Having gathered many places and countries under their small belts (partly due to their expat existence/partly parental guilt “payment” for their expat existence), one of the things The Small People relish the most about travelling is the opportunity to have a complete say in the matter on some of the things we see whilst we are away…
When they were smaller and swayed by pictures alone, they would inevitably choose trips to places like zoos, brightly coloured theme parks, or anything with a swing and the hope of a bouncy castle! Now they can read, they take their tour-guide duties very seriously, and spend ages pouring over leaflets, brochures and guidebooks to seek out the interesting and unusual. More often than not, the ideas they come up with are not perhaps what we would have initially chosen, but in hindsight I am glad they have, as these trips usually end up interesting and memorable for various other reasons.
This family tradition explains how we ended up at the bottom of an Austrian Salt Mine, and sleeping in an Iglu at the top of Germany’s tallest mountain, and exploring the summit of a Japanese Volcano. They also chose the Studio Ghibli Museum trip (all the aforementioned we have loved by the way!). I also have The 8 Year old to thank for our trip to the “interesting” Japanese Cat Museum, and The 6 Year Old for his choice of the Rundturn (roundtower) in Copenhagen where he subsequently took the split second decision to take a closer look at something in the city below, and got his head stuck through the antique railings. A story that will haunt him forever I imagine….
And as you might have guessed from the title above, whilst in Vienna, they made a team decision to visit The House of Music…
When you find it, ignore the fact that the unobtrusive doorway doesn’t look all that grand, a few steps in and you will find that the Museum is actually housed in a former palace… What else? This is Vienna after all!
Described as an Interactive discovery museum, this award-winning place does exactly what it says on the tin, with over 6 floors of hands on exhibits of all things sound.
The whole of the first floor is dedicated to the Viennese Philharmonic Orchestra. Here we experienced (and enjoyed) a hefty chunk of a Philharmonic concert in the surround sound cinema, and afterwards composed our own waltzes with the help of a huge exhibit featuring some digital dice (a moment of particular embarrassment for The 8 year old as her Father and Brother insisted on waltzing in the background whilst she was composing!) …
The second floor is all about sensory noise, from exploring the first sounds we heard in the womb, to the varied sounds of the outside world. We stuck our heads inside countless pods to travel to numerous cities by listening to their collective city sounds – something that fascinated the Small Boy, and that we had to drag him away from. Mind you, I had to be dragged out of the Polyphonium, a large darkened room designed as a place to relax and appreciate the music being played on the best quality sound system I have ever heard… Some more dancing might have taken place in here.
We had great fun on the other floors too, which included the chance to conduct your own virtual orchestra, learn about the history and listen to the music of some of the greatest classical composers, and have our names turned into Mozart Compositions by typing the letters into a computer programme (based on a game created by the great man himself!).
We ended our visit with half an hour on the Virto Stage. This virtual stage allows you to direct your own opera just by moving, and it’s fascinating. Apparently there’s a children’s version called Zoo concert, but The Small People were so happy with the grown up version, I feel we should have taken advantage of the beautiful top floor cafe overlooking Vienna’s rooftops whilst they had fun. Maybe next time!
A great place that’s well worth dedicating an afternoon to, should you happen to be in the neighbourhood…
helloitsgemma says
this sounds wonderful, what a great choice of place to go.
if only this blog had sound too!
bavaria says
Thank you Gemma. That would be good wouldn’t it! :D x
Actually Mummy... says
I love that your children are so well travelled and cultured that they use the leaflets to help plan your trips. This one looks very cool!
bavaria says
Thank you, they can be quite determined as to what they see though! Volcano anyone? :D
Trish - Mum's Gone to says
We have always encouraged our son to make choices on holiday too. It’s made for some great experiences. I love this place – just up my street – and, for some reason, the colours and style remind me of the Sprit Museum in Stockholm.
bavaria says
A place I didn’t make it to when we lived in Copenahgen, rather stupidly…. Thank you Trish! :)
brinabird and son says
Wow! My wee man loves music and would love this. Might have to start planning a trip to Vienna.
bavaria says
He would LOVE it! Thanks Sabrina! :)
Notmyyearoff says
So great that your children share your passion for doing very new and interesting things. I hope mine are the same. The interactive museum looks fantastic. I have Vienna on my list of places to go one day.
bavaria says
Thank you… Just encourage them with their choices and you will have no problems. Forgot doing what you want to actually do a lot of the time though! Vienna is now one of my favourite cities! :)
older mum in a muddle says
I remember the Cat Museum – that was really funny…. and I love this place – how much fun. After packing up for my holiday all day, I could do with sitting in a darkened room and listening to some fine quality music, that sounded so relaxing. X
bavaria says
Thank you… Have a fabulous break, and a lovely lovely birthday! :) xx
Sam @happyhomebird says
What amazing opportunities your children have, so cultured. I really, really want to go to Vienna. As soon as my little boy can manage it all, we’ll be there.
bavaria says
Thank you Sam… I am sure he would love it… Plenty to see and do! :)
Funky Wellies says
It sounds like a really interesting place. I will put it on my list for my next Vienna visit. ;) xx
bavaria says
It’s brilliant! Think you would enjoy it! :) xxx
A Patchwork Life says
They’re getting to be pretty good pickers aren’t they! Looks and sounds amazing. You make me want to inject a bit more fun into family time. Thought about going to the Science museum in Cardiff tomorrow, but then remembered the youngest has ballet…. x
bavaria says
It is a brilliant place. Thank you. Trust me, it’s not always a big success like this when they pick, but when it’s good it’s good! :D
Midlife Singlemum says
I would love that. I think your children are a bit older than my daughter. I’m waiting patiently until she’ll take an interest in anything other than the zoo.
bavaria says
Thank you… We have been to the zoo plenty of times too! :D
Anya from Older Single Mum and The Healer says
I can’t think of anywhere better to visit a House of Music than Vienna!
bavaria says
Perfectly located! Thank you! :)
Sarah@The View From the Table says
What a brilliant place to visit, and what great memories and experiences you’re building for your children. Love it.
bavaria says
Thank you Sarah… This is a fabulous place! :)
fritha says
wow what an adventure, I need to go visit some places like this with Wilf. I love the sensory aspect of it all! xx
bavaria says
Thanks so much! :)
Aly says
I know you really miss the U.K Emma but you get to see some seriously cool places.Great photos as ever.
bavaria says
Thanks Aly… xx
Pinkoddy says
What a fantastic place to visit, we’d love the sensory floor the most I think.
bavaria says
That was fascinating! Thank you J! :) x
Kara says
Wow – that looks so amazing – I wish we had something like that here as my kids would love it!
bavaria says
Thank you Kara! :)
Niki says
I love how your children have become such seasoned travellers, I hope the same for my little ones
bavaria says
Thank you… It has been worth it as payment for taking them away from all that they know I guess! And we love it too which helps! :)
mellissa williams says
I’ve been to an Austrian salt mine too! It was a little claustrophobic lol. Prefer the idea of this science museum :)
bavaria says
I completely know what you mean, but I did like the slides in one of them! :D Thank you…
Grace says
What a wonderful place to spend an afternoon and great pics as always. xx
bavaria says
Thanks Mum xx
Swazi says
This looks like somewhere my son would love !
Awesome images too :)
bavaria says
Thanks so much Swazi! :)
sarah says
that looks awesome! i want to go! love the images x
bavaria says
Thanks Sarah! :)
Mum of One says
I would love to see Vienna! Looks like they had a great time.
bavaria says
Vienna is well worth a visit. They did, thank you! :)
Louisa @ My Family & Abruzzo says
Brilliant place to visit, but I am mostly impressed by your visit to the Studio Ghibli museum! I love Studio Ghibli!
bavaria says
I might have first introduced them to Totoro when they were tiny but their love of everything Studio Ghibli is huge now! Thank you…
maggy, red ted art says
Oooh now here is somewhere I haven’t been before!
bavaria says
Honestly, I can see why it has won awards, well well worth a visit! :)
Liska (@NewMumOnline) says
Oooooh I have been to Vienna in 1997, loved it! Your photos are superb. Love it that you let the kids decide. Liska x
bavaria says
Thanks Liska, this was a first visit for us! We will go back soon! :)
Hausfrau says
Wow, what a cool place! I love that you give your kids a say in what you will all see together.
bavaria says
Thank you Di. I think it’s important to help them enjoy a place! Plus, we do get to see some different places that way! :D
Sally Sellwood (@Recipejunkie27) says
That’s a great way to travel – we’ve started doing that too – giving the kids the choice of some of what we see and do – it really gets them involved in the whole undertaking. This looks like an awesome place to visit – top marks to your kids for choosing it!
bavaria says
Thanks Sally, it’s definitely a good way to make them feel involved, even if some of the ideas can be “interesting”! :D
Mammasaurus says
Ooo I likey, I likey a lot. As Donna said, I feel like I should taking more more interesting and varied places now x
bavaria says
Thank you Annie! You always do interesting stuff! :) x
Donna @ Little Lilypad Co says
I love reading your blog, it reminds me that we should be exploring more than the “zoo” with our children! Great images as always x
bavaria says
Thank you Donna :) x