Once you've arrived safely in Vienna, head for either of two information points that make it their business to have up-to-the-minute data about what to see and do in Vienna. The more centrally located of the two is the Wien Tourist-Information office at Albertinaplatz (tel. 01/211-140; tram: 1 or 2). Located directly behind the Vienna State Opera, on the corner of Philharmonikerstrasse, in the heart of the Innere Stadt (Inner City), it's open daily from 9am to 7pm. The staff will make free hotel reservations for anyone in need of lodgings. Larger and more administrative, but also willing to handle questions from the public, is the headquarters of the Vienna Tourist Board, at Obere Augartenstrasse (tel. 01/24-555; tram: 31), open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. Both branches stock free copies of a tourist magazine, Wien Monatsprogramm, which lists what's going on in Vienna's concert halls, theaters, and opera houses. Also worthwhile here is Vienna A to Z, a general, pocket-size guide with descriptions and locations for a slew of attractions. This booklet is also free, but don't rely on its cluttered map.
For information on Vienna and Austria, including day trips from the city, visit the Austrian National Tourist Office (tel. 01/588660) at Margaretenstrasse 1, A-1040. Lower Austria (Niederösterreich), the region surrounding the city, contains dozens of attractions worth a visit. For a rundown on the Wachau (Danube Valley) and the Weinerwald (Vienna Woods), you might want to contact Niederösterreich Information, Fischhof 3/3 (tel. 01/53-610-62-00).
