Frankfurt tomorrow

[CanyoubeatAI]

I’m flying to Frankfurt tomorrow evening and home on Monday afternoon so have 2.5 days there. I’m going because my son is running the marathon on Sunday. He lives in another country so don’t get much opportunity to spend time with him so really looking forward to it.
I know nothing about Frankfurt. I’ve been extra busy the past couple of months with work, death of a very close friend aged 49 and my husband having a cycling accident that landed him in hospital for 3 days and off work for 5weeks!
End result is I haven’t had a chance to find out anything about the place.
enjoy pottering around old cities, open to a gallery especially modern art or photography, less so classical art, love nature. Also happy to go to nice cafes and bistro style restaurants. We’re vegetarian
Any ideas (weather not great 😢)

The Römer, the main town square, is quite nice. Otherwise I find Frankfurt a fairly dull city, my company's HQ is there and I spend some time on a regular basis working there.

This is the main website for museums in Frankfurt, I am sure something may be of interest.
https://www.museumsufer.de/en/

One word of warning - all shops are closed on Sundays, everything. You will find cafes and restaurants are open and some bakeries will be open but that's it.
There may be some shops in the main train station but I haven't been to Frankfurt on a Sunday recently.

Vegetarian is not a problem in general. As Frankfurt is used to plenty of foreign visitors you will find waiter speaking English and they will have English menus.

Check if the river sightseeing boats are still running.

You can also find some other information here:
www.visitfrankfurt.travel/en/

I always go to the tourist information centre on arrival at a new city. There's often at least a basic one at the airport or main train station. If nothing else you can pick up a city map, which often has the main sights shown on it. Simply wandering around and following street signs is often a good starting point too if you have no particular attractions in mind.

-do a river cruise, take the option of going in both directions from the Eisener Steg - taking in the ECB and so on
-In Sachsenhausen, over the river, go to one of the Apfelwein places, and drink Apfelwein from a Bembel, have schnizel and grüner sosse, and follow up with Mispelchen (bite the fruit, take a drink of the calvados chew and swallow)
-go for breakfast at the Hauptwache, then walk along to the Main tower and go to the top and admire the view of everything (unless it's cloudy in which case it's a waste of time)
-have a look around the Römer . medival square near the river, and admire the newer additions on the right hand side which really look great
-walk from there to the Dom (cathedral) and go up the tower (it is a LOT of steps in a narrow tower)
-go to the Kleinmarkthalle which is a beautiful indoor market, and admire the variety of fruit and veg, go upstairs for a Canoli and an espresso. Then go outside for a glass of wine, or gin and lavender spritze or something
-stay away from the station area in the evening and at night, it is back to what it used to be and awful and dangerous
-if you have time go on the History museum (next to the Römer) they deal with their 20th century history really well
-look in the Paulskirche - the square opposite the tourist office at the Römer, where the first German parliament was situated

you need more than 2.5 days to really get a good look round

forgot to say: if it's raining find out where the Ebbewoi express (tram) starts and go there (to get a better chance of getting on, advance tickets are not available) and sit in a cute old tram, rattle round the streets with a bit of commentary, and drink Apfelwein for a reasonable price. That is a lot of fun

missed that you like Modern Art - if it is open, the Torte (the cake) aka the Museum für Moderne Kunst is great, it is opposite the Dom (cathedral) or the Schirn (between the Dom and the Römer) is also really good

Thanks so much. Really great advice.
interesting that both of you know it well and @reluctantbrit said it’s dull (since I’ve heard nothing about it I assumed this I admit but @Brefugee makes it sound as though there’s loads to do! The marathon is on Sunday so that will take care of the morning. Anyone know if museums/galleries open on Sunday?

yes, the museums and galleries are open on Sundays. The Kleinmarkthalle isn't (and it really is worth a look if you are there) as are none of the shops.

I am one of very few people who actually likes Frankfurt, i lived and worked there for a while a couple of years ago, and have very fond memories

You will not have a problem in Germany as a vegetarian.
Another who does think Frankfurt is a bit dull 🫣
Echo the others that a lot of shops and eateries are shut on a Sunday, something to bear in mind for the marathon runner, maybe stock up on salty snacks/fizzy drinks/whatever he likes after a long run the day before? Despite knowing Köln very well I fell foul of this after their marathon a few years ago and it was a bit of an ordeal finding something to eat!

@CanyoubeatAI I am German and have visited many cities which I find more attractive, Frankfurt is not bad but I don't see it as something I want to go and stroll around.

I do think some of the museums and galleries are well worth visiting.

Yes to avoiding the main station area after dark, not only it's crime, alcohol and drugs, the red light district is next to it and easy to wander into it if you miss a turn.

I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t right @reluctantbrit. I’m always fascinated by different views and it’s why I’m always qualifying any opinions I give because it’s so subjective.
The only thing bringing me to Frankfurt is this marathon but I don’t want to miss anything now that I’m going

For sure there are many better cities. But OO is going to FF for a reason. 🙄

so how was Frankfurt, OP

Frankfurt was great @Brefugee We had a lovely weekend. There was a lovely buzz around the city because of the marathon. It’s a lovely city to spend a couple of days in. I actually get the feeling it would be a lovely city to
live in. Lots of green spaces, the river is beautiful with loads of amenities for walking, cycling, playgrounds etc. Seems very bright and clean. Nice cafes and shops, very friendly.
Not certain I’d add it to a bucket list but very pleasant

Also he broke 3 hours in his run!!!

that's great, both that you liked the city and the good time in the run!!