A favorite spot with visitors to the Austrian capital, the Wiener Prater is a large expansive park located in Vienna’s 2nd District Leopoldstadt. The park runs along the River Danube and dates back as far as the 12th century; however, it wasn’t until 1766 when it was made available for enjoyment by the public. Visit the park today and you’ll find it’s open 24 hours, 7 days a week with free admission from January through to December.
Besides relaxing in the scenic green surrounds of the Wiener Prater or dining in one of its restaurants, a main draw for many is the renowned Wurstelprater Amusement Park found in the top corner. The Wurstelprater season runs from March 15th until the end of October, offering a variety of fairground attractions providing endless fun for all. Attractions include the Prater Tower, Vienna Roller Coaster, Planetarium, the Old Grottenbahn; and the iconic Wiener Riesenrad.
Built in 1897, the Ferris wheel is a recognized landmark of Vienna and was originally erected to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Franz Josef I. The wheel was rebuilt after burning down in 1944 and has been proudly rotating since. Upon reaching its peak at just under 65 meters (213 feet) you will be presented with spectacular panoramic views of the capital, ideal for that perfect holiday photo. So if you’re looking for a 2014 European getaway, why not head to Vienna?
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Jessica Festa is the editor of the travel sites Jessie on a Journey (http://jessieonajourney.com) and Epicure & Culture (http://epicureandculture.com). Along with blogging at We Blog The World, her byline has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Gadling, Fodor’s, Travel + Escape, Matador, Viator, The Culture-Ist and many others. After getting her BA/MA in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, she realized she wasn’t really to stop backpacking and made travel her full time job. Some of her most memorable experiences include studying abroad in Sydney, teaching English in Thailand, doing orphanage work in Ghana, hiking her way through South America and traveling solo through Europe. She has a passion for backpacking, adventure, hiking, wine and getting off the beaten path.
