kids: Five Days of Imperial Wonder, Wild Animals & Sky-High Adventures

Vienna has a way of feeling simultaneously overwhelming and instantly welcoming. Its grand imperial façades might suggest stiff museum silence, but look closer — past the palace gates and beneath the gilded ceilings — and you'll find a city bursting with color, creature encounters, and the kind of joy that can only come from riding the world's oldest Ferris wheel as the city spreads out beneath you. In addition to being one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, there are a ton of kid-friendly things to do in Vienna, Austria. For five days, your family will spin above the rooftops of the Prater, meet giant pandas at the world's oldest zoo, excavate the mysteries of the Ice Age, march through imperial playgrounds, and stop — always — for cake.

Vienna is a family-friendly city and you can access almost any site with a stroller. You can also easily use the metro (there is only one metro station without an elevator, and it is clearly marked) and trams. Children under the age of six travel free on the municipal transport system. Kids under 15 also travel free during official school holidays, on Sundays, and on public holidays. Add to that the remarkable fact that under-19s get free entrance into all federal museums — including the Natural History Museum — and Vienna quickly becomes one of the best-value family destinations in Europe.

Practical Tip: Grab a Vienna City Card at the airport or your hotel on Day 1. It covers unlimited public transit and offers discounts at dozens of attractions. For cheaper public transport and tickets for sightseeing, check out the Vienna City Card.

⭐ Hidden Gems are marked throughout this guide — these are lesser-known spots that locals love and tourists rarely find. You can also view this itinerary in the app and customize it for your own trip.

Day 1: Arrival & First Taste of the Imperial City

Morning

Touch down in Vienna and breathe in that particular coffee-and-pastry-scented air. If you're arriving at Vienna International Airport (VIE), the City Airport Train (CAT) whisks you to Wien Mitte in just 16 minutes — buy your tickets in advance online.

For your first morning, ease into the city with a wander through the Innere Stadt (1st District). The narrow streets of the Innere Stadt snake through antiquated buildings, providing an atmosphere so authentic that you almost expect a Vienna native to round a cobblestone corner and greet you. Head to Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral) — the towering Gothic spire needs no introduction, but we loved the towering stained glass windows on the sides and the towering pillars along the center corridor of this very impressive Vienna cathedral. Kids often crane their necks skyward and fall dramatically silent — a rare miracle in itself.

From there, stroll along Kärntner Strasse toward the famous Demel pastry shop. We headed to Café Central, although when we saw the queue, we soon retreated and made our way to Demel. Although it was busy, we found a table upstairs. Beautifully grand, the service was friendly, and our kids were welcomed. I chose a slice of Esterhazy torte from the generous selection at the counter — and I didn't regret it. My kids were delighted with the ice cream. This is your breakfast stop: grab a Wiener Melange (Vienna's milky coffee) and a Sachertorte for the adults, and hot chocolate and a fruit Strudel for the little ones. Expect to spend around €8–12 per person.

Practical Tip: Skip the café's famous sit-down experience if the queue is too long. The glass counter is breathtaking on its own — point, purchase, and find a bench by the Albertina for a street-side sugar hit.

Afternoon

After your morning stroll, it's time for something that will immediately establish you as the most exciting parents on the block: the Museum of Natural History (Naturhistorisches Museum), or NHM.

The Natural History Museum is one of the most impressive science museums in Europe, with over 30 million items across 39 large exhibition halls. This is not a museum of endless glass cases and long texts. It feels like a well-structured journey through Earth's story — from geology and meteorites to dinosaurs and modern wildlife.

The monumental building on Maria-Theresien-Platz makes an impact from the first moment: high ceilings, a massive dome, and grand staircases create a sense of scale that children react to instantly. This is the kind of building that makes kids feel like tiny explorers in a giant story.

Where to begin? Start with the dinosaurs early in the visit — before school groups arrive — to keep excitement high from the beginning. The show room with the dinosaurs is one of the favorites of young researchers of nature. The world's first life-size model of a terror bird, along with exhibits of a fascinating horned dinosaur skull, complement the impressive permanent collection. Meanwhile, full-size Plateosaurus skeletons, a massive Tyrannosaurus rex skull, mammoths, fossilized trees, and ancient marine creatures fill several large halls. Moving models and selective interactive elements add energy and movement.

Don't miss the Ice Age Children's Hall (Hall 16): Hall 16 is home to a new family exhibition: large free-standing skeletons of Ice Age animals attract attention. A network of paths connects various themed stations — on topics such as gathering, hunting, eating, living, clothing, playing, hygiene, and health — while seating steps and a fireplace invite visitors to linger. An ice-age cave holds surprises. For interactive fun, you can create a lightning bolt and blow up a volcano, examine the structure of a bone in 3D, look at micro-organisms through a microscope, and take a picture of yourself in an ancient costume.

