Things to do in Berlin

[wigglybeezer]

Really enjoyed a trip to Berlin for a conference in April so we are thinking of going back in October with our three boys, 15, 12 and 9. Would be very grateful for some advice about the best things to do, DH and I love galleries and architecture but the boys, not so much. Would love to know what Berliners do with their kids at the weekend or for treats.
Already looking forward to those German bakeries!

wiggly for dc that age there's loads to do! For example you could take a tour of the Reichstag the German parliament building

The Potsdamer Platz is a nice area and the Holocaust Memorial is just down the road from there and also the Brandenburger Tor is within walking distance so you'd get a few of the sights done in one session!

The Hackesche Höfe is a lovely quarter to wander around, lots of old courtyards and small shops, cafes etc.

This website has the best information and links about all the places and tours you can go on www.berlin.de/international/attractions/index.en.php

Do you know where you'll be staying yet?

Thanks admlyin, we have booked an apartment in Prenzlauer Berg. Thanks for the suggestions, where would be a good place to go by train to see some countryside/traditional architecture?

DS just been for a weekend in Berlin from Hamburg. He loved it. Did the wall memorial, checkpoint Charlie, Eastside Gallery, Reichstag, Brandenburger Tor but strangely, his favourite things were the zoo (and he's 20) and the Olympic Stadium.

Hi We now live in Berlin and have teenage children. I would agree with fussychica about the zoo and the Olympic stadium. The zoo is compact but really well laid out, it's also at the bottom of the Kudamm with all the shops so perhaps a morning at the zoo and afternoon shopping/cafes. The Olympic Stadium outdoor swimming pool is a big hit with my kids with the 3M, 5M and 10M diving boards they love it! (i just close my eyes and don't look!). Gendenemarkt with its two Cathederals is a lovely area and has the Ritter Sports chocolate shop where you can make up your own special recipe choc bar, and there is another shop that is devoted to chocolate on the corner by the Hilton Hotel - lovely cafe upstairs too! It will be cold in October - just be warned. My eldest has done and enjoyed the Fat Tyre bike tour which the whole family can do - take the 10am tour from the bottom of the TV tower at Alexanderplatz.
A little out of the city you can get the train from hte Zoo station to Potsdam - with its lovely palaces and parks and markets.
Brunch is big here: favourites are Brunch at the Fischerhutte at the Shlachtensee lake - you must book. Brunch at 'Kafer' right on top of the Reichstag is also great and gets you into the Reichstag without queueing but you MUST book in advance (you also MUST book just to go into the Reichstag in advance too anyway even if you dont to the Kafer restaurant).

Thanks hoofhearted, those tips sound great, looking forward to brunch.