Taking a city break with young people or teenagers is very often a challenge. “That’s boring” is probably the sentence most often uttered by teenagers. Anyone who nevertheless dares to take a city trip with young people could make it a success with these tips.
Outings with teenagers in Vienna – with teens in Vienna
Exit the Room in Vienna
A fun idea is to try an Exit the Room. Here you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a story (yes, like in a series!) and experience a real adventure. You are ‘locked’ in a room and have to collect and use clues in order to ‘escape’ again. I have done an Exit the Room several times and succeeded, and I always thought it was really great. On a city trip with teenagers, an Exit the Room can lift the mood; then they may be more willing to stroll into the city center!
Contact:
Crime Runners
2 branches:
Alster Straße branch
Hernalser Gürtel 24 Door 1/corner of Alser Straße
1090 Vienna
Email: [email protected]
Tel. no.: +43 1 997 2939
Schottentor branch
Maria Theresien-Str. 3/1a
1090 Vienna
Email: [email protected]
Tel. no.: +43 1 997 2939
Schönbrunn Zoo
Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna is a must; you have to have seen it, and even here teenagers’ hearts will soften. They may grumble at first, but animals are always an experience. At Schönbrunn Zoo there are various areas, such as the monkey house, bird house, desert house or rainforest house.
You should definitely visit the aquarium house, because in the largest aquarium, with 80,000 liters of salt water, you can marvel at a huge living coral reef as well as hundreds of fish.
The rainforest house is modeled on the rainforest of Southeast Asia, and many animals fly around freely here in a natural setting, which can be a challenge for some in the bat grotto. With elaborate technology and special effects, a tropical thunderstorm is recreated here.
So if there is too much whining, off to the tropical thunderstorm!
Contact
Address: Maxingstraße 13b, 1130 Vienna
Tel. no.: +43 1 87792940
Website: www.zoovienna.at
Prater
Another highlight that must not be missed on a visit to Vienna – even with teenagers – is the Vienna Prater. The Giant Ferris Wheel, which was built in 1897, is the landmark of the Prater.
There is a lot for young people to experience here; attractions such as Turbo Booster, Schwarze Mamba or Boomerang are sure to be remembered and will stop the grumbling for a while.
Of course, the Vienna Prater also takes care of your physical well-being. A visit to the Schweizerhaus should not be missed here. The Schweizerhaus is known for its unique pork knuckles, potato pancakes and Budweiser beer to strengthen the parents’ nerves.
Extra tip: Be sure to reserve a table in good time; in nice weather it is usually packed. If you don’t have time and would rather eat on the go, you will find delicious snacks in the Prater on almost every corner, such as corn on the cob or langos, as well as cotton candy for something sweet.
Contact:
Address: Leopoldstadt, 1020 Vienna
Tel. no.: +43 1 7280516
Website: prater.at
Danube Island
On the Danube Island, right by the Reichsbrücke below the lighthouse, you will find Sunken City. Here you can spend beautiful summer days doing sports on the water. In addition to pedal boats and electric boats, which are available until midnight, you can also try stand-up paddling. Numerous restaurants, as well as bars and clubs, take care of your physical well-being. Strolling along the Danube between the venues feels a bit like being on holiday in southern countries. Maybe add a Virgin Colada in the evening and the evening is perfect.
Contact Sunken City:
Address: Sunken City, 1220 Vienna (near the Reichsbrücke)
Website: www.donauinsel.at
Danube Tower
A visit to the Danube Tower is something special and can be included in a sightseeing tour with teenagers. High above the ground there is a restaurant and a coffee house where you can fortify yourself with fine Viennese cuisine. The view is gigantic and the food is also very good. Be sure to reserve a table!
Contact
Natural History Museum
Even if the young people may be against it at first, this museum is one of the most important natural history museums in the world. With around 30 million collection objects (!), it houses some famous and in some cases unique exhibits, such as the 25,000-year-old Venus of Willendorf.
I know, that won’t lure any teenager into this place, but there are many animals here in the exhibition rooms, displayed in lifelike detail, which can make for a good post or snap. The museum offers guided tours and events, and also has special exhibitions again and again; when we were there, it was dinosaurs. If the mood turns, then head to the Café & Restaurant in the Natural History Museum; here there are national and international snacks, as well as traditional pastries and coffee specialties that can lift the mood again.
