19 Lovely Places to go in Northern Ireland for Families + 5 Day Itinerary & Map
We recently returned from visiting Northern Ireland as a family and had an absolutely great time. We found Northern Ireland to be a perfect place to visit with kids as the area is full of enchanting tales about giants, magical fairy trails to explore, and family-friendly walks to breathtaking coastal destinations.
We flew into Dublin, Ireland then drove about three hours north to explore Northern Ireland. We spent the majority of our time exploring the Causeway Coastal Route with a few fabulous stops between Dublin and the northern coast (which I’ll get more into later).
This guide to Northern Ireland with kids is here to give you my top recommendations of places to go in Northern Ireland for families that both you and your kids will love. Plus, I’ll recommend things to do that were high on our list but we just didn’t have time for.
I’ll also let you in on some of our favorite places to eat with kids, and my top travel tips for traveling to Northern Ireland with a toddler, baby or young kids. And to top it all off, I’ll include our tried-and-true 5-day Northern Ireland family itinerary.
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IS Northern Ireland FAMILY-FRIENDLY?
Yes! Definitely, yes. Northern Ireland is extremely family-friendly. We visited Northern Ireland with our 5-year-old and 2-year-old and they loved it (as did we!). We spent so much time outdoors exploring the beautiful coastline on family-friendly walks, looking for seashells on the beach, exploring fairy trails and listening to stories about the local giants.
Northern Ireland is a very family-friendly destination full of adventure and fun. You can easily take in so much stunning coastal scenery without too strenuous of walks and many of the attractions are just a short drive from each other that the distance never feels like a burden.
Irish folk are very friendly, chatty people who always helped us feel comfortable traveling with kids.
WHEN TO VISIT Northern Ireland AS A FAMILY
The best time to visit Northern Ireland as a family for the best weather is from May to September. However, if you don’t mind slightly chillier weather, you can also visit in April or October.
Keep in mind that Northern Ireland never gets all that warm (we are talking highs of 67° F in mid-July with finicky weather). So even if you are visiting in the peak summer months, still be prepared with jackets and hats.
We visited Northern Ireland in April and temperatures were in the high 40°s F with a chilly breeze and occasional rain. We bundled up in sweaters and light, puffy jackets along with hats and gloves. We were usually okay on our walks and in our time exploring the coast but after a few hours, we were ready to get inside and warm up for a bit.
Like most travel destinations, you can expect the months of July and August to be the busiest as far as tourists go and prices to possibly be a bit higher.
WHERE TO STAY in Northern Ireland WITH KIDS
We flew into Dublin and then drove 3 hours north to Northern Ireland where we made the small, coastal town of Portballintrae our home base.
I’d read many itineraries where people drove along the Causeway Coastal Route staying in different locations along the way (usually people without kids). However, we felt that choosing a central location and driving from there was a better option as a family and I’m very happy that that’s what we chose to do.
We stayed in this lovely Airbnb in Portballintrae with loads of toys for the kids plus it was just a 2-minute walk from a little beach our kids were obsessed with. I definitely recommend both our Airbnb and the beach near it which I’ll talk more about later.
The small town of Portballintrae is located right along the Causeway Coast just 10 minutes from Giant’s Causeway, 20 minutes from Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, and 30 minutes from Portrush Whiterocks Beach (as a few waypoints).
HOW TO GET AROUND Northern Ireland AS A FAMILY
I recommend renting a car to make the most of your time in Northern Ireland. Keep in mind you drive on the left side of the road and the driver sits on the right side of the car. This is, of course, the opposite of how you drive in the US.
But no need to let that deter you from renting a car. You’ll just want to mentally prepare for the experience because it can be quite stressful at first. I have an article from when we visited the Isle of Skye in Scotland about my top tips for driving in Scotland which was very similar to driving in Ireland and I recommend giving it a read before you rent a car in Ireland.
– If you really don’t want to deal with driving on the opposite side of the road, there are some great guided day trip options from cities like Belfast and Dublin.
– If you will be based in Dublin and you think your kids can handle a long day from about 7 am to 8 pm, then this family-friendly day trip from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway looks like a great option (it has almost 5 stars on Viator). They even have car seats available that you can request at the time of booking.
