Fall Family Activities
There's plenty for young and old alike to discover on the island this fall. Island blogger Marika shares tips for more family fun this fall on Usedom.
Fall Fun and Relaxation for the Whole Family
There’s so much for young and old alike to discover on our island! And by that I don’t mean colorful bouncy castles, parks with stuffed animals, or a completely overcrowded amusement park. Luckily, I’ve also seen many families picking mushrooms or flying kites during the vacation season. Just enjoying nature on Usedom and letting kids be kids. This immediately brings back childhood memories, which leads me straight to my favorite childhood activity:
The kites are flying in Karlshagen!
The biggest and most spectacular family festival in the fall is definitely the kite festival in Karlshagen. Lots of wind, wide beaches—real fun for the whole family! I, too, am absolutely thrilled every year—even though I’m now just a spectator. But somehow, when you watch all those colorful kites dancing through the air, you feel a whole lot closer to the vast sky over the Baltic Sea. It refreshes the senses and leaves you feeling wonderfully pleased!
Not only were there colorful kites in the sky, but “real” dragons were also out and about on the beach and at the concert pavilion in Karlshagen and across the entire island in early October. Young and old alike could look forward to a real encounter with a dragon in the dungeon at the Karlshagen Kite Festival, rescue the dragon’s egg from a maze, place balls in the dragon’s mouth, take photos with the fire-breathing dragon, and, of course, fly lots of kites. Anyone who didn’t have their own kite could even buy one right there on site. Many helping hands were also needed to build the longest dragon sand sculpture on the Baltic Sea, which was already a good 180 meters long at the last Dragon Festival. Everyone who helps build it in the sand even receives a certificate!
The dragon sand sculpture contest once again produced quirky, spooky, but also cute kite formations on the Baltic Sea beach. Participants were allowed to use all kinds of “natural” materials, and the event naturally concluded with an awards ceremony and the presentation of the “Drakis.” Participants could also compete for the title of the most beautiful kite in the sky, which was likewise awarded the “Draki,” Usedom’s kite Oscar. However, only homemade kites were eligible for judging. And there are always fantastic prizes waiting for the winners! It’s definitely worth participating next year too—so be sure to mark your calendars!
A Magical Light Show in the Ückeritz Forest
I didn’t really expect much from it, but I was actually proven wrong. I ran into visitors who were visiting the Enchanted Forest of Lights for the second time and were absolutely thrilled again this year. It really is a very exciting change of pace. Everything is glowing in all kinds of colors, and it looks really mystical when the fog settles on the ground. The laser technology—or rather, the laser show—accompanied by really great music, transports you to a completely different world. I was truly blown away. You can also test your skills by navigating the laser maze. I totally failed at that, though... As the icing on the cake, classic GDR short films are shown on a big screen, taking viewers back in time—the highlight for my dad! He sat there the whole evening and there was just no getting him to leave. Like I said, it’s a completely different world and a truly great experience for the whole family.
Above the Clouds—On the Tree-Top Trail in Heringsdorf
Ever since the start of the season, I've been excited about the opening and was one of the first visitors! In June, the big day finally arrived! Behind the Heringsdorf train station, the Usedom Tree Top Trail now winds its way through tall beech and pine trees. Here, you can get to know the island from a completely different perspective and enjoy unique views. You’ll experience a breathtaking view of the entire Baltic Sea, from the piers of the imperial resorts all the way to the Polish side—or even as far as Lake Gothen—over the treetops.
At treetop level, the trail winds its way through the Heringsdorf Forest for a total length of 1,350 meters. At heights of up to 23 meters, you’ll stroll through the island’s characteristic beech and pine forests—passing numerous educational and interactive stations—making it absolutely ideal for our little Baltic Sea explorers. The trail and the observation tower are accessible and family-friendly. The maximum incline is 6%, so accessing the trail with a stroller or wheelchair is completely hassle-free. The only restriction is that dogs aren’t allowed. That might sound very dog-unfriendly at first, but it’s not. For one thing, you can leave your four-legged friend in a shaded dog kennel; for another, there are people who are afraid of dogs and can’t get out of the way on the trail. And! Dogs can be afraid of heights, too!
If you haven’t visited the treetop trail yet, I highly recommend it. I’ve been there twice already and could go for a walk there every day just to enjoy the magnificent view.
Phänomenta Peenemünde – A Family Favorite No Matter the Weather
I have to admit that I haven’t been here in at least ten years, and I also have to note that not much has really changed since then. Still, it’s exciting and full of adventure—no question about it—or is it?
Can you see sounds? Or lift a car with just one hand? You can! I can! It’s also possible to blow out a candle with a drumbeat and walk across selfmade bridges. You have to touch these and well over 200 other scientific or physical phenomena to grasp them—or step right in to understand them. Phenomena in Peenemünde is one big science playground and is among the attractions that are perfect for a family outing in any weather. Let your senses be fooled and be fascinated by this destination on Usedom.
There’s so much more to discover here in the north of the island
There are adventure playgrounds all over the island, and in Trassenheide there’s even a real “Usedom Park” for the little ones.
Be sure to also visit the butterfly farm in Trassenheide and the “Die Welt steht Kopf” house, as well as the toy museum and the submarine in Peenemünde. The playgrounds in the north of the island have long been among Usedom’s most popular attractions—ideal for any family outing.
I may be too old for them now, but I hope you have a whole lot of fun!
This is me: Usedom's island blogger
My full name is Marika Borowski; I’m 37 years young and was born on the mainland in the Lassaner Winkel region. From the port of Lassan, I’ve always had an unobstructed view of the Lieper Winkel and the Gnitz Peninsula, so I’ve always felt a strong connection to my adopted home of Usedom. I can still remember very well how my parents would take me to the beach in Trassenheide or camping on the Gnitz Peninsula, or how we’d visit our relatives in the town of Usedom. For me, it was always a big deal to tell my school friends that I had relatives who lived on an island. Now I’ve been living on Usedom myself for over 20 years and can already call myself a bit of an island kid. I first trained here to become a hotel specialist and then a hotel manager, and I’ve turned this into my calling.
To be able to tell our visitors to Usedom much more about the island, I set out on a journey of discovery myself and have been documenting all my experiences and discoveries on the island of Usedom in my blog for a good two years now.
Share this discovery
By clicking the icons, you leave this website.