things to do/avoid in brussels?

Voyager2002

Beware of expensive milk! Apparently it can cost more than wine there.

BernadetteN

I sent a huge long reply to this which MSE swallowed up.
Look at the transport website STIB and decide whether you need a 10 journey ticket, 1 day ticket or 3 day ticket. Kids are free if under 12, although officially you should have applied for a special pass for this. We're still waiting for our passes for our kids (bureacracy is very slow here) but so far no ticket inspectors have asked us for these passes. You can claim ignorance of the need for a pass in the unlikely position of having your tickets checked (ours have been checked only once in 2 months).
http://www.stib.be/tickets.html?l=en

I second Le Cerio and Mort Subite. Try also Chez Moeder Lambic in St Gilles.

Look up the free films in the Parc de Cinquantenaire every Wed/Thurs nights.

Recommended museums are the Army Museum and the Musical Instruments Museum. For kids, the children's museum in Ixelles is brill but closed I think in August.

Best parks for kids near the centre are Parc Bruxelles and Parc du Cinquantenaire. You can also go to the Bois de la Cambre and rent bikes from there.

Definitely go to Mini Europe if you have kids. You've just missed the special night time openings.

You've just missed the Tapis des fleurs in the Grand Place too which was free to look at and is only 3 days each year.

Consider breakfast at the Atomium restaurant rather than the €9 adult entrance fee but you can't take photos officially from the restaurant - I think you need to book this in advance.

Edinburghlass_2

Things to do...

buy chocolate

skylight

steveo3002 wrote: »

does anyone know if the local tourist hop on/off buses go to the atomium ?

Yes it does - thats how we got there!

steveo3002

okay well im back...a few comments for anyone searching in the future

station -marriot , its a easy walk but ask for direction i got lost lol

crime .. brussels has its fair share of tramps,homless, beggars etc , id advise anyone to take the usual precautions to try avoid being pickpocketed , lots of women with children begging and i expect while the kids distract you someone else goes for your money

atm's , they didnt seem as common as here in the uk we had to hunt around a bit to find one and be aware theyre often inside the bank only so you might be caught out on weekends/eves

overall though had a good time , the marriot is a nice hotel and located right where you need to be , near the square , food places, supermarket and the bus stop for tours

TimothyEBaldwin

Avoid: The European Parliament "Tour", it only visits 2 rooms; and most of the commentary is recorded.

The national railway museum is mostly stuffed with models, though does feature some smaller pieces of railway equipment, and one short train.

lawrenson

Hi,

we went on Eurostar, and stayed at the Marriott, in June for my parents 50th wedding anniversary.

They got a free upgrade to a room overlooking the Bourse - I would STRONGLY recommend you ask about that, as the view was well worth paying for!

In an Executive room (or suite), breakfast, snacks, soft drinks, and some alcohol are free. The mini-bar in the room is also free.

Buying chocolate at just gone midnight Friday night was interesting Lots of chocolate shops still open then!

If I'm brutally honest, I didn't think brussels was a particularly interesting city, but it was the first time my parents had been outside the UK for 40 years, so was a good introduction to "foreign parts" for them!

Cheers,
Karen

steveo3002

another thing..belgians all seem to smoke constantly , so if you are anti smoking dont expect to have a nice drink out in the sun without chocking on smoke

not sure what the indoors policy is but many places seemed to have smokers indoors too

BernadetteN

steveo3002 wrote: »

another thing..belgians all seem to smoke constantly , so if you are anti smoking dont expect to have a nice drink out in the sun without chocking on smoke

not sure what the indoors policy is but many places seemed to have smokers indoors too

Smoking is finally banned indoors in Belgium in restaurants and pubs.

steveo3002

really? didnt look like it to us

is spitting in the street a local trend there too?