Page 310 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

308  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Belgium and Luxembourg castle (see pp236–7) has
for Children a famous falconry show.
There are two sea life
aquariums on the coast:
A great deal of family-oriented socializing and entertainment the Noordzeeaquarium
occurs in both countries. Museums, amusement parks and (see p126) at Oostende and
galleries are organized with families or school parties in mind. the National Sealife Marine
There are also a variety of activities such as rides on historic Park at Blankenberge, which
also has a Serpentarium.
trains and trips on canal boats. Visitors will therefore find Liège’s well respected Aquarium
it easy to keep children amused in towns and cities. The (see p222) is operated by the
countryside has its draws in the form of ancient caves and university’s Institute of Zoology.
awe-inspiring fortresses. To add to these expe riences are
the ever-present treats of Belgian chips and waffles. Museums and Galleries
Many museums and galleries
produce printed documen-
tation to make their exhibits
more interesting for children,
including lists for treasure hunts.
Audioguides also help bring
the exhibits alive – at the Musée
des Instruments de Musique
(see p69) in Brussels, visitors
can listen to the instruments.
Demonstrations and costumed
characters at the Bokrijk
Openluchtmuseum (see p171)
make this fine collection of
Thrilling swings and rides at the Walibi theme park near Wavre historic rural buildings seem
almost lived in.
Theme Parks is the Atomium (see p88), always Museums specifically aimed
Visiting theme parks seems to fascinating to children. The at children include the toy
be an integral part of childhood Bellewaerde Park (see p128), near museums, Musée du Jouet
in Belgium, and there are parks Ieper, combines a collection of (see p78) and Speelgoedmuseum
to suit people of all ages. Some, zoo animals with theme park (see p161). The Centre Belge
notably the Plopsaland parks, rides. The Boudewijn Seapark, de la Bande Dessinée (see p66)
are specifically aimed at the near Bruges, has a dolphinarium appeals more to aficionados of
younger crowd. There are and performing seal lions, as the history of the comic-strip
branches at De Panne and Coo, well as a roller coaster, pirate form. There are several
and an indoor Plopsaland at ship and other rides. interactive science museums
Hasselt. Bobbejaanland (see such as the Museum of Natural
p160), near Turnhout, is a tradi- Sciences, which has moving
tional theme park, packed with Zoos and Aquariums dinosaur displays and the
thrills-and-spills rides. But the Shoehorned into a small urban skeleton of a blue whale. The
most famous Belgian theme space near the Centraal Station Parc d’Attractions Scientifiques
park is Walibi (see p202), near and Diamond District, Belgium’s (see p193) offers a host of
Wavre, to the southeast of famous Antwerp Zoo contains introductory exhibits on
Brussels. With its broad variety a variety of animals and prides science and technology.
of rides, from roundabouts to itself on its captive breeding
state-of-the-art roller coasters programme and conservation
and live entertainment shows, work. The zoo also operates
Walibi caters to children of all the much larger Planckendael
ages. Attached to it is the swim- Animal Park (see p161) near
ming complex (pools, shoots, Mechelen. Pairi Daiza (see p189)
tubes) called Aqualibi. There is in Hainaut is very child-friendly.
a similar swimming complex Réserve d’Animaux Sauvages
at Océade, part of the Bruparck at Han-sur-Lesse (see p215) is a
complex (see p88) on the safari park with large north
northern outskirts of Brussels. European animals such as bears,
Bruparck also includes a lynx and bison. The Monde
number of other attractions Sauvage Safari on the River
such as Mini-Europe and a huge Amblève (see p229) has a more A string puppet of Pinocchio at Mechelen’s
cinema complex. Close at hand Africa-oriented safari. Bouillon’s Speelgoedmuseum

308-309_EW_Belgium.indd 308 18/10/16 3:03 pm
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