The day trip from Dublin I mentioned not only includes Giant’s Causeway, but also includes stops at Dunluce Castle and the Dark Hedges. If you’re up for a long day, a guided tour up to Giant’s Causeway seems like it could be a great option. For more day trip options to Northern Ireland from Dublin click here.
– If you will be based in Belfast, you could take this day tour from Belfast to Giant’s Causeway. On this day trip from Belfast (which has 5 stars btw) you’ll get to spend a couple of hours exploring Giant’s Causeway but also stop at some viewpoints to see Dunluce Castle and the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge from a distance.
It looks like the tour from Belfast is on a large bus/coach so little ones would just sit in your lap or their own seat. For more day trip options to Northern Ireland from Belfast click here.
MAP OF Places to Go in Northern Ireland with Kids
*Use this interactive map to see the top places to see in Northern Ireland as a family plus where to eat. Click on the full-screen icon in the top right corner to have this map open in your own Google Maps app or click on the arrow in the top left corner to see a pullout list of all points on the map*
19 Family Activities in Northern Ireland You Can’t Miss
1. Drive the Causeway Coastal route
The Causeway Coastal Route is a 120-mile stretch of road from Belfast and up over to Derry/Londonderry. We didn’t drive the length of the entire route as we didn’t go as far as Derry/Londonderry, however, what we did drive was beautiful!
Some of my favorite areas are (of course) up near Giant’s Causeway, but I also loved the area between Ballycastle and Cushendun. Be sure that as you are driving from spot to spot that Google Maps is taking you along the Causeway Coastal Route instead of a different way (even if the drive will be a bit longer).
2. Scramble on the Stone columns at Giant’s Causeway
If you see only one thing in Northern Ireland, it definitely needs to be Giant’s Causeway. It’s not only one of the best things to do in Northern Ireland, but it’s also one of the best things to do in Northern Ireland with kids.
Giant’s Causeway is a large area of basalt, stone columns shaped like hexagons jutting out into the sea. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site almost 60 million years in the making!
The best part about visiting Giant’s Causeway with kids is that they can climb on the stone columns making it a super fun place to explore. It really is a spot that can’t be missed.
You can walk to and visit the Giant’s Causeway for free, or you can pay to enter the Giant’s Causeway visitor center, gift shop, and cafe. We visited the visitor center before walking down to the rocks and I’m glad we did.
The visitor center has some great exhibits geared towards kids and a short animated film of the tale of Fionn the Giant that the Causeway is named after. The gift shop also has a lot of great local goods and some fun kids books etc.
I loved seeing paintings of Giants Causeway from the 1700s by artist Susanna Drury and the photographs of the area from the 1800s. It’s just amazing seeing people enjoying this same site for the last hundreds of years.
Entrance to the visitor center is £15.50 for adults and £7.75 for kids 5+. Pre-booking tickets is highly recommended (especially in peak season). You can book tickets on their website here.
The walk from the visitor center to Giant’s Causeway is all downhill and about 0.5 miles long. It’s stroller-friendly and offers beautiful views along the way.
If the kiddos don’t feel like walking, you can take the £1 per person shuttle that leaves from behind the visitor center. You can pay with your card right on the shuttle- it’s super easy. We walked down to the Causeway but took the shuttle back up the hill.
I would recommend walking down the hill if you have it in you because it gave us time to enjoy the views and enjoy the area a bit more.
3. Be Brave and CROSS the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
I really wasn’t planning on visiting the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge (anyone else afraid of heights?) but once my 5-year-old saw pictures she was begging to go. And I’ll just say, I’m SO glad I didn’t let my fears get the best of me because it was one of our favorite things that we did (and it’s really not all that bad to cross).
The Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge was first erected (in a much sketchier manner) in 1755 by fishermen trying to get to a prime fishing spot on the rocky island. Today the rope bridge is a very sturdy and safe swinging rope bridge about 100 feet above the water below.
There is a 1.25-mile roundtrip walk to the rope bridge on a packed dirt path with some rolling hills and a large amount of steps near the end. It’s a really beautiful coastal walk with gorgeous views along the way and it really just adds to the experience.
