The official kick-off tosummer—and summer break—coincides with family travel a-go-go season. Which is why we are bringing back a fresh batch ofMother Hoodsguides to a variety of cities across the U.S. and abroad. First up:Shirley Erskine-Schreyer给我们参观Berlin, where she has lived for the past 11 years with her three daughters (Nova, 2, Bella, 9, and Michaela, 27). The American-born founder ofWunderhaus—a physical-turned-digital platform for mothers supporting mothers—is currently splitting her time between Lisbon and Berlin, and provided her tried-and-true suggestions for what to do in Berlin with kids below!

What are Your Favorite Places in Berlin to…

Eat With Kids:
“I enjoy eating at restaurants with my children a great deal. I have somehow convinced myself that this will be beneficial for them in the long run and they will become easier and easier to take to a restaurant as they get older. It has worked thus far with Bella, so I guess I must be doing something right. When I choose a place it has to be spacious so that when Nova gets restless I can walk around with her and we always get an early reservation so the restaurant will not be so packed. One of our favorite places isCecconies. This is in theSoho Houseright by the lobby, so there is a lot of space for Nova to roam.Grill Royalfor family celebrations, birthdays, and our wedding anniversary. The latest addition to the Berlin culinary scene isRoot. It’s really cozy and spacious, which checks off everything on my restaurant with children list. When I am not at a restaurant with the girls, we love to visit the vegan donut shopBrammibals.”

Eat With Adults:
“There are two long-standing classical places in Berlin,BorchardtandGrill Royal. Their menus are delicious, Borchardt is known for selling one of the best schnitzels in Berlin, while Grill sells the best steak. But both their menus are filled with many delicious offerings that include vegetarian options.Novemberis the latest spot that is more cozy for a girls dinner or date night. If you like authentic Indian food,India Clubgoes over and beyond and every single dish is super delicious.”

Shop For Kids:
“There are so many wonderful boutique shops for kids my absolute favorite isWalking the Cat,Fete des Enfants, andHai. For simple, functional, and inexpensive clothes, I really like going toArketin the West of Berlin.”

Shop For Yourself:
“There are many shopping areas in Berlin. Alte Schonhauser Allee is the main street with shops in Mitte and Frederichstrasse has Galerie Lafayette and is a shopping street as well. I enjoy shopping atOther Stories,The Corner,GanniArket, and the mega department store in the West,KaDeWe.”

Play With Your Children:
“I have this tradition with all of my girls and we love to visit the bookstore!Dussmanhas an amazing English section and whenever we go there we leave with a truckload of books for myself and the girls. We love it! There are many, many wooden structured playgrounds in Berlin that can be spectacular or simply run down.KollwitzplatzandArkonaplatzhave wonderful playgrounds in Mitte and when it is summer, the parks have a lot of sunlight and at Kollwitzplatz during the market on the weekend you can see parents socializing and sipping wine—it’s a lot of fun for the parents and children.”

Play With Adults:
“There are so many crazy clubs in Berlin,Berghainbeing the premium. I have yet to grace their hallowed halls because a.) I have not tried and b.) the bouncers are uber selective.Chateau Royal有一个伟大的酒吧喝酒,有时h见面好吗as a DJ. My friends and I mostly enjoy dinner parties that can either be tame or become slightly wild. Either way, I somehow always fall asleep somewhere, a horrible habit since high school—my poor husband can’t take me anywhere!”

Get Out In Nature:
“When the weather is warm, everyone loves to go to the lakes. I wish I could name some, but my mind is a sieve since I had Nova and I can’t remember anything.The Uckermarkis a great area outside of the city that has become all the rage in the past few years, there is even a huge ostrich farm. Berlin is lucky to have an amazing park right in the city, theTiergartenis wonderful for picnics, being aware of the nudes, of course, and riding your bike as a family.Cafe am Neuen Seehas a great restaurant and beer garden with boats that you can row around a little pond.”

Best Flea Markets or Thrift Shops:
“Mauerparkis the premium flea market or flohmarkt as it is known in German.Arkonaplatzhas a great market, as well, that is around the corner from Mauerpark, they both run on Sunday.17 Juniis on Saturday and has a wonderful vintage selection of homeware.Made in Berlinhas several locations and they have a large selection of vintage clothes. There are two pound shops in Mitte that if you dig deep enough you will come out with some gems.Mimion Goltzstrasse is the top vintage shop where many designers go for inspiration.”

Favorite Spots To See Art:
“The TV Toweris a favorite of Bella’s—she went there on a class trip.Brandenburg Gateand the Angel of Peace, which you can climb to the top off.The Museum für Naturkundeis really great, they have a room with jared stingrays that is interesting and a taxidermy of the famous polar bear, Knut, from the Berlin Zoo, which is a bit strange but endearing I guess.”

Hotels You Recommend Visitors Stay At:
“Hotel de Rome,Soho House,Hotel Telegraphenamt,Chateau Royal, andZoo Hotel.”

Where To Take Out-of-Town Visitors:
“The Tiergartenhas so much to offer, so it’s our favorite spot. You can also visit theReichstag Dome, but the tickets are always sold out, the trick is to make a weekend reservation for brunch and you will get in with no trouble.”

Any Tourist-y Places That Are Worth It To Visit?
“The Jewish Memorial,The Brandenburg Gate Tiergarten, and the Angel of Peace. They are all within walking distance of each other and a great start to get a history of the city.”

For more on Shirley, check out her2016 MOTHER Stories profile!