I am traveling to Vienna for the first time (with parents). Mom really likes classical music. Dad is more into activities (not sports). Suggestions on "must see/do" stuff?

For classical music lovers, the must-sees are the Vienna Statsoper (one of the best) and the Vienna Philharmonic (also one of the best). Tickets can be pricey ($200), and they sell out fast. I would recommend ordering them before you go. You may also want to see the Vienna Choirboys. The Austrian National Tour Office can provide you with schedules and ordering information (212) 944-6880 (NY); (310) 477-3332 (LA); (312) 644-8029 (Chicago).
Schonbrunn Palace has beautiful gardens to walk through (free) and a greenhouse and butterfly house (small charge). You can also tour the inside of the palace (charge).
As Vienna was the last stop of our long trip we didn't feel like visiting any more museums or churches so instead we sat in coffee shops (abundant ) and people-watched while eating pastries. We found this to be a good way to experience the culture.
Most sites are accessible by the subway, which is clean and safe), or by walking. Enjoy your trip.

There is a park in Vienna that I can't recall the name of but it has a statue of Strauss I believe. Anyway, there are free outdoor classical concerts there in the afternoon in spring/summer. Ask at the tourist office. There is a little cafe with tables that you can sit with your drink and/or dessert and enjoy the music.

Beth, here are two 'must not miss' things to do that will give you great enjoyment, go to a Heurigen (wine tavern) a good one is Reinprecht, Cobenzlgasse 22, Grinzing. No need to get a tour or taxi just catch Tram D that runs from the Ring and terminates at Grinzing. it is such fun and has a lively sing-along envoirment and good food and wine.Grinzing itself is a quaint village and worth wandering around. The other thing not to miss is a visit the musician's grove at the Central Cemetery (Zentralfriendho) there are the graves of Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Gluck and Schonberg, when we stood there and remembered the wealth of music they have given the world, we were moved to tears as imagined all the music in the air. Tram 72 will take you to gate 2.

Don't forget to visit Stephensdom, the historical cathedral (dom) in the centre of town. A lift ride up one of the towers is worthwhile for a fabulous view of the city. Lots of interest inside the dom as well. Reasonably priced (about US$70 for the most expensive seats ) concerts are available too. We were approached by young men and women in Mozart era dress to buy tickets to their concert, held inside the Imperial Palace complex. Historical venue, great music in trad. costume - all in all a very worthwhile evening, particularly if you're a Mozart fan. Can also heartily recommend the Imperial Treasuries, historical museums, musical instruments and art museum, all of which are located in the Imperial Palace area.

Spent a week in Vienna last year, still not nearly enough time. Try the following:

1. Stephansdom
2. Trolley ride around the Ringstrasse
3. Day trip to Schoenbrun
4. Cofffee house and people watching...by the way this is where Europeans started serving the crescent( look at the Turkish flag, understand that they laid siege to Vienna and you'll undertsnd that they brought the "pastry and the coffee"
5. Horse drawn cariage ride from the Stephansdom
6. Check out Freuds house and couch
7. Unique museum of all the dead Habsburgs
8. Strauss concert..buy the tickets from the kids dressed up in period cosutmes at the Hasburgs palace.
9. Check out the museums along the ringstrasse
10. If you like churches, try the Votive Church on the Ring

Vienna is a very clean, beautiful and very expensive city. Save yourself some money and skip the Sacher torte at the Sacher Hotel, overpriced and very poor, uncaring service and not very tasty!.

Do try the wonderful Austrian beers,

What month you visit Vienna will have some bearing
on what is available. The opera season runs through
the end of June. The best value in town is the
20 shilling standing-room only at the Statsopera.
Tickets go on sale one hour before the performance.
Several churches in the city have music early
Sunday mornings - try St. Stephans at 10:15 am.
The park with the statue of Strauss as well as other
musicians is Stadt Park. The tram to Grinzing is
#38 - the D tram goes to Nussdorf where you can
walk the Beethovangang and also visit a Heuriger.
Visit the Donau Insl and the Prater for rollerblading, amusement rides, and people-watching.
In July & August the city has a film festival nightly at the Rathaus. Films of operas and ballets
that have taken place over the past several years.
Food booths are set-up and its a great way to
enjoy some wonderful music.

Thanks for all the great advice. My trip will be in mid-October. Too cold for outdoor concerts? What about other activities? Anyone ever stay at the Hotel Wandl? Sounds nice and reasonable.

Don't miss the Kunthistoriches Museum. It's one of the best art galleries I've seen (and I've seen lots). Make sure you visit the Prater, which is a huge amusement park very famous for its old ferris wheel (it's in a lot of movies, including "Before Sunrise" which was recently on TV). If you're into natural history, check out the Kunthistoriches' sister building, which houses dinosaur skeletons, big huge crystals and other rocks, lots of precious jewels, and I suppose its claim to fame is the Venus of Willendorf. Shoenbrun is interesting, but be sure to do a big walk of the grounds. If you've been to Versailles it won't impress you that much, but it is quite incredible.
Do take advantage of the excellent public transit system...take the tram around the 'ring' to get familiar with the center of the city and take U-Bahn #4 to get to Shoenbrun.
Have fun!