Also seek out the Venus of Willendorf — a 29,500-year-old figurine that offers a rare glimpse into early human artistic expression. She's barely the size of your palm and sits in her own dedicated room. Frame it as a mystery for the kids: why would people make this thousands of years ago?

Admission: Adults ~€19; children under 19 enter free. The Natural History Museum is closed every Tuesday and on December 25. Book tickets in advance online to skip queues.

Lunch at the museum café: There is a little restaurant on the second floor underneath the incredibly beautiful central dome. They have a simple menu, but there should be something for everyone to enjoy. Mains run €10–15 per adult.

A short visit takes 2–3 hours, but in reality many families spend half a day inside. Budget for 3–4 hours in total.

Evening

By early evening, the kids will be buzzing with dinosaur facts. Head to ⭐ Zanoni & Zanoni on Rotenturmstrasse, just a few steps from Stephansdom, for what many consider Vienna's best gelato. Try Zanoni on Rotenturmstrasse, just down from Stephansdom cathedral. A scoop costs around €2–3 — it's a locals' institution and a far cry from tourist trap pricing.

After gelato, explore the area around the Rathaus (City Hall) — the vast park in front has playgrounds, and on summer evenings, the outdoor film festival and food market fills the square with life. Dinner tonight at Zum Wohl, a relaxed Viennese bistro on the Ringstrasse route where schnitzels are enormous and Spätzle arrives in a skillet. Budget €12–18 per main.

Where to Stay: Novotel Wien City

Overlooking the Ringstrasse Boulevard, Novotel Wien City offers spacious family rooms at an affordable price. Within walking distance from St. Stephen's Cathedral as well as the Danube River and the Prater, Novotel Wien City is conveniently located close to many of Vienna's top attractions. There's also a kids' playground on site, or a fantastic playground at the nearby Prater Park. Family rooms start around $140–180/night and sleep four comfortably. Stay here for Days 1–3, then move to Schönbrunn area for Days 4–5.

Day 2: The Prater — Ferris Wheels, Fairgrounds & Forest Paths

Morning

Today belongs entirely to the Prater, Vienna's legendary park and amusement ground on the east bank of the Danube Canal. Take the U1 or U2 metro to Praterstern station — it's just a 5-minute walk to the entrance of the fairground. Wurstelprater — mostly called just Prater, as it is the name of the park in this area — is a large amusement park in Vienna. It has been open to the public since 1766, before it was a hunting area for the imperial family. This makes it the second-oldest amusement park in the world.

Start with breakfast at ⭐ Café Schweizerhaus, a beloved Prague-beer-garden-style restaurant tucked inside the Prater grounds. It opens at 11am in season, but the surrounding kiosks sell rolls, pretzels, and coffee from early morning. The Schweizerhaus is legendary among Viennese locals for its cold Czech beer and smoked pork knuckle — but at breakfast, grab a cheese-filled croissant from a nearby stand for around €2–3. This is where Vienna families actually go on weekends.

Then, the moment you've been waiting for: ride the Wiener Riesenrad — the Giant Ferris Wheel.

Its most known attraction is the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel — a 64.75-metre tall ferris wheel constructed in 1897 that was, for some time, the tallest in the world. The Riesenrad was built in 1897 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I. It has since become a historic symbol, surviving both World Wars and various changes in the city.

An average ride on the famous Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel takes about 12–15 minutes. While sitting in one of the legendary red carriages, the Danube metropolis can be admired from a bird's eye view. Once at the top, the view of Vienna is striking — especially at sunset — and offers a moment of calm despite the lively environment of the park.

Tickets: Standard tickets: Adult €14.50; Child €6.50. Family tickets: 2 adults + 2 children €36.00; 2 adults + 3 children €41.50. Children under 3 ride free. Book in advance at wienerriesenrad.com to avoid queues.

Before boarding, step into the Panorama Museum at the base — it's free with your Ferris wheel ticket: right by the Giant Ferris Wheel, the Panorama Museum invites you to take a historic walk across Vienna. Eight of the original historical gondolas tell the story of the Prater through time — a wonderful 20-minute detour the kids will enjoy.

Afternoon

After the ride, plunge into the Wurstelprater amusement park itself. With its distinctive Giant Ferris Wheel, the Prater attracts over 4 million visitors each year — but this amusement park is home to over 200 other rides, games, and play places!

