Spending 3 days in Frankfurt
| VITAL INFORMATION | |
| Population | 700,213 |
| Languages spoken | German, English |
| Currency | 1.00 Euro = 1.46 USD |
| Average temperature | Summer: 73F; winter 36F |
| High season | June to August, and December |
For a city that was decimated by war, Frankfurt has risen from its ashes and become a thriving financial city that’s known for its international flavor and cultural focus. As the major German hub for air travel, many visitors will gain their introduction to Germany here -- and they won’t be disappointed by Goethe’s birthplace and Germany's fifth largest city.
Nestled on the banks of the Main River, Frankfurt is a deceptively compact mix of modernism and history. Once known only as a business or convention destination, Frankfurt has enjoyed unbridled growth in art, theater and modern convenience due to the influx of wealth and expats who have settled in the city over the past 50 years. It's estimated that one in three residents doesn't hold a German passport and, in 2002, the city ranked sixth for its quality of life. Frankfurt has every reason to be boastful, yet it remains an overlooked tourist destination and, therefore, free of oppressive crowds and city-center congestion, making it the perfect place to spend three days getting to know the real Germany without the Oktoberfest hoopla.
Because of Frankfurt’s popularity as a convention site, with about 1.5 million convention delegates visiting every year, it seems that almost every second week between May and October brings a different theme that the entire city embraces -- whether it's the international music forum or an electronics trade show. Street fairs and special events are widely varied and offer visitors an unlimited choice when planning a visit. Plus, because Frankfurt is a major travel hub, just about every airline flies there and low-cost options are plentiful, which makes the city a perfect entry point or home base if you plan on visiting multiple destinations on the continent.
Day 1: The sights
While the downtown core was largely lost to bombing during World War II (estimates say 80% of the original buildings were flattened), much of the city has been restored to its former glory with the original architecture and layout. Start your exploration in Altstadt, the old-town center, where the atmosphere is as Old World as you would expect. Here you will find Saint Bartholomeus’ Cathedral, the Goethe Museum housed in his original family home, Romer (the old town hall), and the original city stock exchange (the Borse).In stark contrast, a short walk will bring you to Zeil, the high-class shopping zone bustling with designer stores and boutiques to cover your shopping needs. The tallest building in Europe (until 2003) is the Commerzbank Tower, which clocks in at 850 feet and the modern cultural center (the Kultur-Schirn) are both striking examples of Frankfurt’s modernization in the past few decades. For the best example of the marriage of old a new, stop by the Alte Oper, Frankfurt’s opera house. Frankfurt’s citizens voted in favor of rebuilding it in the original style rather than replacing the landmark with a modern design; the twist is that the interior is fully optimized with modern equipment and design, yet its exterior is classic to the extreme.
To get a taste of the culinary standards in this region of Germany, stop by an apfelwein house for dinner to get local cuisine and homemade apple wine. For a truly Frankfurt experience try the local specialty, handk ä se mit musik, which is a cheese dish served with vinegar, onions and caraway seeds. But be warned, if you translate the name, or sample the dish, the music is purely digestive in nature. To accompany your meal, the wine made from fermented apples, ebbelwoi, comes in big jugs that are made for sharing, which is also unique to Frankfurt. Keep an eye out for fresh evergreen wreaths over the doors of taverns -- these signify the establishments that have some fresh stock for sale.
If you're game to keep up with seeing the sights, a must-see for nightlife is the legendary Cocoon Club. This ultra modern club made it to No. 10 on our list of the top 10 most unique nightclubs on the planet, and deservedly so. This place lives up to its name in a way that has to be seen to be believed; revelers are enveloped in a cocoon designed by the legendary DJ Sven Väth. The walls, ceiling and floor are all used as screens for an amazing visual show that mimics the beat and tone of whatever music happens to be pumping at the time.
