15+ BEST Things To Do in Frankfurt with Kids + 2024 City Break Guide
Are you thinking of visiting Frankfurt with kids? Frankfurt, Germany, is a perfect destination if you’re looking for an exciting and educational getaway. Frankfurt is the ideal city for a family city break with a huge variety of attractions, cultural activities, and delicious food. Here’s your complete guide to visiting Frankfurt with kids.
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Is Frankfurt Good for Families?
Frankfurt is a great city for families for so many reasons. It’s easy to get around on foot, by bike, or by public transport, and there are plenty of things to do. The city has a great park, the Palmengarten, which is particularly good for younger children. There are also several playgrounds around the city.
Frankfurt is a great place to visit with kids because there are many things to do. In fact, Lonely Planet Magazine voted it one of the best cities in Europe for families!
How to Get to Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt is Germany’s main financial hub, and its international airport is the country’s largest. There are many ways to get to Frankfurt, including by train, car, bus, and plane.
By Plane
Frankfurt Airport is Germany’s largest airport and one of Europe’s busiest. As such, it is well-connected to other major cities worldwide via direct flights on most major airlines.
The airport also directly connects with Frankfurt city center via S-Bahn (city rail) line S8 or S9. The journey takes about 30 minutes. If you’d prefer to be taken from door to door, consider booking a private transfer. Compare transfer prices here
By Car
Frankfurt is a great city to hire a car, especially if you’re planning some day trips from Frankfurt. German roads are very well maintained. Signs are clear, so you won’t have trouble finding your way around once you’re on them.
By Bus or Train
If you are traveling by bus, look for the Frankfurt Central Bus Station. All buses to Frankfurt go through here. If you’re traveling by train, Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof and Frankfurt Südbahnhof are connected via U-Bahn Line 4.
Top 10 Things to do in Frankfurt with Kids
Frankfurt is a great city to visit with kids. There are plenty of things to do and see, is easy to navigate, and is not too far from Munich, a big plus for families visiting Bavaria for the first time.
If it’s your first time in Frankfurt, I recommend this walking tour. You can book the tour as shared or private, depending on your family’s needs. Book your walking tour here.
Zeil Shopping Street
This is one of Europe’s most extensive pedestrian zones, and it’s perfect for window shopping. You can find everything from big brands to local boutiques. The best part about it is that there is always something going on here, so your kids will never get bored!
Explore the city by bike or by boat
The city has an excellent bike rental system called ‘CityBike’, where you can rent bikes for €1 per hour or €8 per day. This is a great way to explore the city and get some exercise at the same time!
The River Main is one of Frankfurt’s main attractions, so take a boat trip. You can go upriver as far as Offenbach or downriver as far as the airport; either way, you’ll see many high-rise buildings. There’s usually a snack bar on board where you can buy drinks and snacks for picnics on the riverbank. The boat trips include commentary in English and other languages. I highly recommend this sightseeing cruise.
Senckenberg Natural History Museum
Located just next to the zoo, this museum has more than 2 million exhibits, including insects and fossils, and many interactive displays for kids.
It also has an aquarium with over 500 species of fish, reptiles, and amphibians on display, so you are sure to check out this great museum while you’re in Frankfurt!
Gunthersburgpark
When in Frankfurt, a visit to Gunthersburg park is a must! Enjoy fun outdoor activities and explore one of the city’s largest parks, complete with ponds filled with ducks, playgrounds for children, and even a small zoo.
Sports fields and facilities are available for playing football or volleyball – perfect for an action-packed outdoor day.
Palmengarten
Visit one of Europe’s biggest botanical gardens, with more than 8,000 species of plants and trees. The Palmengarten is just 15 minutes away from Frankfurt by train or car, making it easy to visit on a day trip from the city center.
You’ll also get a discount on this museum with the Frankfurt card.
Children’s Museum
The Kindermuseum Hessen is located in the Westhafenpark. This area was once a harbor but has now been redeveloped into a cultural quarter full of museums and concert halls.
The museum is a great place to take kids because it features activities designed for them – including train rides, puppet shows, and video games.
The discount for the museum is included with the Frankfurt card which gives unlimited public transport and a discount on places to eat and attractions. Get your Frankfurt Card here.
Frankfurt Chocolate Museum
This museum is dedicated to all things chocolate, so it’s perfect for anyone who loves this sweet treat!
At this family-friendly attraction in Frankfurt’s Westend district, you can learn about how chocolate is made, see how it’s packaged, and even try some delicious samples.
Frankfurt Zoo
There are more than 600 animals at the Frankfurt Zoo, including giraffes, zebras, and hippos. The zoo is also home to a children’s zoo with smaller animals like guinea pigs and rabbits.
There’s also a petting zoo where you can feed goats and sheep, as well as a tropical aquarium.
Visit the Frankfurt Christmas Market
The Frankfurt market is one of the best Christmas markets in Germany. It attracts more than three million visitors every year.
It’s open from November through December and has dozens of stalls selling traditional German delicacies such as roasted almonds, gingerbread hearts, apple wine, and strudel.
There are also many rides for kids, such as carousels and Ferris wheels. You can even meet Santa Claus at the Nuremberg Gate!
