Brussels: Off the Tourist Path

Brussels, located in the heart of Belgium, is less well-known than nearby Paris, Berlin or Amsterdam, but Belgium's capital offers a fascinating mixture of history, art, culture and cuisine. The city of 1.8 million residents is just two and a half hours from Paris and 90 minutes from Amsterdam by train. Yes, the Grand Place is a must-see, but Brussels also offers a myriad of lesser-known sights.

Cantillon Brewery - Belgium is known for its beer and the Cantillon Brewery has been crafting brews for more than 100 years. Visitors can tour the copper boilers and original barrels and learn how Belgian beer is made. The facility, located near the Midi Zuid metro station, is open Monday through Saturday. The modest admission fee includes a glass of beer.

Musical Instrument Museum - One of the most unique museums in Brussels is the Musical Instrument Museum, located in the heart of the city. The intriguing, half-neoclassical, half-art nouveau building houses more than 1500 instruments, including a collection of recorders, an instrument that was made popular by Belgian craftsmen in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Musical Instrument Museum is open Tuesday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission (2011 prices) is 5 Euros for adults, 4 Euros for seniors and students and free for children under 12 years of age.

Royal Museum of the Army and Military History - This sprawling museum contains a comprehensive collection of uniforms, weapons, airplanes and vehicles from countries around the world and from a variety of time periods. The museum's aircraft collection, which dates back to the early dates of aviation, is one of the largest in the world. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 pm. to 4:45 p.m. Admission is free.

Atomium - Located northwest of the city center, the Atomium was built in 1958 for that year's World's Fair, Expo '58. The unique structure is a replica of the iron crystal atom, with nine steel spheres connected with steel tubes. Visitors can enter several of the spheres, including the top sphere, which offers a sweeping view of Brussels. The Atomium is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission (2011 prices) is 11 Euros for adults, 8 Euros for seniors and students, 6 Euros for those ages 6-11 and free for children under 6 years of age.

Christmas Market - If you happen to time your trip to Brussels just right (and the first week of December is a delightfully affordable and uncrowded time to visit Europe), don't miss the annual Christmas Market, which sets up in the Place Sainte Catherine between late November and New Year's Day. There's an ice skating rink, a giant Ferris wheel, holiday lights, live music and a plethora of gift ideas, from carved, wooden nativity scenes to woven scarves to gourmet delights. The market is open daily.


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A Beguiling Weekend in Belgium
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