New Years-Vienna with teenagers

Hi! The good news is that Vienna's first district (the old historic core of the city) always has plenty going on. Starting mid-to-late afternoon on the 31st, there are stages and open air concerts and food and drink stands, etc. Very festive. The bad news is that I'm told it gets quite wild as the night grows late (I've got small kids, so I've never been downtown to witness this myself.) For midnight itself, be near a window with a good view of the sky. Fireworks go off from all over the city. Many launched by amateurs. I have never seen anything like it. It's like WWIII. New Years day can be pretty quiet. I like to go up to the top of the Kahlenberg (Vienna's house mountain) for a view of the city & Danube. Accessible by Bus. 38A, if I recall correctly. Other than that: The KunstHistorisches museum is one of the great museums of Europe. Recommended. Hotels: I've heard good things about Hotel Kaiserin Elizabeth. (Very heart of downtown) also Hotel Regina. Enjoy Vienna!

Agree with Thomas; the city is filled with various stages for concerts of all kinds. Do avoid the area around Stephansplatz in the later evening as people set off fireworks without regard to the large crowds there. Better to be around the Rathaus during the evening. We went to a restaurant a little out of the city center in Heiligenstadt (Restaurant Engelhardt) which had a terrific view over the city. Great food and wine all in a special menu for the occasion (most restaurant do this on New Years in Vienna). Mostly locals dining there and at midnight you can watch the fireworks explode over the city in an amazing display while the Blue Danube plays and the locals waltz. Wherever you decide to eat GET RESERVATIONS! Most places you cannot just walk into on New Years. Vienna is wonderful during this time; make sure to drink some Punsch from one of the many stalls around the city.

Thanks for the helpful heads up on the celebration events. I appreciate knowing that it might be fun to be in the Stephansplatz area early but to head to Rathaus or another area later in the evening. I have been trying to get a dinner reservation- so far no luck. I can't reach Restaurant Engelhardt by either phone or email. I wonder if something has changed. Any other restaurant ideas or fireworks viewing area ideas?
We will have a car, but may take other transportation that night to avoid parking and driving.
Thanks!!

You might try the Skybar & restaurant:

http://www.skybar.at/

Took my wife to the restaurant for our anniversary and the food was very good. Most importantly, it has the most fantastic view over the rooftops of old Vienna. Especially if you can secure a window table. The spire of St. Stephans is right there and so to a view of the illuminated dome of Peter's Kirche. Will make for great fireworks viewing. Really special. (Don't let the somewhat cheesey website scare you away.) It's a nice place, so dress up a bit. Unfortunately, with the current exchange rate it will seem expensive.

We stayed at the Ibis this summer and really loved it. There are three in the city and we liked ours the best. We have stayed at that chain all over Europe when we have to do a big city. They are clean and consistant. They are part of the Accor Chain. We have also stayed at the Mercure which is a step up. It is also and Accor Hotel. Hope you can get a dinner reservation. We didn't get them for dinner in the summer and found most places to be full. Quite frustrating. Good luck. I would love to waltz on New Year's Eve.

Definitely do NOT try and drive in Vienna, especially New Years, park the car and use only the safe and highly efficient public transit. Here is what I have for Englehardt:
[email protected]
+43 (0)1 370 5000

Fax:
+43 (0)1 370 5030
If all else fails try the Witwe Bolte for a nice traditional Austrian dinner:
http://www.witwebolte.at/