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The Stock Exchange Go up Schillerstrasse until you reach the bronze statues of a fierce bull and a dejected bear, which symbolize the Frankfurt stock exchange: sometimes proud, sometimes depressed. Free, guided tours begin at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. While 90 percent of transactions are carried out electronically, it is still worth seeing the stock market frenzy. Security has become more of an issue in recent years, so visitors must register 24 hours in advance (visitors.center@deutsche-boerse.com). It is well worth taking a walk outside the exchange, especially at noon on Fridays when stockbrokers roll up their sleeves and happily chow down on sausages at market stalls. A Stroll Go back two blocks and take Fressgasse, a pedestrian walkway full of restaurants, cafés, delis, banks (of course), more men in ties and street musicians that put a bounce in your step. You’ll end up at the Opera building, one of city’s most charming spots, and home to a lovely little café, Rosso, which serves wonderful homemade pastries, and Opéra, an upscale restaurant for dinner. Cinema Museum Save some time by taking the metro to Willy-Brandt-Platz station. Snap the stock photo in front of the gaudy euro symbol by the headquarters of the European Central Bank and continue walking along the Main River. On the other side of the bridge lies the pride of locals: the “Museum Shore.” Here you’ll find everything from the Museum of the Applied Arts to the Museum of Communication. The German Cinema Museum is a great place to discover the origins of the Seventh Art and the evolution of special effects. If you’re up for it, you can even see yourself on screen flying on a magic carpet. Main River and the Skyline In the same area, along the river, a flea market is set up every Friday and Koreans, Turks, Vietnamese and Germans peddle everything from clothes to appliances. If that’s not your thing, walk east along the Main until the Alte Main Brücke Bridge to get a better view of the skyline with its line of skyscrapers that earned the city the nickname “Mainhattan” (especially impressive at night). Sachsenhausen Since you are already on the other side of the river, and it is probably time to eat, look on your map for Grosse Rittergasse or Paradiesgasse. You will soon come to an area where loads of people are seated on terraces, eating in a rustic, pleasantly relaxed atmosphere. This area is a tourist magnet, so if you’re looking for quality food, consult the list at the end of this article. Main Tower You’ve seen all the essentials. If you can still stand and you’re up for seeing more, head back to the financial district to cap off your visit with a trip up the Main Tower, the first skyscraper open to the public. If you survive the stomach flip-flops from the non-stop, high-speed elevator ride to the 53rd floor, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the city from on the observation platform. You can retrace your steps on the map and take in your walk from above. Now, toast your accomplishments at the bar, and enjoy your bird’s eye vantage point.• |
