Bad Homburg is an attractive and historic town north of Frankfurt, situated at the foot of the…read moreTaunus hills. The name Homburg means 'Hohenburg', and refers to the castle which dominates the upper part of the town, with its distinctive 14th-century keep, known as the White Tower. Although there has been a castle here from around the 12th century, the present (and rather more comfortable) Schloss dates mostly from the rebuilding carried out by Paul Andrich in 1678 for Landgrave Friedrich II. This originally two-storey palace was the first new addition to be built after the Thirty Years War. Both the palace and grounds were subsequently enlarged over the next two centuries, into the substantial complex we see to-day. In 1888 Kaiser Wilhelm II declared Bad Homburg's Schloss an Imperial summer residence, and construction of the huge Imperial Church next door began. His mother Victoria, the old emperor's widow (and Queen Victoria's eldest daughter) lived there for several years, and King Edward VII was also a frequent guest, enjoying the healthy pleasures of the local spa, and the more dubious pleasures of the Casino, opened in Bad Homburg in 1842. It was here that he asked a local hatmaker to make him a hat with a distinctive narrow brim which we now know as the Homburg. Although much of the palace complex is now given over to offices, one wing houses a small collection of artistic and domestic items from the 17th to the 19th centuries, and it is possible to climb the tower in summer for spectacular views. The extensive landscaped grounds and gardens are also open to the public. Opening times change according to each season see website for details.

When visiting pretty much any city or town in Europe, one of the main draws is the main square. Or…read moreone of several town squares. Römerberg is just that. It's a great place to start your exploration of Frankfurt. You'll be surrounded by beautiful architecture. There will be a statue for you to check out. It's a touristy area, sure (so I wouldn't have a meal in the area), but it's also a place locals go to congregate and hang out. With Germany getting bombed heavily during WWII, Römerberg still gives you the feeling of old school Germany. And while I wasn't there in December, if you are, you'll be able to check out the famous Christmas markets Germans are known for. Spend a little time here, walk around, and take it all in.

I had the incredible opportunity to visit Römerberg during the Christmas markets on December 1st…read moreand the plaza looked stunning. It was beautifully lit and super bright. I got to try so much food from multiple vendors. And even got to ride the carousel. And the center piece of the night is clearly the Christmas tree! Absolutely stunning! This is my second time visiting Römerberg. Outside of Christmas time this place is a beautiful plaza rich with history and it has plenty of restaurants and shops around. Definitely a must see while in Frankfurt

Very cool area of bars, bars, and more bars…read more Ran into a bartender in Chicago....who recognized me....and he used to work at the English Pub in this area....small world ! Kinda touristy....but looking beyond the young drunks and pseudo mofa staerks.... If you can...enjoy the architecture during the day...and come back for the partying at night.. Well worth checking out...Frankfurt has some cool stuff to do.... I won't share my "where to park" secrets here ! One of the best Doner Kebab places across from Hard Rock on the Grosse Rittergasse..(sp?)

Pure awesomeness! This was my favorite place to go when I lived out there. The underground videoke…read morebar and the Irish pub were my 2 favs. Doner Kebabs accross the street after bar hopping are a must.

We have pretty much all heard of the love lock bridge in Paris. Who knew that Frankfurt had its own…read moreversion?! I learned about Eiserner Steg, a.k.a Iron Bridge a.k.a "Love Lock Bridge" while doing some research on the city prior to my trip. It's one of the top attractions in Frankfurt listed on TripAdvisor. Located close to the heart of Frankfurt, here are some tips for checking out the bridge. If you're visiting at a peak hour, expect for there to be a crowd. You'll have people walking around checking out all of the love locks, taking pictures, or walking by. As always, when in a crowded area, be aware of your belongings. Bring your own lock inscribed with the initials of you and your significant other or write your initials on the lock. This is going to be a lot more affordable than purchasing a lock last minute (there are typically vendors selling locks in the area). Part of the fun is finding a spot for your lock, among the endless sea of love locks there. It's a cool experience, and a romantic one at that. While not as famous as the bridge in Paris, and while I haven't been, I would venture to say it's a similar experience. There's even another love lock bridge in Cologne.

Really cool bridge pedestrians can walk across for free. Cool pictures overlooking the buildings in…read morethe back and the river on the sides. People have locked some locks on the bridge

Situated adjacent to the Schloss Homburg, this huge church was begun on the initiative of Kaiser…read moreWilhelm II in 1903 for the Lutheran (Protestant) congregation of the town, who used to hold their services in the Palace. It was opened in the presence of the Kasier and his wife in 1908. Designed in the Romanesque style and with four splendid 'Rhenish helm' towers, this was designed to be fit for an Emperor. The exterior appears in the standard cross-shaped plan, but the interior features a huge central cupola under the crossing, with large galleries filling the transepts, and an astonishingly wide nave, all on a cathedral-like scale. The main feature apart from its size is its breathtakingly elaborate decorative scheme of painted walls and ceilings, and spectacular mosaics. These cover the upper walls and, most notably, the apse of the Choir, depicting Christ in Majesty and the stunning golden expanse of the cupola, lit by a huge cross-shaped lantern. No expense was spared on the materials, with the extensive use of marble and stained glass windows, featuring prominent use of the German Imperial Eagle motif. Bad Homburg is noted as a town for its church organs, and a festival is held here every year. The Erlöserkirche possesses both a large, turn-of-the-20th-century Sauer organ and a new Bach organ based on a 1742 Thuringian model. The church has stunning acoustics, and is therefore a popular venue for concerts of both classical and religious music, as well as lectures. The church is also the focus for the congregation's vibrant pastoral life see website for details of services and activities.

The town of Oberursel, 15 minutes north of Frankfurt, has a delightful old town, with narrow…read morecobbled streets full of half-timbered houses, which climb to the delightful old church of St Ursula. Although there aren't many special 'sights', it nevertheless evokes images of exactly what an old German town should look like, (ie lots of half-timbered buildings with steep roofs) and is a delightful place to wander. The buildings date from the 16th century onwards, although most are 18th or early 19th century in origin. Look out for the Wenczel Welker, the former carding mill, which dates back to the 15th century. There's a small market on Saturdays, as well as a number of enticing hostelries around the edges, including the Alt-Oberursuler Brauhaus, which brews its own beers (see separate entry). The town, on the edge of the Hochtaunus hills, is easily reached from Frankfurt on either the S-bahn suburban railway to Bad Homburg (line S5) or via the U3 underground line.

The great thing about this place is the way that it contrasts with the city around it. Basically it…read moreappears to be the old city gate (and the word Tor pretty much confirms that), however when you stand on the northern side the contrast between this old gate and the modern skyscrapers is amazing. In fact it seems to be what a lot of Europe is about - the old and the new sitting side by side, and in some ways actually complementing each other. There are a couple of bars around here as well, including a really good one (Bar Ohne Name as it used to be called but I can't remember the new name at this point in time). While I haven't actually been inside the tower, simply wandering around it and taking in its beauty is worth it.