What to do in Belfast?

[madIam]

I'm off tomorrow with dc aged 14 and 12. I just couldn't stand the idea of a week sitting on screens and have never visited NI. Now I'm thinking what do we do?! Having looked properly at the Titanic place it looks as if there's not actually too much to it? Do people think it's worth a visit?

We definitely want to visit Giant's Causeway, but it looks a bit complicated to book and none of us has interest in GOT, which often seems to go hand in hand with the tours. Can we just visit independently on a normal bus?!

Other than that, we have 4 days. DS1 is a museum nut, especially history/politics, DS2 less so, but loves science. I'd just like to get a sense of the city and go to some nice cafes if possible.

Any tips would be much appreciated!

You can’t go to Belfast and not do the Titanic. It’s one of the best visitor attractions I’ve been too and my dc loved it. The interactive exhibits and the Shipyard Ride were especially popular, and your entrance ticket allows you to walk the decks of the last remaining White Star Line vessel.
Maybe Crumlin Gaol. Most teens love a bit of the macabre! The tour is interactive and you are able to get into some of the cells, but some might find the hanging cell at the end a bit disturbing. The hanging room is optional. There is also an outdoor area with military vehicles which my DS found interesting.
I’d also look into doing W5. It’s got a great virtual reality experience, which should appeal to teens. Also, The Studio might be up their street w5online.co.uk/explore/the-studio
We Are Vertigo has an Inflatable Park and a Ninja Master Course!
Lost City Adventure Golf at Cityside is fun if you’ve got a bit of extra time. It’s got great special effects and interactive elements.
For the Giant’s Causeway, take the train to Coleraine from Great Victoria Street. The journey should last about 1 hour 15 minutes. When you arrive in Coleraine, get either the 170 or 420 bus, both of which run directly to it. From the bus, you’ll have spectacular views as you pass Dunluce Castle and Bushmills. For the best views, grab a window seat on the left side.
For an evening meal, I definitely recommend Villa Italia

Ulster Folk Museum (on outskirts)
There’s also brilliant interactive Science Museum. W5
Ulster Museum .
Titanic exhibition is good too.

Titanic is a must, the building itself is incredible!

You should be able to get Giants Causeway tours without GOT, let me do a bit of searching, though Fivemoreminutes has given you a great plan using public transport.

Ulster Museum is fab, and pretty accessible from city centre (where are you staying?). Further afield the Folk And Transport Museum would be worth a visit, but its largely outdoors so weather dependent. Train to Cultra.

You can visit the City Hall, which is a lovely building.

There are open top bus tours, which would take you round the main sights.

Narnia fans? Go to Jacks at the Eastside or the Lampost cafe

The cafe inside the Linenhall Library is gorgeous. Bob and Berts does a great selection of food.

tour

If the weather is okay to walk about in the Ulster folk and transport Museum at Cultra is a great place to explore. Get the train from Belfast Lanyon place station and get off at the museum. Couldnt be easier.

Also I second the Crumlin jail tour.

Which area of Belfast would be best for the majority of attractions? (walking mainly, though public transport when needed).

I was looking up Premier Inns, as an example, and they had a choice of city centre (Alfred St), Cathedral Quarter, and Titanic Quarter. Obviously the last is probably best for the Titanic museum but presumably a little less convenient for everything else.

I was looking maybe for the summer or June half term. Wouldn't necessarily be a Premier Inn but that was a starting point to get an idea of locations/prices

There's a few centrally located budget hotels, and Belfast city centre is pretty compact, so any of them are fine. The Titanic Premier is pleasant by the river, especially at that time of year, and if you're OK with walking there's a nice footbridge connecting to the city centre.

Where are you staying? Lots of nice places to eat in Cathedral Quarter. Open top bus is good for getting your bearings.

We did the “Troubles Taxi Tour” as part of the Crumlin Rd Gaol trip - our teens loved it. Get to sign The Peace Wall. Incredibly eye opening.

Belfast
Titanic museum is more of an experience but quite good for all that.
St George’s Market - great atmosphere and good cooked breakfast at cafe in the middle
Ulster folk museum is fun.
Crumlin Road Jail museum
Talk one of the taxi tours of the murals in Belfast
Ulster museum is quite good although more trad

Derry
Take the train to Derry - very scenic - and a walk round the walled city is good to do
Walk over the peace bridge and eat in the sooty olive (decent places to eat are limited in derry but this is good and good value)

Countryside
Giants Causeway / Causeway coastal road Antrim
Carrick rope bridge Antrim
Bushmills distillery Antrim

Fermanagh
Boardwalk trail
And Lakelands - boat tour is nice

Loch Neagh - biggest lake in UK

Big standing stones various - just Google

Rathlin island - take a ferry - lots of birds

Generally nice countryside - mourne mountains, sperrins, several Forrests (Google)

Couple of good castles and stately homes

Beaches
Portrush
Newcastle
Or Donegal (from derry)

Hear some traditional music at some point

Have fun!

@MintMocha

Which area of Belfast would be best for the majority of attractions? (walking mainly, though public transport when needed).

I was looking up Premier Inns, as an example, and they had a choice of city centre (Alfred St), Cathedral Quarter, and Titanic Quarter. Obviously the last is probably best for the Titanic museum but presumably a little less convenient for everything else.

I was looking maybe for the summer or June half term. Wouldn't necessarily be a Premier Inn but that was a starting point to get an idea of locations/prices

Belfast is tiny, so anywhere central The Clayton is prem in type price and has a pool and a gym

We're looking a the Clayton, is it nice??

Check out Colin glen for outdoor adventures.

Does anyone know if there are any jump rope clubs or classes. I’ve been dying to learn double Dutch since i was a kid

The Titanic Experience is well, well worth a visit!

We stayed at Alfred St PI, but we drove to Belfast. We drove to the Titanic, but walked everywhere else. If your dc are interested in the history of the troubles (my eldest is, as am I) then a visit to The Falls Road is fascinating (look up "Black Cab Tours Belfast, those guys know what they are talking about).

Ulster Folk Museum

Giants Causeway was also great - and Carrick a Rede rope bridge, if you head out that way.