Brussels! Suggestions, please!

Others may disagree but I would save Brussels and all that goes with it for a second trip. I certainly wouldn't put any effort into finding the incontinent boy (or his equally wet sister). Go somewhere that will bowl you over - Gent - Bruges - Antwerpen for Art Nouveau - Brussels without the others is likely to seem .... meh.

I like Brussels more than most on this website, but this is from someone who has been there multiple times. I admit, it isn't the most immediately pretty city, and it takes a little effort, but there's some really cool stuff there. The national art museum is pretty good, and located very close to the Centraal Station, right down the street from the royal palace. The musical instrument museum is in the immediate vicinity. This is one of the most unique museums I have visited in Europe- and it's housed in a beautiful Art Nouveau building. If you have any interest in the world wars, the Royal Museum of Military History has a huge collection, although half the museum consists of a relatively uninteresting trove of Belgian military equipment from throughout the ages. Because you're attending an architecture course, I assume you know about the many Art Nouveau treasures in Brussels? Unfortunately, many of them fell victim to the wrecking ball in the postwar period, but enough remain to provide for a good walking tour.

I also like Brussels. To add to what Tom said about Art Nouveau architecture, don't miss the Horta Museum. The guidebook for the museum lists additional buildings in that style, along with a map, that it recommends for you view.
Eat lots of chocolate.

Count me as another person who likes Brussels. It is more "working city" than "tourist destination" but definitely has its charms. For one thing, I think the food is great. In my couple of visits to Brussels, I don't think I had a bad meal. Had mussels at an outdoor table at a non-descript little restaurant near our hotel that was memorably good. On top of the building that the Musical Instrument museum (thumbs up) is in, there is a restaurant with good views. I'm a poli-sci wonk, so I thought a visit to the European Parliament was worth it. Anyway, I like Brussels. Have a good trip!

There is much to see in Brussels. So much, I can't remember it all. Get the RS book. He outlines many, many things. As for restaurants, walk and follow your nose.

Speaking of Mannekin Pis... I actually like his seldom-visited sister, Janneke Pis better. She's squatting and has this cheeky little grin that seems to say "I know I'm not supposed to pee in public but I'm doing it anyway!"

Thanks so much everyone! James, you missed the sarcasm was missed in my original post about the Mannequin Pis, but thanks for all of your suggestions. Interesting that it seems people either love or hate Brussels. I'm a foodie and an art lover, I think I'll be happy. I'm going to be staying at a hotel near Avenue Louise.

I'm one who didn't like Brussels - except for my ARAU Art Nouveau tour. Check the website to see if your visit coincides with a tour you would enjoy. If I had to go back to Brussels, I'd schedule my visit around a tour. That's how much I liked the tour, and how much I found just about everything else there to be meh, bleh, or feh. Exceptions: the Grand Place is indeed grand, I liked the Magrittes, the Atomium was fun to see, and the Leonidas chocolate is both delicious and cheap. ARAU's web site: http://www.arau.org/en/tours If you don't like Brussels, remember that day trips to Antwerp (my favorite), Ghent, and Bruges, as well as lots of other places in the country, are cheap and easy. I know I'm beating a dead horse, so I'll stop now. I just had to back up Nigel, and couldn't let this "Brussels love thread" go unchallenged. EDIT: One "attraction" I forgot. If you're looking for gay bars, Brussels has a large number, right in the center of town, just off the Grand Place on Rue du Marché au Charbon, as well as other nearby streets. Now, I'm gay, and that's not still an enticement for me, but to each his/her own.

I will definitely check out Arau! Thanks for that heads up! How about restaurants. Any place that anyone fell in love with? I like my mussels, but they seem to be everywhere there.

The Comic Strip Museum! Herge and TinTin!

We really like this small restaurant:
Le petit chou de bruxelles

Merci beaucoup, Chantal!!!

I really enjoyed this restaurant that specializes in beer cuisine. http://www.spinnekopke.be/

I personally would not recommend the Comic Strip centre unless you have reasonable reading ability in French or Dutch. No English labels and I think you'd miss a lot if you can't read the texts. The Tintin specific museum is in Louvain-la-Neuve, which is a short train ride from Brussels (not Leuven, this is the "new Louvain" in the French-speaking area that was set up by the French academics when Leuven University went Flemish-only). I haven't been but people I know give it good reviews.