Berlin - good for a visit with kids?
Feb 16th, 2006, 12:53 PM
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Berlin - good for a visit with kids?
Anyone visit Berlin with kids?
We are thinking of renting an apartment for 5/6 days but are not sure if Berlin would be suitable for family trip.
Kids are 8 - 14 yrs old & love cities, history, short museum trips, but most of all love being somewhere new!
Thanks for any tips
We are thinking of renting an apartment for 5/6 days but are not sure if Berlin would be suitable for family trip.
Kids are 8 - 14 yrs old & love cities, history, short museum trips, but most of all love being somewhere new!
Thanks for any tips
Feb 16th, 2006, 01:22 PM
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You might want to take a look at this book which includes a strong sense of history:
Berlinwalks/Four Intimate Walking Tours of Berlin's Most Historic Neighborhoods, With Maps, Photos, and a Select List of Restaurants, Hotels, and Mor (Henry Holt Walks Series) (Paperback)
by Peter Fritzsche, Karen Hewitt
This is probably one of the best walking tour books available.
Berlinwalks/Four Intimate Walking Tours of Berlin's Most Historic Neighborhoods, With Maps, Photos, and a Select List of Restaurants, Hotels, and Mor (Henry Holt Walks Series) (Paperback)
by Peter Fritzsche, Karen Hewitt
This is probably one of the best walking tour books available.
Feb 17th, 2006, 12:10 AM
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Thank you all for the replies.
Ira, the alternative would be any other city in Europe, cost of flights permitting of course!
We can get direct flights to Berlin at a really good price & I have let that be my starting point.
As I said, we love cities, we're not resort or theme park fans. We love different cultures, not bothered if we don't speak the language as it has never hindered us in the past, although I can get by in german .
As it will be a short school break 5/6 days, somewhere in Europe is preferable. Well actually I tell a lie, New York is top of my 'to visit' list but finances won't stretch that far at the moment. 6 flight tickets u.k. to New York OUCH!!
Ira, the alternative would be any other city in Europe, cost of flights permitting of course!
We can get direct flights to Berlin at a really good price & I have let that be my starting point.
As I said, we love cities, we're not resort or theme park fans. We love different cultures, not bothered if we don't speak the language as it has never hindered us in the past, although I can get by in german .
As it will be a short school break 5/6 days, somewhere in Europe is preferable. Well actually I tell a lie, New York is top of my 'to visit' list but finances won't stretch that far at the moment. 6 flight tickets u.k. to New York OUCH!!
Feb 17th, 2006, 12:26 AM
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Berlin is a wonderful city for kids. Just a few things to do with kids:
- The Pergamon Museum with the huge, extremely impressive antique buildings, especially a complete gate and street from ancient Babylon (with lions on blue tiles). The kids will love it!
- The Museum of Natural History with the world's largest dinosaur skeleton (a brachiosaur).
- The Museum of Traffic with all kinds of historic vehicles (Kids can sit in an mineshaft lorry and push it by themselves, can walk into locomotives etc.).
- The Berlin Zoo with an aquarium.
- In the evening the show of the "Blue Man Group" (mostly nonverbal, a lot of fun for kids).
- The Reichstag with its glass dome (you can walk up there).
- Lots of historic architecture.
- Much urban playfulness, like balloning in the very center of the city etc.
- Just enjoying extremely colorful street life, especially in bustling areas like Hackesche Höfe and Oranienburger Strasse.
- Visiting the castles and magnificent gardens in nearby Potsdam.
- A boat trip on the Spree river right through the historical center of the city.
- A boat trip on the Havel river around Potsdam.
- A tour of Babelsberg Film Studios (includes events like being in an submerged submarine under attack).
There are much more things to do and see. Just a few things that popped into my mind.
By the way, Berlin is one of the few metropolitan cities where many hotels have indoor swimming-pools.
- The Pergamon Museum with the huge, extremely impressive antique buildings, especially a complete gate and street from ancient Babylon (with lions on blue tiles). The kids will love it!
