Frankfurt is so modern it sometimes feels like it accidentally swapped places with a small version of New York. Glass skyscrapers glitter over the Main River, the skyline looking like it was built by people who said, “Yes, but taller.” The financial district hums with suits, screens, and enough banks to make you feel like your wallet should behave better.
Frankfurt is a polished, buzzing, ultra-efficient city that somehow still leaves room for cozy Christmas markets, old-town charm, and the occasional sausage stand reminding you that modernity is great… but snacks are eternal.
For years, Frankfurt am Main was nothing more to me than an airport stopover — a place I rushed through without ever truly seeing. Before the pandemic, when my life was just one business trip after another, I knew my way around the FRA terminals better than I knew my own city. But last summer everything changed. After returning from holiday, I booked a one-day layover in Frankfurt — and I was so delighted by the city that I knew I had to come back in winter to explore the city from family perspective.
Frankfurt is a very family-friendly city to visit, offering an impressive range of educational and cultural experiences. Families can explore interactive museums, science centers, and kid-friendly attractions that make learning fun and engaging. During the Weihnachtsmarkt season, the city becomes even more magical—its Christmas market brings festive lights, traditional treats, and activities that children love.
This year, the Christmas market at the Mainkai has an extra-special area just for kids, where they can decorate gingerbread, create their own Christmas ornaments, and enjoy hands-on festive activities. There’s a children’s carousel and a cosy “Christmas-world tent” with storytelling, music, and entertainment especially for kids.
There was be plenty of food and drinks to enjoy, and yes—kids are covered too! Expect child-friendly options like Kinderpunsch (a cozy, non-alcoholic punch) along with lots of tasty treats.
How to get there
U-Bahn / S-Bahn:
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Take any train to “Dom/Römer” (S-Bahn: S1–S6, S8–S9; U-Bahn: U4, U5).
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From there, it’s about a 5-minute walk south along the river to Mainkai.
Tram:
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Trams 11 or 12 stop at “Römer/Paulsplatz”, which is also within walking distance.
Before attending the Christmas market in the afternoon, we spent the morning at one of the city’s most popular science museums, where the interactive exhibits kept everyone engaged and entertained.
Experiminta Science Center is a “hands-on” science center in Frankfurt, focusing on mechanics, technology and mathematics — i.e. a museum where visitors can experiment with natural- and technical-science exhibits rather than only viewing passive displays.
Our opinion
To me, EXPERIMINTA in Frankfurt felt quite outdated and reminded me of school ( I am Generation X). That’s why I was surprised to learn that the Science Center was only established in 2011 — I would have guessed something more like the late ’80s.
- Many of the exhibits looked like from the early days of the museum and haven’t been modernized.
- Some stations feel “worn out” or less intuitive compared to newer science centers.
- The building itself is older, and the layout isn’t as immersive as more modern hands-on museums.
However, when I looked closer, it offered much of the same content as other modern science museums, such as Le Vaisseau in Strasbourg — where, for example, the mathematical room is a family‑friendly space with cozy carpets and small seating areas. In contrast, Frankfurt still has old-fashioned tables and uncomfortable chairs. Overall, while the setup may feel dated for adults, the museum’s hands-on experiments remain engaging and enjoyable, especially for children.
What surprised me was that my daughter found the museum fascinating — it didn’t feel outdated to her at all. Perhaps it matters more to us adults to have a modern environment, far removed from the somewhat dull experiences we remember from our school days.
What we found super funny
My daughter, in particular, was delighted with the bubbles area, where she could create and play with giant soap bubbles — a simple yet magical experience that kept her laughing and exploring for a long time.
The second place took Optics & Light. Interactive displays show how light bends, reflects, or splits, making physics tangible and magical. Close behind was the optics and light section, where mirrors, lenses, and colorful reflections kept her experimenting and exploring for a long time.
The Informatik area was particularly interesting for me, having worked in IT for over 20 years — I enjoyed exploring the logic puzzles, programming exercises, and digital simulations. For my daughter, however, it was a bit too advanced; the concepts were challenging, and she needed guidance to engage with the exhibits. Still, it was a valuable experience, showing how computer science can be made tangible and playful, even if some parts are better suited for older children or adults with a technical background.
Sweet Bonus 🍎
Candied apples, the kind you find at fairs, festivals, or Christmas markets. So basically, whether it’s called Paradiesapfel or Himmelapfel, it’s the same classic fairground candy apple, just with a slightly different poetic name depending on the region.
Candied apples (Paradiesäpfel) look gorgeous with their shiny red coating and, surprisingly, are quite easy to make at home.
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🍏🍎🍏 Prepare apples: Wash and dry thoroughly. Insert a toothpick into each small apple or slice.
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🍯Quick syrup:
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In a small saucepan, mix sugar, water, and corn syrup.
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Heat on medium-high while stirring constantly until sugar dissolves and syrup thickens slightly (about 2–3 minutes).
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Optional: add a drop of red food coloring.
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🍏➡️🍯Dip apples:
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Remove syrup from heat.
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Dip each mini apple or slice into syrup, swirling to coat.
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Place on parchment paper to cool for 2–3 minutes.
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🍫🧁🍓🍯Optional toppings:
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Sprinkle with colored sugar, crushed nuts, or coconut before the syrup hardens.
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Enjoy :)
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