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Fun activities for 3 kids in Austria/Bavaria

Orange, California
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109 posts
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Fun activities for 3 kids in Austria/Bavaria
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Help! We are leaving in 7 days! Travelling with 3 kids (11, 9 and 4) who are experienced travellers. Spending 8 days in Bavaria/ Austria region.

I am looking for locations that would be interesting and possibly fun for the kids, instead of just wandering through towns. We have already decided to do the salt mine near Salzburg, and I hear there are a few luge runs near Fussen, but I am not sure if they will beopen. We hope to do the Zugspitze if the weather is good.

Are there any other interesting places within a 2 hour radius that the kids might like? I am not talking about amusement parks. These are intelligent kids who enjoy museums ad cathedrals as much as roller coasters. I appreciate any and all input!

Vienna, Austria
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1. Re: Fun activities for 3 kids in Austria/Bavaria
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There are giant ice-caves in the Dachstein mountains in Obertraun, that wouldn´t be too far away, you take a cable car up the mountain and then take a 15 min walk to the entrance of the caves, there are guided tours of the caves, and cool light effects inside, no special clothes or equippment needed, just warm clothes and good solid shoes.

And of course there are plenty of lakes in the area, where you can take tours with ships or rent a boat on them. On Traunsee for example, you can take a tour with an old steamship, the Gisela, across the beautifull lake, and there is also an old steam-powered tram / streetscar train in Gmunden on that lake.

You should find plenty of things to keep them entertained ...

Greets, Fritz

Orange, California
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2. Re: Fun activities for 3 kids in Austria/Bavaria
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The caves sound right up our alley! Thanks! I'll also look into those lakes.

New York City, New...
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3. Re: Fun activities for 3 kids in Austria/Bavaria
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Hi,

The luge ride at Tegelberg will be open in Sept. We've been there twice in late Oct. It's located 1 mile from "Mad" King Ludwigs Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau castles. The cable car ride is great also, especially if you don't get a chance to do the Zugspitze. As well as reaching the Zugspitze from Garmisch, you can also take a cable car from Ehrwald, Austria (not too far from Fuessen) to the top of the Zugspitze. It's actually less expensive and much faster from here.

If you'll be in Fuessen for dinner, try the Gasthof Krone for a medieval dining experience. We had a good time here also.

A short ride from Fuessen is Linderhof castle, which is my personal favorite of all Ludwig's castles.

http://www.tegelbergbahn.de

http://www.schwangau.de/the-summer-luge-636.html

http://www.zugspitze.at

http://www.krone-fuessen.de

http://www.schlosslinderhof.de/englisch/palace/history.htm

Paul

Orange, California
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109 posts
333 reviews
171 helpful votes
4. Re: Fun activities for 3 kids in Austria/Bavaria
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Thanks for the great ideas Paul. That Gasthof Krone sounds interesting. Can you tell me more about it? I went to the website, but my German ain't what it used to be. Ok, it never was.

Glad to hear the luge will be open. I know there are 2 ways up the Zugspitze, and one way is faster, but is one more interesting than the other? Or more fun? Or is the whole idea just to get up.? We did one in Switzerland a few years ago, and I think the kids liked the combination of cog/cable car because they were both fun. Which way do you think we should go up?

New York City, New...
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5. Re: Fun activities for 3 kids in Austria/Bavaria
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Hi again,

Gasthof Krone was just a bit different, as it has a "festive" medieval atmoshpere.

For the Zugspitze, I liked the Ehrwald, Austria cable car. Then again, I like cable cars, and this is a really high one! For me, having more time at the top, rather than more time spent getting to the top, matters to me, especially since the weather can be unpredictable. If it's a clear day, you're at the top in less than 15 minutes. Outstanding views! Also, there is a restaurant/cafe at the top with panorama windows and of course gift shops. You also walk between Austria and Germany as the summit is in both countries.

If you are interested in a recommendation for staying in Fueseeen, we can highly recommend Hotel zum Hechten. We stayed here in Oct. 2001 and Oct. 2003. They have a parking lot in back, plus the front entrance is right in the old town pedestrian zone.

If I can be of any help, feel free to ask. my e-mail address is:

pjbassplyr@aol.com

We are going to Germany again this Oct. and can't wait!

Paul

Austin
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6. Re: Fun activities for 3 kids in Austria/Bavaria
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Glad you're staying at the Goldener Adler. Make sure your kids order the hot chocolate!

Here's my top picks for the Innsbruck area:

1. Patscherkofel cable car. Take the city bus (or a taxi?) to the bottom. At the top: great hiking, friendly and photogenic cows, breath-taking view, light meals, beer and nature walk. Go only when the weather is clear; if it's extremely cloudy, it's not worth it.

2. Ski jump. The red hop-on/hop-on bus will take you there. Take the funicular to the top, enjoy beer, yummy pastries (excellent strudel) and the view. Even my three year-old was impressed with the death-defying slope of the actual ski jump (you can view safely behind glass) and wants to be a ski jumper when she grows up.

3. Folk art museum and Maximiliian's chapel. In the old town. Surprised by my toddler being completely impressed with the large statutes surrounding the mausoleum in the chapel. Considered one of, if not the best, example of 16th C statues. Plus your kids will get a big kick out of how Maximillian tried to claim more royal-ness by linking himself to Joan of Arc, King Arthur and St. George.

Not only did my daughter love these, but I remember 1 & 2 from when I was a kiddo and teenager visiting Innsbruck. I especially remember being disappointed as a kid when the weather was overcast.

In Vienna:

1. You should go to Prater Park for two things: Ferris Wheel (hope you have time to watch "The Third Man" in the next few days before you leave -- you laugh, of course) and the train ride. Buy a combi ticket for both. The other rides are skippable, typical amusement fare.

2. Schloss Schonbrunn. Try to get tickets to the Marionette Theatre. You and your kids can spend an entire day at the Schloss, like we did. The palace and grounds are spectacular, includes a maze.

3. Stephansdom, of course. I think you can climb the tower.

Feel free to email me.

7. Re: Fun activities for 3 kids in Austria/Bavaria

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