Looking for things to do with the kids in Northern Ireland and Ulster? As parents ourselves, we’re always on the hunt for great family days out — and we’ve rounded up 16 of our favourites across the province. You’ll find a mix of paid and free attractions, indoor and outdoor adventures, and old historical sites alongside more modern attractions, so there’s something here whatever the weather (or the budget) looks like.
We hope you enjoy visiting them all — and if you’ve been to any of these, we’d love to hear what you thought in the comments below!
1. Exploris Aquarium, Down
Exploris is Northern Ireland’s public aquarium and seal sanctuary, located at Portaferry. Discover pool demonstrations, run by experienced guides, at regular intervals throughout the day, giving you the chance to get close to a variety of living marine animals. You can also see how Exploris rehabilitates Northern Ireland’s sick, injured or orphaned seals in its seal sanctuary.
2. Seaforde Tropical Gardens, Down
Seaforde Gardens and Tropical Butterfly House sit within the historic demesne of Seaforde, a family home for almost 400 years.
The gardens and butterfly house make a lovely day out for families. Walk through the steamy jungle of the butterfly house to see free-flying tropical butterflies up close, climb the Moghul Tower to survey the walled garden from above, or simply relax among the extraordinary collection of trees and plants in Seaforde’s renowned gardens. There are also tearooms, a shop, a maze, and a children’s playground on site.
3. Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh
The Ulster American Folk Park is an outdoor museum telling the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Follow the emigrant trail and meet costumed characters along the way, journeying from the thatched cottages of Ulster, aboard a full-scale emigrant sailing ship, to the log cabins of the American frontier.
4. Titanic Belfast, Antrim
At Titanic Belfast, discover the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way. Explore the shipyard, travel to the depths of the ocean, and uncover the true legend of Titanic in the city where it all began. With several levels of interactive exhibits tracing the story from industrial Belfast to the final tragedy, there’s plenty here for all ages.
Don’t miss: Afternoon Tea in the Titanic Suite, featuring the Grand Staircase and views over the slipway on which Titanic was built.
5. W5 Belfast
W5 is Northern Ireland’s award-winning science and discovery centre in Belfast. With over 250 interactive exhibits and a changing programme of events, shows and exhibitions, W5 is a great value day out for the whole family.
6. Armagh Planetarium, Armagh
Armagh Planetarium should be on your list if there are any budding astronomers in the house! Interactive displays let you learn about the cosmos and follow the latest space news in real time. The Armagh Celestial Cathedral is a beautiful gallery of illuminated deep-space images from the Hubble Space Telescope, framed in dramatic gothic arches, and the Astropark is a scale model of the universe where visitors can walk through the Solar System and beyond. You can even design, build and launch your own rocket.
7. Ulster Museum
Ulster Museum is located in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, and admission is free. Pick up a free kid’s explorer map, complete with stickers, at the welcome area to help plan your visit.
Curious how big dinosaurs really were, or what a mummy looks like? Want to see real treasure lost at sea? The museum has all sorts of fascinating things to discover, including three interactive discovery centres — Discover Art, Discover Nature and Discover History — packed with enough hands-on activities that you’ll want to visit again and again.
8. Slieve League Cliffs, Donegal
Almost three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher, the Slieve League Cliffs in Co. Donegal reach almost 2,000 feet, making them some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. There are two car parks, so families can choose to leave the car at the lower level and walk up, or drive the winding road to the upper parking area.
From here, enjoy sweeping views across the Atlantic to Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo. The cliffs suit all levels of walker, with a rocky path leading to the top. For the more adventurous, you can continue to One Man’s Pass and discover early stone dwellings and sacred sites. Look out for the Giant’s Chair and Table below the cliffs, visible from the viewing tower.
9. Doagh Famine Village, Donegal
Stroll around Doagh Famine Village and explore this outdoor museum of life-size cottages to see what life was really like in Ireland during the famine years. Visits include a guided tour and light refreshments, and you’re free to wander the cottages afterwards while the kids explore and you take photos.
10. Donegal Castle
Donegal Castle, in Donegal Town, was built by the O’Donnell chieftain in the 15th century beside the River Eske. Guided tours are available.
11. Marble Arch Caves, Cavan & Fermanagh
The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark spans the rugged uplands and gentle lowlands of counties Fermanagh and Cavan. Taking in the world-famous Marble Arch Caves, the Geopark boasts some of the finest natural landscapes in Ireland and offers a window into the area’s 650-million-year past. Don’t miss the Cladagh Glen Walk, a beautiful trail alongside the Cladagh River where you might even spot a red squirrel.
12. Tullydermot Falls, Cavan
The dramatic Tullydermot Falls sit around 6km south-west of Swanlinbar, towards the Bellavally Gap. The Tullydermot viewpoint overlooks Slieve Rushen and the lowlands of north Cavan, with a great view of the Cuilcagh mountain summit.
13. Dun a Ri and Killykeen Forest Parks, Cavan
Dun a Ri Forest Park is situated north of Kingscourt on the road to Carrickmacross. Amenities include a picnic site, public toilets and walking trails, with four signposted routes to choose from.
Killykeen Forest Park sits on the shore of Lough Oughter in Cavan’s lake district. It’s a scenic spot with a picnic site, playground and walking trails winding through dark forests, over bridges and along river banks — part of the wider River Erne system.
14. Cavan County Museum
Cavan County Museum is located in Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan. The museum houses a medieval dug-out boat, sheela-na-gigs, and galleries covering folk life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Great Famine, and local history including Percy French.
15. Rossmore Forest Park, Monaghan
Rossmore Forest Park offers several forest walks, a nature trail and a yew walk, along with a car park, picnic sites, lakeside walks and viewing points. It’s located south-west of Monaghan Town, on the road to Newbliss. Don’t miss the rhododendron and azalea display, at its most colourful in early summer.
16. Wildlife & Heritage Centre, Monaghan
The Wildlife & Heritage Centre in Corcaghan, Monaghan, is home to one of Ireland’s largest private collections of flora and fauna. Get up close to birds and mammals as you tour an exhibition of hundreds of mounted specimens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some free family attractions in Northern Ireland and Ulster?
Several attractions on this list don’t charge admission, including Ulster Museum in Belfast. Outdoor spots such as Slieve League Cliffs, Rossmore Forest Park, and Dun a Ri and Killykeen Forest Parks are also free to visit, though some forest parks may charge for parking.
Are these attractions suitable for young children?
Most of the places listed — including Exploris Aquarium, Seaforde Gardens, W5, and the forest parks — are well suited to younger children. Sites involving cliff walks or caves, such as Slieve League and Marble Arch Caves, are better suited to older children who can manage longer walks, though families should judge based on their own children’s ages and abilities.
Is Northern Ireland and Ulster a good base for a family day trip?
Yes — the region covers everything from coastal walks and forest parks to museums and interactive science centres, making it easy to plan a full day out whatever the weather.
More Family Days Out
If you enjoyed this list, you might also like our guides to Great Family Walks in Ireland, Family Walks in Donegal, and Great Family Walks in Cavan. And if you’re looking further afield, we’ve also rounded up family days out in Connacht, Munster and Leinster.
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Image credits: Butterfly House photo — Johan J. Ingles-Le Nobel via photopin (CC). Aquarium photo — Jeff Kubina via photopin (CC). Titanic Belfast photo — infomatique via photopin (CC).
