Action-packed ideas for a giant adventure to Northern Ireland

Every family has one: That person who loves to plan ahead and curate the itinerary for the family holiday with each day crammed full of activities to make giant memories.

There are so many cool ways to fill your days in Northern Ireland without breaking the bank, but planning is key. When the sun is shining you’ll be out and about in the countryside, ziplining through forest parks, climbing in epic playparks or exploring sandy beaches and rock pools. But you will need some down time too and there is an abundance of visitor attractions with a healthy little dose of learning added for good measure.

There’s so much to see and do with many places and experiences less than two hours from Dublin. Discover Northern Ireland has your itinerary sorted with these recommendations for your next trip; all you need to do now is book!

Belfast

For little explorers, The Maritime Mile Treasure Trail is a fun self-guided adventure along 18 stops in the Titanic Quarter where they uncover facts and answer questions.

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Get your adrenaline pumping at Colin Glen with Ireland’s first alpine coaster and Ireland’s longest zip line, the River Rapid. A less dramatic option is the 250m Forest Flyover zip line or keep your feet on the ground with the delightful Gruffalo Story Walk.

Curious minds gravitate to W5, a must-see interactive experience. With eight zones packed with over 250 interactive exhibits to excite and inspire, it’s a no-brainer for families with kids of all ages as you can spend a day there, and make sure to book ahead.

For great days out, take a Belfast Bus Tour, visit Belfast Zoo or step aboard HMS Caroline for a unique peek at history. Bounce, ski, play and climb at We Are Vertigo or head to Let’s Go Hydro for fun water activities.

A walk through the city centre streets is like a worldwide gastronomic tour with options for even the fussiest eaters. However, we think you’ll love these family favourites: Home, Little Wing Pizzeria or Fratelli Belfast.

Stay

Lets Go Hydro Resort & Spa, Belfast

Let’s Go Hydro Resort & Spa is a water activity park which caters for caravanners, campers and glampers of every type, with 40 – yes, 40 luxury glamping pods. If it’s somewhere quirky you’re after, like a Viking hut, houseboat or igluhut, they’ve got you covered. The huge aqua park features all sorts of amazing inflatable slides and obstacle courses for adrenalin-filled fun.

Central Belfast Apartments, Belfast

Central Belfast Apartments provide the best serviced accommodation just a short walk from the top tourist treasures. They are decorated in a fun and quirky style while their super popular chalkboard walls keep the kids (and big kids) entertained. A fully equipped kitchen, washing machine and parking are all there to make your short break with the family as easy as possible.

For an alternative city break head to the Maiden City of Derry. No trip is complete without a trek around the 400-year-old City Walls or get yourself a Visit Derry Pass; the integrated ticket allows access to 10 must-see visitor attractions including the Guildhall and Tower Museum which includes the fabulous Derry Girls Exhibition. With over 11 acres of freshwater fun, you’ll need a day to take in the 80,000 square foot water park at Lake Kilrea – the biggest in Ireland.

If you’re after a family-oriented dinner in the city, you won’t go wrong booking a table at Fitzroy’s, Nonna’s Wood Fired Pizza or Martha’s Vineyard beside the Brunswick Movie Bowl.

Down and Armagh

Slieve Gullion is Northern Ireland’s mountain of mystery. The forest park just off the M1 offers walking trails, a scenic drive, an adventure playpark, Fionn’s Giant Adventure children’s story trail and courtyard with coffee shop. For budding stargazers, Armagh Observatory & Planetarium is out of this world for indoor fun.

Venture into County Down for superb forest parks like Tollymore and Castlewellan; don’t forget the mind-boggling Peace Maze there too. The fun never stops at Bangor’s Pickie Funpark with the 18-hole mini-golf course, giant pedal swans, Pickie Puffer train and electric car track. Enjoy a diver’s view of marine life without getting wet at Exploris Aquarium. An underwater Tunnel Experience, friendly sharks and a dwarf crocodile all star in Northern Ireland’s only aquarium along the Ards Peninsula.

Stay

Clonlum Cottages, Co Down

The self-catering (and dog-friendly) four-star Clonlum Cottages near Newry sleep four to six people and are kitted out with ... wait for it ... Netflix. Keep that bit of news to yourself for a rainy day. Hopefully you won’t need it because on warm summer evenings, you can fire up the barbecue, sit back and let the kids run wild, as you take in the views of the majestic Slieve Gullion – the subject of so many myths and legends.

Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, Co Down

With family-friendly rooms and the on-site Coq & Bull restaurant, enjoy the warm embrace of the four-star Clandeboye Lodge Hotel. Only a few miles from Belfast but fully immersed in the tranquillity of nature, the hotel is surrounded by glens, forests, beaches and great golf courses. Of course, you are close to city life too with Belfast’s restaurants and tourist attractions as well as the vibrant cultural life of Bangor and North Down.

Fermanagh and Tyrone

Fermanagh is lakeland heaven with lots of water-based family adventures. Take a trip on Lough Erne on the MV Kestrel 48 seat waterbus or visit Blue Green Yonder for thrilling outdoor activities. If that doesn’t tire the kids out, Cuilcagh Boardwalk & Marble Arch Caves will, with its subterranean caves, sinkholes and rivers, or the gorges, waterfalls and ancient woodlands above ground.

For high energy stuff, Todds Leap in nearby County Tyrone has over 20 action-packed activities including off-road driving, a 500-metre zip line, free fall drop-zone and the Big Yella slide. Why not step back in time at the Ulster American Folk Park outside Omagh where you can learn what life was like in rural Ulster, step on board the full-scale emigrant ship and enjoy craft demonstrations performed by guides in traditional costumes.

Stay

Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges

Perched right on the water’s edge, the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges is a four-star collection of 14 log-panelled, two-bedroom lodges offers the ultimate lakeside break, including an open-plan family lounge with lake view, access to a private decking area, and your very own mooring. What’s more, you’ll also get to indulge in the on-site leisure facilities with heated pool, hot tub and Elemis spa – that’s the best of both worlds.

Castle Archdale Caravan Park

The four-star Castle Archdale Caravan Park option has a variety of accommodation types to suit every family on this 20-acre site along the wooded shores of Lough Erne. You can rock up and pitch your own tent, stay in a luxury fixed caravan, or hitch up your own touring caravan or dormobile. There’s plenty of on-site facilities including a fully-featured play area, hydro-biking and canoeing, kayaking, sailing, wind surfing or day boat hire.

For great value spring offers visit www.discovernorthernireland.com, or sign up to the Discover Northern Ireland Newsletter to get inspiration and a host of great ideas straight to your inbox