Planning a family holiday in Belfast? You could not choose a better place. This vibrant city is a wonderful place to explore with children of all ages. There are plenty of child friendly activities in Belfast with attractions for all. Here is our guide of things to do in Belfast with kids.
Exploring a city usually means endless wandering until we are happily exhausted, hitting the top sights with some unplanned detours for extra charm. But with teens, that approach doesn't always cut it. They need destinations they’ve already shown an interest in – somewhere with a bit of excitement to keep them engaged. We have put together a list of some of our favourite fun things to do in Belfast with teenagers.
Belfast, a vibrant capital city, offers a refreshing escape with its proximity to some of Ireland’s finest beaches. For those looking to step away from the city’s lively pace, Belfast is ideally situated, providing quick access to scenic coastlines perfect for family outings. Here are our top five Belfast beaches.
Belfast is a buzzing city making it a great mini-break spot. With literally hundreds of restaurants to choose from offering a wide range of dining experiences, it can be tough to find out which ones best cater for you and what you are in the mood for. Not to worry, we’ve made a list of the top 10 family friendly restaurants to try in Belfast.
Explore Belfast city, right from our doorstep.
St George’s Market is the last surviving Victorian covered market in Belfast. It was built between 1890 and 1896 and is one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. It has been selected for numerous local and national titles and awards for its fresh, local produce and great atmosphere. It holds a weekly Friday Variety Market, the City Food and Craft Market on Saturdays and the Sunday Market. It also hosts a range of events throughout the year.
Victoria Square Belfast, Northern Ireland’s biggest shopping centre, has over 70 stores, cafes and restaurants which are spread across 4 floors. The shopping complex is quite an attraction not only amongst shoppers but also with tourists as the iconic dome allows for panoramic views right across the city.
Also, the Victorian Jaffe Fountain has been returned to its original site at Victoria Square where it stood in 1870. The layout of the shopping complex is appealing amongst shoppers as the stores are all under the one roof so there is no need for an umbrella.
We are the proud sponsors of the Ulster Rugby Team and are the Preferred Hotel Partner of Ulster Rugby. We look forward to welcoming all supporters to the hotel over the next year and wish Ulster Rugby every success with the forthcoming season.
Áras Uí Chonghaile is a visitor centre dedicated to telling the story of James Connolly. Best known for his role in the 1916 Easter Rising, Connolly was also a leading Trade Unionist, Socialist, and Republican.
This interactive exhibition tells the story of his life, from his birth in Edinburgh to meeting his wife Lily in Dublin, to traveling across the United States spreading the word of trade unionism.
There is also an exclusive Historic Collection which is a unique insight into those times and presents a display of original art and artifacts unavailable anywhere else in the world. This collection of Irish memorabilia, artifacts, and artwork is a must-see for everyone who has an interest in the Irish past.
Custom House Square has been a popular outdoor concert venue in Belfast for a number of years. Clayton Hotel Belfast is located only a 15-minute walk from the venue.
The ICC Belfast/Waterfront Hall is an award-winning purpose-built conference and entertainment centre located in the heart of Belfast. The venue’s stunning architecture epitomises contemporary design with stunning views over the city and River Lagan.
ICC Belfast/Waterfront Hall has undergone a £29.5m transformation and was re-opened in May 2016. The expansion programme has led to double the amount of event space and has created a state of the art facilities ranking it, among the top tier of European Conference Centres.
Belfast Zoo is one of the top visitor attractions and one of the oldest in Northern Ireland, with a quarter of a million visitors each year, the perfect place to bring your kids for a day out in Belfast.
Are you ready for adventure? Nestled in the heart of Belfast, lies Ireland’s best-kept secret.Colin Glen is Ireland’s leading adventure park. Spread over two sites is a land of storytelling and a state-of-the-art sports park boasting a range of world-class attractions.
Commonly known as Stormont, this “great white house up on the hill” is home to the recently defunct Northern Ireland Assembly, the legislative body for Northern Ireland established under the Belfast Agreement 1998 or the Good Friday Agreement.
The Giant’s Causeway, a famous landmark and Ireland’s first Unesco World Heritage Site is very distinctive. It is the aftermath of a volcanic eruption some 60 million years ago that helped shape the rocks into its unique shape. Explore the different stone foundations while soaking in the amazing history. Be brave and cross the legendary rope bridge “Carrick-a-Rede”, where is best not to look down.
The only surviving steamship of the White Star Line launched in 1911. Built alongside the Titanic, restored and back home to Belfast, it is now located in the Titanic Quarter next to the exhibition. The Nomadic transported the first and second class passengers from the dockside out to the Titanic in Cherbourg. It is now the last remaining White Star line ship in the world and a member of the core collection of the National Historic Ships register.
