Weekend Trip to Antwerp: A Blend of Art, Adventure and Family Fun
October 31, 2024 – Halloween
We began the weekend journey with a cozy start at my sister’s place, where the kids were overjoyed to see us again. After a productive morning of home office, complete with a few meetings and some final afternoon tasks, I settled in for some creative time with my nephew. We sketched together, then enjoyed cake and coffee before diving into Halloween festivities.
Dressed with costumes and face paint, we took my nephew and his friends trick-or-treating, filling their bags with sweets as we strolled past spooky houses. One house, particularly decked out, added an extra thrill to our evening. After dinner, our friend joined in for more spooky festivities, and then we relaxed with a scary movie, getting to bed early to prepare for our early start the next day.
November 1, 2024 – Arriving in Antwerp
We sat off around 6:10 am, and after a smooth drive, we reached Antwerp just after lunchtime. We checked in and kicked off our stay with a delicious lunch at Table d’Ho for some delicious Korean food, and afterward, we hopped on the tram to explore Antwerp's vibrant city center.
Our walk led us past the stunning Cathedral of Our Lady and the ornate guild houses. We browsed antique shops and stumbled upon the M HKA - Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst. Although we only toured the free wing, the experience was refreshing, and our dinner later at Grand Café de Roden Hood gave us a cozy end to the day. The weather was mostly cloudy, but it didn’t dampen the excitement. Along the way, we made a stop at a Christmas ornament shop—my mom found some beautiful pieces. It felt like a small hint of the festive season awaiting us back home.
1. homemade halloween sweets, 2. trick-or-treating, 3. veggie bibimbap bowl, 4. guild houses, 5. George & me, 6. cute antique brooches, 6. in an antique store, 7. vintage cameras at the M HKA, 8. dried apples in all variations, 9. Mom, George and I buying cookies
November 2, 2024 – A Day Immersed in Art and Culture
Saturday morning began with a quick breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien, followed by a trip to the renowned MoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp. We delved into exhibitions celebrating famous Belgian designers, selected works of Antwerp University of Fine Arts students and an engaging exhibition on the 2nd floor on makeup in fashion. Next, we marveled at the beauty of the Cathedral of Our Lady, this time over the magnificent interiors.
A highlight of the day was Rieko Koga’s exhibition at Vrijdag Gallery. Seeing her layered, textured work in person was a moving experience, especially the large canvas pieces. Inspired, we continued to the Fotomuseum Antwerp (FoMu), where exhibitions on Cindy Sherman and Dirk Braeckman offered thought-provoking insights. We rounded off our art adventures with video art at M HKA.
Our dinner spot for smashed burgers, Plump, capped off the evening perfectly. Before turning in, we took an enchanting city tour, learning more about Antwerp’s storied history and getting a spectacular view from MAS Museum’s rooftop. We returned to the hotel, exhausted but with lots of inspiration and new memories.
1.breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien, 2. & 3. MoMu Fashion Museum - famous Belgian Designers, 4.-7. Masquerade, Make-up & Ensor Exhibition at MoMu, 8.-10. Cathedral of Our Lady, 11.-20. Rieko Koga’s wonderful work at the Vrijdag Gallery, 21.-23. Cindy Sherman at FoMu, 24. & 25. Dirk Braeckman’s work at FoMu, 26. burgers at Plump, 27. Grote Market at night
November 3, 2024 – Farewell to Antwerp
Sunday morning saw us checking out early and heading to Salt’n Sugar near MAS Museum for a hearty breakfast. The Antarctica exhibition there was a fascinating exploration, and the pre-Columbian art on the 8th floor, particularly the expressive sculptures, captivated me.
The trip would not be complete without indulging in Belgian chocolates and a view of the most beautiful central train station in the world as voted by the public. Before departing this magnificent city, we stopped by Pierre Marcolini to buy some treats and made our way to the Central Station as our last stop. Driving back, we each took turns at the wheel, reminiscing about the beautiful art, history, and lively streets of Antwerp.
Our trip to Antwerp was an inspiring mix of family, art, and adventure—one we’ll cherish as we look forward to our next journey!
1. breakfast at Salt’n Sugar, 2. MAS Museum, 3. my parents, George and I, 4. & 5. pre-Columbian sculptures, 6. view from the 8th floor of the MAS, 7. & 8. Antwerp’s Central Station