- The Museum of Natural History with the world's largest dinosaur skeleton (a brachiosaur).
- The Museum of Traffic with all kinds of historic vehicles (Kids can sit in an mineshaft lorry and push it by themselves, can walk into locomotives etc.).
- The Berlin Zoo with an aquarium.
- In the evening the show of the "Blue Man Group" (mostly nonverbal, a lot of fun for kids).
- The Reichstag with its glass dome (you can walk up there).
- Lots of historic architecture.
- Much urban playfulness, like balloning in the very center of the city etc.
- Just enjoying extremely colorful street life, especially in bustling areas like Hackesche Höfe and Oranienburger Strasse.
- Visiting the castles and magnificent gardens in nearby Potsdam.
- A boat trip on the Spree river right through the historical center of the city.
- A boat trip on the Havel river around Potsdam.
- A tour of Babelsberg Film Studios (includes events like being in an submerged submarine under attack).
There are much more things to do and see. Just a few things that popped into my mind.
By the way, Berlin is one of the few metropolitan cities where many hotels have indoor swimming-pools.
Feb 17th, 2006, 01:54 AM
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Here is an English website with tours for kids in Berlin:
http://www.berlin-tourist-informatio...mme_kinder.php
http://www.berlin-tourist-informatio...mme_kinder.php
Feb 17th, 2006, 04:17 AM
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Is there something you have "heard" or read about Berlin which makes you think it might be unsuitable that you aren't telling us about?
Every single thing you mentioned your kids loving is definietly there.
Every single thing you mentioned your kids loving is definietly there.
Feb 17th, 2006, 05:56 AM
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I agree with traveller1959, there is loads in Berlin for kids. Not only that, it is a fantastic city and adults will also love it. The Pergamon museum is fabulous. Take them up the Fernsehturm (tv tower) with it's revolving observation deck. Chechpoint Charlie is a great war museum,really intersting. Visit the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and nearby part of the Berlin Wall still stands. Potsdam is also beautiful for a day trip. Language shouldn't be a problem as most Germans have excellent english. Their metro system is also excellent for getting around. Prague and Budapest are great cities but in terms of history and things to see and do, Berlin is steets ahead (IMO).
Feb 17th, 2006, 06:40 AM
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Berlin is amazing for kids. Being a ZOO FANATIC, one of the best I have ever been too, no doubt, is the Berlin Zoo. Imagine a great zoo, right in the middle of the city...with playgrounds and everything.
Berlin has to be one of the largest, yet easiest to travel cities I have been too. When you get there, definately buy yourselves the week pass for the U and S bahns. Also, definately buy the three day museum pass. You can get it at most museums, definately at Pergamon. Even the kids will LOVE Pergamon. The gates of ISHTAR are located here, recreated in some parts, but for the most part, all there. Pergamon was built for the steps of Pergamon, an ancient city which, by the way, the TURKS want back. It is amazing to stand in the middle of the place and on steps from B.C. times. They also have the most perserved Babylonian market i have ever seen.
Here is another suggestion...stay in the former E. Berlin. Easily accessible at Rosenthaler Platz, Alexander Platz, and I forgot the other. It is more unique and quaint than West Berlin, but accessible to everything. The areas of E. Berlin are known as Mitte and Freidriksberg.
The combination of the West and the East is interesting. The uniqueness of graffiti (part of the culture), the "finding of themselves" in E. Berlin, the artist squatter colonies, the perserved pre-war buildings in the East, the Russian influences (tiny restuarants like Gorky Park...they didnt make it like Cold-War russia...it really is the same place it was before the wall), and the allure and modern western area, are so different it MAKES BERLIN.
Put it this way; being from an Italian-Austria, Roman-Catholic/Jew, BERLIN WAS THE ONE CITY I DID NOT LOOK FORWARD TO ON MY TRIP. I planned two days...that was it. I spent 10, gone back another time (within the same year) and have just applied for a prestigious legal fellowship with the Bosch Corporation so I can live there for a year. The city was THAT interesting.
Not the most beautiful city in the world, but definately one of the most interesting. There isnt enough time for you do see the whole place in 5 days. I have a list of "to dos and sees" if you would like.
On a side note, I would also suggest a day trip to Potsdam. It is the summer residence of all the Kaisers, and it is absolutely a gorgeous day trip. Very renaisannce in nature, and the little town is beautiful (besides the "castle" grounds.) It is a 45mn to 1 hour train ride out of Berlin...cake walk. Now, if the kids can handle it, and to be honest, it bothered me at first but is not (because of the lack of gas chambers) the worst feeling camp, Orainenberg Concentration camp is 35minutes outside of Berlin (and a short 15 minute walk off the train.
As a short history lesson, it was the FIRST concentration camp that was designed by (gasp) architechts and engineers for "functionality." For family reasons it bothered me, but for historical purposes...it was an amazing field trip, again, only if the kids can handle it. It is all guided via a free headphone system...go at your own pace. It served as the headquarters for ALL GERMAN concentration camps. It also served as the main "concentration camps" (yes the Russians were just as bad), for NAZI war criminals/prisoners. The dynamic is strange.
Final suggestion...take a Day tour (not the full, the half..it will go full) with TERRY BREWER TOURS. I have the info if you like. 12 euro a person, you will get the best guided tour I HAVE EVER GOTTEN IN A CITY. It was this tour that sold me on Berlin. Terry teaches his staff in the best way possible...through personal knowledge. His staff are all history/art/philosopy buffs and know their stuff. Terry was either the head or a way, way high up, consulate officer of the British Embassy through and after the cold war. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. ANy questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] or [email protected].
One thing though, sorry to correct some: GERMANS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY SPEAK ENGLISH, NOR KNOW ENGLISH, IN BERLIN. It shocked the heck out of me (more English in other German towns). That being said, I never had a problem and people are QUITE INTELLIGENT and VERY FRIENDLY in Berlin. And definately do not say "sprechenzie (sp?)" for speak. People will look at you very strange. It is, and I can't spell it so here is the phonetics, "shh priesh tu."
Berlin has to be one of the largest, yet easiest to travel cities I have been too. When you get there, definately buy yourselves the week pass for the U and S bahns. Also, definately buy the three day museum pass. You can get it at most museums, definately at Pergamon. Even the kids will LOVE Pergamon. The gates of ISHTAR are located here, recreated in some parts, but for the most part, all there. Pergamon was built for the steps of Pergamon, an ancient city which, by the way, the TURKS want back. It is amazing to stand in the middle of the place and on steps from B.C. times. They also have the most perserved Babylonian market i have ever seen.
Here is another suggestion...stay in the former E. Berlin. Easily accessible at Rosenthaler Platz, Alexander Platz, and I forgot the other. It is more unique and quaint than West Berlin, but accessible to everything. The areas of E. Berlin are known as Mitte and Freidriksberg.
The combination of the West and the East is interesting. The uniqueness of graffiti (part of the culture), the "finding of themselves" in E. Berlin, the artist squatter colonies, the perserved pre-war buildings in the East, the Russian influences (tiny restuarants like Gorky Park...they didnt make it like Cold-War russia...it really is the same place it was before the wall), and the allure and modern western area, are so different it MAKES BERLIN.
Put it this way; being from an Italian-Austria, Roman-Catholic/Jew, BERLIN WAS THE ONE CITY I DID NOT LOOK FORWARD TO ON MY TRIP. I planned two days...that was it. I spent 10, gone back another time (within the same year) and have just applied for a prestigious legal fellowship with the Bosch Corporation so I can live there for a year. The city was THAT interesting.
Not the most beautiful city in the world, but definately one of the most interesting. There isnt enough time for you do see the whole place in 5 days. I have a list of "to dos and sees" if you would like.