Our 5-year-old did the walk no problem, but it could be a bit long for a younger child so you may want to have a carrier on hand just in case. A stroller could get you about 0.3 miles down the path, but a carrier would be the best option overall.
You aren’t allowed to carry kids in your arms on the rope bridge (for obvious safety reasons) so if they aren’t able to cross on their own, you’ll need to carry them on you in a carrier. Our 5-year-old crossed just fine, but my husband carried our 2-year-old in our carrier.
Check out my guide to visiting Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge with kids that answers all of the pressing questions that I had before visiting plus answers to questions I didn’t know I should ask.
If you’re looking for a great toddler carrier, check out my review of the Tula Toddler Carrier or check out the Tula website to see both their baby and toddler carriers. We LOVE ours.
It’s highly recommended (if not required in peak season) to book your tickets online in advance. It can get quite busy during the summer and you may miss your chance to visit the bridge. You can check availability and book tickets here.
The bridge also closes if it’s too windy, so it’s good to have some flexibility in your itinerary in case you need to visit on a different day.
After your time at the rope bridge, I recommend taking a short 7-minute drive down the road to Bothy Coffee for lunch or a treat.
4. Explore the Coastal RUins of Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle far exceeded my expectations and our kids loved exploring the ruins. The castle ruins are located right on the cliff edge (but all totally blocked off and safe for kids) and you have some of the most incredible views of the coast and the castle.
Most of the current castle ruins are from the 1500-1600s although a building on this site dates back even further.
The restoration of the site really helps you appreciate the area and I loved imagining what life must have been like to live in this castle. You can view Dunluce Castle from a viewpoint, however, I definitely recommend paying to explore the ruins themselves.
No long walk is required to visit Dunluce Castle which is a nice change of pace after visiting Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. Adult tickets are only around £6 and kid’s tickets are just £4 each with kids aged 5 years and younger free!
Online booking is not available, so you must purchase your tickets onsite. Parking is quite limited so getting there earlier is probably better than later. Included in admission is a small (one-room) visitor center with facts about the site and a few kid activities.
5. Look for Seashells at Salmon Rock Beach
One of our kids’ favorite activities during our entire trip was looking for seashells at Salmon Rock Beach. Salmon Rock Beach is a small, but picturesque beach in Portballintrae between Portrush and Giant’s Causeway.
We were lucky because the Airbnb we stayed at was right across the street, so we visited this beach each evening after a day full of activities. The beach has soft sand but also some rocky tidepool areas on each side perfect for exploring.
Even if you aren’t staying in the area, I recommend swinging by Salmon Rock Beach. There is a car park located right next to the beach so the walk is super short (unlike some of the beaches in the area that require a bit of a trek).
6. Picnic with views of DUnsEverick Castle Ruins
You can take a walk to the *very small* ruins (think like two rocky pillars) of Dunseverick Castle and then play at the small, rocky beach below with the kids.
Or possibly an even better idea is to take advantage of the few picnic tables at the parking lot for the castle ruins and enjoy a picnic lunch with some gorgeous views.
7. Play in the Sand and see the arches at Whiterocks Beach
Whiterocks Beach in Portrush is a gorgeous, sandy beach with white limestone cliffs and beautiful sea arches. What more could you ask for? It’s a popular spot for surfers, bodyboarders, and kayakers and a small surf rental shop opens on the beach during the summer months.
If you are lucky enough to experience a warm day in Northern Ireland, be sure to swing by Whiterocks Beach for some fun beach play with the kids. There is a large parking lot and plenty of sand and arches to explore.
8. Play at the Ballycastle Seafront PlayGround
We drove past the Ballycastle Seafront Playground/Playpark on our way to Cushendun Caves and it looked like a pretty great playground. It’s located right between a small harbor and a sandy beach in Ballycastle.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to play there because it was SO cold and windy when we drove by, but if it had been nicer weather we would have hopped out for sure.
You can find the Ballycastle Seafront Playground on Google Maps here.
