I just realized that Ascension Day will occur while I will be in Vienna next year. From what I have seen online, it looks like tourist attractions and restaurants will be open, but even some of this information is contradictory. Can anyone speak from experience? Should I expect shorter opening times, fewer public transportation options, etc.? I can check museum hours closer to my travel dates to confirm their hours. On the other side of the coin, are there any special Ascension Day events I should know about? Thanks!
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Ascension Day is a public holiday in Austria with the usual consequences, e.g. public transport runs on holiday ("Feiertag") schedule (larger intervals), shops are closed, some restaurants are closed, street parking is free, (public) offices are closed (including US embassy and consulates), etc.
If you want to know whether a certain place is open or not just look at the opening time information what it says about "Feiertag".
I am not aware about special events in Vienna, but I am not a catholic. In some smaller towns in the countryside there may be some processions.
Austrians love Ascension Day because it is always on a Thursday, i.e. taking Friday off gives you a long weekend, meaning that a lot of businesses have reduced services on Friday.