What is there to see and do in Frankfurt and its surrounding cities? Seems like there aren't too many interesting things to do here, based on other posting.

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...n=frankfurt@65

Fodors Destinations section lists 13 sights for Frankfurt, and considers there to be enough to do to warrant offering a "Best of Frankfurt in 3 Days Itinerary" which should give you some ideas. Frommers suggests that "Picturesque Aschaffenburg and some of the leading spas of Germany lie on Frankfurt's doorstep. Another good side trip is to Mainz."

You might consider spending some time looking at a few guidebooks to see what sounds "interesting" to you.

Hi, I am an American that lived and worked in Franfurt for almost three years. We have since been to Germany twice and both times we visited Frankfurt.

Cuturally, the city has a lot to offer. You can find operas and shows that are some of the best in Europe. The alte opera is a beautiful building and the Goethe museum is worth a visit.

My favorite area is the Romer. It's an area downtown, which is the original square with the exposed timber buildings
and a focal point of activity in the summer, at Christmas and pretty much year-round. Also there is St. Bartholomew's church, where you can walk up into the church steeple (quite a climb, but worth it) for a view of downtown and the Main River, which is beautiful, especially in summer.

Walking north, you pass along pedestrian-only streets lined with cafe's, shops and outdoor restaurants on the way up to the hauptwache or main shopping area, that's filled with countless shops of all kinds. You'll find all kinds of street performers and vendors selling just about anything imaginable.

Walking south from the Romer, and across the Main River is a section of town called Sachsenhausen. It is a very convivial area with restaurants, clubs and bars of every kind of venue: German, Irish, Italian, English, etc. I'd spend every evening right here and always have something different. Try the applewine, for which the area is famous. Stop into a beer hall later in the evening for a good time.

Very close to Frankfurt is one of my absolute favorite areas and that is the middle Rhine valley. There is a 70 kilometer stretch between Rudesheim and Koblenz on one side of the river and Mainz and Koblenz on the other, that has some of the nicest German towns and over 25 different castles. It's an easy drive that is just beautiful. You can take the cable car ride above Rudesheim and the vineyards, visit the Lorelei, cross the river by ferry (with your car) and stop into Bacharach, head up to Villa Rheinfels above St. Goars and then have dinner along the river in Koblenz, which is at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, and do it in the same day. Unforgettable.

Do a little research and you should come up with plenty of things on Frankfurt. I've just mentioned a few of them.

Thanks for all the advice. Would you recommend renting a car to explore the outskirts? How about a reasonably priced hotel? When would be a good time to visit Frankfurt (Aug, Sept, or Oct)?

Hi, again

We usually rent a car at the airport since we typically fly into and out of Frankfurt, so yes, renting a car is a good idea.

On our last trip, we started out on the Rhine, staying at the Hotel Cafe' Post in nearby Assmanshausen. It's a nice, clean and inexpensive place overlooking the river and it made for a good place to use as a base while in that area.

We spent a couple of days here, moving on to Bavaria and then heading back through Rothenburg before leaving from Frankfurt.

If you have some info on the places that you are visiting and a map, you're set.

Don't forget, if you rent a car in Germany, you must specify in advance that you want an automatic transmission (it's more $$$, also) otherwise it will be a manual.

Here's the site for the Cafe' Post: http://www.rheinhotel.com/hotel-cafe-post/index.html

If you need any other info and I can help, let me know.

I missed your last question, sorry. If I had a choice, I'd pick late August to early September. It should still be nice, weather-wise, it will be less crowded because summer vacation is over and more places will be open since many Germans tend to vacation in August.

There are events in the summer called 'Rhine River Lights' where you can cruise on a riverboat and watch the fireworks displays that are put on at most of the castles along the river. They appear to be exploding into flames and it is amazing. I'm not sure of the dates, but if you are going to be in the area during such an event, I suggest making arrangements to see that. Check the same site as the hotel for info.

Thanks for the advice so far. I have now concluded that we'll be going early October for about 10 days.

I'm amazed at how much the airfares are coming up to be from NYC to Frankfurt (the prices range from $800-$900). Is there a less expensive airpot I can land?

Also, how far are the major towns in Germany (Munich, Berlin, etc.) from Franfurt?