Friedrichsdorf may have given you a taste of itself already! Zwieback, that crunchy twice-baked toast often given to teething children, has historically been produced here. If you haven’t had any lately, you may want to give it a try again.
Crunchy snacks aren’t the only well-preserved wonders here. While the town is just 20 km north of Frankfurt, it has maintained a more historical flair than its office park neighbors. A variety of historical tours are available through the main tourist office to guide you to the standouts among the preservation society’s gems.
Walking around, you will want to note the Philipp Reis Haus, which has a large exhibit of the inventor’s works. This includes the famous Reis telephone, which preceded Edison’s and Bells’s but was mainly used to transmit music. As the most famous son of Friedrichsdorf you’ll note his name on the local school buildings as well.
Another good museum to visit is the Museum of Seulberg, on Alt Seulberg 46. In addition to local history displays, the museum offers a number of craft programs and activities. If you are traveling with children, they have specialized craft programs seasonally that are very hands on and popular, but quite cheap, with some being only 3 or 5 euros for an afternoon.
Surrounding Friedrichsdorf is the Taunus region, and the range of forested woodland will further take you away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the Frankfurt area. Hiking, biking and walking trails are all available. One well-known trail you may like is the Friedrichsdorfer Rundwanderweg, which offers a good tour of the area and some suitably photogenic vistas.
From May to September there is a 25,000 sq m heated outdoor pool and play area — it’s a massive hit with the local families, so budget time for lines on weekends if you want to do the slides and water sports climbs. Don’t think the “Summer Bridge” is a part of the water park though — it’s a 20 event series of musicians and open-air performances that happen each summer near the Town Hall.
In November 2008 the town also launched its own fashion line. The blue and white colors and town sign are prominent features. You may find that the shirts are good souvenirs to take back for friends.