9. See Puffins at the Rathlin Island Seabird Center
If you’ve always wanted to see puffins, the Rathlin Island Seabird Center may be perfect for you! We really wanted to take a boat ride out to Rathlin Island, however, the main attraction for us (the puffins) hadn’t quite arrived for the season.
The Rathlin Island Seabird Center offers views of Northern Ireland’s largest seabird colony (including puffins!) plus a unique ‘upside down’ lighthouse you can visit and of course, amazing coastal views.
The boat ride out to the island sounded like it’d be a hit for our kids, plus I think getting to see all of the birds and using a pair of binoculars for spotting would also have been fun. If we get to Northern Ireland again, we’ll definitely visit Rathlin Island.
10. Explore the Rock Pools at Ballintoy Harbor
We had plans to visit Ballintoy Harbor and were even on our way there, but then stopped at Whitepark Bay Beach instead (not to be confused with White Rocks Beach near Portrush).
Anyway, I wish we had gone to Ballintoy Harbor instead as the walk is much shorter and it looks like there are great areas for tidepooling and rock scrambling-which the kids would love.
Also, if you are a Game of Thrones fan, Ballintoy Harbor is another one of the GoT filming locations in the area.
11. Enjoy a Short Walk to Cushendun Caves
Our stop at Cushendun Caves was way cooler than I expected. The caves have become more popular in recent years because they were a filming location for Game of Thrones. However, we are fans of the series so we visited to enjoy the beauty of the location.
The caves are located just a short (yet scenic) walk down a gravel path along the water. At the end of the path are two small caves with one of the caves opening up to the water-it’s quite picturesque.
The water at the small beach we walked past was much too high and tumultuous to allow any beach play, but at other times, you may be able to hang out at the small beach a bit with the kiddos.
The parking lot nearest the gravel path is for residents only, so we had to park on the street adding a few minutes to the walk, but it was still a very short, doable walk. Our 2-year-old walked the whole way.
Cushenden Caves are a great, quick stop along the Causeway Coastal Route that the whole family will surely enjoy!
12. Take a Sea Safari Boat Trip
If we had been lucky with some warmer weather, we definitely would have taken a boat trip with Aquaholics Boat Trips. Aquaholics provides all sorts of fun looking adventures.
You can boat out to Rathlin Island to see the puffins, take a boat trip past Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge to see it from a unique perspective or a traditional sightseeing boat trip along the coast.
If the weather is good enough, you can even take a swim on some of their boat trips!
13. Ride Some Carnival Rides at Curry’s Fun Park
Just a disclosure- Curry’s Fun Park wasn’t exactly up my alley. We are talking loads of blinking lights, loud noises, and places to throw your money. However, our kids did enjoy a quick stop there after our brunch in Portrush at Babushka Kitchen Cafe.
Basically, Curry’s Fun Park is a permanent indoor/outdoor carnival with carnival-like attractions and games and even some larger rides like a rollercoaster. Again, if you are a Derry Girls fan, they visit Barry’s Amusements Park in Portrush which is now Curry’s Fun Park.
You purchase X amount of tokens and then each attraction costs a few tokens. Keep in mind, the bouncy castles and a few other carnival-like things out front of Curry’s Fun Park is NOT a part of Curry’s Fun Park so if you purchase tickets there (like we did) you can’t use them inside Curry’s Fun Park 👎.
14. Gets Hands-On at Portrush Coastal Zone
It’s pretty difficult to find information about the Portrush Coastal Zone, however, it sounds like a cool place to go during peak summer months. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open when we were there so I can’t give you any insider details.
Basically, the Portrush Coastal Zone seems to be a small, indoor aquarium featuring discovery pools and tanks featuring sea life from the area. Opening times seem to be around June – August, 10am – 4.30pm daily.
15. Explore Slieve Gullion Forest Park’s Giant’s Lair Trail and Playgrounds
I cannot state enough how great of a pitstop Slieve Gullion Forest Park is on the drive from Dublin to Northern Ireland. Slieve Gullion Forest Park is one of the best places to visit in Northern Ireland for families. It’s one of the best spaces created just for kids I’ve ever experienced.