It's free to enter, although at around €2 each, the cost of rides can add up. If you plan to go on lots of attractions, consider the ticket packages which are sold in booths across the park. Most of the attractions are suitable from 120 cm and 6 or 8 years old. But there's a whole part designated for smaller kids, even aged 3+.

Budget this afternoon around €20–30 per family for rides. Roller coasters, ghost trains, bumper cars, and swings fill the park in every direction. For a quiet break from the noise and flash:

take a leisurely stroll along the Prater Hauptallee, a beautiful tree-lined avenue for jogging or cycling. The Prater is twice as big as Central Park in New York and offers meadows as well as forests and playgrounds. Rent a family bike from one of the hire stations at the park entrance (around €8/hour per bike) and pedal down this magnificent chestnut-lined boulevard — it feels like escaping the city without going anywhere at all.

Lunch: In the Prater, which surrounds the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, there are various restaurants or the option to picnic on one of the extensive green areas. Pick up sausages (Würstel) from one of the classic red-and-white stands for €3–5 each — this is the quintessential Viennese street food experience, and kids love it.

Evening

As the light softens, the Prater's rides begin to glow. A twilight view of Vienna certainly feels like a fine way to end a day of sightseeing, which is why the Riesenrad features as one of the best suggested evening activities — but you've already ridden it. Instead, let the kids have one last go on their favorite ride, then walk back along the canal to dinner. Try Gasthaus zur Oper, a solid mid-range Viennese restaurant near the center offering Wiener Schnitzel, beef goulash, and proper Austrian desserts. Budget €12–16 per adult, kids' portions available.

Day 3: The Haus der Musik & the Imperial Butterfly House

Morning

Today begins with Vienna's most genuinely interactive museum for kids — and one of the city's most underrated family experiences.

Haus der Musik (House of Music), right near the Staatsoper, is a symphony of hands-on wonder spread over multiple floors. Vienna is a city of music, having been the center of Europe's classical music scene in its heyday in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Haus der Musik helps keep that musical heritage alive for new generations. While children may find the wide array of instruments on display fascinating, this magical environment offers some extras: piano stairs, virtual dice to create their own waltz, and experiments with sounds in VR.

The real showstopper? Haus der Musik also has the world's only virtual conductor. Kids and adults can try their hand at conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, with the help of star conductor Zubin Mehta — but they must be careful: too many mistakes and the virtual orchestra will put down their instruments and start insulting your efforts! Prepare for competitive family rivalries.

Breakfast beforehand at ⭐ Café Hawelka, one of Vienna's most atmospheric old coffeehouses, just off the Graben pedestrian street. It's a local institution — dim lighting, wobbly marble tables, the smell of coffee and Buchteln (sweet jam-filled buns baked fresh every evening, available at night only). For breakfast, the croissant and Melange combination is under €6 and will make you feel entirely Viennese.

Admission to Haus der Musik: Adults ~€19, Children ~€11, Family discounts available. Plan 2–3 hours here.

Afternoon

After lunch (grab a quick slice at Pizza Mari on Mariahilfer Strasse for around €5–7 — an extremely popular local lunch spot known for its puffy Neapolitan-style pies), head toward the Hofburg Palace grounds for something small, magical, and genuinely unlike anything else:

The Imperial Butterfly House (Schmetterlingshaus). The Imperial Butterfly House recently reopened after extensive refurbishments. The butterflies really are both plentiful and beautiful. It's a small hothouse, so won't take long to get round. The building (a Jugendstil palm house) lies right next to some of the main sightseeing spots, so you can use it to keep the kids happy between palaces and paintings.

The entrance is free for children younger than 3 years, then kids have a reduced price. You can't go inside with a stroller, however — it's a small space, so you can see it quickly if you wish. Inside, the warm, tropical air wraps around you as hundreds of brilliant butterflies flutter inches from your nose. Children instinctively freeze and hold out their arms, hoping one will land. It usually does. Allow 45 minutes. Adults ~€8, children ~€5.

From there, wander through the Volksgarten — one of Vienna's prettiest public gardens, completely free. The Volksgarten is very pleasant with loads of colorful flowers, an impressive temple dedicated to Theseus and various statues placed around the gardens. The park appeared to be well-used, even fairly early in the morning, with many people relaxing on the various benches around the park. Well worth a visit, especially on a sunny day.

Evening

For dinner tonight, try ⭐ Gasthaus Pöschl in the 1st District — a deeply traditional Viennese Beisl (neighborhood pub-restaurant) that's far better known among locals than tourists. The daily specials board is written by hand, the goulash is legendarily thick, and the dumplings are the size of small planets. Budget €11–16 per person, cash preferred. This is the real deal — a true hidden gem that keeps Viennese families coming back for generations.

