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Frankfurt wasn't my favorite German city, but I only spent a night there. I believe Neuschwanstein is where the Germany's most famous castle is, it'll be on the cover of almost any guide about visiting Germany. It was the model that Disney used for the cinderella castle in Disneyland, but much more picturesque in the mountains, and real.
I liked Heidelburg, the castle, which is partially destroyed due to a 19th century explosives mishap (oops!), looks over the city. It's a classic university town which means that there will be a lot of young people out and about, don't expect daytona beach though.
If you get a chance though, go to Berlin. It's one of my favorite places in the world. There's a well-known english-language walking tour that is not to be missed. Again there are many universities in Berlin, I really think this effects the attitude and culture of a city.
If you're planning on visiting famous battlegrounds, you might also be interested in visiting a Nazi concentration camp. Dachau is a ten-minute train ride from Munich (Muenchen). Dachau wasn't an extermination camp but it does have the same wrought iron fences with "Arbeit macht frei" written on the gates. I also really enjoyed the Olympic park in Munich, stunning organic architechture.
As has been said, most of your prototypical images of Germany most likely come from Bavaria.
If you're interested in World War 2 history you'll want to visit Nuremburg and see Hitler's parade grounds and the stadium where American troops exploded a giant schwastika over the stands (I'm sure you've seen footage of this in school). There's a decent hostel in a little castle at what I think is the town's high point--from the city center just keep going up. Try to find a photo of what the city looked like in 1945, its a startling contrast.
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