Not sure what to do with the kids? Head to Karlsplatz! Right in the city centre, between St. Charles’s Church and the Wien Museum, there is so much going on: two playgrounds, fountains, water to cool down in, coffee and ice cream nearby – and if it all gets too hot, a museum that costs nothing.
Quick Facts
Outing check
4.8 of 5
Tried it ourselves · we went with our kids and would gladly go again
How much we love it
- Kids’ enthusiasm4.5 of 5
- Parents’ enjoyment5.0 of 5
- Works for the whole family4.5 of 5
- Worth the effort5.0 of 5
Favourite · we go back again and again
- Age: all ages: one playground for little ones, one for bigger kids
- Indoor or outdoor: Indoors and outdoors
- Time to plan: a morning or an afternoon
- Changing table: Baby-changing table availablein the Wien Museum
- Food on site: Food on siterestaurant and café in the Wien Museum, coffee and ice cream vans in summer
- Price: freeWien Museum: permanent exhibition free, all exhibitions free for under-19s
Two playgrounds in Resselpark
Resselpark at Karlsplatz has two playgrounds: one for the bigger kids by the main building of TU Wien, and one for the little ones. They were redone recently, they are in the shade, and there are benches all around. You can sit and watch while the kids play in the sand. In spring and summer it is brilliant.
Water to cool down
On hot days Karlsplatz is perfect: there are water fountains everywhere, and there is even a new water installation the kids can run over to cool down. In the hot summer months, chairs are usually put out by the fountain, and the area in front of St. Charles’s Church is covered in sand with deckchairs, as in our cover photo.
Coffee, ice cream and a drink
There is a coffee van nearby for the grown-ups, an ice cream van for the kids, and even a little bar for a drink. As with most stands like these, they are mainly there in the warmer months.
Too hot? Pop into the Wien Museum
The Wien Museum is right on the square. Its permanent exhibition, “Vienna. My History”, is free and needs no ticket, and anyone under 19 gets into all exhibitions for free. The building is gorgeous, and it is nice and cool inside.
The restaurant “trude” is on the ground floor, and the café-bar “& töchter” is up on the terrace level, overlooking Karlsplatz. The café at the top is great for the kids, with a bit of room to run around.
At Advent: straw in front of the church
Karlsplatz is worth a visit in winter too: during the Art Advent Christmas market (13 November to 23 December 2026), the area in front of St. Charles’s Church is covered in straw for the kids to romp around in. More in our guide to Christmas markets in Vienna with kids.
Our verdict
Not sure what to do? Head to Karlsplatz! Playgrounds, water, coffee, ice cream and a free museum – all in one place, right in the centre and easy to reach by public transport (U1, U2, U4, Karlsplatz station).
Hilary & Markus
Information as of 8 November 2026; opening hours and admission according to wienmuseum.at. Please check before you go. Photos: Markus.
For more ideas, see our overview of things to do with kids in Vienna.