Getting out of the rain and cold at Zoo Aquarium Berlin with kids
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side·track (sīd´trăk): n. 1. A diversion from the main course. 2. A detour taken with children that you would never, ever take without them.
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Who:
Me, Chet’s Dad, and that globetrotting-connoisseur-of-all-things-aquarium, Chet.

What:
Zoo Aquarium Berlin, Germany’s “most significant” aquarium (whatever that means).  I think it’s likely one of only a handful in the country.  At the very least.  It’s also a part of the famed Zoo Berlin, though it has a separate entrance and ticket price.

Why:
In case you haven’t noticed, this family is a little aquarium crazy.  Okay, okay – maybe this Mom is a little aquarium crazy.  But with another rainy, cold March day in Berlin, why wouldn’t we want to head indoors to be reminded of tropical spots where people don’t have to wear long underwear 9 months of the year?  Plus, there’s always a chance to see Nemo!  And my boy never lets an opportunity pass to see a celebrity.

The High Points:
Certainly a big high point was getting to come in out of the cold.  It was a bit frigid that week in Berlin!  But honestly, the Zoo Aquarium has a great set-up.  Kids can run around and see all manner of cool fish tanks on the first floor and then walk upstairs to see reptiles on the second floor and insects and amphibians on the third.

A few personal high points were seeing a woman freak out once she realized she was sitting on the Tarantula exhibit (the spider enclosures were built into the bench), hearing Chet serenade the Alligator with tunes from “The Princess and the Frog,” and zoning out while watching the purty, hypnotic jellyfish.

I will also admit to enjoying hearing a young British boy offer up his newborn baby brother to a circling shark in the largest tank.  You have to appreciate that kind of giving spirit.  And to the Austrian Dad who hummed the “Jaws” theme until his daughter cried for Mommy?  Uncool, dude.  Uncool.  (But still kind of funny).

The Low Points:
Although Zoo Aquarium isn’t as expensive as a lot of other city aquariums (likely because of its petite size), it still ain’t cheap.  You are looking at 12 Euro a pop – and that doesn’t give you entrance into the zoo proper, just the aquarium building.  Which, as I already mentioned, is small.  And on rainy, cold days, you can expect a large, busy crowd.  You know, in a small building.  There’s a 95% probability of being rammed by a travel stroller at least once during your visit.  And 99% probability of losing your kid in the hyped up, over-sugared crowd at least once.  Because the aquarium is pretty small.

The Kid’s Take:
“Mommy!  I see Nemo!”  And Dorie.  And an octopus.  And jellyfish.  And large, scary cockroaches that were, “just like at Sukie’s (what he calls my Mom) house.”

The Adults’ Take:
Chet’s Dad may have started off the day saying,  “Another aquarium?  Seriously!?”  But once he learned that they had good red wine and a wide selection of beer at the small aquarium cafeteria, he was okay.  And you know I was having tons of fun – the wine was just a bonus.

The Bottom Line:
If you enjoy aquariums, definitely stop on by.  Understand that because of Zoo Aquarium Berlin’s small size, it will likely only take a couple hours to see it in its entirety.  But it will be a few hours the whole family will enjoy (provided you make a stop at the cafeteria at least once for a pick-me-up).