day trip to belfast

mrs_lds

we are off toBelfast this week for the day. Can anyone give me the best itinary they would recommend for a family with 5 children and 2 adults.

much appreciation

NAR

If it's a nice day, what about Belfast Zoo. They have a lot of new arrivals to show off this spring.

bantamfan

what about the ulster folk and transport museum - http://www.uftm.org.uk/ its effectively two halfs. One half is transport, so lots of steam trains, cars, etc on display. The other half contains old cottages, streets etc from yesterday year. Most have staff inside who explain the history etc of the buildings. Its right beside the railway line out of belfast and would take about 20 minutes to get there. If you are flying into Belfast City airport (George Best) it would be less than 10 minutes in a taxi. I have taken visitors from USA and England to it and they loved it. It would also tire the kids out!

mrs_lds

we fly into the airport at 9.00am and leave at 7.00pm so we have about8 hours of useful time btw we don't drink

Francophile

I'd second the vote for the Ulster Folk & Transport museum. It's something you all could enjoy. Then what about one of the open top bus tours round the city. I went on one myself last year and found it very interesting and entertaining.

mrs_lds

many thanks for the ideas much appreciated keep them coming if you have any more.

bazzac_2

The Zoo and Ulster Folk Museum are great but will kill a good few hours each. I think this may be too long for your short time period.
Do a bus tour from Castle Place (outside Barclays Bank). This will take a short tour around including Titanic Quarter (not much to see yet I'm afraid) and some areas showing Belfast's past. Just don't sit on the open top deck at this time of year.

Visit the crown bar (The only bar owned by the National Trust).

Do the big wheel beside the the City Hall.

For a quick bit of Lunch do the Cloth Ear on Waring Street.

You might catch some trad music at the John Hewitt, McHughs or White's Tavern.

Of course if you had more time to venture outside Belfast the obvious are the north antrim coast including Bushmills Distillery, Carrick a rede rope bridge and Giant's Causeway.

Good luck, welcome and enjoy.

broke_mum_of_three

You could head into Belfast City Centre, see the City Hall and go onto the Big Wheel and also do the open top bus tour, and visit Victoria Square a new big state of the art shopping centre which has just opened. Have a bite of lunch in Belfast and then head over to the Odyssey and take the kids into W5 which would take up most of the afternoon, its an interactive place for the kids and the views over Belfast Lough from inside the building are spectacular. You can also eat in the Odyssey and you are a 5 minute journey from the city airport if that is where you are flying from again.:D

Wee_Bargain_Hunter

If you are near City Hall, then I can recommend calling into The Apartment for a coffee and a scone or muffin. It's only about £1.80 in total and delicious! Don't let the weird combinations put you off though - all are lovely! The chef is just quite inventive.
There's a big table at the window where you can watch the world go by.

butterflymum

...with all these suggestions, you may realise that there is lots on offer for a possible longer trip in the future. Whatever you choose, have a fantastic time.

Belair

broke_mum_of_three wrote: »

head over to the Odyssey and take the kids into W5 which would take up most of the afternoon, its an interactive place for the kids and the views over Belfast Lough from inside the building are spectacular. You can also eat in the Odyssey and you are a 5 minute journey from the city airport if that is where you are flying from again.:D

I would whole heartedly agree with this suggestion, children of all ages love it. It's educational and great fun! The views from the top floor are spectacular!

I'm soooo proud to live over here.