Brussels Travel Forum

Hello VT members,
I will be visiting Brussels around 23rd of this month. I am planning to stay for one night only and will be traveling from Paris, possibly with morning train.

Can anyone suggest me where to visit in Brussels and around Brussels. I have been thinking of visiting Amsterdam but I am afraid that it is a bit far.

I am with 2 years old daughter and still have to plan carefully.

Thanks for your suggestions in advance.
Alvin

I just wrote a long answer and its just wiped - basically i was saying I came to Europe 7 years ago with a new Lonely Planet guidebook for Western Europe - its been my travel bible and though ive needed or naturally added additional info books from the wonderful Rough Guides for country by country and DK eyewitness guidebooks, the LP has been so used and needs updating - but great for all the basics, how to get about and from where, maps of the cities and main towns to visit, the mustsees and where they are, how much, what to eat and where, where to stay and what choice available and where

and so on, sounds like youd benefit from stopping by a bookshp and grabbing at least one book that grabs your fancy - the good thing with the LP for Western Europe - since changed to Europe - or the coverage areas have changed - is that they do cover the foundational basics for a good wide area of countries so you can take one with you for loads of travel between countries etc. then use VT as a top up and ideas before you go.

I love Hortas stuff in Brussels, a number of prominent buildings around Brussels city centre are in in his excellent Art deco designs, his house in the suburbs is now an excellent museum and rather amazing and not too diffficult to get to by tram but at certain opening times only, in the afternoons i think but the tourist office in the main sq in Brussels will be able to provide info.
the mannekin pis, the puppet theatres esp the 2 that also have pubs and where i was introduced to the lovely fruit beers and 'blonde' beer of Tripel Carmeliet and Leffe. in lovely big belgian beer glasses.
theres a recommended TinTin museum which i didnt go to see as im not a TinTinfan but its handy in the centre.
and the royal palace near the centre which if open is worth a visit.

if poss catch a train to Brugge as well. not far.

Brussels is an interesting town, there is the Grande Place which is quite impressive as well as various historic buildings, you could do the whole thing in a day easily. If you take the train to Brugge, you will find a delightful town, mostly pedestrianised and car fume free, with a photo opportunity on every corner. As your daughter is so young, it is quite safe for her in Brugge to toddle around, perhaps a bit more crowded in Brussels. I wrote both places up quite extensively with prices for restaurants on my pages.

Thanks angiebabe and Suet. I do know that Lonely planet guides, Rough Guides and DK guides are useful. But the problem is I have only 1 day to spend there and just wanted to know how can I spend half day. That was a mistake but i should have plans to stay longer.

Anyway I will visit Brugges and Grade Palace. I had been to Grande palace some time ago but that time, I traveled from Delft and returned after visiting Grande Palace. No idea where to go.
Thanks

Back in May 2002, I caught the red 'CitySightSeeing Brussels' Bus for E10. There are 20 points of interest along the way and you can hop on and off wherever you like. Number 1 Central Station/Departure. 2 Cathedral 3 Museum of Fine Arts 4 Grand Sablon 5 Petit Sablon 6 Palace of Justice 7 Royal Palace 8 European Union 9 - Jubelpark/Cinquantenaire - the Triumphal Arch area has a museum, AutoWorld and the Royal Army Museum 10 Schuman 11 Belgian Parliament 12 Congress Column 13 Botanical Gardens 14 Royal St Maria Church 15 Church of Laken 16 - Atomium grounds includes a model town, IMAX, and Exhibition Hall. Visiting the Atomium cost 6E and was fantastic -the stuff of Science Fiction built in 1958! 17 Japanese Tower 18 Castle of Laken 19 Nth Station 20 Opera House.

With a 2-year old in tow you won't want to see all this cultural stuff. Or rather she won't. Amsterdam is a long way from Brussels by train, so forget it.

Best things would be (a) the Atomium; (b) mini-Europe, which is next door to the Atomium. You can reach them on the metro at Heysel, last station but one at the NE end of line 1A. (c) Nearby is the National Basilica at Koekelberg which has a zillion steps but a good view at the top, if you want to tire her out completely. Or yourself, if you have to carry her!

(d) She'll enjoy seeing Mannekin Pis of course, centre of town.

If i were you i'd buy the Brussels card...it costs 20 euros per person for a day.with this card you have access to almost all the museums and all the public transport.check the link below

http://www.brusselsinternational.be/wabxlint/visitor/info/infos.jsp?cid=V.INF.PASS

I think you can do the musical instruments museum,mannekin pis & Musee de la ville de brussels which has a display of all the costumes worn by Mannekin Pis.the scientastic museum is pretty interesting too for kids but i dunno if a 2 yr old wud enjoy.....maybe u can bribe her with choc waffles at regular intervals:)

Brugge needs an entire day or atleast half a day.its a 1 hr train ride from Brussels.i dont think you can do brussels and brugge in a single day with a kid in tow

feel free to ask if u need more clarifications

Oops, what was I thinking of? Heysel is NW of the city, not NE. Somewhere near the Royal Greenhouses at Laeken. They're supposed to be worth a visit if you're into gardening. Only open end of April - beginning of May

Thank you all for your kind help.

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Done! Thank you all for your kind help.