If you like drinks: Verdriet van België! The owner is a friend of mine and it's - in my unbiased opinion - the best bar in Bruges. Also worth a visit in this genre: Paula Mostaert, Rose Red (excellent Geuze selection), De Kelk, La Casita (amazing cocktails), Snuffel Hostel (check their website for free concerts), Cactus Café (could see some shows here as well)

For food: Rose Red (again haha), Más, Tom's Diner, El Greco, Lion Belge (lots of locals here), Bar Lowie (brunch); don't go to restaurants on the Market square. They're overpriced as f*ck.

For coffee: Stera! Can't recommend this enough! Dees is amazing as well. Roasts its own beans and it's wonderful (Stera uses these as well)

Activities: boat ride on the canals - cliché, but it's really worth it, I like it as well. Walk around the city without a map and get lost. Trust me, you'll discover a lot (and you'll always have the Belfry to navigate back to the Market square). Walk along the Vesten (old city walls, going around the city). Or rent a bike and cycle to Damme along the Damse Vaart. Go to Tante Marie for lunch there.

And here's a tip, from the bottom of my heart: use the sidewalk as much as possible. please. cyclists will thank you ;)) and chances of me riding you over or screaming at you are reduced as well hahaha. and always look left and right when you cross the road! lots of tourists tend to forget these basics hahahahaha

That's what I can think of, from the top of my head. There's a lot more to discover tho. But it's a start haha.

Anything planned already? Might be able to give some extra tips!

[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I ask for a crumb and I get a feast! I have marked everything on my map, with thanks.

I didn't have any detailed plans yet. Our journey will begin in Paris, and from there we were hoping to see Keukenhof for a day while it's in bloom, and then to Bruges to finish. We do have a six year old though, so we have to pace ourselves and be a bit thoughtful about his limitations. I saw the chocolate museum of course, but anything you know of that would interest a typical exuberant young one would be very welcome - he does best with cheap thrills, and if a bit low-minded, all the better.

As for me, I am most excited about the prospect of hostels, river boats, and good beer in local styles. I will make a point to spend some time at Verdriet van België in particular.

[–] pet1t@lemm.ee 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

The kid might like the Historium! It's more an attraction than a museum, and tells the story of Bruges in the Middle Ages with Jan Van Eyck. It's in a beautiful building as well!

The Concertgebouw Circuit is also very nice to do with kids. Guaranteed they'll want to have a career in music after that haha. Also takes you up to the roof of the building with a wonderful view of the city.

Speaking of views, go to the top of the Belfry. You have to climb 366 stairs, guaranteed they'll have a good sleep after that!

All the museums in Bruges also offer kids-friendly tours. Groeninge Museum I already mentioned - and, again, is a must see - but I also really recommend the Museum St John's Hospital! I really liked those two museums as a kid, and still do today!

[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Adding these to our list! I might have to cut a day out from somewhere else in our itinerary, I'm getting more excited about Bruges than Paris.

[–] pet1t@lemm.ee 2 points 1 day ago

You could always come back a second time ;))