Suggestions while in Vienna?
 

My wife and I will be spending 10 days in Vienna in mid-July. We will be staying at the Intercontinental and would appreciate any suggestions on what to do or see.

Thanks very much.

Andy

Andy,

You hit the jackpot...ten days in Vienna! One of the most beautiful cities in the world!. Have been there twice, and while your tastes may be different than ours let me tell you what we saw, did and liked:...1.Take a trolley ride around the city on the Ring Strasse that encircles the city , just to get a feel for the place. This is a beautiful boulevard that runs where the old city fortified walls used to be....2. Spend some time at St. Stephans Cathedral, a beautiful church with a very unique roof. Climb to the top of the tower for a great view of the city...3. Go to the palace of the Habsburgs. These folks ruled the Austro-Hungarian empire for quite a few years, and they knew how to live the high life.Visit the apartments and treasury....4. Tour the opera house...5.Visit the Schoenbrun Palace, the summer home of the Habsburgs. It was also the site of a summit meeting between Kennedy and Kruschev.It is a short subway ride, nicest subways in Europe, but allow for a full day to enjoy it all. Be sure and try the delicious cake pretzels sold downstairs...6.Attend a Straus concert. The tickets can be bought from any number of young folks dressed up in period cosumes at the Habsburg Palace.You'll probably want to wear a blazer and nice shirt.....7. Find a coffee shop and just watch people go by. You can sit for hours and they do not care, in fact, try to get a check. By the way, Vienna is the home of the coffee house and the croissant....8. Visit Sigmund Freuds house and check out your psyche, or his...9.Go to the Prater and ride the ferris wheel....10.Check out any of the wonderful museums around the Ring Strasse...11.Visit the Votive Church on the Ringstrasse..12. Visit the upper and lower Belveder Mansions. The upper has a great art museum, particualrly if you like modern...13.Skip the Sacher Hotel and their famous torte. Overpriced and the service was terrible...14.Wander the streets, starting around the St. Stephans square and be amazed at the beauty of the buildings and the architecture...15. Take a horse drawn carriage ride. You get them at St. Stephans catehdral. Be certain to ask for English driver, unless you speak German. Well thats about it, except for the beer. Some of the best in the world. Try the Stiglbrau, if available, and my favorite...Gosser Beer!..If you don't have a place to stay consider the Pension Neurmarkt. Located on a small square about two blocks from St. Stephans, it is good value for the $$$, friendly staff and good breakfast. Have fun and enjoy one great city!

I agree with everything Tom said except I am not familiar with the Pension.Vienna tops my list of places I intend to have an extended visit. One additional thing: Find one of the older parts of town (outskirts of downtown) and walk the streets.At night Ifelt as if Humprey, Sidney, and Peter were going to step from the shadows at any moment.
If you do not recognize the names ask any oldie movie fan. Enjoy! Two weeks,I'm jealous.

To Tom and W. Many thanks for your input. Our tastes must be very similar because it all sounds great; especially the beer part. I bet we can find some nice wines for my wife. Again, thank you for taking the time to respond.

Anddy

Agree with Tom..except for Sacher torte. Buy one at the little shop in the mall side of Sacher Hotel or go to the art museum and buy one with coffee on the second floor. This is a beautiful building and the art is masterpieces. Prater ferris wheel moves very slow to let people off & on. Go to Grinsing (a suburb wine village- one restaurant after another) wonderful food & wine. You can take bus..everyone on the bus will advise you on which is best. After dinner, take bus to end of line and look down on city with night lights & Prater ferris wheel. (Just be sure to get on the last bus..I think they stop running at midnight).