The Main Tower

High above Frankfurt on the observation platform of the Main Tower you can see all the sights unobstructed. Two hundred meters above the surroundings the city stretches to the horizon. To the east along the river on the north side is the KaiserDom; on the south side of the river is Old Sachsenhausen with all its pubs and Frankfurt's Apfel wine.

The Hauptbahnhof to the SW down below seems to take up a lot of real estate. From the ground level you don't realize how extensive it really is.

Yes, you do have to go through security to get up in the Main Tower in addition to paying a fee. And you are always under the watchful eye of the security personnel. Perhaps they have a problem with jumpers as you are on an outside platform and there is little obstruction. If a wind were to come up this is not a friendly place to be but on a sunny day the view takes your breath away.

Willy Brandt plaza is a couple of blocks off the river. This is the place where demonstrators like to do their stuff. The American cafe overlooks it and has a outside patio. It's a good vantage point to watch the action.

Not all the views are in the distance but they do have the telescopic viewers if you care to use them.

Just about where you see the railing cross the picture below is the area of the old city (Goethe-haus, Romer/Rathaus (City Hall since 1405) & St Paul's church,1843).  It was totally destroyed in the bombing during World War II and since re-built to its present tourist attraction status. This seems to be the "must visit" spot for anyone passing through.