Things to do in Cardiff

[aibutohavethisusername]

DP and I are off to Cardiff next week, we plan to visit the castle and Cardiff Bay. I’ve looked on tripadvisor and booked a restaurant for one night.

Please can I have suggestions for other things to do. Thanks.

[CatsMother66]

St Fagans National History museum is a must. Google it for info, you will need a full day to go around. Free to go in, just pay for parking.

[IamaBluebird]

Have a wander around the arcades and the market. Take a boat trip to the bay from Bute park, which is next to the castle.
As already mentioned St Fagans is well worth a visit. There was a thread on here last year with lots of good ideas. Hope you have a lovely trip.

[CMOTDibbler]

Have lunch at the New York Deli in the Castle Arcade
Go to St Fagans museum
Have a pint of Brains SA
Go to the national Museum (esp if you watch Dr Who as that area is very frequently used)

[Shoxfordian]

I did not like st fagans, but you may do op
Castel coch, not pronounced cock, is really pretty

[ExpletiveDelighted]

We went recently with teen DCs, we explored the city centre on the afternoon we arrived, including the park where the castle is then down to the Bay in the evening. St Fagan's the next morning, we enjoyed it but half a day was definitely enough. Walked round the bay and past the barrage in the afternoon, stayed there for the evening, home the next morning. I think DH would have liked the Dr Who experience but we ran out of time and none of the rest of us watch it.

[Bluerussian]

I lived there for approximately six months in the 1970s. I wonder if the Blue Moon club is still going. It was good.

[Adesignforstrife]

Plan a walking route through the city zig-zagging through the arcardes. This will definitely be better than sticking to the high streets. High-speed RIB trip in the Bay, if you like that kind of thing - or indoor body boarding perhaps - also near the Bay. Check if there is anything interesting on in the millennium centre or at David's hall, or an ice hockey match (Cardiff devils). Indoor crazy golf is fun in st David's shopping centre if the weather is crap. Second New York Deli - it's really good and v friendly, and buy welshcakes from Bakestones in the market. In the Bay, ice cream at Cadwalladers or a ridiculous coffee in coffico. The grazing shed (there's a few) does good burgers, but not cheap. If you're in Bute Park and the weather is ok find the secret garden cafe (but it's outdoors).

[Adesignforstrife]

If you have a car drive to the Brecon beacons and go for a hike? You can get to some good places within 40-50 mins. Similarly you could be at some great beaches in that time and Barry Island is a nice half day in reasonable weather.

[aibutohavethisusername]

Thanks all. We aren’t taking the car with us this time.

[CMOTDibbler]

Oh yes, the Secret Garden cafe is lovely - there is a bit undercover in the courtyard, so although its not warm it is protected.

You need to go to Caroline Street and have an arf n arf. Its truly an iconic Cardiff experience!

[Clangus00]

See if the Cardiff Devils are at home.

[Dowser]

We go down a couple of times a year to visit family..lots to do in Cardiff centre and the bay and you can get a train to barry island ( my cousins dh works for the train service) takes about 30 mins.
Some lovely shopping in the st David’s centre. Lovely arcades. We’ve done all the museums and st fagans many times.
The millennium theatre is in the bay..we saw lion king there several years ago. They often use the space in front of it for little festivals although there might not be much going on in January and one summer we were lucky to catch the Volvo round the world boat race. Was very interesting
If you have meerkat meals..there’s lots of places down there where you can use it..fridays and saturdays excepted.
If you haven’t been before you’ll love it..people are fabulous so friendly. I’d move there in a heartbeat

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

Museum
Bute park and Roath park if it's dry
Wander round the old shopping arcades
New theatre or St David's hall for a concert or show
Glee club does decent stand up

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

Oh and YY to watching the devils

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

Ooh, which restaurant have you booked?

[aibutohavethisusername]

Have booked Lezzet Turkish Kitchen.

[IamaBluebird]

Sadly for you Cardiff Citys Saturday game has been moved.

[Llareggub]

Don’t bother with St Fagans then, it would take you ages to get there without a car.

Personally I just like wandering around the arcades. A highlight of any Saturday night out in Cardiff was chip shop alley but I haven’t done that for years, who knows if it is still a thing.

[IamaBluebird]

It doesn't take that long to get to St Fagans on the bus. It goes into the museum grounds and drops you off by the main entrance. It's 32a pick it up by the rugby ground.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

Haven't tried that one but it looks amazing.

This might not be to everyone's taste, but I love City Road/Albany Road/Wellfield Road. Three connected roads that get steadily more gentrified as you go along, packed with good quality independent restaurants, shops and cafes. Not exactly a tourist destination, but much more interesting than the city centre.

[ExpletiveDelighted]

I did a social sciences course with the Open University a few years ago, City Road was one of the main case studies, it was really interesting.

[Guardsman18]

Blue Moon club. Now there's a blast from the past!

[Eve]

eat at the Clink - had an excellent breakfast there.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

Expletive what did they say about it?

[ExpletiveDelighted]

I'd have to dig out my books, it was a few years ago. It was about diversity, how different people have come together, immigrants, locals, how businesses and lives have evolved, how different people use the street etc.