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 2024
Defiant Country. Strike, protest & self-will (until 21.01.2024)
This exhibition challenges the common historical narrative in which rural people are portrayed as being unpolitical. 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.
Out with the language! How plants and animals communicate (until 11.02.2024)
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.
Room free. Holiday in the country (bis 02.02.2025)
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.
Mobile like an animal! Nature on the move (from 23.03.2024)
The Earth travels through space at 100,000 kilometres per hour. Its annual journey around the sun constantly changes the living conditions on its surface. And this sets enormous animal migrations in motion. Every year, huge groups, herds and shoals of animals migrate across the Earth’s surface through water, air and land. This is to secure food sources, to avoid adverse weather conditions, to look for spawning grounds or sexual partners or to develop new habitats and food sources, among other reasons. Their physical feats are astonishing, their navigational skills are remarkable. Who is going where? How do they do it? What drives them? The new exhibition “Nature in motion” is dedicated to the diverse aspects of smaller and larger animal migration. Some just in Lower Austria alone, some far beyond. Some inconspicuous, others unmissable.
On the Run – 25 objects tell the story (from 02.03.2024)
What do a doll, opera glasses and a wooden case have in common? They witness war, flight and displacement. The special exhibition “On the Run” tells stories of people who had to flee with 25 objects. These objects preserve not only memories but also identities, represent belonging and prove inner conflict. It ranges from refugee movements during the 30 Year’s War to conflicts in the modern day.
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 - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday & Holiday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (valid 2024)
Closing days 2023/2024
- every Monday except holiday
- 25., 26. December 2024 & 1. January 2025
Price overview
| Offers | ÖBB Plus-offer | Local prices |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | € 5.- | € 10.- |
| Children 7<18 years | € 2.50 | € 5.- |
Valid from 02.01. - 31.12.2024
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.