Set in the heart of central Europe, Vienna is the capital of Austria as well as one of Europe's most impressive cities. Located in the Danube River valley with close proximity to the river, Vienna offers a wide range of activities and sights for the visitor. Vienna has grown to become one of the premier cities in Europe as it is a place that caters to the whole family as well as every type of traveler.
Culture lovers will especially at home here as Vienna offers a wide array of museums and art galleries. The best place to experience Viennese culture is to start at the Museum Quartier. This area of the city contains three notable museums as well as plenty of cafes, restaurants and stores surrounding each museum. The museums of note are the Leopold Museum, what is known as MUMOK (Museum of Modern Kunst) and the impressive Kunsthalle. The Leopold Museum houses the collection of art from Rudolf and Elizabeth Leopold that they garnered over the years while the MUMOK houses more modern and pop art, including names such as Rene, Warhol and Jackson Pollock. Kunsthalle is a massive exhibition center that showcases different exhibitions on a rotating schedule.
For those looking for something more than a history and art lesson, Vienna will not disappoint. Shopping fanatics will find peace in the 6th district of Vienna, Mariahelf. This district contains Mariahilferstrasse, the busiest shopping street in Vienna. This is one of the more trendy areas of Vienna, where you will find numerous clubs, bars, cafes, shops, pubs and restaurants. The area tends to attract a more student crowd for the most part, but that's not to say they are the only people who frequent Mariahelf.
Entertain the whole family with a day spent at Prater Park. Prater Park is a unique part of the city in that half of it is an amusement park and the other half is park area with vast expanses of green grass, a perfect spot for a family picnic. The amusement park will entertain you all day as it features over 250 different attractions. Ranging from a giant Ferris wheel (Wiener Riesenrad, which has been in operation since 1897) a modernized rollercoaster to a plethora of carnival styled arcade games. The Ferris wheel ride is a must as it offers phenomenal views of the city from 200ft in the air.
And no trip to Vienna is complete without a visit to the Schönbrun Palace. The Schönbrun Palace was once the summer residence of all Hapsburg Royalty. The palace consists of over 1,440 rooms and state halls, all elaborately decorated to show off the wealth and power of the Hapsburgs. Only about 40 of the state halls are open to the public, but with those rooms you get the picture of the mass of power that once occupied the palace. The palace is home to a number of museums, galleries and the Tiergarten, the world's oldest zoo, which has been around since 1752. Make sure to climb the Gloriette Arch as it offers spectacular views of the city, particularly in the evening right before sundown.
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