One day in Brussels
Aug 15th, 2004 | 03:07 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,159
Likes: 0
To my knowledge Waterloo has not moved into Brussels but it would be a good trip out
You should see some of the fantastic Art Nouveau building around the edge of the old town and take in some of the beer houses, not necessarily for the beer, but for the whole atmosphere that surrounds them.
And don't restrict yourself to the Grand Place but have alook at everything in the Old Town and some of the shopping arcades and stuff. Good galleries abound. One that is probably unique is the cartoon gallery- I can't remember its Sunday name but it's for "bandes dessins". Myriam? Brenda?
You should see some of the fantastic Art Nouveau building around the edge of the old town and take in some of the beer houses, not necessarily for the beer, but for the whole atmosphere that surrounds them.
And don't restrict yourself to the Grand Place but have alook at everything in the Old Town and some of the shopping arcades and stuff. Good galleries abound. One that is probably unique is the cartoon gallery- I can't remember its Sunday name but it's for "bandes dessins". Myriam? Brenda?
Aug 19th, 2004 | 04:36 PM
#5
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,075
Likes: 0
I got so lost in Brussels! The streets signs point out in 5 directions and I found them to be inconsistent. Get a good and current street map! I never found it but was directed to Sablon - the next place over from Grote Markt, the Grand Place. Also, bring not just good walking shoes, but I recommend a gum-bottom or rubber, crepe-bottom shoe, as the street surface is rounded cobblestone with slate trim. Very slick if it rains, and very uneven in fair weather.
Aug 19th, 2004 | 11:08 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,641
Likes: 0
This is the toute we usually recommend to day trippers:
Here's a suggested short day trip itinerary:
If you are arriving via Thalys, TGV or Eurostar and need luggage storage while you explore Brussels, there are lockers and an attended storage area available. You will pass them on your right as you come down from the Thalys/TGV and just before you reach the main part of the terminal and the round information booth.
Follow the signs to the Metro station(the big M). Buy yourself either a day ticket or a ticket for 5 trips, depending on how much time you have for sightseeing (validate the ticket in the little orange boxes; each punch is good for one hour of travel on the metro, trams and buses; transfers are free). Take the metro, direction Simonis, three stops up to Louise. Do a little window shopping along the Ave. Louise up to the Place Stephanie, turn back and then walk up the Blvd. Waterloo toward the Hilton--this is the district with most (not all) of the top stores.
If you want to skip that, still take the metro to Louise. Get off and transfer to the 92, 93, or 94 trams (heading toward the big domed Palais de Justice). Get off two stops later at the Sablon (you could also walk if you choose; go down to the Palais de Justice and turn right, it's about 5-10 minutes depending on walking speed).
Stroll down through the Sablon--and take a minute or two in the pretty little park right at the Sablon. Stop at Au Vieux St. Martin for a beer, delicious coffee or tea with free mint leaves, and enjoy the people watching in this chic area full of art and antique galleries and designer shops.
When you come to the end of the main Sablon square, take the largest street to your right (you turn at a cafe with a big Leffe sign). This is rue l'Hopital. Follow that as it winds down past shops and cafes (best shops are on the lefthand side). It's about 10 minutes to walk from the Sablon to the Grand'Place. You can turn in (to the right) at any of the streets below Place St. Jean and follow the crowds to the Grand'Place. The GP area is full of cafes and restaurants and the GP branch of the Chez Leon is probably the best of the mussel restaurant's chain of restaurants (it's not directly on the Place, though).
Of the cafes on the Grand'Place itself, our favorite is Au Chaloupe d'Or (the golden boot). It was the Guild Hall for tailors in the 17th century; burned down in 1695 under attack from the forces of Louis XIV, then rebuilt in 1696. We think it has the most professional service of the GP cafes. If you go inside and up one story, you may be able to snag one of the tables with a great view of the Place. They have several types of Belgian beer on tap, and many other choices in bottles (as do most cafes on the Grand'Place).
On your way out of the Place, walk down the rue de l'Etuve to see Mannekin Pis. Don't be surprised if you're underwhelmed. Or walk to the other side of the GP area to explore the glass roofed galleries.
