Tulips and Mussels

I would go for it. We had mussels in Brussels in May and they were wonderful.

Also, would you order mussels in May?

No, certainly not that early in May. This year 2025, Zeeland hanging-culture mussels started 25 May only (which was already 2 weeks earlier then normally).

but would we be foolish/disappointed to order them in Bruges

No probably not, since there are a lot of foolish tourists in Bruges.
Restaurant Poules Moules will already serve them. Unfortunately, at that moment only the Irish mussels ... don't expect to find belgians eating them at that moment ... but yes, I have often seen how tourists can enjoy it.

The real stuff, bottom-grown Zeeland mussels, started 20 june 25 (also earlier then normally, due to favorable weather conditions). Most belgians eat their first mussels around our National Day, 21 july!

Preparing my post you got already two responses. Windyram is the specialist here, so follow his advice.

May falls between the end of the mussel season halfway April and the start of the season, usually halfway July or even earlier depending weather conditions. Think not every restaurant will offer them, but if they do don’t expect the mussels are at their best. That is from September till somewhere the end of November.

if I knew of a garden with tulips in Flanders so late in the year I would say - but I'm afraid I don't.

There are tulip production fields in Belgium too, however not many and for the bulbs only. Usually the tulips are in full bloom for a short periode of time before being “beheaded” in favor of the bulbs growth. You need a car and be lucky being in Belgium at that time. May will be too late for this unfortunately.

You can enjoy tulips in the lovely garden of Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, close to Brussels. Alas only till May 3 next year. Nevertheless May is an excellent period to visit Bruges, so that’s the good news.

https://floralia-brussels.be/en

We were in Bruges last year mid to late April. We happened upon the beautiful Unesco Heritage site The Bruges Beguinage. Within it's beautiful walls were daffodils galore, which sadly were already spent. I imagine it was gorgeous in bloom! But outside the walls is a lovely river and swans and greenery which would make beautiful photos.

I feel like the "marketing department in charge of tulips" has really given us the idea that tulips are just all over the cities. At least that's what I expected! Honestly, except for amazing Keukenhof we never saw any tulips in any cities we visited in the Netherlands or Belgium. But, oh the countries are so beautiful and wonderful. Enjoy Bruges! It's magical!

You are only supposed to eat mussels in months ending with 'r'. Otherwise they are not in season and either will not be served, or you have eaten frozen mussels served up for tourism purposes, not at their best.

Lavandula

You are only supposed to eat mussels in months ending with 'r'.

A persistent myth concerns the "r" in the month. Mussels used to be available only in months with an "r" in their name. This had everything to do with shelf life. But since refrigerated transport became available, mussels are available from July to April. A closed cold chain from processing to store guarantees a fresh product with optimal flavor. This way, beautiful bottom-grown Zeeland mussels are available nine months a year.

However, autumn, from September to November, is the ideal time to enjoy mussels, as they are then at their fullest and at their best.

or you have eaten frozen mussels served up for tourism purposes

Not a myth, just impossible. You can't freeze mussels in their shell. When the water in the shell freezes, crystals form that cause the meat to crack, leaving you with a gritty mess after thawing (mussels are not the same as clams, vongole).
Out of season, if eating mussels in Belgium, it just won't be Zeeland mussels, but mainly Irish mussels (colder waters, different life course).

Thank you for all the prompt replies!

I guess we will cross tulips off the list, but we did visit Bruges once ten years ago, fell in love, and now are getting to return. Yay!
We will concentrate on the beautiful swans, waterways, and windmills. Last time we rented a tandem bike and cycled to Damme and had a great lunch there, so we will do that again. Maybe a day trip to Ghent.
Regarding mussels, I would love to know where NEWNONA had delicious mussels - we understand that they'd most likely be Irish mussels, but they're delicious too, and with a Belgian beer and frites...my husband will be happy. Go ahead and call me a foolish tourist, windyram, I'm tough, and I've been called worse! Also, having owned a Florida seafood market for 35 years, we are educated about the fallacy of the "month with an R", since refrigeration and careful handling have made it possible. We dealt with oysters, and the tastes are different in the summer for sure, but still enjoyable. So I'm in agreement there.

Now, if we could just find and book stay at apartment "Symphonia", located at Lane 62, 8000 Brugge, I would be in heaven. That place was amazing...anybody have a lead? I tried to contact the owner, but no response. Probably sold, since it's been ten years?
We do have a refundable booking in a "cute" place as a backup.

We are flying back to the US from Brussels, so thinking that we need to spend that last night in Brussels, near Grand Place, and take a 7 AM train to the airport for a 10:45 flight. Staying in Bruges would require a hideous early transport to get to BRU by 8 AM. Agree?

Last review of B&B Symphonia dates 2019, and they are not listed on the Bruges tourist office site https://www.visitbruges.be/en/eat-and-sleep/accommodation

B&B Symphonia was a five star location, so you should really check B&B Nuit Blanche
http://www.bb-nuitblanche.com/#

Direct train from Bruges to BRU airport, every hour, trip time 90 minutes, starting from 04:09 (weekdays), during weekend 120 minutes with 1 change.

Yes, you will probably miss the top of the tulip season. But you may be lucky and hit the fruit tree blooms. There's always something blooming in April and May, and a little later the red poppies come out. In Bruges it's beer, waffles, and chocolate.