3 days in Belfast with kids!

[atomicnotsoblonde]

I'd love some help planning a short break in Belfast. Single mom with boys 6 and 12.

We're stopping by the Europa. I want activities, food and drink ideas please. Also anywhere I can take the kids on an evening. Budget is not endless, but I'd rather spend than slum it given a choice.

Hit me with ideas, I've 3 whole days (mon - wed) to plan!

Thank you! X

W5 is good. It’s a sciencey exhibition- lots of interactive stuff & they had a web of climbing ropes last time we went. It’s within the Odyssey complex. There is also a cinema there.

The Titanic exhibition is worth a visit too.

There’s a place called We are Vertigo which seems quite popular (haven’t been myself). It’s like soft play on a massive scale - suitable for children & adults. They have indoor skydiving too.

Little wing pizza.
Boojum for burritos.
Shore’s bridge for a good playpark and walk by the river.
Ulster folk and transport museum.
Walk up cave hill.
Open top bus tour (maybe).
See if there’s ice hockey on at the odyssey, or there’s cinema and bowling there.

Great start thank you! Keep the suggestions coming!

What's the best way to travel. We won't have a car?

The train is a bit of a noddy line but gets to many of the places on the list so certainly check that out. Bus also fine. The centre is easily walkable.

don't go to We Are Vertigo, they are awful, I;ve tried it twice just to check I wasn't being unfair - I wasn't. Go walk in the Botanic Gardens!

My H and kids are currently in Bangor, NI (train ride from Belfast and on the coast). They have done Titanic museum and Ulster folk and transport museum.

Are the taxi tours any good? I think the kids would like the murals and flags. They've never seen peace walls. I've not done a 'trip' of them before, so not sure if it's too intense, but don't think they'd be bothered seeing guns on them for a moment. Does the hopper bus pass any of the murals?

The Ulster museum is free, you can do it and botanic gardens at the same time. The north coast is the best bit of NI if you can get a bus tour to take you around.

Second W5. Lisburn is about 15 mins away and they have a brilliant leisureplex/waterpark (indoor). Ed's bar and grill is in the same development and its really family friendly. Book through FB and avail of one of their offers like a kid eats free with an adult, but only if booked beforehand. There's a cinema there as well. HMS caroline supposed to he good we well. Check out the sse arena and grand opera house (beside the europa) for any shows or events that might interest you. Mo Mowlam Play Park has opened near Stormont, I havent been but have heard it's really good.

Take a train to the north coast (Portrush) and go to Barry's or waterworld. And the wine bar next door to waterworld for food.

I did the hop on hop off bus when I visited. It did go by murals etc and was very informative on all the history.

One of the bus tours would be good if you want to see peace walls etc...
Segway titanic tour is good fun...
titanic centre
Escape rooms
Museum
Game of thrones tour
Giants causeway- train up is quick and easy
Carrick a rede- near causeway

We were in Belfast at Easter (DH and the dc who were 10 and 7). We drove up to the peace wall and got out and walked around, then drive around the Falls and Shankill Roads to see other murals, there is a lot of information about them, the history of the Troubles etc online and in tourist guides. You could probably walk up there from the city centre in 30 mins or so. I am old enough to remember the Troubles, although I grew up in London, but very close to where an IRA bomb went off. I found the murals etc fascinating. I understand that the taxi tours are very good, I just didn’t get round to booking one.

Loved the Titanic experience too. The ticket includes visiting the SS Nomadic which is moored outside. It’s worth the trip, takes maybe 30 mins to look round. There is a pub next to the Titanic experience that was empty and serving great food when we finished the tour. The cafe/restaurant in the TE was heaving, but the pub -Hickson’s- had plenty of space and is literally just outside.

My DC loved The Big Fish Sculpture too.

Currently an offer on Translink - they operate the trains and buses family all day unlimited ticket for around £18 - check - website
Get train from Belfast to portrush get bud to Bushmills there’s a wee tram to giants causeway - if you are national trust members go through visitors centre it’s included if not go through the tunnel at the side of visitors centre - free access - google for all the details
If you go back to Bushmills go to Hip chip for gorgeous fish and chips - back into portrush for walk along the beach and if you are visiting before 9th September go to Barry’s amusements it’s a Northern Ireland tradition!