Contact
Address: Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna
Tel. no.: +43 1 52177-0
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.nhm-wien.ac.at
Technical Museum
This museum is really great for children and also teenagers. Here, lots of experiments can be started among historical objects. Things may be touched and tried out, which can also attract one teenager or another.
On an area of 22,000 m², superb insights into the world of technology are offered. It has a great many exhibition models, some of them quite large, such as locomotives, airplanes, cable cars or cars. One of the largest collections of historical musical instruments in the Technical Museum is also impressive. If you like, you can organize a puzzle rally in the museum; information about this is available when buying tickets. The museum also regularly hosts special exhibitions; these can be found on the website.
When the teenagers get hungry, refreshments in the café of the Technical Museum can help.
Contact
Address: Mariahilfer Straße 212, 1140 Vienna
Tel. no.: +43 1 899 98-0
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.technischesmuseum.at
Museum of Illusions
A somewhat different museum is the Museum of Illusions in Vienna’s first district, which teenagers might like. Here, nothing is as it seems and you can take really great snaps and Instagram posts. In the rooms of this museum, the perspectives are changed and make possible truly magical pictures and captivating illusions.
Address: Wallnerstraße 4, 1010 Vienna
Tel. no.: +43 1 5322255
Email: I[email protected]
Website: museumderillusionen.at
House of Music – Museum
This is not a boring museum; here music comes to life, and hopefully the teenagers do too. This museum is exciting, varied and interactive — not just looking, but actively trying things out.
Address: Seilerstätte 30, 1010 Vienna
Tel. no.: +43 1 5134850
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.hdm.at
Vienna Treasury
Maybe a little daring with teenagers, but there really is a lot to see here. This treasury is one of the most important in the world (!) and houses many magnificent treasures. Maybe charm the teenagers with good food beforehand and then stumble in here ?
Address: Seilerstätte 30, 1010 Vienna
Tel. no.: +43 1 52524
Email: i[email protected]
Website: www.kaiserliche-schatzkammer.at
Vienna Woods
On a city break in Vienna, it is even possible to include a hiking day or a cycling day. The Vienna Woods right by Vienna invite you to hike, cycle or go for walks. The well-marked hiking trails lead through the wonderful nature and are a welcome change after a sightseeing tour in the city. Sporty teenagers get their money’s worth here and can really burn off energy. Maybe then they will be more prepared to walk around the city center again?
Contact
Address: Hiking and mountain bike trails around Vienna
Web: www.wienerwald.info
Bike service businesses:
Web: www.wienerwald.info/rad-servicebetriebe
House of the Sea
In the middle of Vienna, in an anti-aircraft tower, is the House of the Sea. Here, more than 10,000 animals can be observed on over 4,000 m2. In the terrarium section you can see venomous and giant snakes, crocodiles and lizards. The biggest attractions are the large aquariums with the sharks or the tropical house with the croc park and the free-flying birds. In the freshwater section there are also the notorious piranhas.
The animals are located on several floors, which can also be reached by elevator. Please note: on busy visiting days, this is often not so easy.
Contact
Address: Fritz-Grünbaumplatz 1, 1060 Vienna
Tel.: +43 1 587 14 17
Fax: +43 1 586 06 17
Web: www.haus-des-meeres.at
Email: [email protected]
Shopping in Vienna
Shopping is very high on the list with our teenagers. In Vienna, you can shop wonderfully in the city center. My favorites are Mariahilfer Straße and Kärntner Straße; you absolutely have to try them.
Mariahilfer Straße
Kärntner Straße
Conclusion
Vienna really has some fantastic sights that you should have seen. With teenagers, of course, this is not always so easy, as they often do not appreciate these special sights. My tip is always: first do something the children absolutely want to do, they have to be full, and THEN you can also do something more ‘boring’ like wander around the city center or go to the treasury. Maybe entice them by saying they can make cool posts and snaps here.
Photos by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
Read also: 10 excursion destinations for families around Vienna
