Just 28 minutes from Vienna Central Station and 44 minutes from Linz Central Station with convenient half-hourly train connections with the ÖBB Railjet, St. Pölten is the perfect day trip destination for visitors of all ages, and with the TOP Jugendticket it is also quick and convenient to reach for school groups. It is a comfortable 15-minute walk to the museum from the railway station. Starting right from the train station, a nesting box educational trail gives visitors lots of interesting information about the local birds as it winds through the green oases of St. Pölten (the state capital of Lower Austria) to the Museum Niederösterreich. Visitors can also reach the museum by walking along the city’s baroque promenade.
After this stroll through the regional capital’s attractive baroque pedestrianised zone, the Haus der Geschichte (History Museum) offers a journey through 40,000 years of human history and the Haus für Natur (Nature Museum) an interactive walk through the habitats of Lower Austria. The “perfekte Welle" (meaning “perfect wave”) by renowned architect Hollein literally unites both buildings under one roof.
The Haus der Geschichte thematically presents 3,000m² of exhibitions focussing on the important aspects of Lower Austria's history in the context of Central Europe, making use of the most up-to-date methods of communication. A watchtower from the Iron Curtain, an escape plane and the golden treasure horde from Wiener Neustadt are just a few of the many impressive objects.
The Haus für Natur is more than just a museum - it is also a zoo. As you walk past the Danube Tank and on towards the high mountains you will also encounter 40 living indigenous species of animals from catfish - Austria’s largest native fish - to green lizards and tree frogs, to grass snakes and adders.
In addition to the contents of the two museums, various exhibitions are presented each year. The museum garden, the Pan Pan restaurant and numerous events such as the contemporary witness forum “Erzählte Geschichte” (History Narrated) and the discussion forum “Erlebte Natur” (Nature Experienced) invite you to linger and entice you to return. Good public transport connections continue into the evening.
Our exhibitions in 2023
Communication by Animals, Plants and Fungi (from 18.03.2023)
The world of animal communication is fascinating, diverse, mysterious and full of clever tricks. Animals communicate to find a mate, mark out their territory, warn other members of their species about predators, point out food sources and much, much more. Plants and fungi send out messages too. This special exhibition offers fascinating insights into current research and explains how cats and dogs can understand each other better.
An Unruly Country. Protests and Strikes since 1848. (from 17.02.2023)
This exhibition challenges the common historical narrative in which rural people are portrayed as being apolitical. Its historical arc spans over 170 years, from the “liberator of peasant farmers” Hans Kudlich to a resistance network of forced labourers under the Nazi regime, to the Semperit workers’ strike and the occupation of the Hainburger Au wetlands.
Vacancies. Holidays in Austria since 1945 (from 23.09.2023)
From 1945, an economic upturn and increasing prosperity, a construction boom and mass motorisation all play a role in changing the economy and infrastructure of the tourism sector, and in doing so, alter the topography of tourism. Previously neglected areas boom and traditional destinations lose traction. Renting private hotel rooms becomes an essential pillar of post-war tourism, before second homes and other kinds of accommodation start to mount a challenge.
Contact for accommodation
- ÖBB Rail Tours
- info@railtours.oebb.at
- railtours.oebb.at
Included services
- Admission to Museum Lower Austria (admission is valid for all exhibitions)
Destination station: St. Pölten
Opening hours
Tuesday - Sunday + Holiday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Opening hours
Tuesday - Sunday + Holiday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closing days 2023/2024
- every Monday except holiday
- 25., 26. December 2023 & 1. January 2024
Price overview
| Offers | ÖBB Plus-offer | Local prices |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | € 5.- | € 10.- |
| Children 7<18 years | € 2.50 | € 5.- |
Valid from 01.09.2022 - 31.12.2023
Children up to the age of 7 are free
You travel as planned, and on either the same day or one of the two following days, you simply exchange the voucher directly at the touristic attraction.