All we are planning a trip next September to mainly see art and architecture. We have never been to Brussels or Amsterdam so definitely want to hit those. We have been to Paris but love it and want to go back. Do you think 3 nights in each city would work based upon travel time between each. We are flying into Brussels and probably out of Paris using free tickets. Couldn't get any flights into Ams.

Ghent is a far more interesting city than Brussels for architecture, although Brussels had an excellent fine arts museum and many outstanding architectural buildings, including the Horta museum. It's just otherwise a not very attractive town. I would try to spend at least one day in Ghent.

Forgive me for not deferring to Nessundorma's in suggesting that one basically write off the architecture of Brussels.
Tonight, as we walked down Avenue LePoutre, we remarked on the Belle Epoque beauty of the houses and apartment buildings surrounding us. Yesterday, as I strolled along the rue Abbaye, I had to stop and admire the four exceptional Art Nouveau houses found on one block alone (esp. number 46). Earlier this week, as I shopped in the Prince d'Orange section of Uccle, I took in the strikingly modern apartment buildings (ditto for the new apartment complex set back in the greenery by Merode). Tomorrow, we plan to enjoy the beauty of the 17th century Sablon area, wonderfully lit up for the holidays. And the other day, I had to photograph the surpring 18th/19th century German influenced building housing the King Baudouin Foundation, on 21 rue Brererode near the Porte de Namur.
Last month, we had a lot of fun exploring the renovated Atomium, which combines 1950s kitsch and 21st century technology, and look forward to dining in the restaurant scheduled to open there next year.

What did Nessundorma *actually* say? Did she suggest "one basically write off the architecture of Brussels."

Nooooooo. What Nessundorma wrote is (for those who can't read):

"Brussels had an excellent fine arts museum and many outstanding architectural buildings, including the Horta museum."

What I suggested for an architectgure lover is spending at least one day in Ghent.

I also would point out, contrary to the portrait of non-stop visual delights BTilke paints, Brussels has more bad planning and architectural disaster than is commonly enoucountered in European capitals, so much it is the topic of constant discussion and handwringing, including in most guidebooks.

I stick with my advice.

My daughter just got back from a similar trip, 3 nights in Amsterdam, 3 in Brussels then 3 in Paris, but she returned to Brussels and spent an additional 3 nights...she loves , really loves! Brussels
Since you ask about these 3 cities , I think your plan is good.
I also think I would always listen to BTilke.

Where else in Belgium did your daughter go?

My daughter ? Well, she goes every year, so this year I think it was just Brussels. Last year she rented an apt in Ghent for part of the time she was there, then stayed at her favorite hotel in Brussels.
The year before that, she stayed at the hotel but rented a car and toured castles etc.
Before that, I am afraid my memory fails me ~

Actually, Nessundorma, you've repeatedly said that Brussels is, as you claim above, "not a very attractive town" or similar, despite your visit being quite brief and by your own accounts frustrating as you had so much trouble with the mass transit system. You seem to be on some kind of anti-Brussels crusade. ITOH, I happen to promote Brussels because I have lived here for years and have learned that there is much more to the city than the casual tourist suspects and I'd like to help Fodorites discover the best about Europe's capital. I'm sorry if that is a big problem for you.
It is much more than just one outstanding building here and another there, a decent art museum, the Horta House and the rest being boring and ugly. It has entire neighborhoods that are very attractive with a wide mix of architecture styles. For example, over in the Woluwe area, you have an Art Deco palace (not many of those around, I suspect) located near some large Knokke-inspired thatched-roof manor homes, Belle Epoque apartment buildings, Art Nouveau townhouses, 18th century post inns (still used as restaurants), and some striking modern architecture.
Of course it has plenty of bad architecture, I have posted about that myself several times, but the city is making efforts to improve and the evidence is there if one is willing to look.
You know, I had a similar experience in Hamburg that you seemed to have in Brussels. We were there only briefly, weren't that impressed, and left. I did post about my experiences there, but after that, let it go as I realized our "encounter" with Hamburg was too superficial and too influenced by a couple of negatives to be able to give a true perspective of the place. So generally, I don't post about Hamburg, leaving that to others who know the city much better than I. I didn't keep harping on that XXX city in Germany is SO much nicer than Hamburg or SO much more interesting etc.
Not that I'm suggesting that you quit posting about Brussels, but perhaps you should realize that there is a lot about the city you apparently missed, especially as regarding its architecture.
By the way, if anyone with an interest in architecture, esp. residential architecture, happens to be visiting Brussels in late Feb or early March, the Batibouw home show is definitely worth checking out. It's the largest home show in Europe and is much more than hot tubs and replacement windows. They build entire houses in the convention center; they have one whole hall dedicated to kitchens, another to bathrooms, another to fireplaces, and so on. www.batibouw.be They do NOT have anything at all like it elsewhere in Belgium, or Europe for that matter.

Nessundorma, if you ever come back to Brussels, I would be more than happy to suggest an itinerary that might improve your impression of the city.

Always interesting to see how a spirited Cat-fight will play out.

Thank you, Degas, that was most helpful.
It simply happens to be that I believe many tourists to Brussels can't really "get their head" around the city because it is pretty sprawling and has many distinct neighborhoods. It is kind of easy to miss the lesser known pleasures (the GP and the Sablon are pretty obvious, though). And I've read most of the anglophone Brussels guidebooks, a lot of them miss the nicer but not so obvious parts too. However, there are some excellent, less widely known guidebooks to the city and while I'm at a bookstore today, I'll make note of those.

degas, come here and let me smack you upside the head!

I agree with BTilke .. and I also believe that if a person asks about a particular city, there is no real point in suggesting another city just because "you" have a negative opinion on the city in question. The OP asked about the amount of time to devote to each city, not if she should visit these cities.

BTilke, don't take my comment the wrong way. I've enjoyed the back and forth and all the great info you have provided. Heck, you keep those vivid comments up and I might swing by Brussels next year.

Scarlett, swing away - rise a big old welt on the left side to match the one my LW gave me this morning!

BTilke,

Looking forward to your suggestions for a good guide book for Brussels. Currently have the LP "Best of Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent" and the Blue Guide "Begium".