We've got 3 1/2 days in Belgium We'll most likely be based in Brussels.

We'd like to go on day trips to Lueven (mostly to visit the library), Antwerp and Ghent.

How should we best group them and manage May 1st?

Thanks.

look at each museum for their advice on Workers Day, simple to do with google

In Antwerp museums are closed on May 1st (Labour Day). I'm afraid this will also apply to Gent and Brussels.
Most likely there will be the usual annual parades of the Socialist party in the cities.
Walking through the city and its different neighbourhoods is free and you could still enjoy the beautiful architecture. In Antwerp, for instance,
the historic centre, https://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/dis...istoric-centre
Zurenborg with its art nouveau houses, https://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/walks/zurenborg
het Eilandje, https://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/districts/eilandje
het Zuid, https://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/districts/het-zuid-en
etc.

It's kind of tempting to switch things around and be in Brussels May 1 as we could be in Brussels part of 2 days. But then we would have to leave Brussels around noon time the day we arrive or on our last day after we've checked out of our hotel. We'll leave our luggage at the hotel and go to the airport Sheraton some time in the evening. Maybe around 9PM or so.

Yes double check on the opening times and if the places you want to see are even open.

If you were in Brussels, work out your map for the city walk for May 1 - if you are doing the Art Nouveau walk you can't go into most of the properties anyway (with the exception of the Horta house and Old England, which is the Musical Instruments Museum nowadays). I think that could be a useful use of time on a public holiday, or see if you can't do the same for Antwerp on that day.

Lavandula

Antwerp & Leuven have libraries that are of interest. So I'd lie to use May 1st elsewhere.
I was thinking of being in Brssels a good part of the arrival and last day. But neither of those is May 1st.
I may try to switch a few things so May 1st is a day in Brussels

I'm not sure the Uni libraries are open on May 1st. Please check!
Antwerp also has a beautiful beguinage in case you want to see something different. https://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/sig...aces/beguinage

We won't go there on May 1st

The plan so far.

Day 1 - Wed
We arrive around 9AM on a Wednesday. Depending on how much sleep we get on the plane we'll either go to Ghent or stay in Brussels.

Day 2 - Thur
Antwerp

Day 3 - Fri (May 1)
Leuven - the main attraction for us is the reading room of the university library. While there will be no services and very few students on that holiday day, the reading room will be open and can be visited. Once there we'll walk around for an hour or two.
Brussels upon returning from Leuven

Day 4 - Sat
Ghent if we didn't go on Day 1
Brussels if we went to Ghent on Day 1
Leave around 5:30 for a 9PM flight

While we go to museums we don't that often. Being some place is to get the feel of the place, wander around, stop in at a few tourist stores, enjoy thee scenery, etc. Another attraction is to stip in a see some of the grand old libraries. My wife is a retired librarian and whenever we can we do it.

Antwerp and Leuven appear to have such libraries. I contacted the library at the university in Leuven. While there are no services provided in the library on May 1st the reading room is open that day and we can visit.

We arrive April 29th and leave in the evening May 1st.

We're trying to decide which should be on April 29th and which on May 1st (Antwerp will be on April 30). Ghent one day and Brussels and Leuven the other day. I realize Brussels won't get its due.

Thanks.

If nothing else make sure you get in a good gastronomic experience in Brussels. I think Belgium is about good food and drink
(preferably a beer) and if you have had that then I think you will get some of what you came for.

Lavandula