In "The Outlaw Josey Wales," Chief Dan George has a killer response when a starving Clint Eastwood asks if he has any food: "All I have is a piece of hard rock candy. But it's not for eatin'. It's just for lookin' through." This applies to Weißensee.

Sedate, serene, and located in a beautifully landscaped park, this is a spot for walking and watching, and then maybe some swimming if you are the Cousteau sort. But a walk around yields plenty of dry pursuits, including a nice-looking restaurant on the south side, a small zoo with ultra-adorable deer, and countless benches with views of the impressive central fountain. Worlds collide at Weißensee, as the park is home to old ladies, stroller-wielding moms, and dog-toting skinheads, who seem tranquilized by the lake's vibe and observe some strange truce with the locals while on the grounds. There is a beach area with a bar for those craving a more traditional sunfest. Hanging out there is free, but to get your feet wet you need to scrounge up €4.