Ixelles – Local tips (relaxing)

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).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Musée des Enfants | Art & culture, Relaxing | Entrance & workshop € 6.85
15, rue du Bourgmestre | Ixelles | +3226400107
Please check the website

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 see a gate and a sign “Parc Public, entree libre 9:00 – 18:00″. As a Brussels Spotter I can’t miss out on this! And… a surprise. Nobody around, 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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Parc Viaduc | Relaxing | Free
Entrance from Rue du Viaduc 131B | Ixelles
09:00 – 18:30 daily

Whatever the spot I’m going too: there’s one I don’t miss, any day of the year, no matter if it rains or if it’s sunny: Place Flagey itself!

After many years of construction work and after many discussions and contests on what to do with the place, it is now open to the public again, and the public use it extensively.

Around the place you have many bars, snacks, restaurants, theatres and parks, but the place itself worth the visit: you can have a seat it the huge public benches, waiting for your friends (or pretending to) and watching the life around you: kids playing football, rollersakte, or with the fountain, adults drinking beers, playing music, chatting ; artists giving a free show to the lucky ones present.

The place is huge (the biggest one in Brussels) and there’s always something to do or see in it, official, commercial or … popular.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Place Flagey | Relaxing | Free
Place Flagey | Ixelles
24 hours daily

The best way to start your visit in Brussels is by going to Place Poelaert. This place gives a magnificent overview of Brussels. It is especially nice to visit during sunrise or sunset.

You can see all of Brussels buildings in a wonderful panorama. There are binoculars to view the buildings in detail and there is a lift that takes you to the Marolles. You can also walk down following the parking space of the adjacent Palais de Justice.

You can sit on the stone fence to admire the view. On your right there is a beautiful art deco building functioning as a high school and on the left there is the Palais de Justice. Right in front of Place Poelaert is Avenue Louise, following this avenue completely to the end, or taking a tram, will bring you to Bois de la Cambre, a large ‘park’ with a lake (see the Bois de la Cambre article).

The whole area is worthwhile to walk around in and to discover at your own pace and interests.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Place Poelaert | Art & culture, Relaxing
Place Poelaert | Ixelles
Daily