AUSTRIA
VIENNA
Closest Airport
Vienna [VIE]
Train:
Very easy to use and navigate, every stop we used had lifts and signs making stroller use easy to navigate. The fare was very reasonable and it came on time. The stops took us everywhere we needed to go without having to lug carseats around.
The zoo was incredible and one of the highlights of our trip. The penguins, pandas and monkey house were all very well-done, easy sightlines for kids and you could get close to the creatures. The path was easy to navigate and they had English signage as well making it very user-friendly. There was a Barcelona-style playground with Gaudi art tiles, a small snack window and a climbing structure which gave a nice break as well. The train was close, though there was a bit of a walk through town it was manageable and the flow of the crowd made it easy to navigate.
Downtown:
The walk around downtown was incredible, with every turn showcasing ornate fountains, gorgeous architecture, and clean, well-kept streets. The cobblestone made wearing baby a bit easier than pushing, but we managed strollers for a few of the longer walks. Everything is very walkable (Children’s Museum, Crown Jewels, History Museum) are all centrally located in a museum park that you can bounce between very easily.
This historic restaurant is incredible both for its food and history. Very kid-friendly, they warmly welcomed our littles and seated us at a booth (which was wide enough to accommodate our folded Doona, so our baby could sleep while we ate). The Goulash is out of this world and our 2.5 yo loved it so much she ate the bowl we ordered to share and asked for more. We ate here 3 different nights because each time it was amazing. The building is ancient stone and goes down several stories into the ground. It dates back centuries (one of the oldest in the city) and has several levels, one for more romantic date nights, one with live music which drifted up to the top level (where we sat) that was more family friendly. Affordable and delicious, would highly recommend!
Playgrounds:
Throughout the city are many well-appointed playgrounds, all fenced and gated to keep kiddos in. The Jewish Quarter had several we visited (just a short walk over the bridge from the main downtown area) and were very much in a neighborhood.
Similar to other intentionally designed parks, this one featured flower gardens, benches (which were tucked away making for easy nursing) and places for the kids to run and explore. It felt very clean and open so it had great sight lines for seeing the city, but also keeping eye on kiddos who may be eager to run around.
This multi-level display was incredible with the historic artifacts dating back centuries of royal and noble families. It isn’t overly kid friendly, while our kids mostly did good, our 2.5 yo was a bit restless by the end and was talking loudly and we got some not so friendly looks from guests and staff members alike which we found surprising. The crown jewels were beautiful and the other items were incredible to see, though of the different places we went, this was the least enjoyed by our small kiddos. It was very crowded and cramped. Access was also a bit tricky, they have to take you a back way to access the elevator to the upper level and the restrooms are deep in the basement and the baby room is locked so it was a bit tough to find someone to open the door.
This museum had multiple levels of recreated rooms of Sisi’s castle (Princess Elizabeth). Similar to the elaborate designs of French and Russian castles (not quite Versaille but very opulent) it was easy to imagine the young princesses growing up and was fun for our little to enjoy (to a point). It did take awhile to walk through it all and ended up with her being a bit bored by the end. Lifts are available and they have bag/coat checks as well. There was a family restroom with a changing table and baby seat, very spacious, near check-in that made diaper changes very easy.
Imperial Carriage House of Vienna:
This complex was incredible and despite the rain, our girls had the best time. We visited the carriage house first which had several big rooms filled with royal carriages, coaches and sleds that used to transport the princesses and other royals. The horse statues were decked out in full regalia and our 2.5 yo was fascinated imagining what royal life was like. I think most girls would love this as the displays were very beautiful and the round coach looked as if Cinderella would step right out. There was history mixed in which made it fun for us to learn as we went.
Closest Airport
Vienna[VIE]