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    1. A green autumn escape in Brussels from Urban Yard Hotel Centre Midi Station

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      Brussels is much greener than it may first appear. Between its lively neighbourhoods, broad avenues and historic buildings, you will find parks where autumn is given room to shine. From Urban Yard Hotel Centre Midi Station near Brussels-Midi, it is easy to set off and discover this natural side of the capital.

      From Brussels-Midi to Forest

      Duden Park is one of Brussels’ most surprising autumn destinations. Its wooded hills, monumental beech trees and winding paths make it easy to forget that you are still in the city. The higher parts of the park also provide distinctive views across Brussels. Nearby Forest Park offers wide lawns, groups of trees and accessible walking paths. Together, the two parks create an enjoyable route for travellers who want to combine urban life with nature.

      Colourful contrasts

      In central Brussels, the geometric layout of Brussels Park contrasts beautifully with the spontaneous colours of falling leaves. For a deeper immersion in nature, continue to the Bois de la Cambre, where lawns, water and wooded paths alternate throughout the landscape. For a quieter stop, discover the smaller Leybeek Park. Its ponds reflect the amber foliage and striking colours of Japanese maples. After exploring, Urban Yard Hotel Centre Midi Station brings nature back indoors. Botanical details, a warm interior and a peaceful courtyard make it a welcoming place to relax after an autumn day in Brussels.

    2. Museums to visit in Brussels: a cultural city break from Urban Yard Hotel Centre Midi Station

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      Brussels is much more than the Grand Place, chocolate and beautiful façades. The city has an exceptionally rich museum scene, with ideas for art lovers, families, design fans, history enthusiasts and curious city breakers. In a single day, you can move from surrealism to Art Nouveau, from science to Belgian storytelling, and still have time for a great lunch or a walk through a lively neighbourhood.

      Brussels is one of those cities where a museum visit can shape an entire stay. Art lovers can start with the Magritte Museum and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, while fans of Belgian storytelling should not miss the Comic Art Museum – Brussels. Architecture enthusiasts can step inside the world of Victor Horta at the Horta Museum, and curious families can plan an easy day at the Museum of Natural Sciences, Train World or Autoworld Brussels. For Belgian history and European context, the BELvue Museum and the Parlamentarium are strong choices. Prefer something more intimate? Add the Van Buuren Museum & Gardens or the Design Museum Brussels to your list. And for a typically Belgian flavour, Belgian Beer World and Choco-Story Brussels bring heritage, taste and storytelling together.

      From Brussels Midi, you can easily reach the Marolles, the centre, the Royal Quarter, the canal and the museums around Cinquantenaire Park.

      Urban Yard Hotel Centre Midi Station is the creative base near Brussels Midi. It is ideal for travellers arriving by train who want to discover Brussels through markets, neighbourhoods, museums and unexpected routes.

      The easiest way to enjoy Brussels museums is to choose a theme and combine two or three visits per day, leaving enough time for coffee, lunch and spontaneous discoveries along the way.

      Ready to experience Brussels through its museums? Plan your cultural weekend, choose your favourite stops and book directly with Urban Yard Hotel Centre Midi Station.

    3. Summer in Brussels from Urban Yard Hotel Centre Midi Station

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      Brussels in summer is a city of routes. Start the day at the Midi Market, continue towards the Marolles, walk into the city centre and end up on a terrace, in a park or along the canal. The capital feels freer, livelier and more spontaneous during the sunny season.

      There is plenty to enjoy in Brussels this summer. Settle into one of the Guinguettes Barc in the city’s parks, discover the relaxed addresses by Woodpecker, take in the skyline from Soko Rooftop or spend a summer evening at Vaux-Hall Summer in the Royal Park. Active visitors can head towards the canal with CRBK, while culture lovers can explore Les Brigittines or the Van Buuren Museum & Gardens. For a sweet summer break, Brussels ice cream spots such as Glacier Zizi and Oui Oui are always worth adding to the day. For Pool is Cool, check the latest updates around open-air swimming in Brussels.

      Urban Yard Hotel Centre Midi Station fits this creative side of Brussels perfectly. Less than a five-minute walk from Brussels Midi, it is especially convenient for guests arriving by train. At the same time, the hotel feels warm, quirky and green, with an inner courtyard where you can recharge after a day in the city.

