While visiting Amsterdam, we wanted to venture over to Belgium for a quick day trip. Before out trip, we asked a number of people which Belgian city would be the best to visit with young kids. Although we were most familiar with Brussels, the overwhelming consensus was to visit either Antwerp or Bruges. After doing some more research, we felt Bruges would be best visited during a romantic weekend away versus Antwerp which has a zoo directly outside of the train station. Plus, Antwerp was only half the distance with just an hour and a half train from Amsterdam.
After three incredible days in Amsterdam, we got up bright and early on the fourth day of our Euro-roadtrip to hop on a train to Antwerp. With all of us still trying to beat the jet lag while also having run ourselves rampant in Amsterdam, our girls were very quick to fall asleep during the one-and-a-half-hour train ride to Belgium.
When we arrived at the Antwerp train station, we were completely taken aback by its beauty. The train station was built in the late 1800s and inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Its nickname is actually the “Railway Cathedral”.
As we left the train station, we were immediately met with a carnival on the grounds and just to the right, the Zoo Antwerpen. In writing this post 2 years after our visit, I can honestly say the zoo wasn’t overly memorable aside from having a nice butterfly exhibit and some really beautiful flowers throughout the grounds. To back that, I also took very few photos and videos throughout our visit… Was it worth a visit? I’d say yes, especially if you have kids. It’s extremely convenient being steps away from the train station and gives your kiddos an opportunity to see some animals before exploring the city.
After the zoo, we started walking to Het Steen fortress. This walk gave us a great opportunity to view the city. Along the way, the girls discovered a quirky statue of a child curled up on the sidewalk as if using it as a blanket. Naturally, they climbed right on top and turned the “blanket” into their own personal slide.
Once we wrapped up our castle visit, we continued exploring until we found the House of Waffles. And honestly, we couldn’t leave Belgium without indulging in a proper Belgian waffle. We parents leaned into the theme too, treating ourselves to some Stella Artois with our waffles.
Unfortunately, we also had a goal of exploring Chocolate Nation, the Belgian chocolate museum but they had just taken their last tour group right before we arrived. We still got to explore the gift shop and take some savory treats with us.
The very last stop, and one of the highlights during our trip to Antwerp, was the popup carnival right outside the train station. In the words of both of our children, “BEST DAY EVER!”
Overall feelings about Antwerp
Antwerp was the PERFECT city in Belgium to take our kids. Not only did we get a taste of the beautiful architecture, but we were also able to do a lot of things that were catered towards the girls. The only thing about the entire day we would have done differently would have been to plan better around the chocolate museum, but not being able to tour it just gives a good excuse to make it back to Antwerp in the future. This city is a great day trip from Amsterdam, but you could easily spend a couple of days exploring if you have more time. We highly, highly recommend visiting!
For more on our Euro(road)trip, visit:
Happy traveling!
Oliver Family Adventures 
Leave a comment