I used my Brugge Museum Pass (purchased online and most cost effective when visiting 3 or more…read moremuseums/activities in 72 hours) and had the QR code scanned for admittance. If you have any backpacks or bags then you must store them in the free lockers due to the tight confines on the staircase. The climb was up 366 steps that first started with stone but later turned into narrower wooden steps making a tight staircase with two way traffic. If timed correctly then you may see and hear the carillon in action for a few minutes. That was the highlight of my visit but there are scheduled carillon "concerts" to enjoy when in Brugge. The views were nice as could be on that cloudy morning. Wire screens on all opening impacted some photos but one can capture most of the city. On the way down I took my time and finally stopped to view the exhibits on the bells, drum (programming for ringing the bells), carillon, the tower history, etc. Before exiting the staff will rescan your ticket. There was a small gift shop after the turnstiles.

Awesome stair climb to the top. I'm a 47 year old male in decent shape and was able to handle it…read more This is the tallest structure in Bruges.

When I visited the beautiful medieval city of Bruges, I joined a tour that included a visit to the…read moreChoco-Story Museum. We were taken to the chocolate classroom, where the chocolatier explained the chocolate-making process, the history of cacao, and demonstrated the actual process of making chocolate. We actually tried the chocolate right after the chocolatier made it, and it was incredibly delicious. After the class, we walked through the entire museum, which featured many chocolate artworks, free chocolate tastings, and a gift shop. I purchased a chocolate box as a gift and discovered many interesting chocolate products in the gift shop. I really enjoyed the museum experience, especially seeing the various chocolate artworks.

Tourist trap? Heck yes…read more I love chocolate though, so I have a bit of wiggle room to like this little museum. They have a location in Brussels as well, but I didn't go, so I don't know how they compare. They do have the same admissions fees though. Adults are 11 euros. I would have liked to try the workshops to make my own chocolate, but they were sold out on the day of. I definitely recommend booking that ahead of time! Admission comes with an audio guide that you scan on the numbers next to the exhibit and put next to your ear to hear. They have a ton of languages available. You also get a free piece of chocolate to enjoy. I thought they should have had rubbish bins so people can toss their plastic trash. There's about 3-4 stories of exhibits that teach you all about chocolate and how to make them. At the end, you get to try as much as you want of 4 different types of chocolate and watch the current chocolate-making class do their thing. You can watch a guy do a demonstration (timed) and get more free star-shaped pralines. (He made sure that everyone was ok with English first.) We even took a quiz at the end and scored 100%. HA! The museum ends at the gift shop of course. Worth a visit? I think so!

Nice setup, with informative plaques. It's not crowded, and the museum takes you through the…read moreexhibition in a way that creates a good flow. It's well worth the money (9euros per person for adults). On the down side, it's not wheelchair or walkerframe friendly. Bonus tip: you can get tickets for the witch "museum" there too.. that too, is super cool, and right next to the torture museum

funny museum with lots of information. nothing too unique or noteworthy but it was like 7 euro soread more

Illness (biliary colic). The staff generously offered pomme frites to my brother. He reported they…read morewere chewy and did not taste right. Such a durable texture and off-flavor suggests re-frying old fries (tough) in old oil (off taste). 4 hours later he suffered 7.5 out of 10 biliary colic. We were all worried for his health. He pulled through. Moral of the Frietmuseum: Don't eat their fries.

Fun and kind of funky museum about the history of fries and potatoes. It has a lot of memorabilia…read morefrom different countries that we can all relate to and fun. The history of the potato is very important in the development of the world. It fueled many countries and provided low cost and nutrition to many who could work in the Industrial Revolution and it continues to be a vital staple today.

Fabulous experience. Very much a highlight of our short stay in Bruges. Luc is a genius and a mad…read morescientist of all things harp. You will leave with a smile.

Wow! This harp concert was so freaking amazing and definitely worth checking out if you have an…read morehour to spare. Follow the signs at Site Oud Sint-Jan. Luc plays at 3:00PM, 5:00PM, and 6:30PM. Please show up on time and stay for the entire performance (total, it's about 50 minutes). Don't be rude and ruin the experience for everyone. If you do come in slightly late, please take a seat during the short pause between songs. It's in a small room that seats about 40 people, and Luc does a quick 2-minute introduction, plays for the majority of the time, and gives a 5-7 minute explanation about the instruments he played after he's done. It truly is "Harps around the World," a one-man show. He only plays his own compositions, which are amazing. He controls the lighting (including different colored lights), and he's not offended when you fall asleep. He knows his music can be relaxing, but just don't snore!! The music is soothing and beautiful. I definitely fell asleep...because the concert was so great!!! Luc is a harp master, passionate about his craft. He switches between multiple harps, including Grand Concert Harp, Celtic Harp, Harmonic Sound Harp (a self-made contraption made of sound harps usually only used for music therapy!), traditional harps from China, Japan, India, cymbals from Tibet, Nepal, and Japan, gongs from China, a steel harp, and a Lyre de Ur. The last one is a replica of an ancient instrument from 200BC that was excavated, and one that he spent 2 years making! And he only finished it a couple months ago, so check it out now. Nothing like it. He even shows you a video of the process. Finally, this concert is free, as in donation-based, but you can purchase CDs as support as well. Please support him if you have the means to do so. Luc himself keeps it free because he believes that $$$ should not be a barrier to cultural and arts enrichment. I obviously loved the performance, and hope you choose to check it out!

Small museum in the former town residence of the first Belgian queen (who also died here). The main…read moresubject is the port and the fishing business of Ostend through the centuries. Some nice replicas of old boats and interesting paintings. With some more support, this place could become an attractive spot.

This building is the biggest and most prominent on the Bruges main square. Go inside on a rainy day…read moreto do the VR experience or history experience, or simply go up to the top level's beer bar for a quick drink and view of the square from above (no cost to just walk up). The VR experience was included in the ticket we chose and actually pretty cool to see that there was once a canal going under the building for board and commerce in Bruges. The history experience throughout the building was a little strange -- like an animatronic story where you walk in room after room. I liked how interactive and Disney-like it was, but the story in general is just a little random (?). You follow a pretty girl in a red cloak through the markets and there's a bird and a painter and people looking for her or something? I would've loved to learn more about actual Bruges which is why I wouldn't consider it a must-do for visitors. We brought our toddler with us through it, but I wouldn't recommend for kids under 15 ish... it's dark and there's a room with women of the night portrayed so it just kind of leaves you wondering who this general exhibit is for as most of it would be great for kids but then there's that dropped into it for no reason. The beer bar and view is cool though! PS: The shop inside could be improved as it has a lot of junky merch and the main manager lady is not friendly... she got upset at one of her employees and we felt bad for them because she hadn't been nice to us either.

Stay away. Far away. No go zone. Do not waste your time or money…read more Sadly there is no history in the Historium. Just a cheesy made up love story. 50 minutes and some euros I will never get back.