So May 2018 my in-laws, hubby, and I will be on a river cruise where we will have one full day in Vienna and since none of us have been before I'm wondering what would be the best to see with just one day. First though the night before I want to take my mother-in-law to a concert she will never forget. What would be the best for this? Then our full day possibilities include Schonnbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace, Museum of Military History...We all love music and culture, my father-in-law and I love war history if that helps. Looking for a starting point for my research. Then that evening we want to do a Heuriga evening. Any recommendations? Thanks so much!
Posted by
3238 posts
The Vienna Opera should give your MIL a wonderful memory. Here is the May 2018 schedule for the Vienna Opera. I would suggest that you splurge a bit on your tickets. In hindsight, my husband and I both wish we had paid more for better seats, even though the spectacle was still - spectacular!
http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/season-tickets/calendar/refDate/2018-05-01/
By the time we got to Vienna on our 2015 trip, we were "palaced out" and couldn't face the lavish interiors of another palace - even Schonnbrunn. But we loved touring the grounds and the zoo.
If it were my one day, and I would do Belevedere, Military History Museum and use my remaining time at the Schonnbrunn.
Posted by
Southeast US
3833 posts
Vienna in a day is tough! Emily -- the Vienna expert on the board -- will hopefully chime in with her suggestions.
The Vienna Opera is a great choice for an unforgettable concert. Just wandering around the building before the show is a pretty amazing experience. I did spend the extra money for good seats; it was worth it.
Another option -- especially if there are those in the family who are not opera fans -- is a performance at the Musikverein. It's Großer Saal (Great Hall) is Habsburg wonderful! The schedule is pretty thin for May 2018 right now, but more shows will be added. The Vienna Philharmonic has three performances that month; any of those would be great. Tickets go fast, so if that sounds interesting to you, try to get tickets as soon as you can on the day they go on sale.
The Museum of Military History is great for history fans. The car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot is on display, along with the clothes he was wearing. Video from the time runs on a loop on a screen nearby. If you can read German, there is display of newspaper headlines from the time that is particularly interesting. In the back of the building is the "Panzer Garten," which has a number of tanks on display.
As you probably know, the History Museum is very close to the Belvedere, so it's easy to do them together. As you also probably know, "the good stuff" (the Klimts and other art) are located in the Upper Palace, which is all you would want to do on a limited schedule.
I pooh-poohed Schönbrunn Palace on my first trip to Vienna because I'm not crazy about palaces, but Emily talked me into going. It was great! I did the English tour, which was 60-90 minutes as I recall; it held my attention without overwhelming me with palace glory. To me, the grounds are the special part of Schönbrunn. If you go there, leave time to wander.
Finally, I think you probably want to make sure you take some time to wander around the central part of the city, in the area of St. Stephen's Cathedral. While I grow weary of churches/cathedrals (as with palaces), St. Stephen's is pretty spectacular
Whatever you choose to see in Vienna, you will love! Enjoy your cruise and your trip.
Posted by
OP
1219 posts
Thanks for the replies! My MIL and I for sure will splurge on the Vienna Opera and I think we would all enjoy the grounds at least of Schonnbrunn. I also want a great cafe experience if there are any recommendations for that.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5370 posts
Exactly what day will you be in Vienna? Knowing that will help me make the best suggestions...
Posted by
OP
1219 posts
Wednesday May 16th.