Location: Belfast
Top Things to do in Belfast
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What to do and see in Belfast, Northern Ireland: The Best Specialty Museums
With a population of almost 300,000 in the city proper, Belfast has grown into a cosmopolitan destination and become a popular weekend break spot. With feelings of optimism and life pulsing through the city, Belfast makes for an energizing getaway. It's never been easier to tour the city, thanks to a number of intriguing bus, taxi, boat and pedestrian options. Don't miss the Ulster Folk Museum or the Belfast Cathedral, and make sure to experience some of the award-winning restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries and theaters.
Restaurants in Belfast
1. HMS Caroline
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 742 reviews
Much of HMS Caroline has undergone extensive restoration to her 1916 appearance from the Battle of Jutland. Visitors can discover a wide range of historic spaces, including the Captain's Cabin, Royal Marines Mess, and Seamen's Wash as well as the very important engine room, sick-bay and galley kitchen. During their visit, visitors will discover the importance of the Battle of Jutland, learning what life at sea was like the over three hundred crew who served on board HMS Caroline during 1916. Visit the Torpedo School and explore the role of naval weaponry; peruse the Virtual Access Suite a contemporary, comfortable space where all visitors can explore the ship; Grab a bite to eat or a refreshing drink in the Mess Deck Cafe, and finally visit the Gift Shop, to bring home a reminder of your visit to HMS Caroline.
Reviewed By N5679CAcraigh - Glenrothes, United Kingdom
Fantastic tour self guided and a map provided would also highly recommend the audio guide which you get free as it gives a better insight into the ship and its everyday life. It was a good way 2 spend a couple of hours at a very reasonable price. If you love your history or just curious it's a very interesting tour.
2. The Friend At Hand
3. W5
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,162 reviews
As a precautionary measure in response to Coronavirus, W5 is temporarily closed to the public for the foreseeable future. W5 provides a unique experience as well as fantastic fun for visitors of all ages. In addition to permanent exhibits, W5 also presents a changing programme of large and small scale temporary exhibitions and events. We have a daily programme of live science demonstrations and shows throughout the day!
Reviewed By ttttttttttttttttb - Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
We spent a full day with a child of 7, 4 and 18month old and didn't get around the full exhibition. The children loved it, there is so much to do that we spent 2 1/2 hrs on the 4th floor. Loved the dinaseur exhibition and the clever screen shots but it was the building and play area that kept the children busy. They built bridges, played at building roads, went into the soft play area and used the touch screen devices, played with music, sound, colour activities - all on one floor. Knowing how slow the cafe is from previous visits, we brought a picnic. There are loads of soft seating areas to safely eat and then dispose of rubbish. The whole experience was excellent and worth the family ticket. We arrived at 11.00am and left at 3.00pm with the children buzzing with excitement. We had arranged to meet up with family or would have stayed longer. We will return. Great day out for families with children of all ages and abilities.
4. SS Nomadic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,263 reviews
The SS Nomadic is known as Titanic's little sister. Built at the same time, by the same people, in the same Harland and Wolff shipyard as Titanic, Nomadic brought those boarding the great liner at Cherbourg to the ship. That was the start of an adventurous life, as she played a part in WW One and Two, carried many famous people to the great trans-Atlantic liners, became a floating restaurant in Paris and was saved from being scrapped by the people of Belfast.Now completely refurbished as a visitor attraction, you can walk in the footsteps of history, learn her story, and become part of the new chapter of her dramatic existence.
Reviewed By Raffles_12 - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom
Staff were accommodating informative and friendly, really enjoyed spending time on the ship, with lots of original features and lovingly restored
5. Titanic Belfast
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,554 reviews
The Titanic Belfast visitor attraction extends over nine galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition. Drawing together special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and innovative interactive features you will explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day in the Ocean Exploration Centre.
Reviewed By Seehanes
We were expecting this attraction to be good, and it surpassed our expectations. Firstly, it is easy to find and there is plenty of underground parking on-site. We booked in advance for a timed entry slot, which aids crowd control, and once inside you can proceed at your own pace and stay as long as you please. You are made to feel thoroughly informed, but not overloaded with information. There is a simple one way flow through the museum so that nothing is missed, which follows a logical pathway through Belfast's maritime and social history through to the history of the shipbuilding companies, then on to the building of the Titanic followed by its launch, fit-out, and ill-fated maiden voyage. Thereafter you see the aftermath including detailed footage of the wreck dive. Interactive aspects include a high tech aerial ride through the shipyard. There are excellent reconstructions of cabins for first, second, and third class passengers. A very clever surround-screen system brings you through the ship in a thoroughly convincing format that makes you truly believe you are in it. Once you have seen the Titanic display you get to visit the Nomadic - the tender ship that carried segregated first and second class passengers to the Titanic since Cherbourg harbour was too shallow to allow the Titanic to dock. All of this is presented on the precise locations of their original constructions. There is a trail for children, who are then awarded with a personalised certificate. Somewhat annoyingly, although the museum closed at 7pm on the day of our visit the restaurant closed at 5pm - quite non-sensical in my opinion. However, this worked to our advantage as instead we had dinner at the nearby Titanic Hotel which is housed in the Harland and Wolff headquarters - itself a museum of sorts.
