Image by Wouter Spitters

One of my favorite ways to relax is seeing how others tire themselves. Especially when they do it in a spectacular way.

Take your drinks with you and climb the steps of the skate-ramp. There you can sit and relax on the bench, enjoying the sun while the youth is giving away a free stunt show, right at the place where the trains disappear a few meters below into the Brussels underground.

Looking for some action? Bring your own skateboard or bmx and be an acrobat yourself. The place is free and accessible to everyone.

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Skatepark | Relaxing | Free
Ursulinenplein | Center
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Renata Riva

I’m always surprised to discover that Brussels has hundreds of small parks, hidden behind buildings, or around the corner of a busy street. Even locals do not know them, as the entrance is often a small door, with an opening timetable posted on it.

The other day I saw a gate and a sign “Parc Public, entree libre 09:00 – 18:00″. As a Brussels Spotter I can’t miss out on this! And… what a surprise. Nobody around, and music coming from a workshop nearby.

Quietness, this is the feeling I got from this Park. You need to think? You need to relax after walking around and shopping in Matonge (see the Matonge article)? This is the place to go!

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Parc Viaduc | Relaxing | Free
Entrance from Rue du Viaduc 131B | Ixelles
09:00 – 18:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Renata Riva

It’s quiet, it’s small, it’s hidden in between place Jourdan, the Parliament and rue Belliard. It has a pond, a few nice buildings, a long history, a few paths to walk around it, benches to rest and nobody will complain if you lay down with your picnic basket (as long as you take your trash home!).

It was created as zoological garden back in 1851, and at that time even giraffes were living there. Now you can see rare trees and animals, students passing by (there’s a high school, a bit falling apart I’ve been told, but it still fascinates me) and the Solvay Library which is now a conference centre.

Up the hill you can play basketball, and in winter I’ve seen the pond completely frozen… poor swans living there!

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Parc Leopold | Relaxing
Rue Belliard 133 | Etterbeek/ Eur.Qt
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Renata Riva

All my friends know which is my favourite place in Brussels…the esplanade at the end of the Mont des Arts. In itself is nothing special, but when you arrive there at sunset and it’s a clear sky day, then you will immediately understand why I like it so much.

There’s a nice view of place d’Espagne and the town hall tower. But the colors are the ones striking me. Impossible to describe a sunset, so just take your chance and check out this place!

And if you like skiing, don’t miss the piste between 10th and 25th December and the après ski, of course! Unfortunately it’s a bit expensive (5euro for every 20min, 15euro for an hour +8euro for rental material)…but the location is worth it.

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Le Monts des Arts | Relaxing | Free
Mont Des Arts 24 | Center
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Wouter Spitters

In the middle of the Marolles on the border of Het Vossenplein you can find this cosy bar. Sit on the terrace, enjoy the sun &  try one of their great beers while you are watching the flea market activity.

On every Thursday evening from 20:00 to 00:00 Chaff is the epicenter of the Brussels board games world. Dozens of people gather together. The concept is simple: go sit at a table and you wait for one of the sympathetic organising dudes to pass by, you pay 3 euro and in return you can a name tag and you can choose from dozens of often less known but fun games. The organizers can help you choose the games depending on your preferences, well known or less known, with a lot of strategy or based on a lot of luck, speed or concentration and group size.

If you’re looking for game companions or when you think it’s fun to meet new people the tables might get mixed and you end your evening playing with complete strangers. Too lazy to read the game rules (or game rules in another language)? No need to worry, you get an almost professional live explanation of everything you need to know. 

Oh yeah, before I forget to tell you, they have great food too ;)

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Chaff | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Restaurants | Boardgame evening € 3
Vossenplein 21 | Center | +3225025848
08:30 – 00:00 daily (closed Mon evening & Sun lunchtime)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

Have you ever dreamed of a place where you can touch everything?

As a kid, when your parents brought you to the museum, did you feel frustrated because they were constantly asking you to not touch anything?

Well, good news: you’re not the only one…

Fortunately enough “our” kids can make this dream come true; this Museum is made for them and they’re allowed (and warmly invited) to touch everything they want and to experiment with everything.

The Musée des Enfants (Kindermuseum) is located in a nice park, it’s a good destination for a sunny/rainy day (you know, it’s so sunny, and as soon as you arrive at the park it’s raining, then you decide to change the plans, and: wow! sunny again).

