Frankfurt fun with the kids

Frankfurt, the fifth largest city in Germany and known by many as a financial hub. But very often business requirements will combine with family trips, and the home of the European Central Bank has a few surprises in store for the younger members of the group. Here are 3 of my favorites:

African plains in downtown Frankfurt

First up, Frankfurt Zoo. One of the oldest in the world, based in the heart of the city just a five-minute cab ride from the hotel, the gardens bring together over 4,500 animals covering around 500 species. Everyone craves to see the Cat Jungle with its Sumatran tigers and Indian lions among others and where often these proud animals would be enclosed behind metal bars, here the public’s safety is ensured with moats or clear glass panels thus allowing an unobstructed view of the mighty beasts. Of course, the animal kingdom provides us with a vast array of characters and some of them just can’t get enough of the night. Luckily for them, Frankfurt Zoo has created a special nocturnal home for them, the largest in Europe. Bats, aardvarks et al do their thing while you get to see your child’s intrigue grow as they watch and learn.

Monkeys often cause the most amusement and here is no exception – in fact, Frankfurt Zoo was the first to raise all four primate varieties. From gorillas to chimpanzees to orangutans and more, they’re all housed in a purpose-built building that aims to replicate a jungle environment. And they’ll keep young eyes entertained for a while. You then have bird halls, insect and reptile houses, as well as homes of the crocodiles, giraffes and rhinoceroses as the adventure continues.

Prehistoric learning and a whole bunch more

Away from the well-known modern animals in the zoo, we take you next to those of an almost mythical time, long, long ago. Few kids don’t get excited when they hear the word ‘dinosaur’ and at the Senckenberg Museum there is a prehistoric adventure bursting with exhibitions. 5,000 fossil reptiles, 30 tiny prehistoric horses, an 18-meter diplodocus and one life-size Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton will thrill visitors with even a passing interest in what came before. Actually, although the dinosaur element takes much of the focus, this museum is full of other intriguing areas and steps are taken to keep expanding whenever possible. New sections on humans, the Earth, the cosmos and the future will all enhance the learning, and the fun, for expanding young minds.

It will take you about 30 minutes by subway to get there from the hotel but with almost five billion years of geological history behind it and 200 years of collecting, a fulfilling day can easily pass in the vastness of this museum.

View Frankfurt from the clouds

Now, what could be more exhilarating than a trip high above the city to a place close to the clouds? A 20-minute walk from our doors has you at Frankfurt’s centrally located and architecturally award-winning Main Tower, where you can travel up 200 meters to the observation deck and enjoy a spectacular view over the city to the Taunus mountain range, 30km away. Selfie heaven for school-age kids who can go back and impress their friends.

As a little treat afterwards, try out Cafe Hauptwache, just a couple of streets away, which offers you the chance to sit outside on the square – weather permitting – while you savor the delicious cake selection.

So as you can see, Frankfurt and children can get on rather well, just make sure you have plenty space on your camera before you get there.

Author: Marta Leal

Guest Relations Manager at Avani Frankfurt City

My name is Marta Leal and I am a Sevillian living in Frankfurt. I work as a Guest Relations Manager at the best techno place in Frankfurt, the Avani Frankfurt City Hotel.

I started working for different companies in London, and I ended up working in one of the most expensive streets in the world, Park Lane as Guest Relations Manager.

A year ago, I undertook what I now consider to be the best choice of my life, moving to Frankfurt.

I love my job because I combine my passion for helping others with leadership and teamwork. At the end of the day, I am proud to see what an efficient team we have at the hotel, how much we help guests, and how happy and satisfied they leave after they visit this great financial city.