A day out in Dublin can get expensive fast, but it doesn’t have to. We’ve put together a self-guided itinerary so you can enjoy a full family day out in Dublin without spending a cent on admission — and if you pack a picnic, the whole day can cost nothing at all.
Whether you’re visiting Dublin or exploring your own hometown with fresh eyes, the city has plenty to offer families when it comes to culture, history, nature and things to do together. Set out early, wear comfortable shoes, and get ready to discover some real gems.
In this itinerary:
- Phoenix Park
- National Museum of Ireland – Collins Barracks
- A stroll along the quays
- Chester Beatty Library
- National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
- Merrion Square
- Dublin’s northside landmarks
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Your Free Family Day Out in Dublin
Start at Phoenix Park
Begin your free day out at Phoenix Park. The visitor centre runs a free, self-guided exhibition on the history and wildlife of the park, and it’s also where you can pick up tickets for a visit to the Magazine Fort.
The centre often runs free children’s workshops covering nature, art and history, along with an exhibition space where visiting artists display and demonstrate their work — free art materials are usually available for kids to use too.
On Saturdays, free tickets are sometimes issued for visits to Áras an Uachtaráin, home of the President. Right beside the visitor centre you’ll find a great universal playground, plus the restored Ashtown Castle and its walled garden, both well worth a wander.
Head out into the wider park on foot, bike or scooter, and keep your eyes peeled — Phoenix Park is home to a wild deer herd, and spotting them is always a highlight for kids.
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Discover the Past at the National Museum of Ireland – Collins Barracks
A short stroll from Phoenix Park brings you to National Museum of Ireland – Collins Barracks. Entry is free, and inside you’ll find an impressive collection spanning tanks and aeroplanes, armour and clothing, decorative art and antique clocks, with plenty of interactive displays to keep the kids engaged.
The building itself is worth a look too — it’s the largest barracks in Europe, dating back to the early 1700s.
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Stroll Along the Quays
Walking towards the city centre along the quays gives you a proper taste of Dublin’s history. Look out for the Guinness Brewery at St James’s Gate, the Four Courts on Inns Quay (the centre of Ireland’s legal system since the 1770s), the Ha’penny Bridge on Wellington Quay dating from the early 1800s, and the boardwalk running alongside the River Liffey.
Keep an eye out too for the Brazen Head on Bridge Street Lower, said to be Dublin’s oldest pub, dating from around 1198, as well as St Patrick’s Cathedral on Wood Quay, the largest cathedral in Ireland, and Dublin Castle on Dame Street — home to our next stop.
Uncover a Treasure Trove of Books at the Chester Beatty Library
Next up is the Chester Beatty Library, in the grounds of Dublin Castle. Here you can view one of the world’s largest private collections of manuscripts and books, spanning from around 2700 BC to the present day.
The library has previously run free Family Activity Packs on select weekends, exploring its Arts of the Book and Sacred Traditions galleries, with hands-on activities for children aged 5 to 11 including activity sheets, puzzles and colouring. It also holds other free family-friendly tours and events throughout the year, so it’s worth checking what’s on before you go.
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Unearth History at the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
Heading towards Grafton Street, you’ll pass Trinity College. Its grounds and buildings are worth a slow look, and if the timing works out it’s a lovely spot for a picnic — don’t miss the sphere in the main square.
From there, it’s on to dig for history at the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology on Kildare Street, another free family experience. Spread across seven galleries, the museum displays artefacts from 7000 BC through to the 20th century — so much to see that you won’t know where to look first. Get a head start with our pick of 10 artefacts not to be missed.
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Take In the Wonders of Merrion Square
Merrion Square is one of Dublin’s best-preserved Georgian squares, home to some striking buildings and plenty of free things to do as a family.
- Stroll through Merrion Square Gardens and spot the statues dotted around the park, including the cheeky memorial to Oscar Wilde.
- The square is also home to government buildings, including the Department of the Taoiseach.
