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Original poster

3 days in Belfast with kids!

75 replies

atomicnotsoblonde · 22/08/2019 20:56

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

OP posts:

Thread gallery

irishtwo · 26/08/2019 00:17

I’ve done the bus tour it was really good. I too am of the unpopular opinion that unless you never get to the beach/fun fair (as basically Barry’s is a stationary fair) don’t go to portrush. Giants causeway and carrick a read rope bridge are that direction too though and are lovely - if you want to leave Belfast. Derry is also only around 1 hour 15 mins from Belfast with buses going every half hour and also a train service. Belfast has some lovely bars,with lovely food whites tavern is one of my favourite!

minesasaugagesupper · 26/08/2019 09:12

T, he Ulster Museum is definitely open today from 10am as it is a bank holiday (normally closed on Mondays). Go in, get the lift to the top floor and do a superfast viewing of the whole place by walking down the stairs which run through the galleries. You could do it in an hour and a half and be able to have a quick look at most things.

The Ulster Museum is where I spent most of my summers, I grew up just up the road from it and we used to go there to check out the 'wee lads' :) :)

Thistimetomorrow · 26/08/2019 10:16

@TerribleCustomerCervix, Hillsborough Castle is a great suggestion. We were there for the food festival a month or so ago. The gardens were beautiful and we had great weather. I would have liked to do the castle tour but we’d left it too late and it was booked up.
We visited the transport museum with our train mad DS, now a strapping 14 year old at least once a month and had an annual pass.
Also forgot about Newcastle and our stunning Mourne mountains and the peaceful Spelga Dam.
So much we take for granted in our wonderful country.

Original poster

atomicnotsoblonde · 26/08/2019 10:18

We're here!!! About to book a bus tour! Exciting!

OP posts:

isabellerossignol · 26/08/2019 10:37

Just thought of somewhere that does fantastic sandwiches etc at lunchtime. Thyme cafe in Church Lane. Not that far from where the tour buses start and finish their tours. It looks tiny from outside but there is an upstairs too.

TerribleCustomerCervix · 26/08/2019 10:42

@Thistimetomorrow we were also at the castle for the food festival! We’re within walking distance and to my shame it was the first time we’d been despite living here for two years

Trooperslaneagain · 26/08/2019 10:43

All the above are brilliant suggestions but YABVU to be making me so homesick 😫.

You’ll all have a ball.

I want to go hoooooome!

Thistimetomorrow · 26/08/2019 11:03

@Trooperslaneagain, your user name is a train stop from where I live. Is it of sentimental value to you?

Trooperslaneagain · 26/08/2019 11:36

Sorta...... A very long and boring story - a nickname since a million years ago I was a teenager.

Suffice to say I'm Belfast born and bred (Antrim Road) but it's a place well known to me.

Trooperslaneagain · 26/08/2019 11:37

Oh God!

Stop it you lot!

I'm now in Scotland so DD's back to P2 and we have no chance of getting over for a couple of months.

Op, please don't update the thread to tell us how brilliant a time you're having I will hunt you down if you don't!

Felipa · 26/08/2019 12:09

Enjoy your trip!! It's such a beautiful day here today you'll have a ball

Original poster

atomicnotsoblonde · 26/08/2019 14:14

We're having a FABULOUS time! It is beautiful today. We've done the bus tour, now at the marina - looking out for a nice bar for a cocktail. We'll try dirty onion tonight.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. It unrecognisable in parts from my childhood. You've all had great suggestions! Xx

OP posts:

MadeinBelfast · 26/08/2019 15:20

The Bullit hotel has a rooftop bar called Babel if you're looking for a cocktail. Hope you have a great time!

Knackerelli · 26/08/2019 15:40

We’re here too! Stopping in Ballycastle, did the beach at portstewart yesterday and murlough bay. Today got the ferry to Rathlin island. Love Maud’s ice cream ( had Pooh bear yesterday!) and the kids had a few rides at the Lammas fair. If you go to Ballycastle I recommend eating in the cellar restaurant. I love Northern Ireland!

Original poster

atomicnotsoblonde · 26/08/2019 16:11

I'm Babel with a second cocktail! 🍸

OP posts:

MadeinBelfast · 26/08/2019 16:22

Yay! If I wasn't working I'd join you 😉

Myshitisreal · 26/08/2019 16:36

Ohhhh welcome to Belfast!

If you have two food hoovers , cosmo would definitely be worth it's weight in gold for you. Lots of variety and endless portions. It's not haute cuisine but the boys will love it and I reckon everyone can choose from the menu. www.cosmo-restaurants.co.uk/restaurants/belfast

Myshitisreal · 26/08/2019 16:38

www.filmhubni.org/now-showing/drop-dead-fred/

Myshitisreal · 26/08/2019 16:44

*Sorry to post so many replies my brain isn't working quickly enough

*If your boys like pizza, little Italy is right across the road from the europa. It's take out but I would say its the best pizza in Belfast.

*Fratellis is not far from you either, never been but it has a good reputation. There's a cafe not too far, easyjet cafe on Howard Street. Bit quirky,nice.

Myshitisreal · 26/08/2019 18:06

www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/the-belfast-mystery-treasure-trail

www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/the-ozone-and-indoor-tennis-centre

www.mykidstime.com/things-to-do/free-things-to-do-in-northern-ireland-kids/

Pirate LEGO® Bricks Trail

ni4kids.com/whatson/pirate-takeover/

Some more links

If you do decide on stormont there's an amazing games cafe opposite called Jack straws (I've tried to enclose pics???) . Only if you're up there though. The glider from city centre would take 30mins average depending on traffic. Do check prices though as you get charged to play games if I recall. But the food was amazing.