 | Vienna Riesenrad & Prater Reviews | Tips 11 - 20 of 107 |  |
 | |  |  | Riesenrad & Prater: Ride the Reisenrad | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
Fun fairs aren’t usually “my thing” at all, but I was prepared to make an exception for the “Riesenrad” ferris wheel at the permanent Viennese “Prater” fun fair. Why? Well, because it is such a historic device, having commenced operations in 1897, when it was by far the world’s largest (65M) – now it’s the world’s oldest; because over the years it become so much a symbol of Vienna; and because….well, the ‘kid’ in me came out and I just wanted to try it! Yes, I know that many people feel it is an enormous tourist trap – and if you purchase the photos taken as you enter, you’re succumbing to that, but the easiest thing is to not bother even checking them as you leave: nobody says you must buy, after all! As you enter, you will pass through a small ‘museum’ with items such as dioramas of Vienna, housed in old cars from the wheel: many years ago, half the original cars were removed. It isn’t a world-shaking museum, but worth a few minutes of your time. And did the Riesenrad meet my expectations? It did indeed, it was not only a buzz, but being slow-moving it also provided a good vantage point for some great photos. I’d give it the thumbs up as a “to do”. Directions: Take the metro on line U1 to Praterstern. Leave the station with your back to the city and go up the street, then turn right – you’ll see it ahead of you.
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| | | | Riesenrad & Prater: The Giant Ferris Wheel | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Ever since it opened, the Giant Ferris Wheel has been a symbol of Vienna's Prater district, and with its famous silhouette seen from far off it has become the city's trademark. The Giant Ferris Wheel, erected by the British engineer Walter B. Besset, has the proud distinction, in contrast to other wheels in London, Blackpool, Paris, or Chicago, of having withstood all the natural catastrophes and acts of war to which it has been subjected. Following the destruction of the entire operating system and all the cabins in 1945 by bombs and fire, the Giant Ferris Wheel, like the city it symbolises, very soon began to rise from the ashes to turn again. 15 cabins provide visitors with a unique "round trip experience". From short journeys in cabins of the style of the year 1897 to small-scale celebrations, press conferences, or a romantic dinner for two in our two luxury cabins, the "Jubiläumswaggon" and "Jugendstil", make a trip on the Giant Ferris Wheel into the memory of a lifetime. Leave a Comment Phone: 0043/1/729 54 30Directions: Vienna Prater Opening Hours: 01.01. - 28.02. 10.00 - 20.00 01.03. - 30.04. 10.00 - 22.00 01.05. - 30.09. 09.00 - 24.00 01.10. - 31.10. 10.00 - 22.00 01.11. - 31.12. 10.00 - 20.00Website: www.prater.at
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| | | | Riesenrad & Prater: More than the Riesenrad | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
One part of the Prater is a big recreation park (till the beginning of the 20th century it was a hunting area), with a lot of green space and forest. Many people do sports there, for example running, roller skating, or are just sunbathing. There is a riding school as well. Since the 1920ies a little train is going through the Prater, the nostalgic "Liliputbahn". The ticket costs EUR 3,50 (EUR 2,20 for children under 12, free for children under 2) and it is great fun. One of the main attractions in the Prater is of course the amusement park, which is called "Wurstelprater". It was pretty shabby in the 90ties, now it is well kept again and a nice place for adults and for kids to spend for example a Sunday afternoon. There is no general entrance fee to the amusement park, but they charge directly at the attractions. Tickets cost ca between EUR 1,50 - EUR 15,00 (for the ejection seat- you sit in kind of a big ball and are catapulted up in the air- only for the ones with nerves of steel :)) . Apart from some scary attractions like the "space shot" you`ll find roller coasters, haunted houses, carrousels, racing circuits, gambling houses, pony riding for kids and a looot more. Here you`ll find the famous giant ferris wheel as well, which is Vienna`s landmark. The ticket costs EUR 7,50 for adults and EUR 3,00 for kids between 3 and 14. Watch out for reduced combination tickets, for example Liliputbahn and giant ferris wheel or Donauturm and giant ferris wheel. Last but not least, the most famous restaurant in the Prater, the large "Schweizerhaus" should be mentioned. It is always packed with people, so if you come with a larger group you should reserve a table, especially at the weekend. They have a large beer garden where you can enjoy a Budweiser beer and the traditional rear knuckle of pork (so called "Stelze" which usually weighs 1.5 kg and costs ca EUR 20,00). Leave a Comment Directions: Subway U 1 PratersternWebsite: www.prater.at; www.schweizerhaus.at; www.wienerriesenrad.at; www.liliputbahn.com
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