I’m heading to Vienna for 8 days next week and I’m looking for unique suggestions on what to do. We’ll be hitting the major sights like the Ringstrasse, Stephansdom, and Kunsthistorisches. I’m fond of architecture so I’ll visit the Secession House and the bank designed by Wagner.
We like history, art, and cafes. Are there any lesser-known things you would suggest? We might see the The Hobbit while we’re there (we’re LOTR dorks); any interesting theater we can go to?
We just had a thread on this recently. I’ll suggest hitting BurgKino for a showing of The Third Man–preferably a midnight showing, but I’m not sure if/when they do those. Also recommended is the delicious and rather quirky Trzesniewski for tiny little sandwiches and beer. The Royal Furniture Museum is fascinating and a bit different (and also generally not crowded). Finally, I’m not sure if the Opera is in season, or any of the other “high culture” musical things–but if they are, you should try to go to at least one. This is Vienna, after all. 
Enjoy–I have not traveled extensively in Europe, but Vienna is one of my favorite places so far to visit.
Architecture? Check out the Hundertwasserhaus. You can’t go in (people live there), but it’s interesting to stroll by if you’re in the neighborhood.
I enjoyed the Science and Technical Museum. There’s also the Riesenrad; if you’re a movie fan you’ll be walking in the steps of Harry Lime and James Bond.
Just keep in mind that dubbed movies are the default. In a city like Vienna and for a movie like The Hobbit it shouldn’t be difficult to find a screening in English, but you will have to look for that specifically.
Their street food is good, especially pizza. Though I’ve only been there in the summer and I don’t know if they have it in the winter as well.
I’m not quite sure the timing for it, but “sturm”–young wine–is a fun little thing if it’s in season. Lightly alcoholic, yeasty, fizzy. You can get it on the streets if it’s time.
Just stay away from the sausages that come from cans.
(Couldn’t resist.)
Whatever you do, don’t sell diluted penicillin on the black market then fake your own death.
The Christmas Markets in Vienna are a lot of fun! The one in front of the Rathaus is enormous, but if art is your thing check out the smaller one in the Spittelbergdistrict, just a few blocks from the city center. It’s well worth taking a wander through the quaint, narrow streets while sipping mulled wine from a steaming mug!
Thanks all! I’ll be taking a few of your tips.