Germany: Frankfurt
There are two Frankfurts in Germany. One is small and up north and you will probably never go there. The one we're talking about is officially called Frankfurt am Main, meaning on the Main River. (Main is pronounced like the English word mine.)
Frankfurt is a good city if you want a taste of a not-so-touristed Germany. It is mostly a business city so visitors tend to be there just for business. You won't run into the same obnoxious American crowds that pollute every other part of Europe during the summer, so you'll find it easier to immerse yourself in German culture. But you'll also have the safety net of English speakers if you need it because English is widespread.
Frankfurt Things to Do
Hauptwache & Konstablerwache Get off at either U-bahn stop and wander. There are tons of shops and cafés. There is a mall right next to the Hauptwache train station and you can go to the top floor and view the city.
Museum fur Modern Kunst (Modern Art) This museum rocks. The exterior is shaped like a slice of wedding cake and inside there are some weirdo modern art pieces. Some works are so cool you'll be entranced and others so shitty you won't call them art. Located at Domstrasse 10 and a short walk southeast from Hauptwache.
Romerberg The U-bahn stop Romer has tons of cool things to look at. Romer is the city hall and it looks gorgeous. Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas' Church) chimes thrice daily (0900, 1200, 1700). Paulskirche and Leonhardskirche (churches) are right in the area as well. The Kaiserdom is a Gothic cathedral with Roman baths. You can relax and take a seat on the edge of the circular medieval fountain in the center of the square.
Goethehaus und Goethemusuem (Goethe's House and Museum) Shrine to Goethe (famous German poet from the 1700s-1800s). Located at Grosser Hirschgraben 23-25 in between U-bahn stations Romer and Willy Brandt-Pl.
Zoologischer Garten (Zoo) It's a hell of a zoo for those of you who are into zoos. U-bahn stop: Zoo.
Museums at Romerberg We haven't been to either of the museums here, but since we recommend you check out Romerberg we may as well let you know what's there. The Schirn Kunsthalle (Schirn Art Gallery) exhibits modern art and photography. The Historisches Museum shows Frankfurt's history.
Frankfurt Nightlife
Sachsenhausen This is the place for nightlife, particularly the area between Bruckenstrasse and Dreieichstrasse. You must try the apfelwein (apple wine) at one of the many bars. It's cheap as hell and very nasty, but drink up. To stumble upon Sachsenhausen get off at the U-bahn stop Schwizer Pl. and walk east for a couple blocks.
Frankfurt Flughafen (Airport) An airport isn't traditionally a happening place, but this one is cool as shit. In the basement near the S-bahn station there is a club that's open all night. There is also a 24-hour erotic shop.
Hauptbahnhof A seedy area, but if you're looking for trashy porn outlets or scary bars this is where you'll find them.