At the entrance of the Museum, some of the kids were so enthusiastic about it! One told me that he’s constantly harassing his mum to come here (the expression on the mum’s face present at the moment confirmed this), other ones told me that there’s no place on earth, except ‘maybe the beach’ where they can have such a good time.

But, I have to say that all were around 7 to 10 years old. My niece is only 3 years old and yes, she liked it, but I cannot say that she was that enthusiastic.

So I will suggest this place for kids who can already read so they’ll learn a lot (and especially boys).

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Musée des Enfants | Art & culture, Relaxing | Entrance & workshop € 7.50
15, rue du Bourgmestre | Ixelles | +3226400107
Please check the website

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

It took me long time to decide whether I’ll write about this place or not…

Yes, being a Spotter means giving all little secrets… but there’s some secrets you want to keep for yourself….

Anyway, as you see: here I am with this article…

How come? When I proposed to my friends (even the ones that do have a car) to visit this park, they are usually not very enthusiastic to drive or take a bus over there. It has become clear to me that only the highly motivated amongst you (I can even say that they’re the chosen ones) will take the time to spend few hours in this park, so it won’t become overcrowded soon!

What is this place about? It’s one of the farms that we still have in Brussels. And this one is one of the two located in Uccle.

You’ll have a sit in the orchard, walk till the Source, enjoy the prairie… The most important thing to know is the feeling… easyness, happyness, ….

And it’s open all year round, non stop….

So…. Enjoy!

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Parc Fond’Roy | Relaxing | Free
Rue Jacques Pastur (in front of nr 88-90) | The South
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

The park is situated at the South entrance of the City, in the border of Soignies Forest.

While I was working in the area, this place used to be the spot to have some time off away from all the stress at the office.

The biodiversity of all species of the region is well highlighted, insects, plants, birds… and make it a nice spot to go with children, too! The park is situated next to the Silex Domein, a private property you can freely access on Saturday (09:00 – 18;00)

It’s one of those place I like to go for some meditation, knowing that it’s big and not crowded at all.

When I’m there I forgot about time, weather, life issues…. a nice interlude in the city life…

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Park Tournay-Solvay | Relaxing | Free
201, chaussée de la Hulpe | The South
08:30 – 17:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

Years ago as a kid, I had to accompany my parents to their notary. I remember how impressed I was by the house where he had his offices: old, big, many, many books, and the feeling that in this kind of venue, time doesn’t run as quick as outside.

From the window, I could see a wonderful garden. Being a kid my dream was to have the chance to run out there… but for some reason, I couldn’t. All seem so serious, that I didn’t dare to ask.

I was imagining the notary and his wife and kids living in this beautiful house, with such a nice garden…

Very few years later (in 1988), the garden became a public park…. I felt happy as I could access it easily… and, in my secret dreams, I like to think that the decision of the owner was taken after seeing me desperate in the corridors of his study…

Anyway, today, me, you, and anyone can take advantage of one of this ancient private garden.

This Park is just so romantic… quiet, beautiful, and I can just advice you to visit it. If you’re a couple it would be even better…

Oh… and the (new) notary? Well, I used to go to visit him for my own business, and …he moved to another place…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Jean-Felix Hap Park | Relaxing | Free
508, Chaussée de Wavre | Etterbeek/ Eur.Qt
09:00 – 12:00 & 14:00 – 18:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by L'Agence photographique

Everybody loves l’Amour fou. During years, long time before Brussels was even hype, it was one of the place to be. Then, year after year, it lost its charm… and one day : closed. We were all sad, but realized that no one we know were even still going there. End of the story.

Then, few months ago, L’Amour fou reopened. We had a party during a long week-end and more than thousand people showed up. It seems to everyone that l’Amour fou still had a place in our heart.

The new team running the place did a good job : it’s still has this brasserie style we love, in more hype. During the day: you can have a nice afternoon, you can plug your computer and benefit from free wifi. Evenings are more crowded : people coming for dinner, or just for a drink, for a concert, spend some good time with friends.

What a like the most is the spirit of the new owners : they know they have to handle with an institution and everyone has a word to say about the food, the drinks, …. Those guys are just willing to listen to it and to make the necessaries changes in order to please everyone. It’s hard to deal with a place everyone is crazy in love with, but they do it great!

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L’Amour Fou | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Relaxing
185, chaussée d’Ixelles | Ixelles | +3223257353
Tue – Thu & Sun 11:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels