3. Antwerp Zoo
Right in the center of the city, Antwerp Zoo was founded in 1843. It is widely regarded as one of the finest zoos in Europe on account of its variety of species; its success in breeding; the care bestowed on the animals, which are kept in the most natural environment possible; and, last but by no means least, its architecture.
While the Art Déco facades of the entrance area are the first features to catch the eye, inside the zoo are several buildings of note, among them the giraffe and elephant house (1855) in the style of an Egyptian temple. More than 6,000 animals of 950 species live in the zoo, including rare breeds such as the white rhino, okapi, and mountain gorilla. If you are visiting Antwerp with kids, at trip to the zoo is one of the top things to do.
Right next to the Zoo, Antwerp Central Station (also known as Middenstatie) is a beautiful 19th-century building that is considered one of the most impressive train stations in the world. Its nickname of the Railroad Cathedral is a testament to its grandeur, and even those who are not traveling by rail will want to tour its interior. It is historically significant as the first station of Belgium’s public railway, which was the first of its kind in Europe.
Address: Kon. Astridplein 26, Central Antwerp
4. Chocolate Nation
Located just across from Antwerp’s Central Station, Chocolate Nation is the largest Belgian Chocolate museum in the world. Visitors are introduced to every step of the process via a multimedia presentation and interactive exhibits, from the cocoa bean’s equatorial origins to the final product — which, of course, you can enjoy to your heart’s content via samples and the museum shop.
The museum also explores the special place chocolate has within Belgian culture and tradition, as well as the history of the confection’s innovations here and in other countries. Exhibits look at the many ways that chocolate is used and presented, and visitors can even sign up for a chocolate workshop with take-home goodies.
