Jekerkwartier: walls, water and the mill
South of the shopping streets, the Jeker appears between buildings and beside the old defences. Make a route through Stenenbrug, Grote Looiersstraat and Helpoort, then come back through the park. It is a compact area, but adding the natural history museum turns a short walk into most of an afternoon.
Bisschopsmolen is useful here for both a bakery stop and a look at the waterwheel. The façade and wheel are part of the interest; you do not have to turn the visit into a long sit-down meal. Pick up vlaai if that is what you came for, then continue towards the walls.
This is a good district for an aimless hour once you have done the major sights. It is also a residential area. Keep doorways clear when taking photographs and leave bikes and narrow pavements usable.
Stenenbrug and the Looiersstraten
From Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, head towards Stenenbrug and Bisschopsmolen. This is the bakery stop on the route. Look for the mill wheel around the side, then continue through the streets towards Grote Looiersstraat and the Jeker.
Keep the walk compact if you are fitting it around lunch. With more time, add the natural history museum before heading out towards the park.
Through Helpoort
Go through the gate and look back from the park side. The surviving walls make more sense when you see their relationship to the river and open ground outside. You can follow this exterior route without arranging a museum visit.
A longer park loop can include the d’Artagnan monument in Aldenhofpark. If you are returning to the centre, turn back through the Jekerkwartier rather than repeating the whole approach.
The food stop
Bisschopsmolen at Stenenbrug 3 makes this a good part of town for vlaai. Its regular closing day is Monday. On another day, pick a slice before continuing to the walls, or sit down if the group is ready for a break.