Anonymous wrote: If you take the sound of music tour it also makes a stop at the mountain coaster

Is it a perfect spot for you know what?

Thanks for all the helpful replies! I am definitely leaning toward renting a car in Vienna and driving so we can explore around the Salzburg area. My partner recommends the drive to the glacier as well. We will all re-watch TSOM this week!

If you take the sound of music tour it also makes a stop at the mountain coaster

Salt mine and mountain coaster are an absolute must with kids. We enjoyed the zoo (slightly outside of town but the bus goes there). We got the Go Sazburg card or whatever it's called that allows you entrance into a ton of attractions. Definitely hit Berchesgaden if you can. There is an amazing WWII museum, may be a little too much for smaller kids though. There are some fabulous little restaurants hanging on the side of the alps near Berchesgaden. Just amazing.

If you need a hotel, we loved this one: http://www.elefant.at/en-index.html

Agree with PP's note about the salt mine. I visited Salzburg as a kid, and the salt mine is one of the few things I remember.

Anonymous wrote:If you like Sound of Music go on a Bob's tour of the sights from the film. It it's a blast!

+1

Be sure your kids have seen the Sound of Music before you go. Salzburg is lovely and the surrounding areas are just as beautiful as the movie. The kids should enjoy the castle on the hilltop in Salzburg.
Mozart is also a big deal in Salzburg. You may want to watch Amadeus if you haven't seen it before. Not sure the kids would get a lot out of it, though.

I'd spend a full day in the city proper and then get out into the surroundings. An earlier poster suggested Berchtesgaden and I highly recommend a full day there. The Eagle's Nest is worth a visit (you get in an elevator to go up) and I agree about a salt mine tour, as well. (that should be fun for the kids). If you don't do a boat tour in Salzburg, then definitely do one on the Konigsee.

Berchtesgaden is a small town and I've always felt like Heidi lived in the mountains around it--that's how it looks.

I've been there several times and would definitely jump at the chance to visit again.

It really doesn't matter what you do--the whole area is beautiful.

If you like Sound of Music go on a Bob's tour of the sights from the film. It it's a blast!

Eat a Salzburger Nockerl, a wonderful soufflé-type dessert!

I have such a fondness for Salzburg. It was the first place I visited in Europe. I second the recs above.

Berchtesgaden, konigsee, and Kehlstein (Eagle's Nest) are nearby in Germany.

Obviously reinact all the sound of music scenes!

Loved Salzburg from my summer trip to Europe 20 years ago! Definitely do Hellbrunn (?) Palace and a tour of a salt mine (ours involved a ride on a little open air train/tram).

We are traveling to Austria with our 5 and 8 year old DCs for spring break. We have been to Vienna many times, but are going to go to Salzburg for ~3 days. I would appreciate any recommendations for side trips out of the city, restaurants and museums etc from people who have travelled there previously. Thanks in advance for any advice you have!