The park is made up of a large ‘adventure playground’ with all sorts of climbing areas, slides, zipline, and maze, a magical story trail through the forest and even a small coffee shop.
The story trail was by far our favorite part- sometimes called The Giant’s Lair and more recently known as Fionn’s Giant Adventure. It’s a 1-mile loop that is pretty much straight uphill for the first quarter or so and then flat and down for the rest.
Our 5-year-old stayed engaged enough to walk the whole way (even the big uphill portion) because the stops along the trail are so fun.
The trail has multiple different activities/installations along the route. There is a map at the bottom of the trail and even an app you can download if you want.
The first installation is a big fairy garden complete with tons of fairy doors, houses, and decorations. It was AMAZING (pictures don’t do it justice). Our 2-year-old walked around knocking on all of the doors and checking out every fairy house- so adorable.
The rest of the trail is surrounded by beautiful, mossy forests and many more installations like sculptures, walkways and our other favorite spot which was the best nature music area we’ve ever played at.
Right next to the parking area is a large ‘adventure’ playground with areas to climb, zipline, slide and swing. It’s an awesome playground and our kids would have been satisfied if that was all we did. However, I do highly recommend taking the time to do the Fionn’s Giant Adventure/ Giant’s Lair trail as well!
And as I mentioned there is even a small coffee shop if you want to pick up a treat or drink before you head out to finish your drive. We spent around 2.5 hours at Slieve Gullion Forest Park and we could have stayed longer.
Slieve Gullion Forest Park is one of the best things to do in Northern Ireland with kids and I can’t recommend it enough.
16. Visit Streamvale Farm for ANimal Cuddle Time and Ice Cream
If your kids love farm animals, Streamvale Farm may be a great stop for you.
Streamvale Farm is an open, working farm where you can cuddle with bunnies, chicks and puppies, join in on animal feeding time, get a tractor or barrel ride, watch a sheepdog show, play at their playground, and even enjoy homemade ice cream (just to name a few of the activities!).
I feel like my kids could spend hours here and, unfortunately, we just didn’t have that kind of time in our itinerary. However, if you do, the farm is open from mid-March thru early November and pre-booking tickets is recommended to avoid disappointment.
17. Take a Walk Atop the Derry/Londonderry City Walls
We didn’t end up visiting Derry/Londonderry because we weren’t sure our kids would enjoy it enough (we can only do so much city travel with them at this age). However, we are big fans of the TV sitcom ‘Derry Girls’ (which is set in Derry) and we would have loved to visit for a few photo ops.
If we had visited, we would have walked atop the 17th-century city walls which are the only intact city walls in Ireland. The walls/walk are 1.5 km in circumference and I hear you get some unique views of the original layout of the city.
There is also a fun ‘Derry Girls’ mural if you want a good photo op, you can find it on Google Maps here.
18. Tour the Underground Marble Arch Caves
A bit off the beaten path in Northern Ireland, and not anywhere along the Causeway Coastal Route, are the underground Marble Arch Caves. The Marble Arch Caves are a series of an underground world with rivers, waterfalls, winding walkways and huge chambers.
You can take a Guided Cave Tour that includes a 1.5km walk through the show cave and a short underground boat trip (depending on water levels).
Keep in mind, to experience the cave you will be part of a group tour that does require many steps and 1.5 km of walking (which may not be suitable for everyone).
19. Drive Down Shankhill Road and Past the Peace Wall in Belfast
We didn’t spend much time in Belfast, but we did make sure to drive through the city on our way back to Dublin. The kids wouldn’t have had much patience for touring the city (we wanted to save all their city travel for Dublin). But driving through past a couple iconic places was perfect.
First, we drove down Shankhill Road, which is one of the main roads leading through West Belfast through a predominately Loyalist area. Shankhill Road saw some of the worst riots during The Troubles and there are still loads of memorials and murals along Shankhill Road dedicated to this time.
There is so much history to be learned here and we only scratched the surface, but driving through was what worked for our family. The area still faces segregration as there are ‘peace gates’ that close each evening in certain areas shutting off certain roads between predominantly loyalist and nationalist areas.
