The Scene:  I arrived to The Beach DC on a Tuesday morning at 10:15am (exhibition opens at 10am).  There was already a short line of people eager to enter the exhibition.  Upon entering, the first thing you see are dozens of strollers “parked” on the side and dozens of children wildly jumping into “The Beach.”  The space is bright white, lined with beach chairs and umbrellas, which contrast the classic marble beams and rich wood details of the National Building Museum.

Local vibe: I love that The Beach DC has special times in which local residents can go for free.  There are designated dates for each ward (see special dates here).  Another local touch is the Union Kitchen snack bar.  Union Kitchen is a local food incubator where local business owners can produce food products.  The snack bar is filled with local and sustainable treats such as chocolates, fruit snacks, handmade peanut butter cups, and even kombucha.  Craving more Union Kitchen treats?  Visit their Union Kitchen Grocery for locally made goodies.

My experience:  Upon arrival, I fueled up with delicious fruit treats of Go Chews and Capital Kombucha.  After all, I needed the energy to brave a sea of screaming kids.  I took off my shoes, took a deep breath, and plunged into “The Beach DC.”  I immediately felt like a kid again jumping around the sea of white balls.  Kids and adults alike were having a blast.  Tip: screaming kids not your thing?  Get a ticket for The Beach After Dark.

The verdict:  If you want to feel like a kid again and swim among good vibes, The Beach DC is the place for you.  Practical tips: buy your tickets  ahead of time ($16 adult, free for children 2 and under, $8 for children 3-13), arrive early, and wear comfortable clothes as you’re going to be jumping around.

The Dining Traveler tips on what to do nearby: Get some fresh air at the Sculpture Garden, lunch at Mitsitam Cafe, or dinner at Zengo.

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1. Schloss Belvedere: When it comes to museums in Vienna, The Belvedere has a special place in my heart. It’s not only my favorite museum in Vienna but will dare to say my favorite museum in the world. I just can’t get enough of the place. Tip: the complex is quite large, make sure to plan at least a half a day to discover both palaces and the orangery.  When you enter the Upper Belvedere, you take in the majestic feel of a former imperial palaces. The ceilings are high, held by marble pillars, and lit with glorious crystal chandeliers.  In my opinion, the highlights of the Upper Belvedere are the works of Austrian artists Klimt and Schiele. It is not surprising to be taken by the beauty of Klimt’s masterpiece, “The Kiss” but my favorite painting of Klimt is Judith, there is something about the raw sexuality of his subject. (Would have loved to share a photo but photos are not allowed on this part of the museum).  However, my favorite painting at the museum is “The Embrace” by Egon Schiele. You can truly see the emotion of a lovers embrace through this work of art.

My most recent visit was this past January where it was cold but in warmer weather, make time to have a picnic at the garden and visit the Orangery. However, if you want to stay warm and take a break from the beautiful art, head to the cafe at The Belvedere.  You can have a decadent Sacher torte or a nice glass of Gruner Veltliner in the beautiful salon with beautiful chandeliers and art. Tip: In the high season admission lines can be quite long. You can buy your ticket online. 

2. Leopold Museum: As I mentioned previously, I am a big fan of Klimt and Schiele and the Leopold Museum has the largest Schiele collection in the world.  From paintings of his earlier years to photographs of the artist, his spirit is live and well in the museum. You can get a glimpse of the history of the artist. It is easy to get lost in this large museum filled with not only turn of the 20th century Austrian art but also visiting collections of modern art and sculpture.

3. Museum Hundertwasser (Kunst Haus Wien):  Getting to the Hundertwasser Museum is a 30-minute journey in tram from the city center. As you leave the streets lined with museums and theaters, you take a glimpse of real Viennese life. As you walk by an unassuming neighborhood, you encounter this confusing, colorful structure, sandwiched by two average residential buildings.

In a city that is surrounded by classic buildings and art, this structure brings a pop of color to the city not only in its facade but also with the art work of the Austrian Artist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Contrary to works from centuries ago in the other museums inVienna, you can still feel the life of the artist in the walls and spirit of the museum (he died in 2000).  The art space is small compared other museums but it is worth the visit with its unique take on art and architecture. Not to miss: the museum has a vegetarian cafe with organic desserts. 

4. Kunst Historisches Museum (Historic Art Museum):  Take a trip in time at this museum.  One of our regrets is that we did not dedicate enough time in our agenda to this place. We had two hours and were pretty much kicked out at closing time.  During our visit to the museum, a temporary exhibition of Diego Velazquez was taking place.  With works from El Prado to The National Gallery, it was an impressive collection to witness in the grand setting of the museum.

During our express walk throughout the museum, we could not help to stop and observe all the artifacts from the Egyptian Collection of the museum. From the coffins sitting in the darkness of the room, it made me imagine what would it have been like to live in the times of the Pharaohs. Tip: You can get discounted tickets at the museum with a Vienna card.  

5. Schloss Schonbrunn:  Although technically not a museum, there is plenty of culture at the Schloss Schonbrunn to experience. Another former imperial palace, it gives you a glimpse of life during the time of Sisi (Empress Elisabeth of Austria) as you can tour the rooms of the palace, kept in the same decor of the 19th century, the grand era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although I did not have the opportunity to go to Schonbrunn during this visit, I did have the opportunity to take a guided tour in 2010 and automatically became intrigued with the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is a must see, especially in the summer as you can explore its many beautiful gardens.

Although this post only highlights five museums, there are plenty more to see in the city, such as the Museum of Natural History, The Hofburg Palace, The Albertina, and plenty more to discover in Vienna. For a comprehensive list of the 100+ museums in Vienna, check out the Vienna Tourism website.  I wish I would’ve had more time to experience more museums in Vienna, but it gives me an incentive to return.  Tip: book ahead, research which collections appeal to you and set enough time to experience them, and don’t forget to have a coffee or a glass of wine at the lovely museum cafes. 

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