We had previously spent a few days wandering the streets of Brussels during our European adventures in 2024, but we both enjoyed Brussels so much that we wanted to come back. With that in mind I kept checking the Eurostar prices from London to Brussels and booked tickets when I saw them drop for a weekend getaway. The train from London to Brussels takes about two hours through the Chunnel. Overall the train to Brussels is quite easy, and I recommend it even with the hour delay we experienced crossing into Europe due to a train breaking down on the tracks.

The train conductors were excellent letting everyone know of our late arrival, but also where to submit for a partial refund due to the delay. This is always surprising for me to be reminded of, since in Europe you are entitled to a refund when trains are delayed with increasing percentages for longer times. Meanwhile in the United States if you requested a refund from Amtrak due to an unintended delay even if it was not Amtraks fault they would scoff or laugh directly in your face while also hanging up the phone or yelling next customer.

Also another thing to note on the return from Brussels to London, the waiting area after security and customs is currently under construction. The only option for food and drink is the duty free shop which is limited. So if you are planning on trying to get one last Belgian beer on tap prior to returning to the land of cask ales without carbonation or fizz as the British term it, you will be fully disappointed. Just ask how I came to learn this little fact, and if I am still bitter (100% my own fault).

The answer is yes, I am bitter, gosh darn anxiety at having to always be early. Right outside security is a pub pouring Tripel Karmeliet on tap which is my favorite Tripel beer but alas I ventured on thinking I would have another chance…. I did not.

This is compared to the Paris train station where you are waiting to return to London, there are multiple food and drink stalls past security and customs. Once construction is complete, I am not sure if the plan is to add additional food and beverage to Brussels.

Ok now onto items people actually care about – Museums, chocolate, and beer!

We have visited two museums – Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History. Both you could easily spend a half a day to full day exploring all the different exhibits.

The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences is €11 entry and is easily accessible by public transportation. We spent the majority of our time exploring the different dinosaur exhibits – iguanodons especially were impressive as the finest collection in the world! Iguanodons spent the majority of their time on all fours grazing on plants being a herbivore, but could stand up on the hind legs for short distances. The ones displayed are all on their hind legs which was the original estimated stance, but was later proved wrong.

The thirty iguanodon skeletons were displayed in a case you could walk around and through. I highly recommend spending the time looking at all the different specimens and poses.

Meet Stan – the impressive male Tyrannosaurus rex standing at 12.2 meters long and 3.7 m high. His bite is made up of 60 eight-inch long teeth that could have easily crushed a car, but don’t worry he can only run up to 12 miles an hour in order to catch his dinner.

Overall, a really well done dinosaur exhibition, including facts this dinosaur nerd has never heard of. Dinosaur bones are similar to tree trunks due to the growth rings can help scientists estimate how old a dinosaur was.

The museum was full of other exhibitions including on the human body detailing the different organs and systems helping you function all day which was fascinating with different videos. I highly recommend it for any science nerd.

During our previous Brussels trip we visited the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History. Tickets are €12 per adult and you can spend easily a half to a full day wandering the halls. I would recommend the look out from Jubilee Park Arcades which is either up an elevator or set up spiral staircases to an outdoor viewpoint overlooking the Atomium, the Koekelberg Basilica, broadcasting tower and European Parliament. The day we went it was hailing off and on with thick fog, but still worth the view.

The museum hanger showcased 100 airplanes with First and Second World War planes including the Spitfire, Tiger Moth, and Dakota.

The Spitfire name’s origin is unknown – either from the firing capability or the manufacturer’s daughter Ann who he called “the little spitfire.” Some resourceful Spitfire pilots modified the plane’s bomb-carrying wings to carry beer kegs or beer bombs to help welcome troops from D-Day.

Another great museum to where you could easily spend hours wandering the planes, floors of military armor, French empire, First World War, and so much more. Right next to the museum is Autoworld showcasing the history of the automobile. We haven’t explored this museum yet, but it is on our list for our next Brussels visit.

The next item on the agenda is the walking tour of the chocolate shops which leads you back to the main tourist hub, the Grand-Place De Bruxelles main square. The best chocolate shops sit on this square. If you are lucky they will be giving out a free sample for each stop you enter, if not we bought 2-4 pieces per shop to try the different ones.

Neuhaus was founded in 1857 by Jean Neuhaus who opened a pharmacy and covered his medicines with chocolate. His grandson further developed his concept with the first Belgian praline in 1912, and came up with the concept of a chocolate filled delight. Mary Delluc, the first woman chocolatier opened Mary in 1919. A common name in chocolate, Godiva, first ever store started in 1928 was on this main square and can be still be visited. All three are full of history and delicious, so why not stop?

If you are looking for less history and still need more chocolate there are Galler and Leonidas. Galler was established in 1976 with the focus on dark chocolate, and Leonidas’s focus is on white chocolate. Literally a store for every chocolate lover out there, and even more if you keep walking up and down the side streets away from the main square.

Now that you have your chocolate, it is time to drink some delightful Belgian beers. Head on over to Delirium Village, which is made up of different Delirium-owned bars. Another major tourist trap, but one that we both enjoy. Our favorite is the Delirium Cafe Brussels, which is the basement with a menu of 2000 different beers from around the globe and delights us Millennials playing well-known hits from the 90s and early 2000s.

If you are feeling adventurous, why not try the flight?

But you must finish it, or those are our rules at least.

Overall, Brussels is worth a two to three day stop if you plan on visiting the museums and wandering the different city sites. Public transportation is easy to navigate and the city is relatively small with the major sites easily within thirty minutes walking distance. The one site still on our to-do list is the Atomium, which is about a 45 minute public transportation ride out from the city center.