Try this thread.http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/germa...n-what-do.html
Although I kind of got shot down for some of my suggestions from a tourist point of view.

I recommend the area around Hackescher Markt and this is a great hotel for the money

http://www.adina.eu/adina-apartment-...her-markt/home

Nothing wrong with seeing the Mauer. Was ground zero for the Cold War era which as a baby boomer was what I grew up in. But Flying Lawyer is right Berlin is so much more than the past.