The Rathauspark is one of the most visited parks in Vienna by locals. Designed in 1863 as a public park, it has been used and loved by local families and visitors alike since then. Its large open grassy spaces are perfect for a picnic, or find a sunny spot to read a book as well as its central access to the city. In the evenings, street vendors turn the park into an impromptu outdoor café and there is usually entertainment courtesy of street performers.

The park has a large square which is used for public gatherings such as the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market) during the Christmas season. After the New Year the square is used for ice skating and in the warm summer months this area is the site of films, concerts and festivals. Public restrooms make the area very user friendly and the area is handicapped accessible.

On either side of the square are large grassy areas that are home to whole host of trees and shrubs. Some of these are rather exotic such as the ginko biloba trees and umbrella trees. There are paths that wander through the park and it is a great way to get a bit of exercise before going to a concert in the evening, or walk off some of the street vendor’s food.

The Volksgarten “or roughly people’s park” is one of the most beautiful public outdoor places in all of Vienna. It is located in the Innere Stadt, which of part of the First District. The place was built over the top of the part of the city which was destroyed during the reign of Napoleon. The facility was finished and first opened to the general public in 1820. This place is very famous for the gardens that are located within, especially the rose section. There is also a very famous temple here, called the Theseus. It is a replica of the famous Greek version by that same name. Peter von Nobile built the monument in 1823 as a tribute to Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Much of the park as it is known today was built at a second addition to the place in 1857 when more of the city was turned over to this use. A famous coffeehouse was also located here for a while, which ultimately became a venue for concerts from the likes of Straub and Lanner, two very famous Austrian composers. There are still many concerts that are performed in the park today.

The Burggarten is located in Vienna’s 1st district. It was originally a garden on the grounds of the Hofburg Palace. The space was originally partially occupied by a wall that surrounded the palace and the city to protect against invaders. However, it did little to stop Napoleon’s advance upon the city and as he left portions of the wall were destroyed.

In the space where the wall had been, a beautiful formal garden was created on the palace grounds. The garden was created in the tradition of English gardens. After the fall of the Habsburg dynasty, the garden was opened for public enjoyment.

Several statues are on the garden grounds, but the most famous one is the Mozart Denkmal. The statue was not originally here, but was moved here in the early 1950s. Also be sure to see the fountain statue of Hercules that was placed in the pond in the 1940s.

Another popular feature is the butterfly garden (Schmettlerlinghaus) which was added in 1901. Tropical butterflies and bats live in a tropical paradise here. It is educational as well as beautiful; one can see the butterfly eggs, caterpillars, cocoons and butterflies all in one building. The free flying butterflies are spectacular and sure to please everyone.

The Belvedere Garten is located in the 3rd district in Vienna (Landstrasse). It is in between the upper and lower Belvedere Palaces. The garden was a link tying the two palaces together. The formal garden was laid out in traditional French fashion by Dominique Girard who had received formal training in Versailles. While the garden is in Vienna, its original owner was French in origin.

The old gardens had wonderful patterned beds and exquisite statuary. Most of this statuary has survived the years, but the intricately patterned beds have unfortunately been lost over the centuries. The gardens have enjoyed resurgence and are neatly trimmed and although not the formal gardens of days past, they are beautiful and easy to enjoy. Thousands of different plants are in the space of less than one acre. The pools and fountains give a glimmer of the grandeur of those original grounds. Be aware, the garden is a work in progress, so some areas may be undergoing transformation. Just enjoy other areas of the grounds and look forward to your next visit, when the garden will be even more beautiful.

The area also houses the Alpine garden and a garden from the University of Vienna. This area is an absolute must see for those who love to garden. The gardens are free and open to the public.

The Viennese City Park (Wiener Stadtpark) extends from the Parkring in the First District of Vienna up to the Heumarkt  in the Third District and is visited both by tourists and by native Viennese. The total surface area is 65,000 m². The Stadtpark is the park with the largest number of monuments and sculptures in Vienna. The flora in the park is characterized by a wide range of species, planted to bloom in all seasons. A parkway bordering the Ringstraße reduces the impact of noise and emission on the park. Some groves are natural protection zones, including Ginkgo, Honey Locust, Pyramid Poplar and Caucasian Wing Nut.

The Prater is a public park located in the Leopoldstast district of Vienna (2nd district). This beautiful park has around 250 attractions, but the one that really stands out is the Giant Ferris Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad) which will allow you to take in the sights from 60 meters in the air. Built in 1897, this has been thrilling natives and visitors alike for over a century.

For those that need a bit more excitement than a leisurely ride, try the Prater Tower. This ride still offers great views of the city at the height of 117 meters; however, they will be seen while spinning in a circle at 61 kilometers per hour. There is also a planetarium for those who would like to keep their feet on the ground but turn their eyes to the stars. There are also lots of rides for any kids in the group.

The Prater also has over 60 food venues to quench a thirst or fill a tummy. From just a cup of coffee with a pastry and a great view of the people passing by to a serious cuisine it can be found here. You may want to walk off those delicious calories by taking a stroll on the Green Prater. The 4.5 kilometer Hauptallee is a long, beautifully shaded street for walking, biking, skating and even taking a carriage ride. This boulevard is lined with over 2,000 trees. Bicycles are available for rent as are horses. Off the path a bit there are also boats for rent in the lake there. Golf is also available.

Plan on spending at least half the day here, although one could easily spend an entire day and not see everything there is to see. The park is free but the attractions are not.