Jo's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Have a walk around the gardens followed by a nice coffee in the cellars by the fire !
83 locals recommend
Belfast Castle
Antrim RoadHave a walk around the gardens followed by a nice coffee in the cellars by the fire !
Great place to spent a morning or afternoon with the kids big and small! Only about 5/10 minutes away. Make sure you like walking hills though as it’s a fair bit of uphill so bring a buggy for the less inclined toddlers.....
66 locals recommend
Belfast Zoo
Antrim RoadGreat place to spent a morning or afternoon with the kids big and small! Only about 5/10 minutes away. Make sure you like walking hills though as it’s a fair bit of uphill so bring a buggy for the less inclined toddlers.....
This is a must see for visitors! Take public transport/tour if possible as parking can be tricky. Bring your national trust card if you have one to gain access to the free parking on site and of course you then have access to the building. THE STONES ARE A FREE ATTRACTION IF YOU DONT NEED TO ACCESS THE TOURIST BUILDING JUST WALK ATOUND THE BACK AND YOU CAN WALK DOWN TO THE CAUSEWAY FREE OF CHARGE!!!!
531 locals recommend
Giant's Causeway
This is a must see for visitors! Take public transport/tour if possible as parking can be tricky. Bring your national trust card if you have one to gain access to the free parking on site and of course you then have access to the building. THE STONES ARE A FREE ATTRACTION IF YOU DONT NEED TO ACCESS THE TOURIST BUILDING JUST WALK ATOUND THE BACK AND YOU CAN WALK DOWN TO THE CAUSEWAY FREE OF CHARGE!!!!
The Dark Hedges
Bregagh RoadFor all those game of throne fans!
Stand on the iconic titanic stairs! This is a beautiful building packed with everything for those fascinated by the titanic.
324 locals recommend
Titanic Belfast
1 Olympic WayStand on the iconic titanic stairs! This is a beautiful building packed with everything for those fascinated by the titanic.
Open bank holidays and Sunday’s, this can be a great time filler for kids especially as it opens early on a Sunday (shops and businesses open at 1pm in N Ireland on Sunday)
Kids can easily loose a few hours here, major attraction has to be the mummy! Park Ormeau embankment if you can and walk through botanic gardens and see the palm house and large conservatory.
142 locals recommend
Ulster Museum
Botanic GardensOpen bank holidays and Sunday’s, this can be a great time filler for kids especially as it opens early on a Sunday (shops and businesses open at 1pm in N Ireland on Sunday)
Kids can easily loose a few hours here, major attraction has to be the mummy! Park Ormeau embankment if you can and walk through botanic gardens and see the palm house and large conservatory.
Only a few minutes away this is an ideal way to blow away the cobwebs for a nice walk along the shoreline with views of both Cavehill and city!
9 locals recommend
Hazelbank Park
Shore RoadOnly a few minutes away this is an ideal way to blow away the cobwebs for a nice walk along the shoreline with views of both Cavehill and city!
Amazing place for kids to have fun and possibly learn a few things! Easily a good half day required especially with very little ones, make sure you ask which is the best zone for the age of the children as it’s quite big and it’s possibly easy to miss bits. You get a great view of the titanic building and Belfast from the glass windows. There is an area to eat if you have a packed lunch.
51 locals recommend
W5
2 Queens QuayAmazing place for kids to have fun and possibly learn a few things! Easily a good half day required especially with very little ones, make sure you ask which is the best zone for the age of the children as it’s quite big and it’s possibly easy to miss bits. You get a great view of the titanic building and Belfast from the glass windows. There is an area to eat if you have a packed lunch.
Food scene
This is the local quarter to this area based all around st Anne’s cathedral and is great for a night out with friends. It’s a very short taxi ride away and has a lovely friendly atmosphere with bars and restaurants. Lots of the bars have indoor/outdoor areas for drinking so bring your ‘big coat’ if it’s a chilly night.
25 locals recommend
Cathedral Quarter Belfast
18-22 Royal AveThis is the local quarter to this area based all around st Anne’s cathedral and is great for a night out with friends. It’s a very short taxi ride away and has a lovely friendly atmosphere with bars and restaurants. Lots of the bars have indoor/outdoor areas for drinking so bring your ‘big coat’ if it’s a chilly night.
If you want to eat locally before or after a day out sozo does breakfast through to dinner, it’s reasonably priced and service is good but doesn’t stay open very late. You can get alcohol here.
20 locals recommend
Sozo Antrim Road
449 Antrim RdIf you want to eat locally before or after a day out sozo does breakfast through to dinner, it’s reasonably priced and service is good but doesn’t stay open very late. You can get alcohol here.
This attracts both locals (mostly Friday) and tourists (sat sun) and is worth a visit to grab breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning while listening to some local talent sing or play music. Lovely atmosphere in the city centre. If you don’t fancy parking in the city centre (free parking Sunday) then grab the train from shore road (5 minute drive away) and it will leave you a very short walk to the markets.
20 locals recommend
St Georges Market station
This attracts both locals (mostly Friday) and tourists (sat sun) and is worth a visit to grab breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning while listening to some local talent sing or play music. Lovely atmosphere in the city centre. If you don’t fancy parking in the city centre (free parking Sunday) then grab the train from shore road (5 minute drive away) and it will leave you a very short walk to the markets.
Newly refurbished this is a handy place to have a meal, it’s on the more expensive side and will probably need to be booked in advance especially if you have children.
11 locals recommend
Lansdowne Court Hotel
657 Antrim RdNewly refurbished this is a handy place to have a meal, it’s on the more expensive side and will probably need to be booked in advance especially if you have children.