Technisches Museum Wien (Technical Museum)
Like many great building projects from the Imperial past, a lack of money meant the original plans for the Technical Museum were never fully realized. Nevertheless, the museum rests in an imposing building not far from Schönbrunn Palace in the 14th district.
Officially opened in 1918, the museum was conceived by one Wilhelm Franz Exner, a forester by trade but fortunately one with a fondness for machinery. It drew together disparate technical collections under one roof, offering the Viennese public a window into the new and exciting world of technology and commerce.

The roof from inside © Mark Brownlow
Whether you think it’s succeeded depends on your perspective. Fans of industrial and technical history will thoroughly enjoy the collections. Others will not. With few exceptions, there’s not too much to excite the casual visitor who enters without an agenda or special interest.
The museum’s website has an overview of the exhibits. All the newer exhibits and sections feature information in English, but the older — main — areas are still German-only.

© Mark Brownlow
And the younger generation tend to be easily enthused by the models and examples of old cars, motorbikes, planes and trains in the upper levels.
There’s also a nice play area on the third floor (the Mini), where kids up to the age of six can romp around on slides, do puzzles, take apart a model car, play on a fire engine and similar. For many parents, a trip to the Technical Museum is actually a very pleasant way of keeping young kids occupied in wet weather.

© Mark Brownlow
It’s open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm (from 10am on weekends and public holidays). It only closes on January 1st, May 1st, November 1st and December 25th and 31st. Tickets are €8.50 for adults, with numerous reductions for children, families etc.
Although not in the center, the museum is easily reached on trams 52, 58 (get off at the stop Penzinger Straße) and 10 (Johnstraße/Linzer Straße), and buses 10A (Johnstraße/Linzer Straße) and 57A (Anschützgasse).
Address: Technical Museum, Mariahilfer Str. 212, 1140 Vienna
Website: http://www.tmw.ac.at/