      Discover Brussels this summer from a hotel with character. Book directly with Urban Yard Hotel Centre Midi Station and enjoy the city at your own pace.

    4. Discover Brussels must-sees from Urban Yard Hotel

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      Discover Brussels must-sees from Urban Yard Hotel
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      Urban Yard Hotel is an ideal base for travellers who want Brussels to feel lively, creative and easy to explore. Located near Brussels South Station, the hotel combines practical access with a warm, characterful atmosphere and a surprising garden setting in the city.

      Start close to the hotel and head towards the Marolles, one of Brussels’ most authentic neighbourhoods. The daily flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle, local cafés, vintage shops and animated streets offer a real taste of the city. Nearby, the Palace of Justice rises above Brussels and adds a monumental note to the walk.

      Continue towards the historic centre. Manneken Pis, the Grand Place, the Bourse and the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries fit naturally into one city route. In just a few hours, you can experience the heritage, humour, architecture and lively atmosphere that make Brussels so recognisable.

      For more culture and city views, continue to Mont des Arts and the Royal Quarter. This area brings together Brussels Park, Place Royale and major institutions such as the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, the Magritte Museum, Bozar and the Musical Instruments Museum. Along the way, comic strip murals remind you that Brussels loves to tell stories in the streets.

      After a day of markets, museums, historic squares, covered galleries and Belgian treats, return to Urban Yard Hotel for a calmer moment in the courtyard and a comfortable night’s sleep. Book directly and discover Brussels from a hotel full of personality.

    5. Spring in Brussels at Urban Yard Hotel

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      Spring brings a special kind of energy to Brussels, and Urban Yard Hotel is the perfect place to experience it. As the city comes alive again, terraces start filling up, parks and gardens begin to bloom and the streets invite you to explore at a slower, more relaxed pace. This is the season for wandering through lively neighbourhoods, discovering local boutiques, visiting museums, enjoying rooftop drinks and making the most of the longer days.

      From Urban Yard, Brussels feels playful, creative and full of colour. Spend the morning strolling through the city, stop for lunch on a sunny terrace, browse vintage shops and hidden gems in the Marolles or Dansaert area, and enjoy the buzzing spring atmosphere that makes the Belgian capital so appealing at this time of year. If you feel like adding more nature to your stay, Brussels also offers green escapes and flowering corners that make spring city breaks even more memorable.

      After a day of culture, shopping and springtime discoveries, come back to the warm and original atmosphere of Urban Yard Hotel. With its botanical spirit, welcoming design and distinctive personality, it is the ideal base for a refreshing spring getaway in Brussels.

    6. Brussels with the Family: An Urban Adventure from Urban Yard Hotel

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      Brussels is a city that sparks children’s imagination. Comic book heroes appear on walls, museums turn into adventures, waffles and chocolate are never far away, and the city feels like one big discovery trail. For families, Brussels is compact, varied and full of surprises.

      Urban Yard Hotel is a great choice for a family stay with personality. Its creative atmosphere fits the energy of the city perfectly. Families can stay together comfortably and use the hotel as a relaxed base for exploring Brussels.

      There are plenty of family-friendly ideas nearby and across the city. Visit the Institute of Natural Sciences and meet the dinosaurs. Head to Mini-Europe for a playful walk through the continent. Let children build and imagine at the LEGO Discovery Centre, or step into the colourful world of comics at the Brussels Comics Figurines Museum.

      Even simple moments become part of the adventure: spotting comic murals, sharing fries, enjoying a warm waffle or choosing Belgian chocolates to take home. Book your family stay at Urban Yard Hotel and discover Brussels with creativity and curiosity.

    7. Mont des Arts: one of the most beautiful views in Brussels

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      Looking for inspiring things to do in Brussels during your city trip? Mont des Arts is one of the city’s most elegant and rewarding spots. Linking uptown and downtown Brussels, it offers a beautiful panoramic view in every season and a lovely place to pause in the heart of the capital.

      Below the esplanade, the landscaped gardens lead down towards the statue of King Albert I. Across the road, on Place de l’Albertine, stands Queen Elizabeth, creating a quiet historical dialogue at the centre of the city. Mont des Arts is also a cultural hub. Here you will find the KBR Museum, part of KBR, Belgium’s national library and home to the remarkable Library of the Dukes of Burgundy.

