Are you and the children getting cabin fever? Would you like to spend a nice day with your children, but not pay too much? Then I would like to introduce a truly wonderful excursion tip here:
Excursion in Vienna with children: The Donaupark in Vienna
âRapunzel, let down your hair,â
The whole park is generously laid out. There are many green spaces, trees, and beautiful flower beds. Many benches invite you to linger. This park really offers a generous range of activities where no one will get bored.
For chess enthusiasts, there are two large chess boards with large pieces, which are usually well-frequented. Furthermore, there is a tennis court and a skateboard facility. For a younger audience, there are trampoline facilities where you can jump to your heart's content for a fee.
The beautiful straight paths invite you to exercise: walking, cycling, jogging, etc. are even more fun here in this park.
The park also has several small lakes where ducks and swans sometimes hang out. Some ponds can be crossed and admired via a bridge.
Extra tip:Take a rideable vehicle for children: balance bike, roller skates, scooter, bicycle. This way, you might even be able to ride through the whole park.
The Papstwiese (Pope's Meadow)
The Papstwiese is located near the Danube Tower.
This meadow got its name because a Holy Mass was held there by the Pope on September 11, 1983. Pope John Paul II gathered 300,000 believers here and held a Holy Mass.
A 40-meter-high steel cross was erected especially for this purpose, which can still be visited there today.
The meadow is about 20 hectares in size and is an ideal meeting point for sports activities, such as soccer. But it is also really nice for sunbathing, picnicking, or just playing ball, as there is really a lot of space.
You can view this meadow very well with the Liliputbahn (miniature railway), as it drives right around it and you can catch a very good view of the Danube Tower and the steel cross from one point.
Extra tip:Take a blanket and a picnic basket with food â the children will be amazed. Possibly also take balls or badminton rackets with you.
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The Liliputbahn
My highlight in this park. With the Liliputbahn, you can cross the entire park or shorten the walk through the three stations. There are three stations where you can get on.
For children, it is a really nice experience to ride the Donauparkbahn, as it is completely open and thus allows for a great view. Our twins really enjoy riding the train.
Strollers or children's bikes can also be transported on the train. Beware of bad weather, then the train does not run!
For further information, visit the website of the Liliputbahn in the Donaupark: www.liliputbahn.com/donaupark
The playground
An absolutely beautifully laid out playground for children, where they can spend hours. Actually, the playground consists of two parts, because they are connected by a bridge that leads over the track of the Liliputbahn. One part is more ideal for smaller children and the other part is definitely suitable for older children.
The playgrounds are completely fenced and, due to the high trees, are almost exclusively in the shade.
Toddler playground
One playground is designed more for toddlers aged 1-3 years. This part is also closed by a door. Dogs are also not allowed inside.
In this part, you will find baby swings, small wooden houses, climbing frames, and slides. Also nice are the facilities where children can make music in various ways.
Here you will also find a portable toilet and a drinking water fountain, as well as benches and tables for resting and eating. If you like, you can also take a blanket and sit on the blanket with your baby; there are also beautiful meadow areas available.
Playground for older children
The second part is even larger and recommended for children from 3 years old.
A big highlight is certainly the small hill where several tube slides lead down. One slide is built like a rocket and you have to climb up first before you can slide.
Our children really liked the large climbing frame with the slides. Here they could climb everywhere and get to new slides via swinging bridges.
Also great for children is the water and sand playground. It is totally beautiful how the children interact here and build dams and watercourses. Our son really liked the excavator, and our daughter the huge flower in the middle of the sandbox.
Of course, there are also all kinds of large climbing structures here that reach really high, as well as spring rockers, a car, and balls that rotate.
Many benches allow parents to rest for a moment and watch their children.
Extra tip:Take spare clothes, as the children can get very wet and dirty in the water and sand play area.
The animals
In the Donaupark, there are several water points, some with fountains. Right in front of the playground is a beautiful pond with a large fountain, where most of the ducks and swans hang out. These literally pounce on the bread thrown to them.
Here is also a small jetty where you can walk a bit on the water. Very well done for children, as it is very well fenced and they can get even closer to the great fountain.
Extra tip:Take some food for the ducks and swans; the children had a lot of fun feeding them.
The Danube Tower
The attraction in the park is of course the Danube Tower, because it is a landmark of Vienna and, at 252 meters, the tallest structure in all of Austria.
The viewing terrace at a height of 150 meters is reached by the express lift. The platforms are accessible all around and consist of a two-story glazed interior part, as well as an outdoor platform. For children, the so-called 'children's terrace' should definitely be visited. Since a renovation, there are full-surface glass walls here so that the children can also look all the way down.
From up here, you have a wonderful view of Vienna and the surrounding area both by day and by night. Through the glazed interior part, the view can also be enjoyed in the dry during bad weather. This part is also a popular event venue.
Furthermore, the Danube Tower houses a Restaurant and a Coffee house.
Fine Viennese cuisine is served in the revolving restaurant. I personally have eaten here and found it really beautifully romantic â it is wonderful for particularly beautiful occasions.
There is also a coffee house in the Danube Tower. This also revolving coffee house delights with homemade Viennese pastries and an equally wonderful view.
The Korea Cultural House
In May 2012, the Korea Cultural House was opened in the Donaupark. The former lake restaurant at the Irissee, which is partially a listed building, was converted and shines in new splendor. It has been converted very tastefully.
For further information, visit the website of the Korea Cultural House: koreakulturhaus.at
Conclusion
For us, this was a wonderful excursion that didn't cost much, but offered a lot to the children and me. The Liliputbahn and the playground were of course what our twins liked best. We had the balance bikes with us in the park and the children were very enthusiastic because they could ride very nicely here â without having to watch out for cars. We will definitely come back, because I have to admit: I like riding the Liliputbahn myself.
Also read: GĂ€nserndorf Adventure Park â excursion destination for children
Photos by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