We also drove past a section of the Peace Wall just a few blocks from Shankhill Road. There are over 20 miles of Peace Walls in Belfast, but we just drove past a section on Cupar Way. Another popular spot for visitors to see the Peace Walls.
For safety reasons, it is recommended to take a guided tour of this area rather than walking on foot and exploring on your own (although it is a mostly safe area now). If you have older kids, one of the most popular tours to take is a private black taxi tour which gives you the perspective of both the nationalists and unionists and takes you past important murals and sites in Belfast.
The private black taxi tour lasts from 1-2 hours and even includes personal stories from the tour guide. If you’re hoping to see a bit more of Belfast, you can always book the classic Hop-On-Hop-Off double-decker bus tour which will take you pass some of these important sites I mentioned above, plus other top sites in Belfast (20 sites to be exact!).
If you want to see a variety of Belfast Peace Wall tour options, just click here.
There are shorter tours, longer tours, bike tours, walking tours, and the popular private, taxi cab tours. You can for sure find one that will work for your family if that is what you are hoping for.
4 PLACES TO EAT IN Northern Ireland WITH KIDS
1. Babushka Kitchen Cafe
Babushka Kitchen Cafe is a charming, small cafe located in Portrush with views of the water and outdoor seating available in good weather. Babushka Kitchen Cafe offers a limited, but delicious brunch menu open from 9:15 am – 5:00 pm (give or take half an hour).
Although the cafe is small and we were with our two young kids, the staff was so kind and helped us feel very welcome (even when we needed loads of extra napkins and our kids spilled salt over the table 😅).
We ordered the avocado toast, bacon french toast and the Babs Brekkie which is a traditional English breakfast. We all enjoyed it (including the kids) and we even left with a few sweet treats.
The vibe of Babushka Kitchen Cafe is so cute with local artwork, beautiful water views and very friendly staff. I definitely recommend it if you want a great brunch spot with the fam.
2. Bothy Coffee
Bothy Coffee is the PERFECT stop after adventuring to the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. You could pick up some ice cream or coffee from the little building in the parking lot of Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, however, I think you’ll be much more satisfied taking the short, 7-minute drive down the road to Bothy Coffee.
Bothy Coffee is a super cute eatery with a small (but delicious looking) breakfast/lunch menu and LOADS of goodies. We had just eaten some packed lunches and only swung by for some hot chocolate to warm up and some treats but were kicking ourselves that we hadn’t just eaten lunch there instead.
You order at the counter (which is our favorite type of place to eat with kids) and there is plenty of space in the large cafe for you to feel comfortable with your family. Keep in mind they are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
3. Wolf It Down Mobile Cafe
Okay, okay, okay, Wolf It Down Mobile Cafe isn’t much to look at (it’s a small food truck in a random parking lot) but after reading some of the Google Reviews which gives it 4.9 stars, we had to try it.
Wolf It Down provides delicious food with some of the most affordable prices in town .
I recommend any of their toasted subs called ‘Wolfies’ but I hear pretty much anything on their menu is tasty. They also have a small kids menu and delicious desserts on a rotating menu.
Wolf It Down doesn’t have their own website, just a social media presence, so you’ll want to get on their Facebook or Instagram to check out their menu and see the desserts of the day.
Although it’s a food truck, it’s recommended to call and place your order in advance. We did this around dinner time and it was still an hour before our food was ready. So be sure to plan ahead- it’s worth it!
4. Coffee and the Waves
If you’re heading to Ballintoy Harbour, swing by the Coffee and The Waves food truck for coffee, ice cream and baked goodies. We didn’t have a chance to stop here, but it was definitely on our list!
They seem to generally be open just on the weekends, so keep that in mind!
5-Day Northern Ireland Family Itinerary from Dublin (Tried and True)
DAY ONE (drive from Dublin)
- Slieve Gullion Forest & Adventure Park: Walk the Giant’s Lair Story Trail (also called Fionn’s Giant Adventure Trail) with a fairy house garden, sculptures, and a music area (to name a few). Plus you can play at the amazing adventure playground or pick up a snack at the cafe.
