Things to do in Belfast?

Curlysue76

Heading to Belfast in Aug with a 10 yr old and a 14 yr old. Any advice on what to do. Doing Titanic experience, ice skating in Dundonald. Any more ideas?

alchemist33

W5 in the Odyssey?
Ulster Museum's good, as museums go.

munchkin_utd

with kids of that age maybe also consider the ulster folk and transport museum at Cultra which is only a few miles to the east of the city and theres a rail stop outside it too if you want to go by public transport.
Belfast zoo and castle always gets good reviews and you could even go for a hike up cave hill behind it which overlooks the city quite spectacularily.
Or just hire some bikes and go for a spin down the Lagan towpath, maybe with a diversion to the giants ring?

Curlysue76

Thanks for the suggestions. Was at w5 yrs ago. But 10yr old doesn't remember it so might go back again, afaik it's close to Titanic experience.

Hadn't thought of a hike or hiring bikes sounds like that would be good esp if weather is good.

munchkin_utd

Curlysue76 wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions. Was at w5 yrs ago. But 10yr old doesn't remember it so might go back again, afaik it's close to Titanic experience.

Hadn't thought of a hike or hiring bikes sounds like that would be good esp if weather is good.

you could also take the train along the coast to Bangor which is a seaside resort.
Or get off a stop or 2 earlier at helens bay or carnalea and go for a dander along the coast.
Helens bay has this interesting place to visit
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Grey-Point-Fort-Helens-Bay-P3124

and if going by car, they suggest starting at Crawfordsburn country park just down the road and walking along the north down coastal path
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Crawfordsburn-Country-Park-Helens-Bay-Bangor-P2882
I stopped off there after attending a wedding this time last year and it was a part of the world that I vowed to go back to sooner rather than later
The view across Belfast lough is stunning

Curlysue76

Anybody ever stay in Days hotel?

munchkin_utd

Curlysue76 wrote: »

Anybody ever stay in Days hotel?

Which one?
I stayed at the one there off gt Victoria st and it was grand.

Holiday inn express and ibis queens quarter are also cheap and spot on and if anything a nicer area.

Curlysue76

munchkin_utd wrote: »

Which one?
I stayed at the one there off gt Victoria st and it was grand.

Holiday inn express and ibis queens quarter are also cheap and spot on and if anything a nicer area.

It's on Hope St. Not sure if it's the same one, hadn't realised there was more than one.

Thanks for other recommendations, i'll have a look on web for them.:)

munchkin_utd

Curlysue76 wrote: »

It's on Hope St. Not sure if it's the same one, hadn't realised there was more than one.

Thanks for other recommendations, i'll have a look on web for them.:)

That's the one.
If you book the ibis by midnight tonight you might get up to 50% off as there is a sale ending tonight.

Now, the days inn is right by the bus station and near town so that's an advantage.
The other 2 are maybe a half mile further from town but arguably a more pleasant area (especially so now that the students are all on holidays! )
If you saw the video on YouTube of some woman struggling to park a car in Belfast, then that's just down the road.

There's loads of hotels in Belfast but those 3 would be what I'd consider the best when balancing cost and location, and I've stayed in all 3 with 2 visits to the Ibis queens quarter