Things to do in or around Hamburg Germany (as well as Berlin and Dresden)

Berlin is amazing with its layers of history. We focused on the Nazi and Communist eras.We had a local guide who had lived through the Communist Era. Without him, we wouldn’t have been able to understand what happened and where it happened as the city has been rebuilt.
Go to the Museum Island.

Please add interests for meaningful suggestions besides Hamburg's typical sights and Berlin's top 10.

There a number of detailed posts answering your questions. The search function is not great on this board, but you should find something within the past months. Or, go to the Germany section and scroll thru for relevant previous questions.

A place in Hamburg that RS just brushes over but is one of the most visited sites in Germany is Miniatur Wunderland

It's a lot more than just a model railroad.

We spent the better part of a day visiting Lünberg by train, about 30 miles from Hamburg. It was absolutely beautiful and one of the loveliest places we have ever visited. We got information at the Tourist Info office and mainly wandered around and were quite content. Safe travels.

I loved Hamburg and could easily have spent more time there. I would check out a guidebook first, as that will give you a good idea of the main sights in the city. You could get started with this article by Rick: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/hamburg-germany-undiscovered

I have written pages and pages about Hamburg and can do so again, but it helps if we know your interests and travel style. I can make recommendations in almost any direction, but I need to know which direction!

Thank you for all of the wonderful responses—much appreciated! Sorry for not clarifying our interests. We’re mostly focused on cultural sites, esp. museums (of all types, but particularly fine art) and significant architectural and historical places to view and admire. We’re hoping to be in Hamburg at least two full days before we start the official tour.

Hamburg:

• Speicherstadt
• International Maritime Museum
• Emigration Museum
• Kunsthalle (art)
• Police Museum
• Day trip: Lübeck (old town and Hanse League Museum)
• Day Trip: Haithabu (Viking museum village)

For fine arts Berlin is the much better address:

• Museum Island
• Neue Nationalgalerie
• Further art museums and galleries based on your favorite fine art
• always look at actual exhibitions in Berlin
• also check Barberini in Potsdam

To add for Hamburg--the Michel (St. Michaelis) and the Krameramtstuben, St. Nikolai ruins, Deichstraße, Komponistenquartier (Peterstraße), the Laeiszhalle, Alter Elbtunnel, and the Elphi.

Again, thank you to everyone for all of the superb suggestions, esp. the list—very helpful indeed! I think we have enough ideas for our two full extra days before the tour begins in Hamburg and the Berlin suggestions are great since we’re staying four full days after the tour ends in Berlin, with only a long day trip to Dresden to see the Masters Gallery (gotta see my all-time favorite Vermeer!) and of course walking around the incredible Jewish Holocaust memorial planned thus far.
Again, thank you for all of your thoughtful support. We truly appreciate the fantastic efforts! 😊

Just want to add an extra vote for Lübeck and the Hanseatic museum. Did a day trip there a few years ago and really loved walking around the beautiful city.