Brussels Sights: Landmarks

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• Grand Place-Grote Markt, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Place. Surrounded by the city tower and a range of beautiful 300 year old buildings. In the evening, surrounded by bright lumination, it is simply ravishing. Some evenings a music and light show is provided with the buildings serving as a canvas. Have a "gaufre de Liège-Luikse wafel" here (Belgian waffle with caramelized sugar)—the best ones are available from the little shops off the northeast corner of the Grand Place-Grote Markt.

• Manneken Pis, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis. Just a short walk from the Grand Place-Grote Markt is the Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue thought to represent the "irreverent spirit" of Brussels. This statue of a child performing one of Nature's most basic functions is believed to have been inspired by a child who, while in a tree, found a special way to drive away invading troops. Belgians have created hundreds of outfits for this statue. One story goes that a father was missing his child and made a declaration to the city that when he found him he would build a statue of him, doing whatever it was that he was doing. Thus, a statue of a little boy peeing was created.

• Statue of Europe "Unity in Peace" ec.europa.eu/oib/commission_art_en.htm - This monumental work is dedicated to Europe and carries a universal message of brotherhood, tolerance and hope (French sculptor Bernard Romain).
  

  Statue of Europe

• Parc du Cinquantenaire-Jubelpark - Definitely check out the Arc de Triomphe-Triomfboog on the east side of town. It's in the Parc du Cinquantenaire-Jubelpark. It is possible to go up to the terrasse above the arch, from where you'll have a good view of the city. Entry is through the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History and is free. Take Metro line 1 east, exit Schuman and walk east or exit Mérode and walk west.

• Rue des Bouchers-Beenhouwersstraat - There are many excellent restaurants in this area, but be wary of those targeting just the tourists.

Atomium

• Atomium, (Take Metro line 1A direction Roi Baudouin-Koning Boudewijn and get off at Heysel-Heizel - approximately 5 mins easy walk from the station), ☎ +32 (0)475 4777, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomium. Open daily from 10:00 AM till 6:00 PM. Ticket Sale ends at 5.30 PM. Besides the Atomium there is a Ferris Wheel that takes you almost as high up as the Atomium but for a much shorter time. Costs €5 for adults. Built for the 1958 Brussels World Fair (Expo ’58), it is a 335 foot (102 meters) tall representation of an atomic unit cell. More precisely, it is symbolic of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Nine steel spheres 54 feet (18 meters) in diameter connect via tubes with elevators 105 feet (35 meters) long. Windows in the top sphere provide an awesome panoramic view of Brussels. Originally planned to last only six months, the Atomium is still today the most popular attraction in Brussels. It hosts a lackluster exposition inside. Children of less than 6 years, coach drivers, disabled persons: free, children as from 6 years till 11 years: 2 €, adults: 11 €, teachers showing their teacher card: 9 €, children as from 12 till 18 years, students showing their student card and seniors (as from 65 years: 8 €.

• Mini-Europe, ☎ +32 (0)2 478 0550, www.minieurope.be/en/index.html. Hosts a set of scale models of famous European structures. €12.90 Adults; €9.70 under 12.

Bourse-Beurs, Brussels

• The Bourse, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels_Stock_Exchange. Stock market building in Brussels. Locals like to sit on the steps, sometimes with fries.

• Ferry Trip - The ferry is a tiny, electrically operated pontoon that makes a 1-minute crossing to Robinson's Island in the lake at the heart of Bois de la Cambre.

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Place
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis
• ec.europa.eu/oib/commission_art_en.htm
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomium
• www.minieurope.be/en/index.html
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels_Stock_Exchange