An award-winning centre of excellence, Queens University is an international centre of research and education located in the Botanic area of Belfast. Queen’s became a university in the early 20th century and to date has won the Queen’s anniversary prize for higher and further education on 5 different occasions. The university has more than 17,000 students and around 3,500 staff and is a dynamic and diverse university.
Another popular landmark in Belfast is the Albert Memorial Clock which for a time was also known as ‘Belfast’s leaning tower of Pisa’, before undergoing multi-million-pound restoration back in 2002.
The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845, it was a working prison for 150 years until 1996 when it closed its doors. After extensive renovations, the Gaol has re-opened as a visitor’s attraction. The tour will guide you through its extensive history. The tour allows you to explore areas such as the tunnel which links to the courthouse, the holding cells and hanging cells, governor’s office, the C-wing, central circle, hospital and graveyard.
Located in Donegal Square in the heart of the city, Belfast City Hall is Belfast’s civic building, one of the most iconic buildings in the city. It opened its doors in August 1906 and has a fascinating architecture. Look out for the illuminations; the building is lit up in the evening in many colour combinations. During the day, make sure you take advantage of the free tour to uncover Belfast City Hall’s history and visit the Titanic Memorial Garden.
Beginning at Belfast Castle, you have several trail options depending on your physical level. You can choose a gentler route, Castle Trail, which would take only 30 minutes to walk, covering 0.8 miles and with views over the city at 120m above sea level. For a more moderate walk, you can take the Estate Trail which covers 2.4 miles but if you want a more challenging route, you can take the Cave Hill Trail or the Ballyaghagan Trail. The Cave Hill Trail covers 4.5 miles where the highlight of your walk is the spectacular McArts Fort, which stands almost 368m above sea level.
Cathedral Quarter is the oldest part of the city made up of narrow cobbled streets and alleyways and where “the craic” is guaranteed! This is home to a bustling culture and arts scene, cosy pubs, underground music venues and a host of contemporary restaurants to suit all tastes.
Carrick-A-Rede is the famous rope bridge in County Antrim which links the mainland to the small island of Carrickkarede. This 20 meters bridge is not for the faint-hearted as it hangs 30 metres above the rocks below. The breathtaking beauty and stunning views of The Rathlin Island and Scotland when you get to the other side should be enough incentive to take the rope bridge challenge. There is also other wildlife to watch out for like seabirds, basking sharks, dolphins and porpoises. When you cross the bridge, one piece of advice – don’t look down! There have been instances in the past where some visitors are unable to go back and had to be picked up by boat.
Botanic Gardens Belfast is one of the most popular gardens in Belfast. It was established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society and was initially a private park with limited public access. After it was bought over by Belfast Corporation (now Belfast City Council), it opened to the public in 1895.
Free attractions on offer include collections and displays of art, fine art, botany, geology and local history. The museum is located in Belfast city centre overlooking the Botanic Gardens. The museum holds regular events such as lectures/talks, exhibitions and even workshops/courses for everyone. Admission to the museum is free and opening hours may vary.
Set in the countryside over 170 acres, this outdoor museum tells the history dating back to the early 20th Century in Belfast. Takes you back in time to discover how people lived and travelled over the centuries. The museum is situated in Cultra; 11km from the City Centre with easy access by car or public transport. Great family day out to keep the little ones entertained.
Learn how to make local Irish bread in a traditional thatched cottage on the shores of Strangford Lough – 30 minutes outside Belfast. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty and a true feast for the eyes.
Join Tracey in her home where you’ll be welcomed with the aroma of freshly made griddle bread and a table laden with homemade treats.
Explore 100 acres of beautiful gardens, including the restored Walled Garden, the previously unseen Lost Garden, meandering waterways, and picturesque glens.
You’ll find parking easily in the free car park. You can also enjoy delicious food and drink from the award-winning café available on site.
Beginning at Belfast Castle, you have several trail options depending on your physical level. You can choose a gentler route, Castle Trail, which would take only 30 minutes to walk, covering 0.8 miles and with views over the city at 120m above sea level. For a more moderate walk, you can take the Estate Trail which covers 2.4 miles but if you want a more challenging route, you can take the Cave Hill Trail or the Ballyaghagan Trail. The Cave Hill Trail covers 4.5 miles where the highlight of your walk is the spectacular McArts Fort, which stands almost 368m above sea level.
Your piece of tranquillity right in the heart of the city, Clayton Hotel Belfast is located on Ormeau Avenue, a short stroll from the famous Belfast High Street, giving you access to a world of sights, shops, restaurants and hidden gems. There are plenty of opportunities to make the city yours with the SSE Arena, Titanic Belfast, Waterfront Belfast, St.George’s market and more all within walking distance of Clayton Hotel Belfast. Why not lose yourself in Belfast’s rich history by taking one of the city’s many fantastic walking, bus and taxi tours?Want to know more about the local area? Ask us, we’re always personally glad to help.
