I'd also stay away from the Kaiserstrasse, specially the lower part towards the Hauptbahnhof and specially at night. No need to visit that unless you're looking for trouble
And although the Rhine river area is very attractive, Rüdesheim and/or Assmannhausen are quite far and
far too touristy.
Oppenheim or Nierstein would be more down-to-
german-earth. Wiesbaden more attractive.
As for FRA city, Sachsenhausen certainly is attractive with all the aforementioned places and specially the Schweizer Strasse area ( Wagner, Gemaltes Haus, Kannonenstempel), very social, just join a table and feel comfortable with the locals ( many of them coming from elsewhere and working in FRA).
For Shopping, the Zeil is good in large shops while the neighbouring Goethestrasse has the more exclusive and expensive shops. Paralell to the Goethestrasse is the "Fressgass" which is a pedestrian area (like the Zeil itself) and home to Cafes, delis, bars and good for people watching in good weather.
Sandwiched between Goethestrasse and Fressgasse is a small, very narrow lane with good Jazz bars (Jazzhouse and Jazzkeller, the latter offering live jazz).
While the Alte Oper is beatiful and a sight to see, it is certainly not the old town part of FRA. That was destroyed in WW II and is located near the Römer (City Hall). The Römer itself is interesting as part of the old buildings have been re-constructed and there are some art museums.
Walk across the "Eiserner Steg" pedestrian bridge over the Main River into Sachsenhausen from the Römer.
The red light district is in the lower part of Kaiserstrasse and the gay area is behind the Zeil in the Alte Gasse street area.
Close to the Zeil is a very interesting food market, the "Kleinmarkthalle" where you can find anything remotely interesting gastronomic-wise.
Enjoy your stay !
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