Germany - Overnight in FRA with kids v. budget hotel or hanigng in town

Will be arriving 8pm on a weeknight, departing 10 the following morning on LH in coach, with 13 and 12 year olds.

I'm weighting the alternatives for the night. Is overnighting at FRA a decent alternative to finding deep budget hotel nearby? Is something else recommended--something exciting/safe to do in town for a few hours that isn't too much schlepping? Seems a pity to grab hotel (expense) and not see anything (boring). I figure we can sleep on the plane the next day.

Suggestions?
Thanks.

Staying at the airport would be extremely boring.

Frankfurt centre can be reached in 15 minutes by commuter train. Piece of cake. However, since you'll want to walk around late in the evening, I strongly recommend staying in Mainz instead of Frankfurt, which is notably smaller and does not have the disadvantages of a big city at night, or notably less of them - you know what I mean. I would not call Frankfurt outright dangerous, but it is not pleasant either, especially the area around the central station, but also the city centre.

The ride to Mainz on the same commuter train line but in the opposite direction takes 25 minutes, hence not much longer. Mainz has more 'old Germany' flair than Frankfurt.
Website of Mainz tourist office in English: http://www.touristik-mainz.de/stadtportrait.html?&L=1

I agree with Kathrin 150%! Mainz is much more interesting than Frankfurt, and also quite convenient.

Thanks for your comments. Hotel prices, even in Mainz, are pretty high for the three of us, so I am seriously thinking about "sleeping" at the airport. Is this a foolhardy idea with children? It seems the airport is safe...

I read in an archived post someone's suggestion to "go into town," eat, see a movie, then return to the airport for sleeping.

Is there much to do in Mainz from 9-12 pm on foot, should we want to catch the train in and back to the airport?

Thanks,

Before you commit to a night at the airport, check out hotel prices in Rüsselsheim as well. I'd hate to suggest you and your kids crashing on some chairs at the airport. I can't see that being any kind of restful sleep.

Did you check for hostels (HI hostels, for example, have family rooms), B&B's, and such on the tourist office website I linked above?

I've overnighted at airports like that before, albeit not with teens. It's certainly not restful by any stretch, but it can be a crazy, memorable experience.

Did you check for hostels (HI hostels, for example, have family rooms), B&B's, and such on the tourist office website I linked above?

Yes, I did. Thank you. The hostel is full, at least according to their website. I hope to get on the phone tomorrow; maybe I can find something suitable by calling.

Thanks!!

Try www.hrs.de (http://www.hrs.de), which will help you find cheaper accommodations hopefully.