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Tiergarten park – The Tiergarten park is a huge
expanse of trees in the middle of Berlin, crisscrossed with small lakes
and the Landwehrkanal. For centuries, the Tiergarten has been a popular
place for Berlin kids. Rent bikes at Bike City near the western entrance
to the zoo and go biking on miles of level paths admist the trees. If you
brought your roller blades, go skating. This is a spot to picnic or watch
a soccer game. |
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 Victory
Column (Siegessaule) – This black and gold column topped with a
heavily gilded "Winged Victory" commemorates Prussian military victories.
To run off a little energy, kids can climb up the 285 stairs
to the top for a view of the Tiergarten park and the Brandenburg Gate at
the eastern end. Don't miss the heroic mosaics at the "mezzaine level." |
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Zoologischer Garten and Aquarium (southeast corner of the
Tiergarten) – The Berlin Zoo is one of our favorite zoos, and a
"must see." The fun starts at the ornate gates, the main gate
in a Chinesey style, or the western entrance at the Elephant Gate. Inside,
there are wide promenades, fountains and life-size sculptures of polar bears.
Throughout the zoo, look for "fantasy animals," sculptures created
by children from papier mache and chicken wire. |
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The animals are housed in open enclosures, making them easy
to see. The hippo pool is amazing. Through the glass, you can watch the
hippos underwater (they look like big overgrown pigs). We saw two young
ones open their mouths wide, comparing which one could open his mouth wider.
On other enclosures, the polar bears
were swimming in a crawl stroke, and look for Knut, the polar bear born in the zoo. |
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The Aquarium has fish native to Europe, as well
as crocodiles and a Komodo dragon, exquisite jellyfish, and a truly amazing
octopus. There's also a large playground (Spielplatz) with wonderful climbing
structures. |
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Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtniskirche (Kaiser Wilhem Memorial Church)
– Like Coventry Cathedral in England, this church was damaged in
World War II, but not totally rebuilt. Today the crumbling church tower,
circular holes open to the sky, is a quiet testament to the losses of
war, admist the daily hustle and bustle of the Kurfurstendamm. Inside,
there are two models of the chruch and surrounding plaza, before and after
the water.
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The Story of Berlin (207 Kurfurstendamm) – The Story of Belin is an interactive exhibition, that takes you through
800 years of the city. Wander through rooms to experience industrialization
or musical salons of the 19th century, the Third Reich and WWII. Best of
all is the tour of a real nuclear fallout shelter. There are some explanations
in English, though many are in German, and older kids (10+) will get the
most out of it. |