Day 4: Schönbrunn Palace & the World's Oldest Zoo

Today, move to your Schönbrunn-area accommodation.

Morning — New Hotel

Check in to ⭐ Parkhotel Schoenbrunn. Parkhotel Schoenbrunn is located next to Schönbrunn Palace with its park and attractions — the Palm House, Gloriette, and Schönbrunn Zoo, the oldest zoo in the world. The city center is easily reached by subway U4 within 10 minutes. It's a step up in price from your Novotel base (~$160–220/night for a family room), but the location is unbeatable — you can walk to the zoo's main gate in under 5 minutes. Stay here for Days 4–5.

Grab breakfast at the hotel, then walk directly into Tiergarten Schönbrunn — the Schönbrunn Zoo.

Vienna Zoo, officially called Tiergarten Schönbrunn, is one of the top family attractions in Vienna and a must for many first-time visitors. It is located inside the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace and is widely described as the world's oldest zoo still in operation (founded in 1752).

You'll see a vast range of major animal species: from colorful rainforest frogs and desert spiders, Indian elephants, tigers and fluffy koalas, to polar bears, seals and penguins. About every 30 minutes between 10am and 4pm you can watch animals being fed at different locations. Check the feeding schedule at the zoo entrance first — feeding times are the highlight of any visit.

The giant panda enclosure is the star of the show. The panda exhibit was undoubtedly the highlight of our visit. The Vienna Zoo is one of the few zoos in the world that has giant pandas, and we were thrilled to see them up close. The pandas were adorable, and watching them eat bamboo and play with each other was so much fun.

For smaller children: if your kids like to stroke animals, head for the miniature goats at the petting zoo, close to the large adventure playground. The petting zoo has food pellets for sale, which you can feed the small goats and sheep inside the enclosure.

Admission: Adults ~€20, Children (6+) ~€10, Children under 6 free. The zoo is one of the Viennese sights that opens every single day of the year, starting at 9am. In peak tourist months and school holidays, you will see a lot of families. If you want a calmer experience, choose a weekday morning. Buy tickets in advance to skip the line at zoovienna.at.

Practical Tip: If you want to bring your own food and drink, the zoo offers a fair amount of outdoor seating — benches and even picnic tables. Pack sandwiches from a nearby supermarket to save money at lunchtime.

Afternoon

After the zoo, cross into the main Schönbrunn Palace Gardens (free entry to the grounds). The palace's baroque gardens are one of Europe's great outdoor spaces — immaculately trimmed hedges, fountains, and the stunning Gloriette hilltop triumphal arch provide a dramatic backdrop to an afternoon stroll.

Seek out the Children's Museum (Kindermuseum) at Schönbrunn Palace: Mini history buffs will find the Children's Museum at Schönbrunn Palace fascinating, as they encounter toys from the past and a scavenger hunt, as well as discover the daily habits of children living at court in the Imperial era. They can even dress up as young nobility from this bygone courtly world. This is pure joy — crowns are donned, proclamations are made, and photographs are taken that will become family legends. Allow 1 hour. Tickets ~€9 per person.

Then: if your kids are more into puppets and plays, Schönbrunn Palace is also home to a renowned marionette theater, putting on kid-friendly abridged adaptations of Mozart's most child-friendly opera, Magic Flute, as well as the opera of Hansel and Gretel. Check performance schedules in advance at marionettentheater.at. Tickets sell out — book ahead.

Evening

Dinner tonight at Café Residenz inside the Schönbrunn complex — it's slightly touristy but convenient, with classic Austrian dishes and great goulash soup for kids. Budget €14–20 per adult.

Or, for the budget option: grab takeaway Würstel from the sausage stand just outside the main Schönbrunn gates and eat in the gardens — exactly what local Vienna families do on summer evenings.

Day 5: The Naschmarkt, Imperial City Walk & Farewell

Morning

Your final morning begins at one of Vienna's greatest sensory experiences: ⭐ the Naschmarkt, Vienna's famous open-air market stretching nearly a kilometer through the Mariahilf district.

Open Monday through Saturday, the Naschmarkt is where locals come to do their serious food shopping. It would be rude to come to Vienna and not partake in Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) in one of its elegant cafes. But the Naschmarkt is better still — it's Austria's pantry, strewn with spice vendors, olive merchants, cheese stalls, pickle barrels, and hot food counters. For breakfast, grab a Leberkäse roll (Austria's beloved hot meat-loaf sandwich, served from the butcher's counter, €2–3) and fresh-squeezed juice from the produce stands. Kids can point and taste their way through the stalls.

Getting there: Take U4 to Kettenbrückengasse. The market opens at 6am on weekdays and 6am on Saturday; closed Sundays.

