Looking for ideas for outings with the kids? In need of some relaxation and entertainment after a busy week at work? Say no more. The Canal district has you covered.

At Tour & Taxis, you can discover countless treasures at the Toys Discovery Museum. You can also rouse your senses at WOM (World of Mind), a museum dedicated to brain-teasing illusions and perceptions at the crossroads between science and fun. BattleKart lets you experience unprecedented thrills with a mix of video games, augmented reality and electric karting. 

A little further down the canal, you’ll find Dockx shopping and experience. Completely different, but definitely worth a visit, here you can shop to your heart’s content and grab a bite to eat. Kids will adore the LEGO Discovery Centre, Smash Arcade and Koezio, an indoor entertainment centre offering a host of exciting team-based activities. Prefer an obstacle course or an escape game? You can also let off steam during a relaxing game of miniature golf or participate in a music quiz. Ideal for a wild outing with friends, colleagues or family.

Something less playful but definitely just as fascinating, visit the MigratieMuseumMigration in the heart of Molenbeek. This participatory and community-oriented museum tells the stories of migrant workers, refugees fleeing war and migrants. Archive films and art installations teach you more about the need for intercultural dialogue.

Does architecture have your heart all aflutter? Once again, you are in the right place. The Entrepôt Royal, the Sheds, the Hôtel des Douanes and the Hôtel de la Poste are all heritage gems on the Tour & Taxis site with genuinely unique character. The showpiece, of course, is the completely renovated Gare Maritime. This industrial freight station was transformed into an energy-neutral urban jungle with beautiful wooden structures. It is the perfect setting for all kinds of events and there is always something to do.

Are new media and digital culture your thing? Then get yourself to the iMAL Art Center for Digital Cultures & Technology. Prefer contemporary audiovisual art? Across the canal, Argos beckons. This centre features 5,000 artists' films from the 1960s to the present day. Finally, you can satisfy your appetite for art at the district's numerous art galleries, such as Harlan Levey Projects, the renowned Vanhaerents Art Collection and Galerie Christophe Gaillard.

The fact that the Canal district manages to reconcile its industrial past with the challenges of today is evident in the proliferation of innovative and ecological projects.

Anyone interested in climate change and its consequences can visit the environmental museum BELEXPO at Tour & Taxis. A somewhat unusual address is Permafunghi, a clever mushroom farm that grows oyster mushrooms using recycled coffee grounds.

Just down the road is the BE-HERE sustainable village in a beautiful historic location. You'll find a biomarket, a microbrewery, a bicycle workshop and plenty of culinary treats, among other things.

Our top tip for families: go for a walk in Maximilien Park and visit the animals in its urban farm. You can do all this in the Canal district!

Your stomach is bound to start grumbling after all these intense experiences. But don't panic, the gastronomic options in the district are finger-licking good. You’ll be spoilt for choice at the Gare Maritime food market and there are plenty of other tempting addresses scattered throughout the district. From the social restaurant Belmundo, which is committed to the local economy, to gastronomic avant-garde talent in trendy eateries like Barge, La belle équipe, Kline and Nightshop. Top artisan beers are best sampled at Brussels breweries such as Brasserie de la Senne, La Source Beer Co and Brussels Beer Project.

For anyone who still has the energy to go out after all this fun, we have plenty of suggestions, because even in the evening and at night, the Canal district is still buzzing with energy. How about a play at the Kaaitheater, or a concert at Le Baixu, Café de la Rue or Le Lac? At Café Walvis, the atmosphere changes up a gear when the kitchen finishes its service. Get another round in and sample Brussels’ unique café culture at Bok and BarBeton. Finally, genuine night owls have to check out the programming of alternative arts centres like LaVallée and Recyclart. Before you know it, you'll be partying until dawn at an event you'll never forget.

To discover a neighbourhood and its highlights, there is no better way than a tour hosted by an experienced guide who immerses you in a range of fascinating facts. It's sure to leave a lasting impression. Learn more about Molenbeek's industrial history or how Brussels' best brewers produce their artisan beers. You could also opt for a comfortable but educational ride on the Tootbus. This hop-on-hop-off bus stops in the Canal district and the audio guide provides plenty of interesting information about the district. Or why not let yourself be guided by a Greeter: a passionate local with his or her own outlook and personal story. Don't forget to book in good time.