Short break to Berlin

[MrsAvocet]

DH is working in Berlin for a few days in October and I've just realised it's during our half term. I'm therefore thinking of going along, with late teen DS in tow. DH will be working during the day so DS and I will need to entertain ourselves and then we'll all be together in the evenings.
I've been to Germany quite a few times but never to Berlin. Besides the Wall Memorial and the Brandenburg Gate what would anyone recommend as the "must sees" if you've only got a short time please? I'm not sure what flights we'll be getting but we'll probably have about 2 and a half or 3 days there. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

My personal favourite

www.visitberlin.de/en/hackesche-hofe

I really recommend the Spy Museum (totally fascinating, great mix of serious and fun, in dual languages and has a Mission Impossible laser traps room at the end). I know it sounds a little naff but it was really very well done, we learned loads about spying in the Cold War.
My teen also liked the flea markets (on a Sunday), the zoo/aquarium (pandas!) and the museums on Museum Island (especially the Pergamon, but take your pick depending what you are into).
I don't know if it is a year round thing but the beer garden by the lake behind the Zoologischer Garten was terrific, food and beers under strings of twinky lights.
If your teen is into history, I would also recommend a walking tour to learn the history of the city. It is very full on.
We also did a boat tour which was ok but tbh not as interesting as say Paris or London from the water.
Hope you have a great time!

Make sure you visit the 3D museum which is just by checkpoint Charlie. It's awesome

Following withe interest.

Listen to the Tunnel 29 podcast and then visit the Tunnel - there is a tour and museum which was really interesting.

I also really enjoyed a guided walking tour and another time I did a guided cycle tour - they were both really good but you would only need to do one or the other.

Smallinthesmoke has just described a perfect weekend for me in Berlin. Museum Island could be a whole long day. And tasty imbiss on every corner!

Thanks all. I've been looking these places and others up and it does look like a very interesting city. Might see if I can persuade DH to take some annual leave and tag an extra day or two on as it seems like there will be plenty to do.
I'm assuming the public transport is good? We're all interested in history so I think there's a lot of sites we'll want to see.

I love te Monsterkabinett!
Completely boniest and I’d never seen anything like it in my life!

www.lonelyplanet.com/germany/berlin/mitte-alexanderplatz-area/attractions/monsterkabinett/a/poi-sig/1325580/1320671

it lasts maybe 40 mins, I can’t remember.

I found the Holocaust memorial and museum very moving. It's close by the Brandenburg gate and Reichstag.

On a lighter note - the Trabi safari was an interesting way to see Berlin. here

www.tropical-islands.de/

Right, I have booked! Flights and accommodation all in hand.
I'm just looking at the Berlin Welcome Card and wondering if it represents good value to get the "all inclusive" version or just the travel card. There are lots of free and discounted attractions on the all inclusive deal but I guess you only get your money back if you cram a lot of things in. If you only visit a few places and do them thoroughly it might be better to get the travel card but pay for attractions separately. Just wondered if anyone had used one of these cards and whether you feel you got your money's worth or not?

@MrsAvocet
I think these cards work if you want those attractions. If not, they are not worth it.

If you like history, the German History museum should have been a top choice, but it’s closed for renovation!!! We thought it had brilliant exhibits.

The Reichstag is impressive. Get there early for tickets. Or book online if you can. I agree the river trip is so so. A trip out to Charlottenburg Palace is worthwhile. A bit like a German Versailles so not recent history. Sanssyicci is also great. The DDR museum might be of interest too. The Holocaust museum is intense. There are also great art galleries. We visited one in a disused station.

Getting from the airport was easy by bus but I haven’t used the new one. Buses run everywhere and so does the U Bahn.

I liked the Sony centre and enjoyed a river cruise as well as all the earlier suggestions.
I also enjoyed the palace mentioned earlier.

The DDR Museum is touristy but fun (will be busy):

www.ddr-museum.de/en

The Museum of Technology is worth a visit too.

technikmuseum.berlin/en/

You can get a 24hr ticket which allows you to use all public transport:

www.berlin.de/en/public-transportation/1772016-2913840-tickets-fares-and-route-maps.en.html

You'll need to book in advance to visit The Reichstag. Talk a walk out to look at The East Side Gallery.