Exploring Brussels: A 3-Day Itinerary for Families with Kids

Begin your time in Brussels with a city walking tour. I always suggest starting with a walking tour in bigger cities. It helps you get to know the city better and find places to go back to later. Your tour will cover major sites, including the Grand Place (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Royal Palace. You’ll also get to see the famous Manneken Pis statue and some of the city's famous comic art murals. I can recommend an excellent guide that engages everyone, from kids to seniors, so you don’t need to worry about your kids getting bored. If history doesn’t capture their attention, then the treats will! Good walking tours always include sampling local food. Chocolates or waffles, anyone?

Use the rest of the afternoon to revisit points of interest from the tour where you wish to spend more time. Your kids want to get a peek of the guards at the Royal Palace, or maybe you need to go back for seconds at the waffle shop.

Enjoy dinner tonight at Nüetnigenough, a traditional Brussels brasserie with a great beer selection. Note for families with younger kids: This is my one “fancier” restaurant in this guide because sometimes you have to cater to the adults! It's still casual and has things on the menu that most kids will like. But remember that it's a smaller restaurant and is best for when your kids are happy. Don’t show up starving two hours past bedtime, if you know what I mean!

Spend your morning at the Museum of Musical Instruments, housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building. This museum features musical instruments from around the world and is fantastic for kids. The audio guide allows you to listen to music samples of nearly every instrument on display. Our kids loved hearing the different types of instruments and choosing their favorites.

In the afternoon, find a park to enjoy some outdoor time! If you're coming from the Museum of Musical Instruments, the nearby Parc de Bruxelles has a playground and lots of space to run around. The Jardin du Mont des Arts is another excellent option for a quick break and a snack. The gardens are beautiful, with lovely views looking toward the Grand Place.

In the evening, have dinner at Frites Atelier, a fast-casual restaurant serving up loaded Belgian fries that the entire family will love.

This morning, visit another museum based on your family's interests. Here are a couple of great options:

• Coudenberg: Accessed through the Musée BELvue, Coudenberg is an underground archaeological site of the former royal palace, destroyed by fire in 1731. It offers several kid-focused activities, including a treasure hunt.

• Kasteel van Gaasbeek: This castle is great for little knights and princesses. It has fun, kid-friendly activities inside the castle and on the large grounds. Kasteel van Gaasbeek is located about 14 km southwest of Brussels.

In the afternoon, visit Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert for shopping and, more importantly, chocolate tasting. These impressive glass-roofed arcades are home to some of the finest chocolatiers in Brussels. Chocolatiers sell chocolates by weight, so you can buy as few or as many as you like. Stop in several chocolate shops and let your kids pick out one piece from each to sample and compare. (My girls always chose the heart-shaped ones, no matter the flavor.) These are two must-visit shops:

• Neuhaus: The Neuhaus family is credited with inventing the Belgian praline. This is the original Neuhaus location, operating since 1857.

• Mary: Founded in 1919 by Mary Dellue, Mary rose to success at a time when female chocolatiers were rare. The chocolates are both delicious and beautiful.

Enjoy dinner at one of the many lively spots in the Sainte-Catherine neighborhood. There are plenty of casual options, ranging from traditional Belgian to Japanese and Indian. NONA is a good choice with a large outdoor seating area and pizza that’s sure to satisfy the whole family.

Round out your time in Brussels with a ride on The View Ferris Wheel at Place Poelaert. It may sound touristy, but younger kids love it, and you’ll enjoy spotting the various places you visited during your stay from up high.