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.
After a period of relative stagnation, the museum got a new lease of life following a huge refurbishment and renovation programme at the end of the last century; since reopening in 2000, it's gradually expanded and updated its collections to try and keep pace with the demands of the modern visitor.
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.
Children will appreciate the interactive elements on display. The two sections to the left and right of the entrance feature numerous items and screens where kiddies can learn about scientific and natural phenomena like gravity, chaos and perspective.
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.
The museum boasts a nice cafe, suited to lunch or a snack, and there's a gift shop stocked with books, puzzles, and the usual paraphernalia associated with these places.
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/