Short, cold days go better with a plan to get kids moving outside. Every winter, pop-up rinks open in front of the old spa houses in Wiesbaden and Bad Homburg, the city rink runs a 400-meter outdoor ring, and the Taunus slopes fill with sleds whenever snow falls. Here's what we checked, from the Eissporthalle to the summit of the Großer Feldberg.
The city-run ice rink joins a large indoor rink, a smaller beginner rink and a 400-meter outdoor ring around the stadium into one connected sheet of ice, the largest in Germany. Boards line the indoor rinks, so first-timers have something to hold. Skates rent on site in sizes 23 to 50, the shop sells gliders for very young skaters, and the Cool Running bar has snacks.
An outdoor ice rink in the Kurpark, set in front of the historic Kaiser-Wilhelms-Bad, with the decorated Brunnenallee and a huge Christmas tree beside it. Kids can take their first wobbly laps or practice spins.
Families can also book a lane for Eisstockschießen, a German curling game played in teams of four or five. A chalet next to the rink sells hot drinks and warm snacks.
One of Germany's largest mobile ice rinks fills the Bowling Green lawn in front of Wiesbaden's Kurhaus each winter, with skaters looping around the two historic fountains on 100-meter laps.
Rental skates, skating aids for wobbly beginners and lockers are on site, and ice-stock lanes (Bavarian-style curling) sit right in front of the Kurhaus. It suits first-timers and confident skaters alike.
Lohrberg is a 185-meter hill on the northeast edge of town, and the city's only vineyard grows on its south slope. Apple orchard meadows cover much of the hill, and the MainÄppelHaus orchard center explains the trees and Frankfurt's apple wine.
At the top, the Lohrpark has a big flat lawn for ball games, a playground, and wide views of the skyline. Walking and cycling paths wind through the orchards.
The Großer Feldberg is the highest peak in the Taunus at 881 meters, with an open, treeless summit plateau. One of its towers can be climbed for views over the Frankfurt skyline, and the Brunhildisfelsen rock at the north edge looks out over the Usinger Land.
Kids can watch eagles and owls at the Falkenhof, the oldest falconry in Hesse. In snowy winters, the slopes fill with sleds.
An evening walk through Frankfurt's botanical garden, lit by about 30 light installations. Giant glowing moons, snowdrops and floating hearts hang over the paths and trees, with music, video projections and a few interactive light pieces along the way.
The route is outdoors and on foot, so it suits kids who can walk a while in the cold. Younger ones tend to like the big, bright shapes most.
Short, cold days go better with a plan to get kids moving outside. Every winter, pop-up rinks open in front of the old spa houses in Wiesbaden and Bad Homburg, the city rink runs a 400-meter outdoor ring, and the Taunus slopes fill with sleds whenever snow falls. Here's what we checked, from the Eissporthalle to the summit of the Großer Feldberg.
The city-run ice rink joins a large indoor rink, a smaller beginner rink and a 400-meter outdoor ring around the stadium into one connected sheet of ice, the largest in Germany. Boards line the indoor rinks, so first-timers have something to hold. Skates rent on site in sizes 23 to 50, the shop sells gliders for very young skaters, and the Cool Running bar has snacks.
An outdoor ice rink in the Kurpark, set in front of the historic Kaiser-Wilhelms-Bad, with the decorated Brunnenallee and a huge Christmas tree beside it. Kids can take their first wobbly laps or practice spins.
Families can also book a lane for Eisstockschießen, a German curling game played in teams of four or five. A chalet next to the rink sells hot drinks and warm snacks.
One of Germany's largest mobile ice rinks fills the Bowling Green lawn in front of Wiesbaden's Kurhaus each winter, with skaters looping around the two historic fountains on 100-meter laps.
Rental skates, skating aids for wobbly beginners and lockers are on site, and ice-stock lanes (Bavarian-style curling) sit right in front of the Kurhaus. It suits first-timers and confident skaters alike.
Lohrberg is a 185-meter hill on the northeast edge of town, and the city's only vineyard grows on its south slope. Apple orchard meadows cover much of the hill, and the MainÄppelHaus orchard center explains the trees and Frankfurt's apple wine.
At the top, the Lohrpark has a big flat lawn for ball games, a playground, and wide views of the skyline. Walking and cycling paths wind through the orchards.
The Großer Feldberg is the highest peak in the Taunus at 881 meters, with an open, treeless summit plateau. One of its towers can be climbed for views over the Frankfurt skyline, and the Brunhildisfelsen rock at the north edge looks out over the Usinger Land.
Kids can watch eagles and owls at the Falkenhof, the oldest falconry in Hesse. In snowy winters, the slopes fill with sleds.
An evening walk through Frankfurt's botanical garden, lit by about 30 light installations. Giant glowing moons, snowdrops and floating hearts hang over the paths and trees, with music, video projections and a few interactive light pieces along the way.
The route is outdoors and on foot, so it suits kids who can walk a while in the cold. Younger ones tend to like the big, bright shapes most.
