Tips for Ghent

[SandyClawsIsComingToTown]

Off to Ghent for a few days this month and would love some tips on what to do there during the festive season. Will be me, DH and an almost-4 year old.

In particular interested in:
Kid-friendly things to do
A beautifully decorated hotel/cafe/restaurant where we could stop for hot chocolate
Places to eat
Christmas shopping (other than the market).

Thanks so much!

Dille and Kamille for Christmas shopping!

We went in September, I'll have a think of some other recommendations.

I have lived in Gent for several years, barring the occasional breaks for work. I love it. What you're asking is all there. I have issues with the current tourist policy though.

I love the design museum. There is some fub stuff that kids might like there too.

The Design Museum may not have the most interesting collection for kids – furniture and housewares – but they have the most engaging activity for kids – they have hidden Playmobil figures in some of their displays for kids to find.
A guided cruise around the ancient canals turned out to be a highlight for us. The tour took about an hour.
We also enjoyed the STAM (Ghent City Museum) which has two great exhibits your 4yo will enjoy. The first is a huge map of Ghent. You wear shoe protectors and have the chance to walk over a huge aerial map. My kids loved this. If we had brought along a matchbox car the boys probably would have never left. It also has a Lego table where you can build your own models while looking at a miniature Ghent made out of Lego. The STAMCafe had a toy box, making it a great choice for kids.
Try Gwenola at Donkersteeg 10 for Breton-style crepes with butter and brown sugar, or Julie’s house at Kraanlei 13.
If you need to warm up, grab some soup at Soup Lounge. You choose one of their four daily soups and it comes with bread, a piece of fruit and mix-ins. The price is 5 Euros (4 for a children’s portion). Plus if you sit upstairs you have a wonderful view over the river and into the main market square.
Just down the street from St. Peter’s Abbey is Mayana, a chocolate cafe you’re not going to want to miss. They have a variety of options with the common theme that everything gets dipped in chocolate.

Great, thanks everyone!

Ricekrispie Am definitely noting down the chocolate cafe! And will take a toy car, great tip.

Tentative Ah thanks for the Dille and Kamille reminder, I loved the Bruges shop a couple of years ago.