Things to Do in Brussels

The Natural Sciences Museum of Belgium in Brussels explores the natural evolution of our planet going all the way back to prehistoric times. It has Europe's largest dinosaur exhibitions with over 30 complete skeletons, both originals and reproductions, as well as bone fragments from dinosaurs. The museum also includes the Gallery of Evolution which has displays on the history of life on earth. The BiodiverCITY section teaches visitors about biodiversity. There is an animal kingdom section with displays on various groups of animals, such as mammals, whales, animals of the North and South Poles, insects, shells, and more. Another section of the museum has exhibits on minerals including 2,000 rocks from the earth and the moon. 

Some sections of the museum have interactive touchscreens and audio guides to teach visitors more about the exhibits. Along with the permanent exhibitions, the museum has a rotation of temporary exhibits. The artifacts on display represent only a fraction of the museum's entire collection. The Natural Sciences Museum is also a research facility focused on studying and preserving animals, fossils, and bones in order to continue bringing us new information about the natural world.

The Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels celebrates the making of music with thousands of instruments from around the world. In one section, visitors can explore different instruments throughout history, from antiquity to present day, while another section displays popular instruments from Belgium, other parts of Europe, and from other continents. Another part of the museum focuses on string and keyboard instruments. Here visitors can learn about pianos, harps, violins, and more. There's also a section of mechanical, electrical, and electronic instruments, plus clocks and bells. The star of this section is the componium, which is a 19th-century orchestrion that automatically composes an infinite variety of music. 

Many of the museum's exhibits are designed to allow visitors to hear what the instruments sound like. Through wireless technology, the music is transmitted to your headphones when you stand on numbered spots on the floor. Headphones are included with the ticket price, or you can use your own.  The museum often has temporary exhibits focusing on different topics, instruments, and instrument inventors. There's also has a concert hall and a workshop room. On the roof of the building is a restaurant with excellent views of the city.

The water park of Oceade is in pole position, situated right next to a family day of fun at Mini-Europe and the Atomium, north of Brussels city center. The park contains some of Belgium's biggest and most extreme water slides and flumes, with much of the action taking place undercover in the Aqua Fun House. This is kept at a constant 30 degrees centigrade and is open all year around, offering a tropical-themed beach, wave pool and swimming pool as well as lots of gentle rides perfect for toddlers, such as a lazy river and bubbling geysers. Recent additions to the 14 water slides "“ which range from extreme speed on L'Ouragan to kiddie-friendly tumbles on the Tortuga "“ include two fearsome water slides; Barracuda is the longest water ride in Belgium, while Chameleon is 140 meters (460 feet) of loops and plunges down into the pool.

And if adults need a respite from the watery fun, there are saunas, steam baths, icy plunge pools and even a bar to relax in at Saunaland.