- Visit the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History to see the Wonder Cabinet and its other displays — better known to generations of Dubliners as the Dead Zoo. Entry is free, and a free activity sheet is often available at reception.
- Next door, the National Gallery of Ireland’s permanent collection is free to visit (charges may apply for temporary exhibitions).
- If you’re there on a Sunday, look out for the local artists who traditionally line the park railings with their work.
From here, take a leisurely walk to Baggot Street and on to St Stephen’s Green, where you’ll find a playground, bridges, duck ponds and plenty of benches for a well-earned rest.
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Get a Taste of Ireland’s Past on Dublin’s Northside
After resting in St Stephen’s Green, walk along Grafton Street for a bit of window shopping — remember, this is a free day out, so try to resist temptation.
Pass the entrance to Trinity College and cross to the Bank of Ireland building on College Green, originally built as a parliament house in the late 1730s, then on to O’Connell Bridge over the River Liffey.
Crossing the bridge, you’ll see the Daniel O’Connell Monument standing at the centre of O’Connell Street. O’Connell was an influential politician who campaigned tirelessly for Catholic emancipation following the Act of Union in 1800. At the base of the monument, four winged figures represent his core virtues — eloquence, courage, patriotism and fidelity — while a frieze around the plinth depicts more than 30 figures symbolising Erin, the church, the arts, trades and other professions.
Continue along O’Connell Street to the General Post Office (GPO), one of Ireland’s most iconic buildings, dating from the early 1800s. Look closely at the front pillars and you can still spot bullet holes from the 1916 Easter Rising.
Beside the GPO stands the Dublin Spire, or Monument of Light, towering above the surrounding buildings. It replaced the Anna Livia statue, which now sits in Croppies Memorial Park on Arran Quay, near the National Museum of Ireland – Collins Barracks.
Heading further north, you’ll reach the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square, a memorial dedicated to all those who gave their lives in the fight for Irish independence. With its water feature, it’s a peaceful place to rest before heading home.
If you’d like more inspiration, the Dublin Visitor Centre on Lower O’Connell Street is worth a call in.
There’s a fair bit of walking involved, but following some or all of this route gives you a genuinely unique, and completely free, day out in Dublin.
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Have we inspired you to plan a free family day out in Dublin? If you’ve got other free spots to add to the itinerary, we’d love to hear about them — leave a comment below and let us know!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Dublin itinerary really free?
Yes — every stop on this itinerary, from Phoenix Park to the National Museums, has free general admission. The only costs are optional, such as food, transport, or entry to temporary exhibitions at places like the National Gallery.
How long does the full itinerary take?
It’s a full day out, with a good amount of walking between stops. Families with younger children or buggies may want to focus on two or three stops rather than the whole route, and add in breaks along the way.
Do I need to book anything in advance?
Some elements, like the Magazine Fort tickets at Phoenix Park or family activity sessions at the Chester Beatty Library, may require booking or have limited availability. It’s worth checking current details before you go so you’re not disappointed on the day.
Is the route suitable for buggies and younger children?
Most of the route is on footpaths and pavements, so it’s generally buggy-friendly, though some sections involve a fair distance on foot. Building in stops at the playgrounds in Phoenix Park and St Stephen’s Green helps break up the walking for little legs.
What should we bring with us?
Comfortable shoes are a must. Pack a picnic to keep costs down, along with snacks, water, and weather-appropriate layers, since much of the day is spent outdoors moving between sights.
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- Fun and Free Things To Do With Children In Dublin
- 101 Free Things To Do With Kids That Cost Nothing But Time
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- 30 Terrific Things To Do In Dublin For Teens & Older Kids
- Fun, Educational & Free Places To Visit In Ireland With Kids
Save This For Your Next Free Day Out
Planning to try this itinerary? Save this article now so you have it handy on the day, and browse our other free and low-cost things to do for more ideas the next time you’re looking for a budget-friendly family outing.
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