Prater - Vienna

The Prater in winter is a cold and desolate place. The market is one of the newer ones and not that popular. I also have a 12 year old son. He really loves the Christmas market at Karlsplatz where you can play in a giant hay pit. I actually just asked him what he would recommend, and he said - bring a warm jacket and drink lots of hot chocolate from the Christmas markets.

As for the curling, where did you make reservations? We have friends that run curling lanes in the really fantastic MuseumsQuartier during the winter. Lots of great ambiance there too. The curling lanes at the Altes AKH Christmas Market are also very nicely located.

What is the rollercoaster restaurant? Do you mean one of those sushi places? There are many of those, but I am not sure of the food quality. Which one do you mean? For my son, we took him to the Hard Rock last year for his birthday and he really liked that. The cafe in the Natural History museum might also be nice for him.

Some suggestions:

Museum of Technology (Technisches Museum)
House of the Sea (Haus des Meeres)
Museum of Natural History (Naturhistorisches Museum)
Tramway and Public Transport Museum (Remise, Verkehrsmuseum der Wiener Linien)

A bit off the beaten track:
Anatomy Museum (Josephinum)
Museum of Torture (Foltermuseum)
Funeral Museum (Bestattungsmuseum)

Hmmm... maybe we should skip the Prater then? Seemed kind of a dumb tacky thing (I was thinking it seemed like our Fisherman's Wharf here... a few "attractions", but the boys do like that).,.. Not sure what to do... I have this dream of just wandering around the christmas markets, but I fear the boys (I have a 13 yo in addition to the one turning 12) are going to be a nightmare without something to "do". But yes, we for sure will have good jackets and good shoes! :) Do you think they will be interested enough looking around the markets, hot chocolate, treats? I have no idea, I have never been to one!

We made the reservation at the Altes AKH market lanes. Because I AM CURLING. That is so on my list!

Karlsplatz market on the list (and birthday boy named Karl, hahah!)... didn't know about the haypit, that will go over well! :) Some seem to have animals, sheep and such and the boys really get a kick out of that stuff, they love animals.

Also planning House of Music, I think they would like that. Hopefully ice skating somewhere? Maybe another museum not sure... we usually travel in summer and we have a lot of parks, biking.... so the winter thing is kind of throwing me.

Another option for birthday is Bayern Munich is playing that night at like 7pm... maybe there is a place where fans gather and watch the games?

Oh and the rollercoaster restaurant is like burgers and such... I'm sure the food is not that great, but they send it down to you on a little car on a roller coaster track. So it's more about the food delivery method, which I know he will get a kick out of. I will probably just get some fries or something and then eat at the christmas markets! :)

Christmas Markets are set up to entertain children. They are no adult-only affairs. You'll have plenty to keep them entertained at the Altes AKH, Karlsplatz, Rathaus, Schonbrunn and Spittelberg markets. Trust me.

Other options are the Technical Museum, Natural History Museum - my kids like both of those a lot. Also, you should take them to the zoo. Ice skating - there is an ice rink just behind the Intercontinental Hotel which will be open when you are here. There is also an ice rink on the top of a building in the 17th District (http://www.engelmann.co.at/winterbetrieb.html). The really fantastic ice rink at the city hall isn't built until mid to late January.

Bayern Munich, hmmm, I think in Vienna you will more likely find good fan atmosphere for the Austrian and Viennese teams. Might get rowdy in a bar.

I have never heard of this roller coaster restaurant. Can you send me a link or the name?

Yes! We actually booked an instructor of sorts... not sure exactly because it was all in German, but we booked for some kind of helper. I'm not sure if you actually get to do the sweeping or if it's more like shuffleboard on the ice, but either way we have all been dying to do it!

Emily, thanks so much!! I am going to re-tweak the plan and then look for you specifically on here! Maybe we will add a couple of the museums, if for no other reason than to get out of the cold. :)

Good to know on the markets... some of those were on my list, some were not, so I will check those out.

This is the roller coaster restaurant... http://www.rollercoasterrestaurant.com/en/locations/Vienna
Gets mixed reviews of course, some saying it was super fun and food was decent, others saying everything was broken down and the food was horrid.... Obviously not my first choice, but over a few trips I have learned that if we put in a couple things the kids want to do each day, everything else runs more smoothly!

So I don't know... on the fence....

And good point about watching soccer there - I forgot people get a little too... "into it".... maybe skip that! :)

Back to the drawing board!
Kim

Emily - do you know if you can make a reservation at the MQ curling?

I think maybe it is not open yet... I see this page but doesn't seem working yet. I know not everyone plans every detail ahead 8 weeks out, hahah!

http://www.mqw.at/eisstock/

Thanks!
Kim

Also, about how long do you think I should plan for each market? How long will the kids be ok to wander around do you think? Just trying to get a sense of timing.... THANK YOU!!!
Kim