Brussels day-trip from London -- 5-hour itinerary suggestions

Unfortunately your train goes to Brussel-Zuid/Midi, which is not an ideal location for the major sights. If you can generate some interest in Lille, France (which I liked visiting, especially the art museum), your train goes there first-so you get more time. The major art museums in Brussels are very well located for the Centraal Station, but are the opposite way from Grand Place, i.e. up-hill. You do get a nice view over the city from up there. I enjoyed the Cathedral and other churches, but you don't have time in a 5-hour visit. How about Stonhenge, Bath, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Greenwich, or similar outings closer at hand? Just my 2 cents.

If you have that short a time I'd stick within the central area. Take the tram subway north to Bourse metro station, or the train north from Gare de Midi to Gare Central (I believe that your Eurostar ticket includes that very short trip). From either of these walk to Grand Place and enjoy the architecture. Then depending on your enthusiasms, try the National Centre of the Comic Strip, pop into the National Art Museum, go down to the Grand Sablon and buy some chocolate, or find a bar to check the beer. Be warned that a lot of the bars, choc shops and restaurants immediately around the Grand Place are overpriced tourist traps. The Roi d'Espagne isn't bad though.

Tours of the European Parliament are cool. We sat in on a live session. I still remember the topic they were discussing. We took a taxi back and forth from the station and we only had about 5 hours.

Don't forget that if you try to check in less than 30 minutes before your scheduled departure, in London or Brussels, you won't go. My recent personal experience and other posts here indicate a much earlier check in for comfort and fewer antacids.

I liked the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History plus it was free! pretty rare in Europe...and there was a waffle truck outside. Autoworld is right across from it if you like antique cars. try some beers at the Delirium Cafe- over 2000. Noordzee Mer du Nord- I went there for lunch one day...seafood shop that grills food also.

Many thanks to everyone for their input and advice! My foreign travels have ALWAYS been improved my other Rick Steves traveler's help!

I have been to 11 European Countries and Brussels is my least favorite city in Europe. Filthy place, Mannekin Pis was a waste of time. I would never go there ever again even if I was payed.

Skip Brussels, Go to Bruge you can catch a quick train to Bruge about an hour from Brussels. It is beautfil and compact. Brussels has a great museum, but the Great Market has beautiful buildings but is dirty,crowded,and small. Bruges is a preserved city that has great beer, buildings, museums, canals, wonderful chocolates, and is clean. We spent four hours in Brussels and felt it was a big waster of time copared to Bruges. I would never go there again. Ghent is not as beautiful as Bruges but has a small old center that is nice for about 2 hours. You will love Bruges if you love small and beautiful .

I loved Brussels. I spent four nights there, but I think it's a city that lends itself pretty well to a five-hour stop. However, it's a lot further than I would go for a day trip from London. If you go, I would suggest spending most of the time wandering around the streets and alleys near the Grand Place and enjoying the food and beer. The Grand Place is amazing and the window shopping in Brussels is a lot of fun.

As you can see, the subject of Brussels is one of the most divisive around. You will only know how you feel when you see it for yourself. You say you have the "option" of a day trip. Are you paying? If so, I'd see something closer, with cheaper transit, and allowing more time to enjoy it. If someone else is paying, and Brussels (or anywhere else in Belgium) intrigues you, go for it. Personally, I preferred Antwerp and Bruges, but a day in Brussels would certainly not be wasted. See the Grand Place (grand indeed), buy some Leonidas chocolate (delicious and cheap), see the art museum of your choice, and ... well, that's about all I can recommend, as I really didn't care for it. I'd only go if it were on the way to other places - not as a special trip. That's my $0.02. Here's Rick's take on Brussels: http://www.ricksteves.com/tms/article.cfm?id=176&extras=false