Another day bus from great Victoria street right beside the Europa and head for Newcastle - walk in the mournes from Donald Park, fantastic ice cream 2p machines walks along the prom the views are amazing
W5 is overpriced and probably there is similar near you
Have a look on groupon Belfast, living social Belfast and pigs back for discounted tickets on Segway tours round the titanic quarter sometimes there’s game of throne tours, bus tours etc

translink

causeway info

barrys

Take a train to the ulster folk and transport museum. The station is just outside the main entrance. You need your walking shoes as it covers a huge amount of ground but the entrance is well worth it.

The Crumlin rd jail tour is very informative and not too taxing for DC.

Titanic quarter is great for the museum but also tea in the titanic hotel and the game of thrones tour which is fab.

There are plenty of parks and open spaces for boys to let off steam too.Enjoy your stay

Head over to Titanic Quarter. W5 is there, Titanic Museum (Shipyard museum really but it is fab) on down the road is HMS Caroline and also the Game of Thrones experience. Lots of places to eat. Get the glider bus over.

Bunsen (for burgers)
Pizza Punks
Tribal Burger
The Yardbird (upstairs for chicken)
Five Guys
The National
Boojum
Pizza Express
Cosmo

That's where mine have eaten over the past while, or where they've asked to go. Although they usually just head to the pub with us for lunch. We had relatives over a few weeks ago - they liked Titanic Museum, HMS Caroline, the hop on, hop off bus - they liked stopping at CS Lewis Sq. They always enjoy the Ulster Museum up at Botanic Gardens, you could wander through Queens, head down Botanic Avenue, nip into No Alibis (the best bookshop ever). Just check that the Ulster Museum is open if you are heading on a Mon. It usually closes on Mon but I'm not sure if it's different in the summer holidays. They also liked the big fish and Nuala with the hula. St George's Market won't be on Mon-Wed. W5 is also a hit with ours. I wouldn't bother with We are Vertigo it's a dear hole There's a few cinemas in the centre and I think the bowling avenue in the Odyssey is still there.

When are you coming?

These are grand ideas. I'm so excited to come back. I've not been since I was a kid so memories are fuzzy. I'm desperate to show the boys.

Coming in Monday first thing, back Wednesday night.

If it’s this Monday coming then either Monday Or Tuesday ado north coast and add in ballycastle in the bus - Ould Lammas fair is on - check out Ursa Minor bakehouse for ammmmmazing doughnuts and find some yellow man on one of the stalls

Def check out the Ulster Museum. It's great (don't let the outside put you off) AND it's totally free!. The Botanic Gardens are right beside it's a great spot, check out the palm house/green house. I think there's a play park in that area too - and all free.
Also recommend W5, as well as the Titanic and they aren't too far from each other.
The Opera House is just beside Europa if you're into shows etc www.goh.co.uk

Food wise there's loads! Some of our faves:
Cafe Conor across street from Museum
The Lantern near the Europa.
Mourne Seafood - love this place
Victoria Square has Pizza Express, McDs, TGI Friday, Cosmo Chinese buffet, Wagamama etc
Holohans on the Barge is quirky
Made in Belfast across from City Hall

Just note that the museums aren’t open on Mondays so don’t plan to go to the Ulster museum (which is free to go to) or the Folk and transport on the day you arrive.
The hop on/off bus tour is well worth it.
If you get off at Stormont and walk the mile down to the bottom, to the left is an amazing play park (suitable for children up to 14).
W5 is great for all ages and accessible by train- about a 10-15 min walk from the station. It’s in a leisure complex so plenty of places to eat but you can also bring your own food in.
The titanic museum is a lot of reading- maybe wouldn’t be suitable for the 6 year old.

The MAC in Cathedral Quarter is a good arts space with great coffee and free exhibitions and the area around Cathedral Quarter is nice to walk around.
Easy twenty minute bus ride to Belfast Zoo from city centre or train to north coast is good.
Crumlin Road Jail too

W5 is a must for kids, and very close to city centre. There's also a cinema in the same complex.

Or get the train from Belfast to Portrush and go to Barry's amusements and the beach if it's nice.