Traveling with children is unlikely to compare with the journey alone, so, plan it in advance. In Antwerp, the atmosphere is quite friendly to children. Belgium In general, full of thematic parks and children oriented museums, sand coastlines, cycling routes, playgrounds, fairs, animal circuses, and all that! For those who fly to Antwerp with the offspring, here are some tips on where to go to them in the city.
Zoo
Antwerp Zoo, which was built in the mid-1800s, is one of the oldest in Europe. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the train station. The zoo is very clean, beautiful, and is home to more than 5,000 animals. Children of the Show of the Sea Cotes are especially rejected. The only thing in the cafe is quite expensive, so it is better to bring your own food. There are here and cute playgrounds with swings and slides, and adults can watch the kids sitting on the benches in the shade of trees. Antwerp Zoo earned an international reputation due to participation in international programs that support the endangered species, such as Okapo, Bonobo chimpanzees, monkey golden toys, Peacock Congo. The zoo is also very well known for its architecture. For example, the cells of the birds of prey, the Egyptian temple and the house of Ogolat and Giraffes are madly beautiful. There is also an planetarium, a winter garden, a Penguin House. You must highlight at least half a day to visit this Park, because, indeed, there is a whole bunch of what can be done.
Address: Koningin Astridplein 26
Opening hours: Park is open daily from 10 am or 9 am. Closing time depends on the season: January and February - 16:45, March and April-17: 30, May and June- 18:00, July and August - 19:00, September- 18:00, October- 17:30, November and December 16:45
Aquatopia.
Aquatopia, Antwerp Aquarium is two floors of adventure. This brand new complex with 35 aquariums with a wonderful beauty of exotic fish and animals - sharks, piranhas, rocks and octopuses, and many others. You will make a great journey through the rainforest, along the rivers, through the underwater caves and coral reefs. Interactive spaces add a special highlight to your visit to this park. There are also a number of special exhibitions, dedicated to individual types of marine animals and fish. Children this water park will have to do, certainly! More than 250 different types of animals live in this center, and some animals can even touch (some snakes and iguan). Real pleasure for adults and children with educational programs. Stroll around the tunnel and enjoy the amazing sensations - when the fish are floating above the head. Try to combine your visit to the park with a shark or skate feed - it's very interesting!
Prices: Adults 9.45 euros, children (up to 12 years) - 6.45 euros, Family ticket (2 parents and 2 children up to 12 years old) - 25.95 euros, Family ticket (2 parents + 3 children up to 12 years old) - 30.95 euros.
Opening hours: from 10 to 18 hours (last visitors are allowed at 17.00)
Address: Koningin Astridplein 7 (next to the Plaza Hotel, close to Central Station)
Pirates of the Caribbean
This is an exciting adventure, which is at the same time aiming at the study of the sea and marine animals in Pirateneilaland Park. The "Pirates Island" is located in the old warehouse, which was renovated and turned into a certain paradise for children aged 2 to 12 years.
Address: KribBestraat 12
Opening hours: Wednesdays: 12: 00-18: 00, Thursday Friday 9: 30-16: 00, Belgian school holidays: Daily 11: 00-18: 00; July and August - from Wednesday on Sunday 11: 00-18: 00; September - only on weekends 11: 00-18: 00. Closed: on Mondays and Tuesdays during the school year. During the school holidays, the cafe is closed.
Tickets: Children - 9 Euros, Children on Thursdays and Fridays - 7.50 euros for the whole day. Free entrance for accompanying adults.
Antwerp Miniature Town.
Antwerp model at a scale of 1:87 with miniature models of vessels floating through the miniature version of the Shelda River. This park is also known as "mini-antwerp", and everything is clear from the name. Most of what can be found in Antwerp are reproduced in the scale of the scale in this park. The history of Antwerp is displayed in seven galleries, as well as with the help of light and sound effects. Excursions offered in the very museum are in English, and separate excursions in Russian are looking for private guides on the Internet, or in tourist information offices. Some of the main moments of the miniature city include a workshop, where builders build accurate copies of Antwerp buildings. In general, extremely interesting place! The visit usually takes an hour and a half.
Address: Hangar 15a, Scheldekaai
Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Always closed in the New Year (January 1) and Christmas (December 25).
Entrance tickets: adult - 6.50 euros, group ticket - 5 euros, pensioners-5 euros, child up to 12 years old - 5 euros, child up to 6 years old - 1.50 euros, child up to 4 years old.
How to get there: Tram 6/34; Bus 23.
Yacht and pancakes
Delicious pancakes on board the yacht. Children and parents ride on the river and enjoy beautiful species. The tour can be tried every Sunday and on holidays. Departure every hour from Steenplein at 12:00, 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30.
Entrance tickets: Adults: 11.50 €, Children: 9.50 €, Groups from 15 or more people: 9.50 €
No journey to Antwerp with children will be full without a walk along Tunnel Sint Anna (Sint Anna Tunnel. ) What passes under the Shelda River.
You descend down the original wooden staircase of 1930) and get into a brightly lit and pure tunnel, which leads to the left bank of the river. By the way, the view of the horizon from the left bank just captures the spirit, but the most important joy in the terrain is a cool playground and a small beach of Sint Annek.
Here is a couple of tips. Many hotels offer special options for children - game rooms, babysitting, children's menu in restaurants. If you want to find a nanny for a while, try to contact "Gezinsbond", organization for families. They charge 2.50-3 € at an hour in the afternoon or evening, and 15 euros for night "duty". The only snag is that you should be a member of this organization to take advantage of this service. (with 30 € annual fee).