The Johann Strauss Wohnung or apartment was the home of the composer and his first wife Jetty. They lived here from 1863 to 1870, and it was here that he composed “The Blue Danube” the unofficial national anthem of Austria. Jetty was a singer when they were married and they remained together until her death in 1878.

Strauss was actually Johann Strauss II and his father Johann Strauss I was also a composer and musician. Johann the elder did not want his son to be in the music business and did his best to hinder Johann the II in his musical pursuits. After Johann elder’s death, his son was free to pursue his musical career with his mother’s blessing.

The museum is a wonderful tribute to this most talented waltz master. The apartment has his original furnishings and instruments and visitors can also see glimpses into the person that was the man, the composer, the conductor, the caricaturist, and the card player. It is a fascinating place to visit especially since so many of his personal affects have been so well preserved and are on site. The museum also gives a good look into the life of his father as well as his two musical brothers.

The Hundertwasserhaus is one of the most interesting, yet odd, architectural building complexes in Vienna. It sits as an antithetical statement about what architecture can be, as it is compared to the surrounding buildings of its neighborhood. It can almost look like a rainbow, with all the colorful walls. The walls and crooked, yet seem to flow in and out of one another. There is simply nothing else like it in the city. The construction was the brain child of Friedensreich Hundertwasser. He was born in 1928, and sadly passed away in 2001. The designer did not finish the place until 1984, because of some legal issues. He was a painter by trade, who over time became increasingly interested in architectural design that could live in harmony with nature. He was also a political activist, who constantly pushed the Viennese government to move away from a totally conservative look for the city. The Hundertwasserhaus is not very far away from the center of the city. In fact, it is a comfortable walk from most of the major sites of Vienna. It is well worth the walk to see this most fascinating place.

The Mozarthaus is the only known home of Mozart to still be in existence. Mozart and his family lived here for three years in the late 1780s. It was the largest home that the family occupied and it consisted of 6 rooms plus a kitchen. Unfortunately, the original entrance is gone, but there has been extensive work on making the entire building a fabulous museum.

Unlike some of the other famous homes in Vienna, this one has none of the original furnishings to see, nor even any idea how the home looked during the time that Mozart lived here. Instead, the museum focuses on the genius of the composer and lets the public imagine how the house might have looked.

Mozart only stayed on the first floor of the building. The other floors of the museum house information on who Vienna looked and functioned during the period and the incredible world of the arts during the period of time that Mozart was composing. The Marriage of Figaro was composed at this house as well as other compositions.

The Mozarthaus is located at Domgasse 5. There is an elevator and the building is handicapped accessible. The facility is beautiful and well worth visiting, allow at least a couple of hours when visiting.

Loos Haus, another one of the city's famous modern buildings, was designed by the celebrated architect Adolf Loos. He refused to decorate the building's window bays with stucco, which lead to its facade being nicknamed, “house without eyebrows”.

The noble Harrach family bought Palais Harrach from the Freyung family in the 17th century. Its brilliant Marble Room and Red Gallery still maintain their historical luster. It currently houses numerous local offices and shops.

The Pasquiltihaus is named after Josef Benedikt Baron Pasqualatihaus the home’s owner. What makes the home famous is Ludwig van Beethoven lived here and composed his only opera here. Beethoven actually lived in the house twice from 1804-1815. Beethoven moved frequently and lived in over twenty different residences while in Vienna.

This particular home was built in late 1700s and has been turned into a museum to hold some Beethoven memorabilia. One of the interesting features is drawings of the view from the fourth floor apartment during Beethoven’s time at the house. He did some of his best work here including his 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th symphonies. Having lived in so many places, this one must have been special as he came back and did some of his greatest work here.

Some of Beethoven’s personal possessions are on display as well as a portrait that was made in 1805. There are also several features discussing the composer’s life here and it just an amazing spot to visit. Just thinking about the music that was composed in these little rooms, Beethoven climbing the small narrow staircase to his apartment, the view before the city was built up to the size it is today. It is a step back in history.

The home is located at Molker Bastei 8 and there is a small entrance fee.

The Sigmund Freud Haus is located at Berggasse 19 in the 9th district of Vienna. It is the location of Freud’s house and office where the practice of psychoanalysis began. Freud lived and worked here from 1981 to 1938. The home and office are now a museum that also has a lecture all, shop, and library.

Freud and his family had to flee to England in 1938 to escape anti-Semitic feelings and that is where Freud lived until his death. During the hasty departure, what possessions that could not be moved with the family were sold. Sigmund Freud’s youngest daughter Anna worked with the museum to redecorate the home and office to match the original décor. Some of the original furnishings and antiques were used. Also present are some of personal library selections of Sigmund Freud. There is also a film of the Freud family in the 1930s with commentary by Anna which makes the film very special.

The museum has been carefully added to over the years: always remaining faithful to the original home and office. So while the building is now a museum, it is still easy to see the original home with the original furnishings and be transported back to a time when Dr. Freud had his practice here.