Lake Hohendeich

Hamburg for families
 
Hamburg is huge fun for children: it offers lots of exciting family excursion destinations and swimming is high on the agenda too.

Hamburg's maritime charm and charisma make every visit an unforgettable experience. This "gateway to the world" offers everything your heart desires: from shopping to entertainment to the natural world. Tour one of the world's biggest ports on a barge or a passenger boat and you'll soon be feeling pangs of wanderlust. From the water this sightseeing tour provides fascinating insights into the busy life of the port with its gigantic container dock and ocean liners. By contrast, on the museum ships "Rickmer Rickmers" and "Cap San Diego" visitors can discover the life of seafarers in days gone by.
If you enjoy swimming, you'll love Lake Hohendeich, Hamburg's biggest artificial lake. The bay on the south side is perfect for families. Hagenbeck Zoo has an amazing collection of wild animals: its spacious outdoor enclosures are home to no fewer than 1,850 animals (210 different species). The zoo's latest attraction is a state-of-the-art aquarium and tropical world. Lindner Park-Hotel Hagenbeck, the world's first zoo-themed hotel, opens in April 2009 just outside the zoo. "Miniature Wonderland" in Hamburg's warehouse district whisks young and old into the magical world of model railways. 700 model trains run around the tracks in a lovingly designed landscape complete with cars, boats and more than 200,000 tiny figures. Visitors can even have a go at operating parts of the railway themselves. As an alternative to an excursion, how about a picnic in Hamburg's leafy city park? The playground has a giant swing, a slide and lots of other play equipment - ideal for keeping children amused.