Belfast
Botanic Gardens and Palm House · Photo: Albert Bridge
A no-cost day in Belfast's university quarter: dinosaurs and a mummy at the Ulster Museum, a wander through the glasshouses and lawns of the Botanic Gardens, then a playground stop across the river.
Museum · 10:00–11:45 (1h45m)
Head for the dinosaur and natural history galleries first while little ones are freshest.
An indoor and outdoor museum in Belfast.
Nature & gardens · 11:45–13:15 (1h30m)
Picnic on the lawns and peek into the Palm House and Tropical Ravine.
An outdoor nature reserve in Belfast.
Photo: Albert Bridge
Park · 13:45–15:15 (1h30m)
Burn off energy in the playground before heading home.
Belfast's oldest municipal park, opened in 1871, with woodland ecotrails, orienteering routes, a children's playground and a BMX track. It is a short walk across the Lagan from the Botanic area.
Photo: Keresaspa (talk)
Northern IrelandNewcastle
A low-cost day in the shadow of the Mournes: stepping stones and follies in Tollymore, a climb up the free Norman castle at Dundrum, then boardwalks through Murlough's dunes to the beach.
Tollymore Forest Park → Dundrum Castle → Murlough National Nature Reserve
Northern IrelandStrangford
A lough-side day with a little boat trip in the middle. Explore the grounds, farmyard and play area at Castle Ward, cross the Narrows on the car ferry, then meet sea creatures and rescued seals at Exploris.
Castle Ward → Strangford Lough Ferry → Exploris Aquarium
Northern IrelandBelfast
Spend a rainy day under cover in Belfast's shipbuilding quarter. Start with the story of Titanic, grab lunch from the food stalls at a Victorian market hall, then climb aboard a real First World War warship.
Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic → St George's Market → HMS Caroline