- Check into accommodations, grocery shop, and get settled
DAY Two
- Explore Giant’s Causeway and the Giant’s Causeway Museum/Gift Shop
- Look for seashells at Salmon Rock Beach
- Order dinner from Wolf It Down Mobile Cafe
DAY Three
- Walk to and cross the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge
- Lunch or treats from Bothy Coffee
- We went to Whitepark Bay Beach but I would go to Ballintoy Harbor instead
DAY Four
- Explore Dunluce Castle Ruins
- Lunch with water views at Babushka Kitchen Cafe
- Play a few games at Curry Fun Park
- Portrush Whiterocks Beach & Arch
DAY FIve (Drive back to Dublin)
- Drive the Causeway Coastal Route heading toward Cushendun Caves
- Play at Ballycastle Seafront Playground
- Stroll to Cushendun Caves
- Drive through central Belfast down Shankhill Road and past the Peace Wall
EXTRA TIPS FOR VISITING Northern Ireland WITH A TODDLER OR BABY
1. BRING A COMFORTABLE CHILD/BABY CARRIER FOR Walks
Our 5-year-old was able to walk to both Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge (from 1 mile to 1.5 miles roundtrip). Our 2-year-old honestly also wanted to walk a lot of it but we did have our baby carrier with us for when we just needed to pick up the pace or when he got tuckered out.
The walk to Giant’s Causeway is a paved sidewalk perfect for strollers. However, it does go down a large hill, so you could either take the inexpensive shuttle back up the hill or push your stroller back up the hill half a mile.
However, it’s nice to have a carrier for scrambling on the columns at Giant’s Causeway if your little one can’t quite do that yet.
The walk to Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge isn’t quite as stroller-friendly. It’s packed dirt with rolling hills and there are quite a few steps near the end. Plus, you aren’t allowed to carry a child in your arms across the rope bridge (for safety reasons), so you need a carrier for the littlest ones if you plan to have them cross.
If you’re looking for a great carrier, we LOVE our Baby Tula Carrier– we even have the toddler version that we used all over Scotland for our 4-year-old. You can read my full review of the Tula Toddler Carrier or check out their website to see the toddler AND baby carriers here.
2. WEAR LOTS OF LAYERS
I recommend wearing multiple layers in case a bitter wind decides to whip up or you get a little too hot on one of your walks. Or sometimes, if the sun decides to peak out, it can suddenly feel much warmer. We visited in April and wore sweaters with a light puffy jacket.
3. EXPECT RAIN or wind
Even if you are visiting Northern Ireland in the peak of summer (think July and August) the average temperatures still hover in the mid-60°s F and it rains 13 days a month on average (keep in mind not necessarily for the whole day).
The coastal wind can also be quite cold so a good windbreaker can be helpful even on a warmer day.
4. Don’t squeeze in too much & Be Flexible
The longer I travel with kids, the more I learn that we need to choose just 1-2 top things to do during a day and really embrace flexibility. This doesn’t mean we won’t do or see more than that at times, but we assess how we are all doing and feeling after our first main activities and then adjust accordingly.
5. Lean into the Fairy Stories and Giant Tales
Northern Ireland has some really fun storytelling experiences if you visit the right places! The Fionn’s Giant Adventure Trail (Giant’s Lair) with the fairy gardens was a highlight for our kids. And hearing the story of the giants who used to live at Giant’s Causeway from the free guided walk offered by the Giant’s Causeway museum is a story our daughter still retells.
You could bring little fairy toys or giant coloring pages along with you on your trip or try reading some fairy books with your kids before your trip to get your kids hyped up.
Guided Tours to book in Northern Ireland
- Dublin to Giant’s Causeway: Family-friendly day trip from Dublin to Giant’s Causeway (even includes car seats)
- Belfast to Giant’s Causeway: Day-trip from Belfast to Giant’s Causeway on a large coach
- Belfast Black Cab Tour: Private black cab tour of important sites from The Troubles like murals on Shankhill Road and the Peace Wall (better for older kids)
And that’s everything I think you need to know about where to go in Northern Ireland with kids. We loved our time in Northern Ireland and I think you’ll have a great time as well. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and I’ll be sure to get back to you!
Check out these other related posts, I know you’ll love them:
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