To ask for your hints and tips re: Belfast

[HildaZelda]

So, DH has holidays which he's now been told he has to take before Xmas or lose them. I work part time so can juggle days a bit.

Anyway, DH was talking about going away somewhere for 3 or 4 days, Because it's only a few days, it can't be that far so we looked at short flights and can do Belfast pretty cheaply for a few days next month.
Neither of us have ever been there before, so before we book anything can I ask if anyone has been, what's it like, is it worth going, hints/tips for what to see and do please?

[nicebitofquiche]

Open top tourist bus is good. Crown bar. Gawping at the worlds most handsome men. I was on a boozy weekend with friends and can't remember much else.

[treaclesoda]

HMS Caroline is a really good museum, as is Titanic. If it's nice weather (by which I mean dry, I know it's not going to be warm) the views from either the Black Mountain or Cave Hill are really good if you fancy a walk. Although I think Cave Hill would be more accessible by public transport.

The Ulster Museum is very good, and is free.

There are loads of nice restaurants in the city centre. The city centre is small and easy to walk to most places, although at the moment it is more difficult as there is a chunk in the middle which is cordoned off for safety reasons after a huge fire.

[2cats2many]

The Titanic exhibition is really good.

If you have access to a car, a trip to the Giants Causeway is well worth it.

[PennyMordauntsLadyBrain]

I wouldn’t bother with the black taxi tours- it’s impossible to find an “impartial” driver as everyone here has been touched by the Troubles in some way, and people profiting from that recent history is a bit ick.

Belfast is pretty good for shopping- except we’re now missing our huge Primark (RIP), so a day in the city centre will be well spent.

Plenty of nice bars and restaurants in the Cathedral Quarter in the city centre.

St George’s market if you’re here over the weekend.

Titanic Museum is always worth a visit as well.

3 days will do you though.

[bigbluebus]

Titanic Museum
Crown Bar
Bus tour of city including historic troubled areas .
Trip out to Giants Causeway and Bushmills Distillery.

[IlikebigbotsandIcannotlie]

We did a coach trip to Giants Causeway and around other coastal sites, it was great.

Plus there’s a Wetherspoons 😂

[Dollymixture22]

Some really good bars and restaurants in the cathedral quarter. Look down the pretty alley ways.

Titanic museum.

Victoria square if you are into shopping.

[hammeringinmyhead]

I really enjoyed Belfast. We did a day trip up to the Giant's Causeway and did the bus tour which includes the Peace Wall. Enjoyed the Ulster Museum and had some good food (breakfast in Maggie May's!). I think 4 days may be too much though, eepecially if it's wet and cold.

[treaclesoda]

Is it just the two of you, or children as well?

[UnderMajorDomoMinor]

I did a thread on this and had some fab suggestions:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_advice_tips/3335062-Belfast-in-October

[MrsWireman]

Catch a show at Grand Opera House, stunning inside

[1Wanda1]

Having been there last year for a few days, I'd say Belfast doesn't have a lot to recommend it as a minibreak destination. What about Dublin or Kinsale instead?

[Petitepamplemousse]

Yes the black cab tour. Also, try out some bars with live music in the cathedral quarter.

[Fortybingowings]

Find an impartial taxi driver (neither Catholic or Protestant) Get him to take you on a tour of the city to all the main sites that featured in the troubles. It's a real education.
Also- the Titanic quarter.