Vienna for three days

Ride the ferris wheel and pretend you are Orson Welles! :-) Get a tram to Grinzing and eat at one of the little restaurants there. And of course, coffee and chocolate cake!
Roger

Get a copy of RS Vienna Guide book and read it as it has lots of good information for you. You never seem to mention if you have any guide books in all of your frequent posts lately. Getting them, if you don't already have them, and reading them would help you ask more specific questions thus get more and better replies.

A few insider tips: I'd go to the top floor bar ("Le Loft") at the new Sofitel Hotel for the newest and best view of the rooftops and spires of old Vienna. It is stunning. http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-6599-sofitel-vienna-stephansdom/restaurant.shtml If you are into history at all, visit the Roman Museum at "Hoher Markt" square. It is a small but good museum that lays out the original Roman fort that is the foundation of Vienna and allows you to go down and see the remains of an old officer's house. Centrally located and takes only an hour. Also visit the "Schatzkammer" (treasury) in the Hofburg Palace. Where else can you see "the Spear of destiny", "Charlemagne's crown", "The Order of the Golden Fleece", and "Nails from the true cross"? The Naschmarkt: Vienna's old open-air produce market. In addition to stalls selling all manner of vegetables, fruits, cheeses, meats, etc, there are eateries and other booths too. Very lively market and fun. There are tons of Heurigers in Grinzing, Neustift and Sievering. But if you are going to do one, I recommend "Zimmerman" in Neustift. Why? It is authentic. It has a beautiful outdoor area where you can sit under the trees and look out over the vineyards that surround it. Closed Sundays. You can get there on the 35A bus from Spittelau, but I'd recommend springing for a taxi (about €20 from downtown, give or take). http://www.weinhof-zimmermann.at/ Finally: If you can get one, I recommend an outdoor table at Franciskaner Platz. It is a really quaint, small cobbled square (complete with fountain). Not far from the cathedral, but generally off the tourist radar. Very "old world".
Have a great trip! I love this city!

Catherine: you might want to edit all your "what would you do/see in x days" posts and let people know your budget is $50 USD (35 Euro) per day which you expect will cover all your food, drinks, admissions & in-city transit. Therefore, Thomas would not waste his time suggesting 20 Euro on a taxi or going to the Sofitel where a single cocktail will probably set you back 8-10 Euro while you enjoy their lovely view. If you haven't sprung for a guidebook because you don't have the money to spend on those right now (or are waiting for new editions to be published), take some out from the library. And also use the library, Hulu, YouTube, iTunes or Netflix and get your hands on some travel DVDs & podcasts - Rick Steves, Globetrekker, Anthony Bourdain, Samantha Brown, Burt Wolf...all of them have done tv shows &/or podcasts about the places you want to visit so if you are not wanting to pick up a guidebook & actually read, then at least watch or listen to their suggestions.

@Thomas...thanks for posting as I am in your beautiful city of Vienna right now and intend to try and follow some of your suggestions! love it here....