Antwerp suits families better than its art-and-fashion reputation suggests. The zoo and Chocolate Nation share a square next to the main station, the city is compact enough for small legs, and a short train ride takes you to a science centre, a toy museum and a second zoo. Here is how to put a family trip together.
Base yourself near the station
The area around Antwerp Central Station is the most practical base for families, because the zoo and Chocolate Nation are on your doorstep and trains to Mechelen and beyond leave from the same building. Hotels here often offer family rooms and parking, which helps with pushchairs and luggage. The station is also a sight children enjoy, with a huge domed hall and a view of the trains from the staircase.
The zoo
ZOO Antwerpen sits beside the station and is one of the oldest zoos in the world, set in historic grounds with animal houses and gardens. Allow at least half a day, and a full day with young children. An online ticket is cheaper and quicker than queueing, and the zoo is open every day, which makes it a good choice on a Monday when the museums are closed. Bring a pushchair or a carrier, and plan a snack break.
Chocolate Nation
Across the square, Chocolate Nation is an interactive museum that follows cacao from the plantation to the finished chocolate, with tastings and workshops. It runs on time slots, and the workshops sell out, so reserve ahead. Allow about ninety minutes. It is a good wet-weather option, and children usually remember the tastings better than the history.
Up high, and into the park
The View ferris wheel on the Steenplein gives a gentle ten-minute ride over the river and the old town roofs, and it is a cheerful treat after a walk through the Grote Markt. The MAS rooftop is free and has a wide view of the docks, although entry needs a reservation and the museum is closed on Mondays. For running around, the Middelheim Museum is a free open-air sculpture park with lawns and trees, where children can roam. It is closed on Mondays, so choose another day.
Technopolis in Mechelen
Technopolis is a hands-on science centre where children can try experiments, build, push buttons and test their own senses. It is best for school-age children, and you should allow about three hours, longer if your children are keen. It is a good rainy-day plan, and Mechelen is a short train ride from Antwerp.
The Toy Museum in Mechelen
The Toy Museum Mechelen is a charming collection of historic and modern toys, with hands-on corners for younger visitors. Allow about ninety minutes to two hours. Many adults enjoy it as much as the children do, and it pairs well with a walk around Mechelen’s old town and a stop for lunch.
Planckendael
ZOO Planckendael near Mechelen is a spacious, green zoo with a park-like layout, and it suits families who want a full outdoor day. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat or rain jacket, depending on the season. It runs under the same organisation as the Antwerp Zoo, so check whether a combined ticket or membership applies to your plans.
Plan the days
A simple three-day plan works well. On the first day, take the zoo in the morning and Chocolate Nation after lunch. On the second day, ride the wheel, walk the Grote Markt and climb the MAS rooftop, then finish with a docks walk. On the third day, take the train to Mechelen for Technopolis or the Toy Museum, or spend a full day at Planckendael. Keep one slow morning for the Middelheim park or a café. Children tire faster than adults expect on cobbles, so build in a late start, a long lunch and one fixed rest stop each day, and do not try to fit the zoo and Mechelen into the same day.
Practical tips
The old town is cobbled, so a sturdy pushchair or a baby carrier is easier than a light folding one. Trains and trams are comfortable with children, and children travelling on trains often get a discount, so check the current rules. Restaurants are generally relaxed about children, and many offer a children’s menu. Pack layers, because the weather by the river can change quickly, and check opening days before you set out.