After the market, take a final walk through the MuseumsQuartier — Vienna's cultural hub, which houses several of the best family-focused institutions in the city. Spread over 90,000m², Vienna's MuseumsQuartier is bursting with art, culture and play. The courtyard itself has iconic giant colored loungers that kids immediately want to climb on.

If time allows, pop into ZOOM Kindermuseum — Vienna's dedicated children's museum inside the MuseumsQuartier. A sure-fire winner is a trip to Zoom Kindermuseum — just be warned, it is crucial to book before you go (some workshops can book up days in advance). Workshops run €5–8 per child.

Lunch: Head to ⭐ Gasthaus Wolf in the Spittelberg neighborhood, a 5-minute walk from the MuseumsQuartier. This is a proper Viennese neighborhood restaurant — no English menus outside, daily specials on a chalkboard, and schnitzel as large as your face for around €12. Order the Tafelspitz (boiled beef) for yourself and watch the kids devour the roasted potatoes. Unpretentious, local, and delicious.

Afternoon

Spend your last afternoon back in the heart of the old city for one final imperial circuit. Walk along the Ringstrasse, Vienna's magnificent 19th-century boulevard, past the Opera House, Parliament, and the Natural History Museum (your Day 1 conquest). Let the grandeur wash over you one final time.

Stop at the Imperial Crypt (Kaisergruft) beneath the Kapuzinerkirche on Neuer Markt — the Chocolate Museum Vienna "BO-YO" is less museum and more workshop opportunity, particularly the one-hour chocolatier workshop. You and the kids get to pour your own bars and decorate them with a range of toppings. As a final afternoon treat — especially if you have a few hours before departure — book the chocolatier workshop at BO-YO Chocolate Museum (around €25 per person, book ahead). Kids leave clutching their own handmade chocolate bars like they've just won a very sweet Nobel Prize.

Evening — Farewell Dinner

For your final dinner, head back to the Prater area for one last look at the Riesenrad glowing against the darkening sky, then dine at the legendary Zum Alten Faß in the Erdberg neighborhood — a true Viennese institution known for its enormous portions and impossibly cozy wood-paneled dining room. Budget €14–18 per main. A twilight view of Vienna certainly feels like a fine way to end a day of sightseeing — and from the Prater, the Ferris wheel spinning slowly against the Vienna skyline is the perfect goodbye to this extraordinary city.

Practical Family Tips for Vienna

Transport: Vienna's U-Bahn and tram network is excellent. Kids under 6 always ride free; under 15 ride free on weekends, holidays, and school breaks. Buy a 48- or 72-hour Vienna City Card for adults.
Strollers: Vienna is a family-friendly city and you can access almost any site with a stroller. The U-Bahn has elevators at nearly all stations.
Museum Closures: The Natural History Museum is closed every Tuesday and on December 25. Always check ahead.
Zoo Timing: If you want a calmer zoo experience, choose a weekday morning. Avoid weekends in summer if possible.
Ferris Wheel: Children below 3 years and pregnant women are advised not to take a Ferris Wheel ride. Kids 3–14 are €6.50 with a family ticket available.
Cash: Many traditional Viennese restaurants and market stalls are cash-only. Keep €50–100 in Euros on hand.
Booking Ahead: Book the Ferris Wheel, Schönbrunn Children's Museum, ZOOM Kindermuseum, and the Marionette Theater tickets in advance, especially in peak season (June–August).
Vienna Pass: If you're planning to visit more than just Schönbrunn Zoo, it might be a wise idea to buy the multi-day Vienna Pass. The Vienna Pass has about 60 different popular attractions in the capital included.

Approximate Daily Budget (Family of 4: 2 Adults + 2 Kids)

Accommodation: $140–220
Food & Drink: $60–90
Attractions: $40–80
Transport: $15–25
Total~$255–415/day

Note: Under-19s enter federal museums (including the Natural History Museum) for free — a major saving.

Sources & Inspiration

• Visiting Vienna – Kids Guide

• The Little Adventurer – Vienna with Kids

• Family Can Travel – Vienna with Kids

• Marshmallow Travels – Vienna for Toddlers

• Vienna Unwrapped – Vienna with Kids Tips

• Vienna Unwrapped – Schönbrunn Zoo Guide

• Wiener Riesenrad – Official Website

• TicketLens – Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

• Vienna Zoo – Official Visitor Information

• Wien-Tickets – Natural History Museum

• Kidvoyage – Natural History Museum Family Review

• Wanderlust with Kids – Where to Stay in Vienna

• Insight Cities – Best Things to Do with Kids in Vienna

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