Frankfurt, Germany — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Frankfurt
Frankfurt has some beautiful attractions, both historic and cultural. Sightseeing in Frankfurt is best done in the summer months, when the weather is warmer and the days longer. For history buffs, some of the best Frankfurt attractions include the Well of Justice fountain in Romweberg Square, dating to 1541, and the Eschenheimer Turm, a medieval tower from the 15th century, as well as the Historical Museum which exhibits pieces a range of impressive artiefcts from the Middle Ages. The Goethe-Haus is where the author of Dr Faustus, poet Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, was born in 1749. Cultural Frankfurt attractions include the Städel Gallery, which houses works by Renoir, while the Museum of Sculpture has sculptures from ancient Greece and Rome. Visit the German Film Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum) to watch one of the classics from its enormous collection, or perhaps stroll the vast plant kingdom found in Frankfurt's Botanical Gardens.
Shopping in Frankfurt
Shopping in Frankfurt is not only about splurging on must-have items, but is also a taste and smell sensation with plenty of specialist food stores, cafés and delicatessens lining the Fressgasse, ready to recharge weary shoppers' batteries. The Zeil in Frankfurt is a large street where all the biggest stores and shopping centers can be found. This is the place to do a spot of clothes shopping, lazily browse through bookstores, or look for end-of-season sales at the mainstream stores. The Apfelwein district in Sachsenhause is where all the traditional German souvenirs such as the usual large ceramic beer jugs, German Steins, are available. Head on over to Goethestrasse where most the top-end designer shops and jewelry stores can be found. Schweizerstrasse, in Sachsenhausen, is home to exclusive boutiques and independent stores aimed at the trendier, younger market. Most Frankfurt shops are open from 10am to 10pm, from Monday to Friday, and from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays, while Sundays sees the shops close. A VAT of 16% is added to most goods and services in Germany and when leaving the country, non-EU tourists can apply for a tax refund on any goods bought that are to be exported to a minimum value of EUR25.
Frankfurt Nightlife
You might not expect a city known for its banking industry to have much of a nightlife, but with its high rollers and multicultural expats, Frankfurt parties hard after dark. So whether you're looking for an epic night in the club or a laid back session of jazz, Frankfurt will have what you're after. The best nightclubs for techno and house are U60311, Kingkamehameha Club and Cocoon, the latter rated one of the best clubs in the world. Theplace for jazz is the esteemed Jazzkeller, which draws big name artists from around the world. For opera and classical music see what's playing at the Oper Frankfurt and the venerable Alte Oper. Nightlife is clustered around the city's northern part near Fressgasse, Zeil and Römerberg. The cobbled lanes of Sachsenhausen are especially lively Latin, Irish and local joints. Local magazines Prinz and Journal Frankfurt have listings for Frankfurt's diverse entertainment scene.
Attractions for Kids
Although parents would never bring children to Frankfurt for a holiday, there are plenty of worthy attractions for kids to enjoy. Parks and gardens are ideal in the summer months allowing children the space to let off some steam, while in winter or rainy weather there are plenty of child-friendly museums and exhibitions. Here are some ideas for entertaining the kids on a short visit to Frankfurt:
