Tips for Traveling with a Teen in Frankfurt
Did you know that Frankfurt is the only city in Germany with skyscrapers and high-rises? That’s because it’s an important international financial center. But Frankfurt’s also much more than simply a skyline.
I spent a few days exploring Frankfurt with my teenage daughter. Getting there was easy via a nonstop flight on Condor. Condor has several new nonstop routes from U.S. airports into Frankfurt. The city is an important hub for air and train transit in Europe due to its central location.
But instead of just making a connection to another European city, stay a few days and experience a taste of Germany. Frankfurt has both old world charm – and a cosmopolitan appeal – that your teen will love.
What to Do in Frankfurt:
Experience Old Town
You can’t come to Frankfurt without stopping in Römerberg. It’s the heart of the city. The public square’s been used since the 9th century for fairs, festivals, tournaments, coronations, and even executions. Back in the 80s, the German timber frame buildings were reconstructed according to the original plans.
Today, this is a popular tourist area with restaurants, shops, and churches. You’ll find traditional German food around here. it’s also a great place for your teen to snap a selfie to let everyone know they’re in Germany.
Go Back in Time
Want to know more about what Frankfurt was like before skyscrapers? What was it like to be a 19th century merchant? You can hitch a ride back in time to find out.
TimeRide Frankfurt provides a unique perspective. We weren’t sure quite what to expect when we walked in. The small entry space looks like an old mercantile. After getting our tickets, we were invited into a parlor containing an enchanted book, as well as a colonial goods store. It all set the stage for what was next.
From there, we boarded a carriage, strapped on our virtual reality headsets and headed to 1891. The VR carriage ride took us through the old town and along the River Main.
This immersive and high-tech experience makes it interesting for teens. From entry to exit, it lasted about 45 minutes. Tours are narrated German and English. It costs about $10 for kids, $15 for adults, and there are discounts for families.
Visit Museums
Like any major city, you’ll find lots of museums in Frankfurt. Many of them are located along the River Main. We stopped at a few that might be of interest to kids and teens.
The Senckenberg Natural History Museum is packed full of interesting stuff, including dinosaurs. Scientists have discovered several dinosaur fossils in Germany, which you’ll learn about at the Senckenberg.
There’s also a large collection of many taxidermy animals. That includes mammals, large and small, as well as birds. There are over a thousand bird specimens at the Senckenberg, representing a tenth of the world’s birds. There’s even a lifelike dodo bird.
Beyond that, there are exhibits about evolution, insects, rivers, and coral reefs.
There were English translations throughout most of the museum. My teen really enjoyed looking around and could have spent more time at the museum, but we only had a few hours to explore. Admission is free for those 5 and under, $6 for kids age 6-17, and $12 for adults. Discounts are available for families.
We also visited the Experiminta ScienceCenter Frankfurt. This is a small space with several hands on exhibits on each of its floors. Most exhibits included English translations.
There wasn’t a ton do here, but it’s a good place to spend an hour or two. This is probably better for elementary aged kids, although my teenage daughter enjoyed doing some of interactive activities.
Admission is $3 for kids ages 3-5, $8 for ages 6 and up including students, $13 for adults.
There are many other museums in Frankfurt based on your interests – including topics spanning art, film, cars, communication, transportation, the bible, and more.
Smell the Flowers
Just on the edge of the city sits Palmengarten, a lovely and peaceful botanical garden. This is a picturesque spot for snapping Insta-worthy photos. We came in mid-summer when the dahlias were in full bloom. It was gorgeous.
The garden covers about 50 acres and contains 13,000 species of plants. In addition to the vast outdoor spaces, there are indoor ones, too. One gem is the Palm Haus. The steel and glass building was built in 1869, even before the gardens. It was groundbreaking in its day and it’s still stunning now.
The garden has two playgrounds, a splash area for kids, and a small mini-golf course. You can also rent paddle boats. During certain times of the year, the garden hosts events and festivals.
Admission is $2 for kids 6-13, $3 for teens ages 14-17, and $7 for adults. Discounts are available for families.
KidTripster Tip: If you purchase a Frankfurt Card, you’ll receive up to 50% off Frankfurt Museums as well the Palmengarten. Of the 39 museums, 16 of them offer free admission to anyone under the age of 18.
Hop On (and Off) a Bus
Get to know the city better by doing the Hop On Hop Off Frankfurt Bus Tour. You’ll be provided with headphones so that you can listen to a narrator describe the sights.
Your teen will probably want to sit on the top of the open-air bus. Kind of like a bunk bed, there’s something irresistible to kids about a double decker bus.
Riding the bus early in your trip will help familiarize you with they city. Your ticket allows you to make stops along the way. We hopped off at the Palmengarten stop, then got back on and finished the tour.
Tickets are discounted if you purchase online. The express tickets start at $19 per person. There’s a family option for $53 that covers 2 adults and 3 kids. Tickets are good for a full 24-hours.
Cruise the Main
The Primus Line’s Sightseeing Cruise Frankfurt allows you to see the city by water. The narrated river cruise on the Main has an upriver and downriver tour. You can do one leg, which lasts about 45 minutes, or do both, which is 100 minutes. It was both scenic and informative.
If you’re worried your teen might be bored, coax them on-board with snacks. We ordered sausages, pretzels, and cider for the full Frankfurt experience.
Kids under 6 sail free. Tickets start at $8 for kids 6-14, and $13.50 for ages 14+. There’s a family ticket available, too, which covers 2 adults and 3 kids. You can board the boat near Römerberg.
[ Related: Christmas Cruise on the Danube with Teens ]
Leave a Love Lock
You’ll pass underneath several bridges during the boat tour, one of them being the Eisnerner Steg or the “Iron Bridge”. This is a pedestrian only bridge that spans the River Main and connects to the Museum District and the neighborhood of Sachsenhausen. This is also a nice spot for photos of the city skyline, capturing both the old and new parts of Frankfurt.
You’ll notice lots of locks attached to the bridge. When crossing, you’ll likely encounter people selling small locks. Some will even engrave them for you. We bought an engraved lock for about $10. My teenage daughter was excited to leave her lock on the bridge, vowing to return to Frankfurt to find it later.
Go Shopping
If your teen likes to shop, there’s plenty of it in Frankfurt. We spent an afternoon popping in and out of stores in downtown. There’s a good mix of popular chain stores as well as locally owned retailers. Be sure to shop The Zeil, which is a pedestrian shopping promenade.
KidTripster Tip: If you’ll be in Frankfurt over a weekend, know that all shops are closed on Sundays. With the exception of grocery stores and convenience stores, all other retail shops are closed on Sundays. We also noticed that hours were limited during the week, often closing early in the evenings. So plan your shopping time accordingly!
Walk Around
The best way to experience any city is by walking around. We did a lot of walking when in Frankfurt. We recommend strolling along River Main, there are pedestrian paths along both sides of the river. There’s a lot of activity here, especially on a sunny day. You’ll also find outdoor sports courts, playgrounds, cafes, and more. We enjoyed people watching as we walked.
What to Eat in Frankfurt:
Finding good eats is not a problem in Frankfurt. Yes, you can expect to find all the German hits like sausages, schnitzel, and pretzels.
There are several food and beverages unique to Frankfurt. One that we recommend trying is actually a sauce, known as “Green Sauce” (or “Grüne Soße” in German). The recipe dates back to the 1800s. It’s made with a variety of green herbs along with yogurt, sour cream, vinegar, and oil. Local markets sell bundles of the herbs used in the recipe. Pour the green sauce over eggs, potatoes, or anything else. My ranch dressing addicted daughter enjoyed dipping her schnitzel in green sauce.
Adults should try Apfelwine (apple wine) which is the drink of choice in Frankfurt. It’s a local invention, and has been the most popular beverage for more than 250 years. It might have something to do with the cost. It’s an inexpensive alcoholic beverage because it’s not subjected to tax like beer and wine. You’ll find it served in a grey jug with a blue design. It tastes tart and sour, rather than sweet like ciders in the U.S. If you want to learn more about the history of this unique drink, take a walking tour.
KidTripster Tip: For a very unique dining experience, check out Le Petit Chef. It’s an immersive 3D dining experience. We’ve dined at a few other Le Petit Chef locations and each is different.
During our visit to the Frankfurt location, we watched a cooking challenge with chefs from different countries preparing dishes from around the world. The animated chefs, talk, dance, and prepare a meal right before your eyes. Then the wait staff brings out the gourmet real-life version to your plate. It’s not just a gimmick, the food is outstanding.
This is a multi-course dining experience that’s entertaining for all ages. Frankfurt’s Le Petit Chef is currently offering a four course meal based around the four seasons. Check the website to see the current menu. Prices vary depending on the menu (premium, economy, and vegetarian).
Where to Stay in Frankfurt:
We recommend staying in a centrally located downtown hotel, like Flemings Selection Frankfurt City, to be in close-proximity to all the city has to offer.
The rooms at Flemings are updated and modern, with amenities like a coffee maker, bottled water, and more. Breakfast is offered downstairs at Cucina da Nina. There’s a large breakfast buffet each morning. There’s also a rooftop restaurant with great views.
You can walk to shopping or to Römerberg from the hotel. If you prefer to take the train, the hotel is located at the “Eschenheimer Tor” subway station. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn train station “Hauptwache” is about a three-minute walk from Flemings.
[ Related: What To Know About Flying With Condor ]
How to Get Around Frankfurt:
As previously mentioned, Frankfurt’s downtown is very walkable.
Public transportation is also easily accessible. The Frankfurt Card offers free travel on all public transport within the Frankfurt city limits including Frankfurt International Airport. This card is available for one or two days. (As mentioned above, the card also provides discounts at museums and attractions). You can purchase the card online, or when you arrive at the airport.
You can also use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft while in Frankfurt.
[ Related: Take a Ski Vacation in Austria with Teens ]
Visit Frankfurt provided complimentary activities and accommodations for the author for the purposes of this review. All opinions are her own.
