Children’s Activities
There are plenty of attractions for kids to
enjoy in Luxembourg. Fun museums and parks are aplenty with animal
parks, adventure parks and even horseback riding. The
Tram and Bus Museum is perfect for kids while Parc Merveilleux
should also not be missed.
 Animal Park
Situated on the banks of the Messancy River in the beautiful
Ardennes region of Luxembourg, the Animal Park is a great day out for the whole
family. It gives kids the chance to see the animals and birds of the region
including deer, goats, wild boar, and wildfowl and is sure to keep young kids
entertained for a good few hours. Phone: +352 61 210 640.
 Bison Farm
Also in the Ardennes, this farm with a difference is tied in with
the interactive Museum of the American Indian Life and takes families on a trip
through a herd of wild bison. The trip involves a trek aboard a wagon and a
drive through spectacular countryside to reach the bison, which are here in
their numbers. Kids can then explore the museum and see the way of life for the
American Indians.
Horseback riding
There
aren’t that many kids around who don’t like horses and it just so
happens that horseback riding in Luxembourg is a favourite pastime. Numerous
well-equipped stables around Luxembourg offer rides by the hour or day while
beginner’s courses are also available. Try a tour by horseback of Luxembourg
City and the surrounding countryside or perhaps go way up into the mountains and
forests of the north. The Fédération Luxembourgeoise des Sports Equestres has a
list of stables around Luxembourg. Phone: +352 484 999.
 Museum of Music
Parents with kids who are into their music will love the Museum
of Music, which was Luxembourg's first such museum and has been operating since
the mid-1990s. The museum primarily details Luxembourg City’s wind orchestra, as
well as covering music in the country for the last two centuries. In addition,
fanfares and brass bands are also detailed and there are plenty of ancient
instruments, old sheet music and photos exhibited, to boot. Phone: +352 957 444.
 Parc Merveilleux
Parc Merveilleux is Luxembourg’s most popular amusement park and
a must for those with active kids. The park is small but intimate and a nice
change from the other larger parks of Western Europe. The main highlights of
Parc Merveilleux are the adventure playgrounds, a children’s miniature train
ride, the pony express, a small zoo complete with indigenous animals, mini-cars,
and a café and restaurant. Phone: +352 511 048.
 Tram and Bus Museum Located
in the small town of Hollerich to the south of Luxembourg City,
the excellent Tram and Bus Museum features loads of fun exhibits including old
tramway carriages, bus models, a historical horse-drawn coach and a display of
old-fashioned uniforms. The museum is educational and teaches kids about what
life must have been like for getting around Luxembourg all those years ago.
Cultural Activities
There is much to see and do in the way of cultural
attractions all over Luxembourg and the capital naturally has the best of
them, with fine museums, opulent palaces and ancient castles. There are also
plenty of theatres in Luxembourg City and the lush Moselle Valley enables
one to get on a wine tour of this verdant region.
 Château de Bourscheid
Presiding over lush farmland and the meandering Sûre River, the spectacular
1,000-year-old Château de Bourscheid is perhaps the most impressive of all of
the castles in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The castle is actually well
located on a rocky bluff and provides perfect views over the surrounding region.
A 600-year-old wall surrounds the complex. Phone: +352 990 570.
 Luxembourg City History Museum
T he
Musée d'Histoire de la Ville de Luxembourg in central Luxembourg retraces the
history of the city through wooden models and artwork. The museum is spread over
several levels; the wooden statues are downstairs and the paintings and
decorative arts are upstairs. Be sure to take in the views of the town from the
glass lift and don’t forget to pick up the free English language guide at
reception. Phone: +352 47 964 500.
National Museum of History and Art
The National Museum of History and Art is Luxembourg’s
premier museum and features some excellent exhibits on art, history,
archeology, and geology. Of the many exhibits the Bentinck-Thyssen art
collection is the finest with loads of masterpieces from the 15th
to 18th century Benelux countries by the likes of Rubens,
Rembrandt, van Dyke, and Breughel. The museum can be found in the oldest
part of town. Phone: +352 47 93 301.
National Museum of Military History
War buffs need to head for the National Museum of Military
History in Luxembourg City to learn more about the Battle of the Bulge and the
occupation and liberation of Luxembourg. Huge dioramas depict fighting US and
German troops while tanks, artillery, weapons, military uniforms and loads of
sundry military equipment are also on show. Phone: +352 808 908.
 Palace of the Grand Dukes
Situated right next door to the Luxembourg Parliament the Grand
Ducal Palace harks back to the days of the medieval Grand Duchy and is the
official residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Parts of the palace date
back to 1572 and today it has been completely revamped with the state rooms and
ballroom being particularly delightful. Phone: +352 467 070.
 Theatre and Music
Those into the performing arts will find several popular theatres
in Luxembourg City where performances are staged year-round. Theatre Municipal
is one of the top venues, displaying well known international artists in ballet
and modern dance from May to October. In addition the Orchestre Symphonique RTL
and Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg put on regular concerts and the
Theatre des Capucins shows off the Round Tower Players.
Dining & Shopping
Luxembourg is big on international eateries owing to the
large expat community and multicultural makeup. Unique Luxembourg cafés and
restaurants also serve up local cuisine which is largely based on
German cooking. Luxembourg also does well in its wine prowess and
many fruity numbers hail from the country’s Moselle Valley section and there
is also some tasty strong ale worth sampling.
Naturally Luxembourg City is the best place in the country
for fine dining and for choice with everything from street side
cafes and inns to trendy bars and posh restaurants. Prices are a
little on the steep side, however, and unfortunately for some the city isn’t
big on fast-food burgers.
Pork and potatoes can be found on most menus while French
cuisine is definitely in evidence, albeit with larger portions. Italian food
is also widely available all over the country and Belgian tastes are also
catered for. Trout and pike are the most widely available
fish in Luxembourg’s restaurants.
National specialities to look out for include:
jellied-suckling pig (cochon de lait en gelée); smoked pork and
sauerkraut or broad beans (carré de porc fume); and smoked
Ardennes ham (jambon d’Ardennes), especially in the north.
For traditional desserts try plum tart (quetscheflued) or perhaps
omelette (soufflé au kirsch), both of which are instilled with
local liqueurs.
Shopping options in Luxembourg are unfortunately not on a par
with its dining options and your best bet is to check out Luxembourg
City. Prices are pretty steep here, to boot, although there are
some good buys in handicrafts. Handcrafted pottery and clocks are
particularly popular with tourists in Luxembourg, while Villeroy
and Boch’s crystal factories have very high quality crystal items
on show and for sale.
Other popular items to pick up in Luxembourg’s shops are hand
painted porcelain plates, which often depict dreamy country scenes in the
Ardennes mountains, and cast-iron wall plaques, which
generally feature coats of arms, castles and other souvenir-type goodies.
For fashion, Luxembourg City has a collection of snazzy
European-style boutiques as well as some fancy art
galleries that are sure to break the bank.
Note
Note that shops usually
open late on Mondays in Luxembourg (around 14:00) and close
on Sundays altogether. Shopping hours at other times go
from around 08:00 to 18:00.
Outdoor Activities
Not many people associate Luxembourg with outdoor activities
but there is certainly plenty of opportunity for getting
active in the Grand Duchy. The cycling, walking and hiking
here is a pleasure with a distinct lack of the pollution
that comes with most European climes. The fishing and golf
is also good while winter sees the north’s ski resorts open up; head to
Mullerthal and the Ardennes for the best slopes.
 Cycling
Luxembourg is small enough and flat enough, in most places, for
just about anyone to enjoy cycling. Luxembourg City itself has a staggering
amount of greenery in the form of monstrous parks to ride around as well as the
banks of the Alzette River, but those who prefer more strenuous cycling should
head to the Ardennes mountains in the north or to the southeast Moselle Valley.
 Fishing
Those who take the time to get past all the red tape and obtain
the licenses will find the fishing in Luxembourg excellent. The rivers here are
among the freshest and best stocked on the continent and many companies offer
fishing trips and the like. The district commissioners’ offices in Luxembourg
City, Diekirch, and Grevenmacher dish out fishing licenses.
 Golf
Although golf isn’t that big in the Grand Duchy and the profusion
of 18-hole courses is a bit lacking compared with Luxembourg’s neighbours, there
are options in most towns and cities and the Grand-Ducal Golf Club in Luxembourg
City is well known in golfing circles. It is actually one of the toughest match
play courses in Europe with very tight fairways and some awkward pins.
Mondorf-les-Bains is also good for golf. Phone: +352 340 0901.
 Skiing
The skiing in Luxembourg isn’t great and is mostly cross country
but at least the Grand Duchy has skiing options nonetheless. The Ardennes has
the country’s collection of small ski resorts with about a dozen downhill
centres. For a little more excitement, try out the skiing at the Hautes Fagnes
Nature Reserve which lies in between Eupen and Malmedy.
 Walking and Hiking
Luxembourg’s cities are well laid out and most have quality parks
with good walking paths. The Municipal Park in the capital is one such park with
many miles of winding paths and several major attractions to boot. If you are
here in the summer get on an organized walking tour or perhaps drive into the
Ardennes region and try out some serious hiking.
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