Introduction to Frankfurt: Frankfurt am Main boasts the most impressive modern skyline in Germany and is home to some spectacular modern architecture as well as quaint historic districts. A key European financial center, it is a very cosmopolitan city with vibrant nightlife and a myriad of cultural events. It is relatively close to some of Germany's favorite tourist destination so you can either take day trips or use Frankfurt as a starting point for your German vacation.
Frankfurt Location: Frankfurt is an excellent starting point to explore Germany from, situated on the Main River. It is only 4-6 hours from Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, and Zurich by train or car and is easily accessible by anywhere from plane. Once you are in Frankfurt, you are within a few miles of the Rhine and Mosel and within 50 miles of favorite destinations like Heidelberg, Koblenz, Weisbaden, Würzburg, Mainz and Rudesheim.
Frankfurt - Getting There and Getting Around in Frankfurt: Frankfurt is home to Europe's second largest airport and is the biggest international hub for air traffic into Germany. The city is connected to Deutsche Bahn with stations at the airport and the main station (Hauptbahnhoff). The public transportation system (RMV) is excellent and easy to navigate with the S-Bahn, U-Bahn and buses running most of the day and night. Driving in Frankfurt is not difficult and while parking is expensive it is not a problem.
Frankfurt - Where to Stay - Hotels: Regardless of what type of hotel or price range you are looking for, you will find it in Frankfurt. When I used to travel with my children I stayed at the Sheraton Arabella Congress Center because of its pool and proximity to the park. For romance and a real fairy tale environment, one of my very favorite hotels is the Schlosshotel Kronberg, outside of the city and in the foothills but absolutely special. It also has a great golf course and restaurant.
Frankfurt Food and Drink - Restaurants: You can get every type of food you desire in Frankfurt, funnily enough, more international cuisine than traditional German food. The Adolf Wagner serves traditional regional specialities like Handkäs and Scheegestöber, Äppler (cider) and Apfelwein, another Frankfurt speciality. The Tigerpalast is great for a night of variety entertainment and is a 1 star Michelin restaurant.
There are so many restaurants, you are sure to find something you like.
Frankfurt Nightlife: There are plenty of bars and nightclubs in Frankfurt to satisfy all tastes. Check out the areas around Zeil, Romerberg and Sachsenhausen. For a real hoot, try out the Texas Saloon - a real country and western bar that is a favorite with the Germans.
Frankfurt - Shopping: There is a flea market on the banks of the river Main every Saturday morning with all sorts of odds and ends, antiques and clothing. The central shopping area is in the Zeil district which is always very busy. If you want designer items head to Goethestrasse and Fressgass.
Fresgass offers a great array of gourmet foods if you get tired of shopping.
The multicultural Berger Strasse, Leipziger Strasse and Schweizer Strasse are home to little boutiques, second-hand stores and cafés.
Frankfurt Festivals and Events: The Rheingau-Music-Festival takes place each May in Frankfurt and the surrounding areas. The Alte Oper Festival in August and September is a must for opera lovers and the Frankfurt Jazz Festival held in August every year is a favorite for jazz lovers. The Museumsuferfest takes place at the beginning of September and lasts for 3 days, offering food, drink, arts and crafts and entertainment.
Tips on Visiting Frankfurt: Buy a Frankfurt Card for 8 euros or 12 euros for 1 or 2 days to get unlimited transportation on the public transport system and 20-50% discounts on tours, museums and attractions. The Frankfurt Tourism Office has branches at the Hauptbahnhoff and the airport to assist with information, reservations or tickets.
When you come out of the Hauptbahnhoff you might be tempted to wander around Kaiserstrasse, simply keep in mind that it is in the middle of a thriving red light district.
- Römerberg Square and Römer Town Hall are great places to visit or simply or sit outside in one of the beer gardens or cafes.
- Visit the Sachsenhausen stretch of the main embankment to visit any one of ten museums along the way.
- The German Film Museum has permanent exhibitions on film-making from the pre-film era to present.
- Städel Institute of Art ,on the banks of the Main houses European masterpieces and a graphic collection of over 100,000 sketches and prints from Middle Ages to present.
- The Schirn Art Gallery has a massive collection that looks at various themes including Expressionism, Dadaism and Surrealism and contemporary art.
- The Communications Museum is an award winning piece of architecture and presents the history of communication in a series of interactive exhibits.
- The Palmengarten Botanical Gardens has an extensive collection of tropical plants that make you feel as though you are in a tropical jungle - a respite from gloomy days, perhaps?
- The Frankfurt Zoo is one of the world's oldest zoos and houses over 4,500 animals. Grzmiak house is a fun way to observe nocturnal animals and the Free Flight hall is great for bird lovers.
- The Goethe House, birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, has been lovingly restored to educate visitors about his life and times.
- The Alte Oper Concert Hall is an integral part of the Frankfurt cultural scene for all types of music and theatre.
- If you are part of the younger set or simply have your teenagers with you, check out the events at the Batschkapp, an arts centre and rock club that stages new performers, trends and musical experiments.
- If you want to take a drive out to the countryside consider visiting the Saalburg Roman Fort andEberbach Abbey, an ancient abbey in the heart of the Rheingau valley where "The Name of the Rose" was filmed, or the spa resort town of Bad Homburg . Of course, you are a few short minutes from the lovely towns of Wiesbaden and Mainz as well.