Facing the Egmont Palace, on Rue aux Laines, Egmont Park is home to several sculptures. Of all the statues within, the statues of Peter Pan and that of Price Charles-Joseph de Ligne are much adored. A slice of peace and quiet amid the bustle of the city, the park makes for a nice walk or a short picnic, no matter how old or young you are. Parc d'Egmont also incorporates interesting attractions that seem like they're right out of a fairy tale like an old Gothic well and an Orangerie, to name a few.
BELvue Museum is in the House of Bellevue, which used to be an 18th-century hotel for wealthy travelers. Situated next to the Royal Palace, this grand building displays a rich collection of memorabilia collected from the Belgian Royal Dynasty. Located throughout two floors, its rooms are still in the original styles of Louis XV, Empire and Napoléon III, with furniture dating from the 18th century. Recently the courtyard was transformed into a delightful winter garden. Audio-visual tours can be organized for groups.
Located in Central Brussels, the L'Espace Culturel ING Belgique (ING Cultural Center) presents a wide variety of exhibitions of art, history, and archaeology. Visit their website for details on the current show.
Leopold Park covers a large, landscaped space on Belliardstraat. With a history that dates back to 1880, the urban park still includes hints of this long, ancient history. Over the years, it has played many roles, starting out as a zoological park, then as a part of the campus for Solvay School of Commerce, and now as a popular public park. Home to a beautiful pond that's sustained by the nearby Maelbeek lake, Leopold Park, or Leopoldspark (Dutch), offers gorgeous views and a cool, shaded place where you can relax and soak up the sun with your family.
A small mountain in Brussels, Coudenberg is the location of the palace of Coudenberg that was occupied by the Counts and Emperors of the region. The history of the castle can be traced back to as early as 11th Century, only to be destructed in the 18th Century. Today, only its earthwork can be seen on the hill. The Coudenberg hill provided the occupants of the castle with a bird’s-eye view of the city and was also strategically important for protection against enemy attacks. Today, one can tour the area and learn more about the lives of the people of that era.
Petit Sablon Square, also called Place du Petit Sablon, is a beautiful square and garden that was built in the late 1800s. The square is surrounded by 48 statues symbolizing medieval guilds, giving you an insight into how people used to live. This lovely landscaped garden also features a fountain with the figures of the Count of Egmont and Count of Horn.