Car trips with kids can feel never-ending — between snack requests, toilet stops, travel sickness, and the odd squabble over toys or screens. It takes the pressure off when you know you can break the journey into shorter hops, but knowing where to actually stop is often the tricky part. We’ve gathered some parent-recommended favourites along the Dublin to Waterford route (or vice versa) to turn the drive into part of the adventure rather than something to just get through.
There are two main road options between Dublin and Waterford, and each one passes some genuinely lovely spots — castles, gardens, farms and picnic-friendly grounds among them. Pick the route that suits your plans, or use this as a guide to detour off either one.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Guide to Dublin for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
Places to Visit from Dublin to Waterford (via M11/N25)
Kilruddery House & Gardens, Wicklow
The 800-acre estate of Kilruddery House & Gardens is a sustainable, biodiverse farm featuring flowering woodland, formal 17th-century gardens, ponds, and walled gardens. There’s seasonal food and shopping at the Heritage Kilruddery Yard too.
Adventurous families will love Squirrel’s Scramble, a tree-top adventure park set within the grounds of Kilruddery House. With challenges ranging from 2m to 12m in height across five levels, kids can take on zip lines, rope bridges, magic carpets and more as they make their way from tree to tree.
National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh
The National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh sit within an estate developed extensively during the 19th century by Thomas Acton, working alongside David Moore and his son Sir Frederick Moore, both curators of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, at the time. The different soil and climate at Kilmacurragh meant many specimens thrived here that struggled at Glasnevin — the gardens are particularly well known today for their conifer and rhododendron collections.
Kilmacurragh is open year-round, and the grounds are free to enter and explore. The Acton Café on site offers coffee and light lunches, making it an easy stop to stretch your legs and refuel.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Guide to Wicklow for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
Kia Ora Mini Farm, Wexford
For a fun, hands-on day out, Kia Ora Mini Farm lets children interact with, hold and feed a mix of familiar farmyard animals alongside some more exotic residents — think llamas, emus, alpacas, pot-bellied pigs, chinchillas, parrots, Highland cattle and Kerry cows.
There’s plenty more to keep kids entertained too, including sandpits, a football pitch, a rough rider track, and a convoy of ride-on tractors. Bring a picnic, or enjoy the home-baked treats at the on-site coffee shop.
Johnstown Castle, Wexford
Johnstown Castle is a striking gothic castle in Wexford that makes for a memorable day out for all ages. Visitors can explore eight restored rooms inside the castle along with the old servants’ tunnel, while the grounds surrounding it feature ornamental gardens designed by Daniel Robertson, complete with gothic statues, a Victorian walled garden, and turrets to spot at every turn.
Within the grounds, the Irish Agricultural Museum tells the story of farming and rural life in Ireland, from vintage tractors to old farmhouse kitchens, and includes exhibits on how the Great Famine affected the local area.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Guide to Wexford for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
Places to Stop from Dublin to Waterford (via M7/M9)
Johnstown Garden Centre, Kildare
A destination garden centre with plenty to browse, Johnstown Garden Centre is also home to the popular Garden Café. Open daily with generous indoor and outdoor seating right next to a playground, it’s a great spot to stop for homemade meals, treats and a bit of running-around time for the kids.
Burtown House & Gardens and The Green Barn, Kildare
There are over 12 acres of gardens, parkland and woodland to explore at Burtown House & Gardens. Wander through a rock garden, a yew walk divided by a pergola, a sundial garden, a 150-year-old walled kitchen garden, an old orchard, a formal stable yard garden, and a large woodland garden bordered by water on every side.
Set in the mature parkland overlooking the walled kitchen garden, the award-winning Green Barn Restaurant offers a choice of seasonal menus — a lovely spot to break for lunch.
Mullaghreelan Wood, Kildare
Located south-east of Athy, Mullaghreelan Wood encircles a hilltop rath overlooking Kilkea Castle, with excellent views west across the rolling landscape of east Laois. It’s an old woodland site and especially popular in spring, when a beautiful display of bluebells appears underfoot.
Duckett’s Grove, Carlow
Duckett’s Grove is a ruined 19th-century great house that once sat at the centre of a 20,000-acre estate dominating the Carlow landscape for over 300 years. Even in ruin, the surviving towers and turrets of Duckett’s Grove Walled Gardens and Pleasure Grounds create a romantic profile, making it one of the most photogenic historic buildings in Ireland.
After exploring the restored Walled Gardens, round off your visit with a stop at the Tea Rooms.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 11 Stunning Places for Fantastic Family Walks in Waterford
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best route to break up the Dublin to Waterford drive with kids?
There are two good options. The M11/N25 route takes you through Wicklow and Wexford, with stops like Kilruddery House, the National Botanic Gardens at Kilmacurragh, Kia Ora Mini Farm and Johnstown Castle. The M7/M9 route runs through Kildare and Carlow, passing Johnstown Garden Centre, Burtown House & Gardens, Mullaghreelan Wood and Duckett’s Grove. Either way, you’re never too far from a good stretch-your-legs stop.
Are these stops suitable for toddlers and younger children?
Yes, most of the spots on this list — gardens, farms, playgrounds and cafés — work well for younger children, with space to run around and plenty to look at. A few, like tree-top adventure courses, are better suited to slightly older kids, so it’s worth checking age and height guidelines for those before you go.
Do I need to book ahead for any of these stops?
Some attractions, especially those with cafés, adventure activities or guided tours, may benefit from booking or checking ahead, particularly at busy times. It’s a good idea to check each venue’s own website or social media before you travel for current opening times and any booking requirements.
Can I visit these places on a day trip, or do I need to stay overnight?
Many families use these stops purely to break up the drive between Dublin and Waterford, spending anywhere from twenty minutes to a couple of hours at each. If you’d like to explore an area more fully — Wicklow’s gardens or Wexford’s farms and castles, for example — it’s easy to build a longer day or weekend around one region instead.
Related Articles
- Guide to Dublin for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
- Guide to Wicklow for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
- Guide to Wexford for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
- 11 Stunning Places for Fantastic Family Walks in Waterford
Before You Go
Not ready to plan the trip yet? Bookmark this page or add it to your family day-out list so it’s ready whenever you next hit the road between Dublin and Waterford.
Never Miss a Family Day Out Idea
Want more ideas like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the MyKidsTime newsletter for weekly family day-out inspiration, seasonal activity ideas, and things to do across Ireland.