That should use up your time pretty well; to get back to the Midi Station, either take a cab (about $5-10) or walk up to the Gare Centrale/Centraal Station, take the #1 metro line, direction Stokkel OR Hermann/Debroux (it doesn't make any difference for your destination) and get off two stops later at Arts/Loi aka Kunst/Wet (remember most stations will have two names--one French, one Dutch/Flemish). Change to the number #2 line, direction Clemenceau; it's 6 stops to the Gare du Midi (in total about a 20 minute metro ride). You could also take the underground tram.
If you want to visit a museum, try either the art museum near the Sablon, the chocolate museum on the GP, or the museum of musical instruments in a stunning Art Nouveau building.
Have a good visit!
BTilke (Brussels)
Here's a suggested short day trip itinerary:
If you are arriving via Thalys, TGV or Eurostar and need luggage storage while you explore Brussels, there are lockers and an attended storage area available. You will pass them on your right as you come down from the Thalys/TGV and just before you reach the main part of the terminal and the round information booth.
Follow the signs to the Metro station(the big M). Buy yourself either a day ticket or a ticket for 5 trips, depending on how much time you have for sightseeing (validate the ticket in the little orange boxes; each punch is good for one hour of travel on the metro, trams and buses; transfers are free). Take the metro, direction Simonis, three stops up to Louise. Do a little window shopping along the Ave. Louise up to the Place Stephanie, turn back and then walk up the Blvd. Waterloo toward the Hilton--this is the district with most (not all) of the top stores.
If you want to skip that, still take the metro to Louise. Get off and transfer to the 92, 93, or 94 trams (heading toward the big domed Palais de Justice). Get off two stops later at the Sablon (you could also walk if you choose; go down to the Palais de Justice and turn right, it's about 5-10 minutes depending on walking speed).
Stroll down through the Sablon--and take a minute or two in the pretty little park right at the Sablon. Stop at Au Vieux St. Martin for a beer, delicious coffee or tea with free mint leaves, and enjoy the people watching in this chic area full of art and antique galleries and designer shops.
When you come to the end of the main Sablon square, take the largest street to your right (you turn at a cafe with a big Leffe sign). This is rue l'Hopital. Follow that as it winds down past shops and cafes (best shops are on the lefthand side). It's about 10 minutes to walk from the Sablon to the Grand'Place. You can turn in (to the right) at any of the streets below Place St. Jean and follow the crowds to the Grand'Place. The GP area is full of cafes and restaurants and the GP branch of the Chez Leon is probably the best of the mussel restaurant's chain of restaurants (it's not directly on the Place, though).
Of the cafes on the Grand'Place itself, our favorite is Au Chaloupe d'Or (the golden boot). It was the Guild Hall for tailors in the 17th century; burned down in 1695 under attack from the forces of Louis XIV, then rebuilt in 1696. We think it has the most professional service of the GP cafes. If you go inside and up one story, you may be able to snag one of the tables with a great view of the Place. They have several types of Belgian beer on tap, and many other choices in bottles (as do most cafes on the Grand'Place).
On your way out of the Place, walk down the rue de l'Etuve to see Mannekin Pis. Don't be surprised if you're underwhelmed. Or walk to the other side of the GP area to explore the glass roofed galleries.
That should use up your time pretty well; to get back to the Midi Station, either take a cab (about $5-10) or walk up to the Gare Centrale/Centraal Station, take the #1 metro line, direction Stokkel OR Hermann/Debroux (it doesn't make any difference for your destination) and get off two stops later at Arts/Loi aka Kunst/Wet (remember most stations will have two names--one French, one Dutch/Flemish). Change to the number #2 line, direction Clemenceau; it's 6 stops to the Gare du Midi (in total about a 20 minute metro ride). You could also take the underground tram.
If you want to visit a museum, try either the art museum near the Sablon, the chocolate museum on the GP, or the museum of musical instruments in a stunning Art Nouveau building.
Have a good visit!
BTilke (Brussels)