      On the other side of Mont des Arts, you will find Square Brussels Convention Centre. Within walking distance, you can also explore Bozar, BELvue and the Museum of Musical Instruments. From Urban Yard Hotel, Mont des Arts is a perfect stop for travellers who want to combine gardens, heritage and culture in one walk.

    8. Discover Brussels through its Comic Strip Trail

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      Looking for original things to do in Brussels during your city trip? The Comic Strip Trail is one of the city’s most creative and colourful attractions. As the undisputed capital of the comic strip, Brussels celebrates the ninth art not only in museums and galleries, but also directly in its streets.

      Since 1991, large comic-inspired murals have appeared across the city, transforming Brussels into an open-air gallery. As you walk from one neighbourhood to another, you may suddenly come across Tintin, Blake and Mortimer, Cubitus, Billy and Buddy, Corto Maltese and many other beloved characters. In total, more than 80 murals invite visitors to discover Brussels in a playful and distinctly local way.

      From Urban Yard Hotel, the city opens up as a mix of culture, humour and visual surprises. The Comic Strip Trail is a perfect way to experience Brussels beyond the usual landmarks while exploring its rich artistic identity.

    9. Visit Manneken Pis during your stay in Brussels

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      Looking for iconic things to do in Brussels during your city trip? Manneken Pis is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and a must-see during your stay. Small in size but huge in character, this beloved little statue has represented the spirit of Brussels since the 15th century.

      Originally placed on one of the public fountains that supplied Brussels with drinking water, Manneken Pis gradually became a true symbol of the city. Locals see him as the perfect reflection of Brussels itself: playful, witty, a little irreverent and never too serious.

      The statue you can admire today is a copy. The original was stolen several times over the centuries and is now preserved in the Brussels City Museum. Just a short walk away, you can also visit the GardeRobe MannekenPis Museum, where an extraordinary collection of costumes reveals another side of this local icon.

      From Urban Yard Hotel, exploring Brussels means discovering both major sights and charming details. A visit to Manneken Pis is a simple but unforgettable way to experience the personality of the Belgian capital.

    10. Winter Wonders 2025: discover Brussels’ Christmas market from The Urban Yard, near Gare du Midi

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      From 28 November 2025 to 1 January 2026, Brussels’ city centre lights up for Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d’Hiver / Winterpret), a 2 km winter trail connecting Grand-Place, Sainte-Catherine, the Vismet, De Brouckère, Bourse and Place de la Monnaie. With around 238 chalets, food stalls, bars, rides and free animations, the event welcomes millions of visitors and creates a vibrant atmosphere throughout the festive season.

      This edition focuses strongly on solidarity. The Grand-Place “solidarity tree” will see its decorations auctioned after the holidays to support food banks, while a new Christmas village on Place Poelaert invites visitors to enjoy gourmet treats with a panoramic view of Brussels and to donate toys for sick or disadvantaged children. An official interactive map helps you navigate easily between chalets, attractions and artistic installations.

      For hotel guests, the heart of Winter Wonders is compact and easy to explore. Around Sainte-Catherine and the Vismet, you will find craft stalls, street food and the Ferris wheel. At Place De Brouckère, the popular ice rink and curling lanes return, with some attractions operating until 4 January 2026 so you can still enjoy the festive mood after New Year’s Eve.

      Staying at The Urban Yard, you benefit from an excellent location near Gare du Midi, just a short walk from Lemonnier metro and an easy stroll or tram ride into the historic centre. After arriving in Brussels by train, you can drop your bags in your room, cross the urban garden in our inner courtyard, and head straight for the Christmas market without worrying about traffic or parking.

      Brussels authorities strongly encourage visitors to come by public transport or bicycle during Winter Wonders, both for convenience and to minimise the city’s environmental impact. From The Urban Yard, metro and tram lines take you quickly to Bourse, De Brouckère or Sainte-Catherine, while the historic Grand-Place is less than 20 minutes away on foot.

      After a night under the Christmas lights, our bar and lounge offer a relaxed, green oasis to end the evening. The Urban Yard combines the energy of Brussels’ winter streets with the calm of a hidden garden, making it a perfect base for Winter Wonders 2025.