I was going to take a side trip from France into Belgium. I have decided on Bruges but not sure about Brussels?
I might consider Antwerp as lots of folks have good to say about this city?
Brussels or Antwerp?
Take your pick; they are identical. You wont see much in one day, but if you take the canal cruise in any of the three, you get the feel of the town
Wow, to say that Brugge, Antwerp and Brussels are identical is saying a lot! I would think most people would disagree on that. Taking a canal boat ride is also not the best way to see a city. Take a walking tour instead, so you can learn the history of the place, the reason why it is the way it is, and to get a real feel for the city. Look at the web sites for the tourist bureaus in each city and see what things interest you the most, which sights look fascinating and then make your decision based on what YOU want to see.
Not identical at all, unless merely being Flemish makes them the same. Let me see if I understand your question, is Antwerp possible as a daytrip from Brugges? Yes, definately. The main area of interest to a tourist lies around the Oude Markt, Groene Markt, cathedral and the pedestrian shopping street that runs to the train station. It doesn't take more than a few hours to explore this area. I'm not certain what the other poster meant about a canal boat ride, because other than some short canals near the modern, heavily industrial docks of the Scheld river, the city doesn't have a system of canals like Brugges.