Edelweiss Center

This is a relatively new and special museum devoted to an interactive learning experience. It covers the history of the Vienne Philharmonic Orchestra, the history of Vienna as a centre of music making (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Mahler, Schubert and others are documented). In addition there are the more experimental sections of futuristic composition (the Brain Opera) and sound experiences.

Considered one of the world's best orchestras, subscription tickets are notoriously difficult to get with a waiting list lasting up to 13 years. Individual tickets however are available in limited numbers online from the Musikverein (where performances take place) and at the ticket office.

The casino is at Palais Esterhàzy, on the famous Kärtner Strasse near the Opera and is operated by state-owned Casinos Austria. In addition there are several poker casinos (e.g. Montesino) and many, many tiny slot-machine and betting places. The latter often occur in groups of three (because there is a legal limit on the number of slot machines per venue). They do not offer any glamor or flair and are best avoided by tourists.

Home to the Vienna Philharmonic, and venue for a wide range of other classical music performances. Its largest hall, the Großer Musikvereinssaal (Goldener Saal) is considered to be one of the world's finest concert halls. For visitors wanting a closer look, daily 45-min guided tours are offered (entrance at Bösendorferstraße 12, adults €6, youth 12-16 €4.

Probably the most-beloved symbol of Viennese arts, and one of the first buildings to be rebuilt in the postwar era. It was built from 1861-1869 under the direction of architects Eduard van der Nüll and August von Siccardsburg for then-emperor Franz Josef I. The first performance was Don Giovanni, an opera by Austrian native Mozart, on 25 May 1869. The architecture of the opera was barely tolerated by the picky Viennese when it opened. Van der Nüll did not take these criticisms of his work lightly and committed suicide. A few weeks later, von Siccardsburg died of a heart attack. Doubly cursed, the opera building succumbed to bombs less than 100 years later, during World War II. After ten years of Allied control after the end of the war, many cultural institutions reopened to celebrate the birth of the new Austrian state. This time the opera opened with an adopted son of Vienna's work: Beethoven's Fidelio. The lush curtains and overall elegance contribute to the atmosphere (even the nosebleed seats, so steeply pitched and close to the ceiling a nosebleed becomes a distinct possibility). Inexpensive standing room tickets are made available for every performance and sold the day of the performance. The line forms about two hours prior to the performance. Guided tours in a number of languages are offered. The line at the front side door forms about 1/2 hour before the tour.

This Baroque palace was built as a residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, and later used for the Court Treasury and Ministry of Finance. It now houses period furnishings and exhibits detailing the biography of the prince and the history of the palace.