During our family trip to Vienna last weekend we took a ride on the famous Giant Ferris Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad). We took the purple line on the underground to the Praterstern stop, closest to the Prater amusement park and ferris wheel. We walked around the (closed) amusement park until the ferris wheel opened at 10 am. We were really excited that it was open on a Sunday, since everything basically closes down in Germany on Sundays. The price was 9,50 euros per adult and 4 euros per kid.
Originally built in 1897, the ferris wheel burned down in 1944. But it was rebuilt and spinning ’round again by 1947.
Even though it was a cloudy, foggy day we had amazing views from the top!
This is a picture of inside the wooden box we got to ride in… kind scary. When we all went to one side to take pictures, we tipped quite a bit. Rickety, old wooden box, eeek!
If you plan ahead you can schedule a three course, candle-lit dinner with champagne and have a whole box to yourself!
I love gift shops and this one didn’t disappoint. These little owls were adorable, but I ended up just getting some postcards and a Vienna ferris wheel dish towel (which sounds kinda stupid when I write about it).
The Prater amusement park looked epic. There is a roller coaster, go-carts, trampolines, haunted house, zombie train, wax museum, arcade, mini-golf… pretty much everything you could imagine at an amusement park. Of course it was closed when we were there :( But it was fun to walk around and explore while we waited for the ferris wheel to open.
I just loved the garbage cans in Vienna! They have little smoke stacks to put cigarette butts in that were usually “smoking” so it looked like the garbage had a chimney. It’s the small things *sigh*
There were a lot of murals, statues, etc. of Mozart and other composers throughout Vienna and the Prater was no different. Mozart was born in Salzburg Vienna, but he spent most of his life in Vienna.
I sort of fell for this adorable creepy clown on the bench.
If you are in Vienna, the Giant Ferris Wheel is a must-see! You can find more information here.
And don’t forget to check out the Museum of Natural History in Vienna as well!
So very cool! I love those boxes… never been in a ferris wheel like that before.
Thanks Natalye! I was pretty scared to step into the wooden box, but we survived! :)
Being all “old and rickety” is part of its charm! ;-) The Prater season usually starts in mid-March (closing again at the end of October) so I guess you will have to come back then to go on all the fun rides. Which reminds me – one other major attraction is open year round, so I wonder, did you visit Madame Tussauds too?
Haha yes I suppose it does add to the charm :) thanks for the info on the prayer, maybe we can head back in the summer. We walked in to Madame Tussaud’s, but didn’t end up buying tickets. The wax person right at the entrance gave me a good surprise though!
Aw, Vienna’s so pretty. I’ve never been on the Riesenrad yet, but maybe someday. Did the little cabins feel safe enough? :) Also: once you have seen The Third Man (have you seen it?!) you’ll never look at this ferris wheel the same way again. I would recommend the film if you like classic 1950’s thrillers!
I haven’t seen that movie! After we got back I did some research on it and found out that a lady hung herself from one of the wooden boxes. Eeeek! It was a long time ago and before it was burned down and rebuilt, but still pretty creepy!
How neat you were able to ride the giant Ferris Wheel! A little scary that it was so tippy, that would have made me rather nervous. Sounds like you all had a wonderful time :)
Thanks for reading Kenzie! Yep, a little scary but totally worth it for the view :)
How fun does that all look! I bet your son loved it :)
He was in heaven! It made me so nervous when he wanted to look out the open window with no screen though. I wouldn’t let him get within 5 feet of it!
Wow, how cool! I’ve never seen a Ferris wheel like that with the wooden boxes. And how interesting that you could have a romantic dinner in one! Wonder how that works out in a tippy box – guess you have to stay seated at all times, with food and candlelight and all!
Great point about eating and rocking! I guess it would be like having a seated dinner on a boat lol
How cool! I love Ferris Wheels and that one looks like such an awesome place to go see the city in. The wooden box kind of scares me a bit, but I think that makes it all the more fun! Great photos!
Thanks Yvonne! It was really neat to see the skyline from up so high.
This one made me laugh. The dish towel (which is totally something I’d bring back from a trip. Or for full disclosure, something I *have* brought back from a trip), the smoking trash can, the creepy clown love. And if we make it to Vienna, I definitely want to check out the ferris wheel!
The photos actually look really good in the fog, it gives them more emotion I think.
Thanks, that makes me feel better :)