Have you been to Brussels/Belgium?

[ejpint]

We've spontaneously added 3 nights there to our trip this October because it's an easy trip to and from London and Paris.

Any recs for hotels, places we must see, other places in Belgium that are an easy day trip from Brussels?

I've been to Bruges and the Brussels airport, and that is the extent of my experience.

Is there someplace else you would recommend going instead? Here's the deal - we fly into London, have three nights to fill, then have four nights booked in Paris, and four more nights booked back in London before we fly home again. We want to spend those three free nights someplace easy to get to via Eurostar from London, and then easy to get from there to Paris.

[mskitkat]

I have! The grand place is really gorgeous, especially at night.The city itself has some fun architecture. I just wandered around looking at pretty buildings such as the music museum. There is also the atomium and the statue of the peeing boy.

Alternatively, Amsterdam is really close.

[runblondie26]

Back in February, we did a quick trip there combined with Amsterdam. We just winged it. I really liked Belgium, so we'll be going back for a longer weeked in October to explore more. We're planning a day/overnight in Bruge, then a couple days in Brussels so I can run the Brussels Half Marathon.

Here are some of my blog recaps if you're interested:
www.atlantarunningmom.com/2012/03/beer-in-bruges-chocolate-trussels-in.html?m=0
www.atlantarunningmom.com/2012/03/quick-eurotrip.html?m=0

[geneg]

It's WONDERFUL! Go see the Butte de Lion at Waterloo. Just about any museum in Brussels is worthwhile. We were in the area for 10 days and wish that we had spent more time in Luxembourg, so you could consider a quick trip there as well. We stayed at B&Bs the whole time, so no hotel recs.

Oh, and only go to see the Giant Molecule if you want to snicker about it for the next few days. I couldn't believe the line of people who were waiting to go in.

[meggers5]

I thought Brussels was lovely, but a bit dull. I would second the suggestion of Amsterdam. There is a lot to see and do there.

[Deleted]

Another rec to stop by Amsterdam! It's beautiful that time of year.

[heyrebekah]

I'm going in April!

My MIL just went & brought back the best chocolate ever. Seriously, she had a whole suitcase full. Love.