What to do and see in Genk, Flanders: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

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.

C-mine is a gem of industrial heritage and brings you the stories of the mine in a contemporary, creative and imaginative way. Do you want to know how dark it really was in the old coal mine or see the miners at work? Then come to C-mine expedition, where you will pay a virtual and real-life visit to the Winterslag mine.