Romerplatz is an excellent place to rest with a drink and watch the action. If you walk to the east behind the square, you will see some Roman ruins called the archeological gardens.

From the café, I headed toward the River and the Romerplatz. The cafes and the Tourist Information Office on the square weren't open yet, so I kept walking toward the river, past the buildings colorfully reconstructed in the old style (Frankfurt was flattened during WWII.). Once the tourist office opened (at 10AM), I stepped in and got some good information about sights and events. I sat down at one of the outdoor cafes on the square and browsed through my materials. Then, feeling weary, I headed back to my hotel for a rest.

That afternoon, I went back to the Romerplatz, had a beer on the square, and checked out some of the sights. I wanted to see the Romer, or Town Hall, because there was supposed to be a bust of my great-great uncle in it. I wasn't able to get in to where I thought the bust would be, so I gave up. (Later, I found out that the bust is outside of the town hall, so I wasn't even looking in the right place.) Apparently, my great-great uncle used to walk around selling odds and ends and became quite a character, so much so that someone decided that his bust should adorn the town hall!) Crossing the footbridge to the other side of the Main, I visited a flea market.

I was lucky enough to visit during the Frankfurt 2000 festival. The pedestrian thoroughfares of the city center were lined with beer and food stands while popular German bands played outdoors. What better way to feel like a Frankfurter than to party along with the natives?