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?

Found a beautiful card shop called Little Hearts in the Queens Arcade when there last week. The lady is so nice and really talented.

There's loads of tours for belfast - red bus can be handy same as black cab tours. Titanic building is good. Folk and transport museum is a bit tired but can get train right too it. Ulster museum is free and worth a look. Great night out and loads good restaurants. Shows at grand opera can be cheaper than mainland

You could also split trip and head up coast to giants causeway and stay night up there.

If head to giants causeway there's bushmills distillery too

You could also do a day trip to Dublin on the train.

If you hire a car there's a few national trust places too

I absolutely loved Belfast, and NI as a whole when I’ve visited previously.

Have relatives there and Belfast is genuinely one of the most fascinating cities I’ve ever been to.

Have done a couple of open top tours, would definitely recommend.

And for the record the accent is AMAZING

KenDodds........ Little Hearts is a lovely shop. I used to always use it for baby cards and bits and pieces.
If you go and head up to the Ulster Museum (closed on Mondays), fire on up to the Lyric theatre, even just for a cup of coffee or a drink - it's nice to have a mooch about.
And my top free tip (or so the exceptionally handsome young American man its the fab teeth told me when he asked me for help) go to Victoria Square and take the lift to the very top of the dome. If it's not pelting down you get a nice view.
My bar tip is the Tipsy Bird, you can see Nuala with the hula as well.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the North Down Coastal Path. Obviously not for a wet day, but if you got lucky with crisp, clear weather it would be a lovely easy way to spend a day.

It runs from Belfast out past Bangor, and the train line goes along it so very easily done from Belfast. You could get off at Holywood and walk to Cultra (taking in the folk and transport museum if you wanted), or walk from Helen's bay to Bangor. Lots of options.

Do you know for our holidays next year I think we’ll do the tourist thing in Belfast. This thread has made me jealous of all the tourists who are getting to enjoy all this stuff.

If you get to live there Posie, then I’m the envious one .

I’m about 45 minutes out from Belfast and haven’t been there for fun in about 3 years. I really should make a point of getting up at Christmas. I forget what it has to offer until I see it on threads like this.

Belfast is a fantastic city with the loveliest people in the world . Great restaurants and lots of beautiful scenery . Head north to the causeway coast or south to the mourne mountains. You’ll have a wonderful time and if you happen to get lost someone will probably show you personally where to go or take you home for a cuppa .

We went a few months ago and thought it was a fantastic city. We loved Titanic and Hms Caroline.

The crumlin rd gaol tour was good too.

The accents were lovely but I'm Scouse so most accents sound nice compared to mine . Seriously, everyone was really friendly. It reminded me of Liverpool with the people and the architecture.

Castleward House - if you have a car and are into Game of Thrones
I like it and have never seen GOT

A colleague tried to book a food tour recently and was told the next available date was in March next year

Fuck off to the person slabbering about our accent!
Can I recommend the The Flint for accommodation, it's just beside Flame restaurant and down from Deanes and it's just amazing!
I would also like to recommend Zen which is japanese and does the most AMAZING cocktails!! The food is beautiful too. I live about 40 mins from Belfast and me and DH book a night there every so often, we love going and staying and soaking it all in, it feels very safe even walking about in the wee hours.
There is a bar up the Dublin road called 5 points which is lovely, great atmosphere and they do traditional sessions as far as I know, but our favourite is the northern whig, great atmosphere and a more mature crowd for us 30 somethings.
Have fun OP, the bus tour is brilliant I love doing it!

If you're here on Tuesday St. George's market gave a twilight market on at nighttime!

@shutlingsloe Kaffe O is my work local and the coffee is AMAZING!

@FlaviaAlbia Totally agree about the Ramore, amazing food and such good value! I've never been that impressed with Bushmills Inn for food (love the bars though, spent the evening before my wedding upstairs in the residents' bar with all my nearest and dearest and it was a dream) - prefer Tartine at the Distiller's Arms. The North Coast in general is just full of amazing food, beaches and people. Three Kings is my new fave.

Another native and can’t recom the place highly enough
Son much to see and do and eat and drink and eat some more!
To make sure you get the very best of it all
Check out
Groupon Belfast has lots of deals on tours and restaurants and indoor skydiving down at the titanic qtr if that’s your thing
Living social Belfast also has tour deals and offers and afternoon teas

This is a fab thread!
We are a friendly bunch for definite... Bullitt Hotel comes with a definite recommendation from me. Queens Arcade has a gorgeous jewellers called Lauren May if you like slightly different pieces. Also pretty affordable.
Sawers on College Street is a fab deli that sells the best sandwiches & fab local produce. Its just off one of the main city centre thoroughfares, Donegall Place

Do come OP.... we need people to be loud and proud in their admiration of our great city!!

@treaclesoda I was hoping to do one of the tours as my Christmas present, I'd better get booking!

I'm loving the sound of all these cocktails that are being mentioned

A few people have said about going to Dublin too, but I've been there a few times before.
I have been in Ireland quite a bit, but usually right down the other end as I have family in Cork and Kerry and will be in Kerry next year for a wedding.
I absolutely love Kerry. I think it's beautiful, but I've never been in Belfast so just thought it might be nice for a change.

I've got loads of great advice. Thanks everyone :)

Yews are making me wile homesick talking about the trip. Derry and Donegal. Beautiful. And four days would never be enough.
Do wrap up warm.
Navel gazing

I'm homesick now too... I don't know Belfast all that well but I'm from the north coast and it's well worth a visit. The Giant's Causeway, Bushmills Distillery and lots of nice little independent shops and cafes in Portrush and Portstewart. The Ramore restaurant complex in Portrush is a must-do, the food is fantastic, unbelievable value for money, and the desserts have to be seen to be believed. There are 5 restaurants in the same complex at the harbour, all owned by the same people and all great, so you can take your pick - Harbour Bistro/Bar, Ramore, Mermaid, Neptune & Prawn and Tourist. I'm hungry just thinking about it! They don't take bookings, you just turn up and wait for a table.