I have searched previous questions on this forum that are related to mine and have come up with different answers so I would like to ask again to make sure I have the right information.

I have a 5.5 hour layover in Brussels which I would like to use to travel to Grand Place. From previous threads related to layovers in Brussels, this is possible and has been done by several people on this forum.

My question is, just to be sure, what should I do to make sure I don't waste any time? I will be leaving from Chicago Monday evening on UA and arriving in Brussels in the morning. I have a 5.5 hour layover and then flying out to Africa. I am a U.S. citizen with a U.S. passport. Is there anything I should prepare beforehand? Such as a transit visa? Should I ask the airline in Chicago for my Africa boarding pass in advance or do they give it to me anyway?

Any help on this would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Just show your U.S. passport at immigration at BRU. That's it.
And yes, you are likely to get your 2nd boarding pass when checking in. If not, get it at BRU before leaving the airport.

Thank you!