Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Belfast trip

57 replies

Itsanewme · 14/07/2023 07:28

Hi I'm going to Belfast with 15 year old and 11 year old dd next week for 4 nights. Any ideas what might be fun to do? Already booked the Titanic museum and we plan to go to W5. Any other ideas, or good places to eat?

We are staying in an apt on Queens Rd near the Titanic museum.

Thank you

OP posts:
HermioneWeasley · 14/07/2023 22:31

Thread hijack - any more restaurant recommendations?

soupmaker · 14/07/2023 22:35

My favourite is Mourne Seafood Bar.

GrapeHyacinth · 14/07/2023 22:38

My dds (16 and 19) are going for 3 nights in August. They're going to go on one of the open top bus tours and then get off and visit the different stops.

hopeishere · 15/07/2023 07:40

HermioneWeasley · 14/07/2023 22:31

Thread hijack - any more restaurant recommendations?

Edo
Orto pizza
Deans at Queens
Shu
Waterman House
Stove
Ginger
Howard Street

HermioneWeasley · 15/07/2023 08:00

Thanks @hopeishere

butteredbarmbrack · 15/07/2023 08:25

Lots of really good suggestions which cover what I would propose too. Originally from N Ireland and go back to visit with the kids on e or twice a year. My only thought was whether your kids might be a bit old now for W5 - it was a fave with ours but more in the primary years. Not been for a good while though so it may be that they have more on offer now for older kids too!

CarolNoE · 15/07/2023 08:29

Thanks all for the tips/suggestions. Placemarking for an upcoming trip.

Roja9 · 15/07/2023 08:40

I live in Belfast.

W5 is better for your younger child but otherwise ok if you need to be indoors because of the weather.

The Black Taxi tours are good (all my visitors have loved this)

There are free walking tours of Belfast City Centre (you tip the guide at the end)

Also free tours of Belfast City Hall (an impressive building but check your times) - you get to dress up and be mayor (if my memory serves me right)

Botanic Gardens is lovely for a stroll (not the largest) in good weather and you can nip into Ulster Museum while there. I would not make a specific trip for the museum as I / my kids find it a bit boring.

The hop on hop off open top bus around Belfast has also been a hit with our visitors.

Original poster
Itsanewme · 15/07/2023 08:54

Thanks all
interesting re the w5
I took older dd to
the science museum
in Manchester when she was 10 and she loved it
maybe they are too old now

I was thinking of a bus tour to giants causeway but maybe driving ourselves would be better.
Can pick where to stop
along the way.
Are the roads main roads or back roads ?
Thanks again for all the replies

OP posts:
bluebirdsongs · 15/07/2023 08:58

Itsanewme · 15/07/2023 08:54

Thanks all
interesting re the w5
I took older dd to
the science museum
in Manchester when she was 10 and she loved it
maybe they are too old now

I was thinking of a bus tour to giants causeway but maybe driving ourselves would be better.
Can pick where to stop
along the way.
Are the roads main roads or back roads ?
Thanks again for all the replies

The is a main road you can drive but there is also the causeway coastal route to take in more sights

Original poster
Itsanewme · 15/07/2023 09:02

Thanks
DD15 mentioned last night she wants to go to Derry to
see where Derry girls was filmed as well
Think we might have to book another trip for next year

OP posts:
BelfastSmile · 15/07/2023 09:16

It would be easier to do the Giant's Causeway from Derry, so if you plan to do Derry next year then I'd leave the Causeway till then.

DownNative · 15/07/2023 09:22

Itsanewme · 15/07/2023 09:02

Thanks
DD15 mentioned last night she wants to go to Derry to
see where Derry girls was filmed as well
Think we might have to book another trip for next year

Londonderry is not the only filming location for "Derry Girls". Fionnula's chip shop, for example, is located in Belfast.

https://findthatlocation.com/blog/derry-girls-filming-locations-seasons-1-2-and-3

The railway is in Downpatrick, I think.

Derry Girls Filming Locations: Seasons 1, 2 and 3

Derry Girls was filmed around Derry’s Bogside Shops, the River Foyle, Barry’s Amusement Park, John Long’s, Downpatrick and County Down Railways

https://findthatlocation.com/blog/derry-girls-filming-locations-seasons-1-2-and-3

Original poster
Itsanewme · 15/07/2023 09:32

Thanks DownNative

the chipper episode is one of our faves

OP posts:
jusdepamplemousse · 15/07/2023 09:37

If your kids are active and to break up sightseeing - try let’s go hydro water park and / or colin glen alpine coaster and zip line.

jusdepamplemousse · 15/07/2023 09:38

And if you’re here on a sat or sun morning get to st George’s market for brekkie and coffee and chat

Original poster
Itsanewme · 15/07/2023 09:45

Arriving Monday leaving Friday

OP posts:
SometimesIwonderifishouldbemedicated · 15/07/2023 09:46

Cavehill/Belfast castle is also a good wee trip out.
For some really decent, not too expensive food for lunch Brights or Maggie Mays are both fantastic!
I'd maybe plan on booking your evening meals as restaurants can be busy at this time of year, this is bang slap in the middle of our '12th fortnight ' off when a lot of people traditional take two weeks off. Chubby cherub, fratellis and Coppi are all amazing Italians, Zen is Japanese/fusions and beautiful too, Flame have opened a new restaurant and are reasonably priced but there's also street food available in Common Market (cathedral quarter) and Trade Market (Dublin road) all within walking distance.

If you're here Friday Saturday or Sunday make sure you check out St George's market, such a buzz and load of amazing good there too.
There's a lovely coffee shop near titanic called The Dock Cafe, it's an honesty box system but really quirky and welcoming inside.
There's also bowling in the Odyssey complex,and a cinema which is very close to where you're staying.

Enjoy, Belfast is such an amazing city, it feels safe to me, even in the evening.
Just bring a raincoat 😁

WithIcePlease · 15/07/2023 10:03

So pleased with this thread. I'm going to Bangor next month and these are v useful.

fireflyloo · 15/07/2023 20:34

The Gobbins is a great day out (if weather is ok).

tandt5 · 15/07/2023 20:57

Stix and stones - had a lovely pre-theatre meal there
Pho
Kamakura
La Taqueria
Kelly's Cellars (had a lovely Irish stew and best Guiness there in a fantastic atmosphere)

Snugglemonkey · 15/07/2023 21:01

Itsanewme · 15/07/2023 08:54

Thanks all
interesting re the w5
I took older dd to
the science museum
in Manchester when she was 10 and she loved it
maybe they are too old now

I was thinking of a bus tour to giants causeway but maybe driving ourselves would be better.
Can pick where to stop
along the way.
Are the roads main roads or back roads ?
Thanks again for all the replies

You are better staying off the main road and doing the coastal route. You can stop at different GoT stops, like Ballintoye, Cushendun and the Dark Hedge (Kings Road in GoT). The coastal drive is very scenic too.

confusedlots · 15/07/2023 21:05

Little wing is great for pizza, a relaxed family friendly place. There's a few of them across the city

JenniferBarkley · 15/07/2023 21:25

WithIcePlease · 15/07/2023 10:03

So pleased with this thread. I'm going to Bangor next month and these are v useful.

In Bangor, check out The Guillemot, Joxer and The Nines. Caproni for ice-cream. Smile

Swipe left for the next trending thread