Ghent is a delightful city:
http://www4.gent.be/gent/english/tourism/index .htm
However, you should also use it as a base for exploring further afield. It's just a short hop on the train to the historic city of Bruges (Brugge):
http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/index.htm
The lively seaside resort of Ostend (Oostende) is only a further 15 minutes or so along the line:
http://www.toerisme-oostende.be/index.phtml?la nguageid=3
(You can also access the resorts of Blankenberge and Knokke via rail from Ghent and Bruges. Or you can travel between these resorts using the coastal tram service).
In the other direction, along the main rail line, you'll arrive in Brussels. Plenty of AB contributors have labelled Brussels as one of Europe's most boring capitals; I tend to agree but there's enough of interest there to fill a day trip:
http://www.brusselsinternational.be/wabxlint/e n/visitor/brussels-tourism-visit.act
Chris