10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Limburg Province That You Shouldn't Miss

The Hoge Kempen National Park in a nutshell.The Hoge Kempen National Park covers 5700 ha and stretches across the municipalities Dilsen-Stokkem, Maasmechelen, Zutendaal, Lanaken, Genk and As. The Hoge Kempen is the largest woodland and nature reserve in Flanders. Extensive pine woods alternate with purple flowering heathland. Large lakes were left behind where sand and gravel were extracted. The highest ‘peaks’, 100 meters high, offer magnificent views. It is home to many rare and exceptional animals. Encountering a roe is not exceptional and butterflies like the swallowtail butterfly brighten up the summer. Special inhabitants are the slippery snake, the antlion and the European beewolf. Large stones and small boulders attest to the last ice age and lend it all a magical feeling.The Hoge Kempen National Park welcomes people with a ‘heart for nature’. That is why five locations have been selected as ‘Gateway to the Hoge Kempen National Park’: Stations As in As, Pietersheim in Lanaken, Mechelse Heide in Maasmechelen, Kattevennen in Genk and Lieteberg in Zutendaal. The gateways have car parks, information kiosks, cafeterias and additional attractions. It is your starting point for walking, cycling and horseriding. Admission to the gateways and the National Park is free. The National Park is not fenced off.

Are you curious about where our current customs and traditions stem from? At the Bokrijk Open-Air Museum, you will discover how the past is inspiring our future! Come to Bokrijk and immerse yourself in the story of craftsmanship and admire our demonstrations or even roll up your sleeves and join in one of our fascinating workshops. From 6 April 2019, the Bokrijk Open-Air Museum offers you the opportunity to step into 'The World of Bruegel'. Imagine yourself actually being in scene depicted in one of the paintings you will see on the inspiring Bruegel Trail, and discover how relative his work remains today. Besides offering the art of baking bread and the history of textiles, we will also tell you all about brewing a craft beer (BKRK Beer) in our museum brewery the Paenhuys. The Open-Air Museum is located in a 550-hectare park, which is a dream environment for hikers and cyclists. Visit the Arboretum or explore the De Wijers pond area with its 'Cycling through Water’ experience.

Permanent exhibition: 'From neanderthal to Gallo-Roman' Discover the multifaceted story of man in the Limburg region: from prehistory to the end of the Roman period. Familiarize yourself with the major transition points and marvel at more than 2,000 objects from the museum’s own collection, beautifully presented in a highly-original set by Niek Kortekaas and De Gregorio & Partners. Temporary exhibition: 'Timeless Beauty' This exhibition signals a departure from what you usually expect from the Gallo-Roman Museum. An evocative interplay of images of sensual nakedness by the art photographer Marc Lagrange, intriguing texts by Roman authors and authentic objects leading you deeper into the mysteries of feminine beauty.

Het Mijnmuseum tells the story of the mines and mining in Limburg. The new museum opened in april 2012 and is highly interactive, with testimonials, a huge touchscreen and lots of audio and moviefragments. There is also the possibility to visit the underground simulation with an enthousiastic guide (ex-miner) to experience how the mineworkers had to work. There are programs for families, groups and schools.

Alden Biesen, so much in one castle! Historical monument, tourist draw, setting for events and exhibitions, centre for European operation, congress centre, ... Alden Biesen is all of these things and more!Originally built by the Teutonic Order, it is now one of the largest castle estates of the Euregion. Young and old, small and tall, culture and nature lovers: everyone loves it here. Come visit our castle and discover all that Alden-Biesen has to offer. Alden Biesen caters to both culture and nature lovers. Discover the historic building and gardens and visit an exhibition in the moated castle. Or make the Grand Commandery your point of departure for a hearty walk or a brisk bike ride through the Haspengouw region and the Demer valley. Afterwards you can enjoy one of the many events for which the Grand Commandery sets the stage.