My favourite part of a Monday morning is hearing all about what everyone got up to at the weekend… while also being inspired to climb every mountain in Northern Ireland, thanks to Alex.
Sometimes a relaxing day watching TV and eating junk food is the way to go. However, finding something to do and getting out of the house can be just what you need. From coffee trips to historic tours, Northern Ireland has it all. No matter what vibe you’re looking for, there’s plenty to do – and lucky for you, I’ve listed my top favourites.
For the foodies:
If you’re looking for a dander around Belfast with a few nibbles, Taste and Tour is the place to go. With tours including Belfast Food Tour, Gin Jaunt and Belfast Bites Tour, the team specialises in showcasing Northern Ireland’s local produce. There’s never a dull moment when roaming the streets with Caroline and Phil!
The Spirit Circle, another amazing experience from the team at Taste and Tour, is always a great idea for a Saturday night. Sensorium is all about the drink and think, finding your perfect cocktail through the experience of sensory experiments. Belfast By the Glass, another drinks experience, takes you on an adventure of the history of Belfast through drinks to match the tale.
Getting those steps in:
A favourite childhood memory for me was visiting Giant’s Causeway on the summer holidays. The man, the myth, the legend that is Finn McCool will always be a classic NI story we tell our kids about. With remnants of his presence left behind, including The Camel and The Giant’s Boot, Giant’s Causeway is a fun experience no matter what age you are!
If you haven’t climbed the mighty peaks of the Mournes, where have you been?! If you have a spare day to hike through the hills, the Silent Valley can’t be missed. Although if you’re looking for more of a challenge, the Mourne Wall Challenge follows the path of the historic stone wall for over 30km.
When the weather suits, Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge is another great walking location… if you’re into walking across a tiny bridge 100ft over the sea. They also host stargazing evenings with the support of the Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society, supplying equipment and stargazing advice.
Letting your inner child free:
For a fun weekend, I would highly recommend the famous Let’s Go Hydro Aqua Park. Now, I’m no Olympic swimmer and trust me I looked like a walrus trying to climb back onto those inflatables, but that’s what’s so fun about it. No matter what age you are, it’ll be the best two hours of your life. When you’ve finished bobbing around in the water, you can treat yourself to Let’s Go Hydro’s delicious stone oven pizzas. Even if you’re not a fan of the water, you should go just for the pizza.
Another classic Northern Ireland experience has to be the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge. Getting up close and personal with screen-used costumes, props and film sets, there’s something for everyone.
Northern Ireland’s history:
If you want to learn a bit more about the history of Northern Ireland, there’s no better place to start than the Titanic Museum. It may be an obvious choice, but still deserves an honourable mention. Located in the very place where Titanic was designed, built and launched, the museum tells the story from the construction and launch to her voyage, and now, place in history.
If you want to find some of the country’s hidden gems, tour some murals and learn more about our interesting history, definitely check out Black Taxi Tours for an unforgettable day. The ultimate Belfast experience, Black Taxi Tours will teach you a lot!