Ebbelwei Express
On its hour-long round trip through Frankfurt, the Ebbelwei Express passes through several of the city’s attractions. It’s one of the activities that enjoy by both older kids and youngsters.
Where to Stay in Frankfurt with Kids: Best Family Hotels
The best area of Frankfurt to stay in with kids is the old town, particularly around the Römerberg and the Frankfurt Cathedral, which has been the heart of the city since Roman times. The Römerberg is full of restaurants, cafes, and shops – many of which have outdoor seating or play areas for kids.
The second best area for families to stay in is Sachsenhausen because it’s quiet but close enough to everything that children will love it too!
There are many indoor activities, parks, playgrounds, and green spaces. It’s also super easy to get around from here because direct trams go straight into the city center.
Mid-Range: Frankfurt Marriott Hotel
This hotel has everything you need when traveling with children. It’s located right in the center of Frankfurt, making it easy to walk around the city and explore its sights.
There are plenty of restaurants nearby, as well as shops and cinemas if you want some time away from sightseeing. CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES
Splurge: The Westin Grand Frankfurt
The Westin Grand Frankfurt offers all the amenities you could ask for when traveling with kids!
This hotel provides several family-friendly activities, such as an indoor swimming pool, spa area, fitness center, and game room where you can relax easily after a long day of sightseeing! CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES
Where to Eat in Frankfurt with Kids
German cuisine is known for being hearty and filling – perfect for a rainy day!
For food lovers, Frankfurt is known for its many local delicacies, including Apfelwein (apple wine) and Schinkenwurst (smoked pork sausage). If you’re looking for a delicious meal while visiting Frankfurt with kids, here are some options:
Gerbermühle: If you are looking for a fun spot, something quick and easy, head over to the Gerbermühle. It is an atmospheric restaurant housed in an old water mill on Main near Frankfurt. It serves traditional German food and drinks, including beer from its own brewery on site. There’s also an amazing playground for kids to play on while you eat or drink at the tables outside or inside if it gets too cold outside. View on TripAdvisor Here
Café im Liebighaus: Günthersburgpark is one of our favorite places to take children in Frankfurt. It has lots of activities for kids, and a large playground with beautiful lakes and riverside walks perfect for picnics or relaxing on a hot summer’s day! View on TripAdvisor Here
Fichtekraenzi: A bit outside the city center, but this is a lovely place to sample traditional German cuisine. Large portions and decent prices. View on TripAdvisor Here
How to Spend 2 Days in Frankfurt with Children
If you’re staying in the city for two days, it might be tempting to do everything at once. Don’t do that!
The best way to spend two days in Frankfurt with children is to plan and create a few easy itineraries. This way, everyone will be happy and get what they want from the trip.
Day 1:
Morning:
Start your day with a stroll through the city center and visit some famous spots like St. Paul’s Church, Römerberg, and the Museumsufer. If you have time, take a ride on the river banks on one of the tourist boats or visit one of the many museums in town.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon, head to Zeilgalerie shopping mall, where there are plenty of shops for everyone! Or go to Hessenpark amusement park, which features rides suitable for all ages.
Day 2:
Morning:
Start your day at the Palmengarten, one of Frankfurt’s oldest parks and a great place for kids to run around and get fresh air. It also has an amazing zoo, so if you want an early start and a full day, this would be the place to go!
Afternoon:
Head to Sachsenhausen, where you’ll find many things to do with kids: the Horn & Hardart Automat Museum (great for older children), Zoo Frankfurt, Heine-Park, or Naturmuseum Wieseck.
Places to Visit Near Frankfurt, Germany
Near Frankfurt, you can find amazing places. There are plenty of things to do and see in this city and its surrounding. If you are looking for something fun to do with your family, there are many activities that you can enjoy together.
Go on a day trip to Wiesbaden, Germany
Wiesbaden is only about 30 minutes away from Frankfurt by train. It’s a beautiful town that has many attractions for families. The main attraction in Wiesbaden is Kurpark Wilhelmshöhe, created by Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor and King of Prussia.
The park features incredible gardens and statues from all over the world. There are also many cafes and restaurants where you can have lunch or dinner after exploring the park.
The Fairy Tale Road
The Fairy Tale Road is the most popular day trip from Frankfurt. It takes you through the beautiful German countryside and small villages, all connected by the same storybook-like theme.
This road is also known as the “Sleeping Beauty Road” because it was used as the backdrop for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty film. The scenery on this road is so beautiful that it has attracted many visitors from around Europe and beyond.
Take a tour of Mainz
Mainz is about an hour away from Frankfurt by train. This town has been around since Roman times and has many beautiful buildings dating back hundreds of years.
One of Germany’s oldest cathedrals is also called Dom St Martin, which was built in 1236! There are some great museums.
Explore the university city of Heidelberg
Just an hour away by train, the university city of Heidelberg will enthrall all ages. Take a walk along the Hauptstrasse for pedestrian friendly exploring.
Book a tour of Heidelberg Castle and learn about the impressive fortress ruins that dominate the city skyline. Or take a hike on the Philosopher’s Path along the river. There is plenty to do for families.
About the author: This article was originally written by Sylvie Simpson and has been edited by Kirsten Maxwell.