Day 2: Culture shock
The southern bank of the Main River is home to a string of 13 museums and galleries, collectively called Museumsufer. Regardless of your personal art preferences (classic or modern), any visitor is bound to be astounded at the breadth of exhibitions available on any given day. If that weren't enough, this area is also home to a Saturday morning art-themed flea market that offers souvenirs for those looking for something a little different. You'll need most of the day to make it through a few of the museums, so it's best to pick three or four to focus on.Here are a few to consider:
- The Liebighous focuses on sculptures with installations that cover ancient Egypt through to the Renaissance Europe and into the present day.
- The Museum fur Moderne Kunst (Museum of Modern Art) is home to any name that is making waves in the art world today or the recent past. Works, including some by Warhol, are displayed in a unique triangular building that was designed by world-renowned Viennese architect Hans Hollein; the building is as impressive as the collection inside.
- The Stadel Gallery is host to Impressionists from Renoir and Monet to Kirchner and the Dutch masters and gives a great retrospective of major European art movements and the finest examples of each.
- The Dialogue Museum is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where visitors are led by blind or partially sighted guides through a tour that stimulates all the senses except sight, focusing on sound, smell, feeling, and taste in total darkness.
Now that you've got all the culture you could ever need, it's time to hunt down the must-have souvenirs -- it's not truly a visit to Germany if you don't come back with a beer stein. Highly decorated and capable of holding more that just a standard bottle of beer, the wares found in Frankfurt Dippemarkt come in all shapes and sizes and are suitable for everyone at home. Depending on your suitcase situation, this tourist favorite stocks steins that are over three feet tall in addition to more reasonable travel-friendly buys.
End your cultural day with a stop by Der Jazzkeller, the most famous jazz haunt in Germany. It has played host to the likes of Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie and Gerry Mulligan, which means that you can't go wrong. Tucked away in a dark, moody atmosphere, you can enjoy live music on Thursday and Saturday nights while sipping on old-school drinks and watching for impromptu performances by local legends.
Day 3: Out of the city
Driving is vital to seeing the real German countryside, and no one will fault you for wanting to get out on the road on the infamous no-bolds-barred autobahn, where speed limits don't exist -- there are merely speed suggestions. Whether you prefer Volkswagens or BMWs, rent a fine German automobile and take a drive out of the city and head toward Bad Homburg, the site of Germany's most completely restored Roman fort, the Saalburg, which was originally erected in 83 A.D. Bad Homburg itself is home to a health resort with a palace and grounds and a nearby casino and spa for a relaxation break. Also of note is Eberbach Abbey, a former monastery and great example of medieval architecture, which was used as a set for the Sean Connery film The Name of the Rose.If you can tear yourself away from the road, try to make it back into town by evening to make dinner service at Silk, the latest and greatest dining experience to be had in Frankfurt. Silk is home to a dinner like none you've ever had, as you'll be barefoot and semi-reclined on white leather beds and served a carefully choreographed meal. Beginning promptly at 7:45, an entire evening of food and coordinating music, lights and atmosphere will last an entire sumptuous night. When the dinner experience is over, the place opens up to the night crowd until 3 a.m. (7 a.m. on weekends), giving you the chance to work off your meal.
tips for the trip
- Save yourself the hassle and buy the Frankfurt Card for about $11.70; it lets you ride the quick and efficient rail, tram and subway lines, offers shuttles to the airport, and even gives half-price discounts to most city museums and attractions.
- Head to the airport earlier than you normally would; it has more than 50 stores, 20 restaurants, a spa, a casino, and much more.
feelin' frankfurt
Whether you're in town for one of the more than 50 conventions that take over the city each year, or having a stopover on your way some place else, Frankfurt has the ability to satisfy even the most picky travelers. The subtle blend of old and new and the international flavor that can be found on every street in town is something that we don't see in North America and can be a great introduction for the first-time tourist. Just because it isn't hosting an Oktoberfest extravaganza, don't discount Frankfurt as the best German choice for your vacation.Resources:
http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/germany/frankfurt/attraction-detail.html?vid=1154654612215 - Liebighous
http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/germany/frankfurt/attraction-detail.html?vid=1154654660738 - Der Jazzkeller
www.mytravelguide.com
www.germany-tourism.de
www2.wabash.edu
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