Hi. My Family and I are going to be in Dresden in August(Tuesday 15th to Monday 21st), and I'm hoping to cater for all tastes in our little group. There are 5 of us, Dad, Mam, 2 girls, 18 & 16, and my son, 14. As far as culture is concerned, both myself, and my wife will love all of it, and it will also suit our eldest. On the other hand, the kids still crave some action activities. To this end, we're planning on doing some cycling on the Elberadweg and to hit some of the 'Schwimmbads' in the area. Outside of these, I'm finding it difficult to identify other options. Usually, we'd visit a theme park or try out the local 'Rodelbahn'.
I've had a look around, and there doesn't seem to be too much on offer. By the way, we won't have a car and will be using public transport or our own steam(on the bikes).
Would anyone out there have any suggestions? Is there a festival on in the locality, that might be worth a look? Would there be a climbing park anywhere near Dresden?

Would be grateful for any assistance.
Slán Tamill.

Ingo, our local fodors expert will hopefully chime in regarding festivals or other things going on in August.

Since you have the time I would definitely take a day trip to go hiking in the Saxony Switzerland area on the Czech border, about 1hr train ride south of Dresden.

Another fun day trip I've done from Dresden is to Zittau/Oybin area, near the Czech, Polish, German border. There's an old steam train that runs up into the mountains where you can hike, explore and old castle, and get away from the cities.

Hi there,

it looks like you'll be in Dresden exactly the weekend when the big city festival (Stadtfest) takes place, with about 500,000 visitors every year. There will be lots of things to do for the kids and the parents - from all sorts of food/drinks specialties over ferris wheel and such things to live music from classical to hip-hop. Their website still shows 2016, but will be updated once the date gets closer.

http://www.dresdner-stadtfest.com/
(English available, little button upper right)

Transportation museum is free, on Saturday two historic government buildings are open, plus the new parliament building by the river.

Climbing: There's a "Seilpark" (ropes etc. between the woods) in Dresden-Klotzsche in the Dresden Heath - very popular for teens. Train to Dresden-Klotzsche, then down into the heath (signposted). Or a very nice cycling trail along the small Priessnitz river.

http://www.kletterwald-dresdner-heide.de
(German only, I am afraid.)

There are several indoor climbing halls in Dresden:
http://www.xxl-klettern.de/
http://www.kletterarena-dresden.de/
http://www.bouldercity-dresden.de/
http://bergsteigerbund.de/2015/kletterhalle/

Even better: Excursion to Saxon Switzerland with free climbing, hiking, cycling ...

What about canoeing on the Elbe river?
http://www.kanudresden.de/
http://www.kanu-aktiv-tours.de/verle...ossverleih.php
(in Königstein, Saxon Switzerland)

Skating/rollerblading:
Skateplaza and Halfpipe Lingnerallee, right in the centre

Wakeboarding/water ski: http://www.cable-dresden.de/
(a former quarry pond, in the outskirts, close to residential area Dresden-Leuben)

You mentioned the "Schwimmbads" - check out reservoir Malter, beautifully located about 15 km south of Dresden. Three beaches, indoor pool/slides, boat rowing, restaurants, ice cream Get there by cycling or steam train from Freital-Hainsberg.

http://www.erlebnis-talsperre.de/

Have fun planning!

Vielen dank fuer die auskunft!
Thank you both so much for your tips. We'll certainly be exploring some of those options.
Could i be so bold as to ask if anyone has experience with respect to taking the bus from Berlin to Dresden. We were told this was the cheapest and possibly the most convenient option for us.

Noch einmal, Danke sehr.

Austin

You're welcome. Gern geschehen

I've never taken that bus, prefer the trains (you can walk around, more (leg) room, sails smoother, dining car ...)

But friends of mine often take it. And they're happy with it. I guess you refer to Flixbus - yes, cheap, reliable and quite comfortable they say. Book in advance to get best deals.