Top 8 Outstanding Attractions To Explore In Genk, Belgium

Things to do in Genk
Isabelle
Isabelle 
Updated
| 4 min read

Genk is a popular tourist city which is located to the north-east direction of Belgium. With a population of over 65,000 people, Genk is filled with various tourist attractions which are suitable for all ages - this includes museums, national parks and theme parks. The city is also home to various annual events including several carnivals and fireworks shows. Here are our top eight attraction picks to consider visiting during your next trip to the beautiful city of Genk!

1. Bokrijk

Bokrijk haspengouw
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bokrijkbart used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Bokrijk is a wonderful example of a history themed open-air museum for all the family to enjoy. There is a wide selection of displays to view during your visit here, which relate heavily to historical buildings in the local area. This is a strong exhibit, conveying what life was really like living in the rural areas of Belgium. In addition to this, there is also an attractive on-site botanical garden which guests can visit. To keep your children entertained during your trip, there is an adjoined children’s playground area for your young ones to enjoy. Definitely a must for historical enthusiasts!

Bokrijk

Address: Bokrijklaan 1, 3600 Genk, Belgium

Website: Bokrijk

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2. Hoge Kempen National Park


Hoge Kempen National Park is a great example of an outstanding national park, which spans a total length of 35.4 miles (57 km). It is located to just east to the city of Genk, close to the Meuse River Valley. Expect to see a variety of different species of birds during your visit here, such as the Woodlark, Curlew and Nightjar. Grasshoppers and the Natterjack toad can also be spotted roaming within the park grounds. You definitely want to take a hike, cycle or horse ride along one of the scenic trails within the Hoge Kempen National Park to take in the natural beauty!

Hoge Kempen National Park

Address: Regionaal Landschap Kempen en Maasland vzw, Winterslagstraat 87, 3600 Genk

Website: Hoge Kempen National Park

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3. Fietsen Door Het Water


Fietsen Door Het Water is a scenic bike trail, which will definitely amuse the whole family whilst getting active at the same time. It is located in the area of Limberg, close to Genk city. Take in the impressive views while cycling along the scenic pathway. In total, the main cycle path measures up to be around 0.13 miles (0.2 km) in length. You can also choose to take one of the other two various routes, where you can view sights of the nearby cities of Hasselt and Genk. This is definitely an experience you cannot miss!

Fietsen Door Het Water

Address: Fietsknooppunt 91, Genk 3600, Belgium

Website: Fietsen Door Het Water (in Dutch)

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4. GoalMine

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

GoalMine is a museum which is dedicated to football and its many dedicated fans. This exhibition is suitable for football lovers of all ages, with many interactive sections for children to enjoy and be entertained by. GoalMine is the perfect museum for you if you wish to learn more about the history of Belgian football teams as well as current information. There is a lot of emphasis here on specific players, fans as well as local stadiums which have hosted large sports events - perfect for any football enthusiast!

GoalMine

Address: Stadionplein 4, Genk 3600, Belgium

Website: GoalMine

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5. Karting Genk

A post shared by Pieter Pé (@pieter_pe) on Aug 12, 2017 at 9:16am PDT


Make sure to head to Karting Genk to receive an enjoyable go karting experience with all the family. This exhilarating tourist attraction is most suitable for families with older kids, opposed to those with younger children. Karting Genk is home to the largest outdoor karting centre in the whole of Europe, with a circuit which is around 0.8 miles (1.2 km) in length. There is also an on-site cafe, where you are free to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a sweet treat at your leisure.

Karting Genk

Address: Karting Genk, Damstraat 1, 3600 Genk

Website: Karting Genk (in Dutch)

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6. Limberg Zoo

things to do in genk | limberg zoo
Source: instagram

Limberg Zoo is a hugely popular zoo type attraction which is located in the area of Zwartberg, to the north of the city of Genk. There is a large variety of different species of animals available to view at the attraction including monkeys and mouflons. It is known as being the second largest zoo attraction in the whole of Belgium, with large animal enclosures for you to view and explore around the park. Definitely a worthwhile visit during your trip to the city of Genk!

Limberg Zoo

Address: Zwartberg, Belgium

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7. C-Mine

C mine Genk belgium
Source: Photo by Flickr user Karen Baijens used under CC BY 2.0

Take a trip to C-Mine for an interactive, educational experience for all the family to enjoy. This museum focuses on the creative history surrounding the country of Belgium. Located to the north-west of the nearby city of Genk, this exhibition site is filled with various different sections revolving around topics like mining, virtual reality and educational film. Visit the C-Mine Cultural Center to receive the full experience, as you watch various movies and lectures, as well as the dance and comedy shows in action. To suit the younger visitors, there is an on-site indoor playground which is ideal for long-lasting entertainment.

C-Mine

Address: C-Mine, 3600 Genk, Belgium

Website: C-Mine

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8. Koolmijn Andre Dumont

Manifesta 9, Waterschei, Koolmijn Andre Dumont, Genk, Belgie

Posted by Roel van der List on Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Koolmijn Andre Dumont is a museum style exhibition which is totally dedicated to art. There are a range of sensational art installations to explore throughout the building. Highlights include the war themed exhibits featuring vehicles such as tanks, as well as the machinery displays which are sure to be filled with bags of history. There are also old colliery buildings and various mining items to view during your trip here. Koolmijn Andre Dumont also has a bar on-site where you are free to purchase drinks and snacks at your leisure.

Koolmijn Andre Dumont

Address: Andre Dumontlaan 67, Genk 3600, Belgium

Website: Koolmijn Andre Dumont (in Dutch)

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Genk is a vibrant city which is filled with bags of history and culture!

Go Kart
Source: Pixabay

The city of Genk is definitely a place to bear in mind for your next vacation spot. This place has absolutely tonnes of educational sites which would suit any history enthusiast. The city is also a real family-friendly contender due to the various theme parks to suit any young adrenaline junkie! Why wouldn’t you not want to give Genk a visit?

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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