On a side note, I would also suggest a day trip to Potsdam. It is the summer residence of all the Kaisers, and it is absolutely a gorgeous day trip. Very renaisannce in nature, and the little town is beautiful (besides the "castle" grounds.) It is a 45mn to 1 hour train ride out of Berlin...cake walk. Now, if the kids can handle it, and to be honest, it bothered me at first but is not (because of the lack of gas chambers) the worst feeling camp, Orainenberg Concentration camp is 35minutes outside of Berlin (and a short 15 minute walk off the train.
As a short history lesson, it was the FIRST concentration camp that was designed by (gasp) architechts and engineers for "functionality." For family reasons it bothered me, but for historical purposes...it was an amazing field trip, again, only if the kids can handle it. It is all guided via a free headphone system...go at your own pace. It served as the headquarters for ALL GERMAN concentration camps. It also served as the main "concentration camps" (yes the Russians were just as bad), for NAZI war criminals/prisoners. The dynamic is strange.
Final suggestion...take a Day tour (not the full, the half..it will go full) with TERRY BREWER TOURS. I have the info if you like. 12 euro a person, you will get the best guided tour I HAVE EVER GOTTEN IN A CITY. It was this tour that sold me on Berlin. Terry teaches his staff in the best way possible...through personal knowledge. His staff are all history/art/philosopy buffs and know their stuff. Terry was either the head or a way, way high up, consulate officer of the British Embassy through and after the cold war. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. ANy questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] or [email protected].
One thing though, sorry to correct some: GERMANS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY SPEAK ENGLISH, NOR KNOW ENGLISH, IN BERLIN. It shocked the heck out of me (more English in other German towns). That being said, I never had a problem and people are QUITE INTELLIGENT and VERY FRIENDLY in Berlin. And definately do not say "sprechenzie (sp?)" for speak. People will look at you very strange. It is, and I can't spell it so here is the phonetics, "shh priesh tu."
Feb 17th, 2006, 07:05 AM
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> One thing though, sorry to correct some: GERMANS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY SPEAK ENGLISH, NOR KNOW ENGLISH, IN BERLIN. It shocked the heck out of me (more English in other German towns). <
The explanation is: In West-Berlin, almost everybody speaks English (learned at school). In East-Berlin, very few people speak English. Try there to speak Russian (they have learned at school, but don't like to speak).
The explanation is: In West-Berlin, almost everybody speaks English (learned at school). In East-Berlin, very few people speak English. Try there to speak Russian (they have learned at school, but don't like to speak).
Feb 17th, 2006, 07:59 AM
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I second the recommendation for Terry Brewer's tours. I agree it was the best walking tour of my life.
http://www.brewersberlintours.com/
http://www.brewersberlintours.com/
Feb 17th, 2006, 08:15 AM
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Another museum to add "The Story of Berlin" right in the shopping district of the former West Berlin. It is a contemporary multimedia museum where you where a "helmet" that as you walk up to an exhibit automatically turns on and explains it with words, sounds, music, etc. We enjoyed also there a special tour of one of the original nuclear fall out shelters established in the underground parking garage below.
Feb 18th, 2006, 05:41 AM
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Thanks for so much info. In the meantime I have been searching the guide books & it looks as if there will be lots to do.
Intrepid1, I haven't 'heard' anything specifically about Berlin that would put me off visiting. It's just that I don't know anyone who has taken kids & I don't want to go somewhere that doesn't offer enough to interest them.
Having read all your fantastic ideas, I know its exactly the place for us to visit.
Traveller 1959, pmsgoosed, and every one,I really appreciate the trouble you took with you really informative replies.
Intrepid1, I haven't 'heard' anything specifically about Berlin that would put me off visiting. It's just that I don't know anyone who has taken kids & I don't want to go somewhere that doesn't offer enough to interest them.
Having read all your fantastic ideas, I know its exactly the place for us to visit.
Traveller 1959, pmsgoosed, and every one,I really appreciate the trouble you took with you really informative replies.
