The best things to do in Belfast with the family!

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As the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast has plenty of attractions to offer holidaymakers. The city may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a fun family trip, but there are loads of things to do in Belfast for kids.

Tourism NI Destination PR Officer, Pauline Gormley:

“Northern Ireland has so many great things to see and do which makes it an ideal place to experience a fun day out with your best friends or family.
“We may not always get the weather we would like but that doesn’t matter as there are indoor, as well as outdoor, options for everyone to choose from to make a day trip or short break a time to remember.”

Birthplace of the RMS Titanic and home to one of the best zoos in the UK, the capital of Northern Ireland is packed with great family days out.

Let’s explore some of the top things to do in Belfast together. Just take a look at our list below for some fantastic ideas to help you have a great holiday in Northern Ireland.

Our £39 each way Express from Glasgow to Belfast is the ideal way for families from Scotland to make the quick trip across the water to Belfast for a fun and entertaining day out.


1. Belfast Zoo

 

Belfast Zoo offers a wonderful family day out. You can see more than 120 animal species. Animals on show include Asia Elephants, African wild dogs, bears, giraffes, camels, zebra, great apes, smaller primates, lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards and an impressive collection of birds from all over the world.

An unusual aspect of the zoo is the free-ranging animals that include lemurs and tamarinds allowed to roam around the zoo offering visitors a delightful experience.

The zoo holds various special events throughout the year, such as the Twilight Tour which enables you to enter the zoo when it gets a little darker to see how some animals behave differently in the night.

The 55 acre site has some stunning gardens to wander around with a huge variety of plants and trees as well as a large picnic area, play area and farm for the little ones to explore.

 

2. Titanic Museum 

Titanic quarter

You can’t miss the spectacular Titanic Museum. Shaped like a ship’s bow, this iconic building is estimated to be the height of the original RMS Titanic, creating a bold and striking appearance. Explore the shipyard, walk the decks, travel to the depths of the Ocean and uncover the true legend of Titanic in the city where it all began.

The building is an an award-winning architectural structure that’s worth a visit in its own right. Here you can delve deeper into the Titanic’s watery past, from the design and construction, to the discovery of the wreck, 108 years later. The Museum has nine interactive galleries, entertaining exhibitions and an immersive movie screening of the wreck, making this a must visit attraction. When you’re here you can jump aboard the SS. Nomadic- A tender to the Titanic and the last remaining White Star Line ship in the world! Restored to her original glory and back home in Belfast’s historic Hamilton Dock.  Book tickets here>>

From the Museum you will also be able to see the famous Harland & Wolff cranes. Samson and Goliath are the twin shipbuilding cranes situated in the Titanic quarter. The cranes, which were named after the Biblical figures Samson and Goliath, dominate the Belfast skyline and are landmark structures of the city. Despite being newcomers to the city, the cranes have quickly come to symbolise Belfast in a way that no building or monument ever has.

 

3. W5

W5

W5 is Belfast’s award-winning science and discovery centre and provides a unique experience as well as fantastic fun for visitors of all ages. Whowhatwherewhenwhy or W5, is an interactive science centre filled with more than 250 exhibits. The centre provides a unique experience as well as fantastic fun for visitors of all ages. In addition to permanent exhibits, they also presents a changing programme of large- and small-scale temporary exhibitions and events. They have a daily programme of live science demonstrations and shows throughout the day.

Visitors can immerse themselves in W5’s new technological space ‘AMAZE’, scale the heights on the multi-storey climbing structure ‘Climbit’, meet W5’s humanoid robot ‘Robothespian’, plus so much more.

In addition to permanent exhibits, W5 also presents a changing programme of temporary exhibitions and events. Visitors can also enjoy a daily programme of live science demonstrations and shows throughout the day. W5’s seasonal events are free with admission and tickets are valid all day. See what’s on here>>

 

4.Ulster Museum

Open every day except Mondays, The Ulster Museum tells the unique human story of this part of Ireland and our collections will take you to all corners of the globe.  Here, you can discover some fantastic and engaging exhibits showcasing dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies and fossil collections.

It is a treasure trove for the curious and a real interactive learning experience.

Come face to face with dinosaurs, get up close with more than 2000 mammal mounts, skins, and skeletons, dive into the discovery zones, or just enjoy a bite in the café, and a wander around the gift shop.

Plenty to enjoy and loads to love at the Ulster Museum. Best of all, admission is free.

The museum is situated in the city’s Botanic Gardens. The Palm House inside the gardens was designed by Sir Charles Lanyon who also designed Queens University. The Palm House contains a range of tropical plants, hanging baskets, seasonal displays, and is one of the earliest examples of a glasshouse made from curved iron and glass. It shows how advances in glasshouse technology allowed horticulturists to grow exotic plant species during the Victorian period.

 

5. We are Vertigo

We Are Vertigo is home to Northern Ireland’s first indoor Ski and Adventure Centre and Europe’s trampoline park. The centre offers exciting experiences for people of all ages and abilities to try out or brush up on their skiing skills as well as experience extreme fun. The Trampoline Park features a large main court, dodgeball courts, basketball lanes, stunt pits, a gladiator balance beam and indoor skydiving!

The inflata-park is  a cloud-like castle and it’s the only indoor inflatable fun world on the island of Ireland!
The inflata-park is a whopping 30,000 square feet inflatable playground with inflatable floors, inflatable doors, inflatable walls, inflatable falls a sweeping arm and an Adrenalator!

The ski centre offers people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard. Or for those who can already ski or snowboard, the chance to learn, enhance or brush up on their skills on the continuously moving ski slopes. Situated within the ski centre is the Adventure Centre – journey here for a true adventure with: a 30ft climbing wall, high and low ropes courses, three-tier soft play village and electric quads for little racers.

 

6. The Lost City- Adventure Golf

Enjoy an epic adventure at The Lost City Adventure Golf – food, drinks and indoor fun for all ages.
Open seven days a week from 10am, including Sundays, experience two indoor 18-hole jungle themed adventure golf courses, complete with incredible special effects and interactive obstacles.

Make your way around the course through thunder and lightning storms and challenge your skills against rainforest animals and moving walls.

After your game, enjoy freshly made pizzas and snacks, as well as cocktails, mocktails, milkshakes, coffees and much more!

 


[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][block_title title=”BELFAST – GLASGOW EXPRESS”]BELFAST – GLASGOW EXPRESS £39 each way

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10 Great reasons to choose Hannon Coach to travel between Glasgow and Belfast…

  1. Our service is the ONLY direct through service between Glasgow and Belfast – our coach travels the whole way with you and does not just drop you at the ferry terminal.
  2. Convenient online booking up to 60 minutes before departure
  3. The cost of the ferry is included, and we also check you on-board.
  4. Luxury coach the whole way with on-board toilet, Wi-Fi and reclining seats.
  5. The coach drops you off just outside Belfast City Hall– right in the heart of the city.
  6. No luggage charges – bring up to 2 full size 23Kg suitcases per passenger.
  7. We can also accommodate bikes and larger items (Passengers are required to contact us in advance).
  8. We do not hike prices on busy days or closer to your travel date.
  9. Hassle-free security
  10. Free Wi-Fi the whole way.