Five reasons to visit Berlin with your children

Who says that capitals are not places to bring your children?! Let me show what you could do in Berlin with your kids.

1. Spend a day at the zoo

Berlin has two amazing zoos.Why two zoos? Just because Berlin used to be divided into East and West Berlin.  The city still kept the two zoos. Where are they located?

• One is near the Zoobahnhof at Budapesterstrasse 32.  It is the oldest zoo in Germany. Easily reachable by tram, bus, S-Bahn and U-Bahn (1, 2 & 9). Opened from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and free for kids until 5 years old.
• The zoo in East Berlin, called TierPark, is much larger and is my favorite one. I remember having seen animals there I have never seen anywhere else.  It is in Friedrichsfeld, at Am Tierpark 7, reachable by car and by U-Bahn (U5). Opened from 9:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m.

2. Stop at the aquarium

The aquarium is just next to the zoo on Budapesterstrasse 32. It is a very big aquarium with many interesting fish. Opened daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can also buy an entrance for the zoo and aquarium.

3. Have fun in the museums

For kids I recommend:

• Technical museum, located on Trebbinerstrasse 9 – from trains, cars to computers
• Communication museum, located on Leipzigerstrasse 16 – is the oldest world communication museum – really fun with old telephones and mailing technology
• Natural history museum, located on Invalidenstrasse 43 – a large, old museum featuring a Brachiosaurus skeleton and other dinosaurs.
• Checkpoint Charlie, located on Friedrichstrasse 43 – exhibts featuring the Cold War during the time of East Berlin – how people tried to escape Eastern Germany

4. Head out to Postdam

There is so much to do in Postdam a city just outside of Berlin and easily reachable with S-Bahn. Why not a walk in the park of Sanssouci to the New Palace, Marmorpalais or to the Orangerie and the Cecilienhof? Your children may like taking a boat ride on the Wannsee lake or go to the Babelsberg film park.

5. Take an afternoon off to Tropical Islands

This almost 10 year old exotic water park is located 60 km from the center of Berlin. In a 66,000 m² area, everyone will find something: a 200 meter beach, slides, a rainforest, saunas, a wellness center and much more.

Where is Tropical Islands?: Allee 1 in Krausnick