Atomium, Brussels, Belgium
Date Visited: April 16, 2017
Time Spent: 1 hour due to time restraints
Collection: Modern art, rotating exhibitions, permanent exhibition on World Expo 58, archives, etc.
Website: http://atomium.be/
If you've had enough of the beautiful old architecture of Brussels, and want to feel as if you're entering a sci-fi movie, make the trek over to Atomium! This is one of the most popular images of Brussels, even though it's located so far away from the city centre. I decided to walk there at 7 am from my hostel... it was about 2.5 hours. Why did I do this? Because I'm insane. Mind you, it was quite nice to be one of the first ones there, and you really get a feel for the real Brussels as you trudge through all the local areas. Also, #adventure!
Not only is this a fun monument built for the World Expo in 1958, it's also, much like the Eiffel Tower, climbable! Once you climb up, there are exhibition spaces that make you look like you've entered a rocket ship. You take a step back into the 1950s/60s space craze and it's pretty damn cool. There's also a rotating special exhibit schedule that you can find on their website. I've skipped photos of the interior because the website does an amazing job of a 360 degree view of the exhibit. Go check it out!
The monument also has observation deck and a restaurant if you feel like being fancy with your dinner. There's SUPPOSED to be free WiFi, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't connect. Hopefully you have better luck with this.
Shinyyyyyyy
If you don't really feel like climbing up top, you are more than welcome to take all the artsy Instagram photos to make everyone else jealous. There are also some modern art installations underneath the monument that have mirrors attached. Fun was had with these.
I walked three hours and all I have to show for it is this selfie
Don't forget to enjoy your time around the huge park and gardens around the area. It's a nice green space and you get a very different vibe from the rest of Brussels. I wouldn't put Atomium on the list if you're on a time constraint or on a budget as there's so much more to see and do in Belgium. But if you've got the time, and love all things shiny, make your way over!
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