Day Trips
There are also a number of towns and sites near Brussels that are perfect for day trips when you want to be entertained and you’ve already paid a visit to the Brussels Bruparck The Brussels Bruparck has a variety of surprising attractions near the Atomium. Some of the highlights are the subtropical water paradise «Oceade» and «Mini-Europe», where you can visit Europe along 300 faithful scale models of European monuments. Are also part of Bruparck, the cinema «Kinepolis» and «The Village», a mini-village with bars and restaurants, karaoke-bar, cyber-café, Venetian merry-go-round and a free play-ground.
Tervuren
In Tervuren (about 10 mi/15 km east) the wonderful Musee Royale de l’Afrique Centrale has a fabulous collection of art from countries in central Africa that were colonized by Belgium.
In addition, visit their friendly tourism office in the center, pick up
a walking tour guide (2 euros) and, well, walk. You can choose if you prefer
mostly city, mostly nature, or a mix of both. I suggest choose base on
the time you have available for the walks.
Waterloo
Waterloo where Napoleon met his defeat in 1815 is also very close to
Brussels—just
10 mi/16 km south. Waterloo sights include the Panorama of the Battle and
the Lion Memorial (150 ft/45 m high this British symbol commemorates
the Allied
victory). While there also see the Wax Museum the Wellington Museum and other
monuments.
Heizel
On the Heizel plateau, in the district of Laken, stands the Atomium, representing an iron crystal molecule magnified 165 billion times. This unique construction dating from 1958 dominates the Exhibition Centre, where the huge annual exhibitions are organised, and the King Baudouin Stadium, where large sporting events are held. The Bruparck leisure complex consists of a subtropical swimming pool (Océade), cinemas (Kinepolis) and the Mini-Europa model village.
The Royal Palace, where the sovereign actually lives, is also situated in Laken, in 160 hectares of grounds. The more..
Other excursions
Other excursions include: Beersel a suburb 7 mi/11 km southwest of Brussels
(a very nice castle drawbridge and moat); Knokke-Heist and its beach resorts
casinos
and golf courses about 65 mi/105 km northwest; Mechelen an ecclesiastical center
15 mi/25 km north known for its tapestries a school for carillonneurs a museum
with a carillon exhibit and wonderful churches; Nivelles 20 mi/30 km south
and its 11th-century church St. Gertrude and its crypts dating to the 7th
century;
and Spontin 55 mi/85 km southeast with a magnificent medieval castle. 25 mi/40
km south of Antwerp.