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As a child, tales of Cuchulainn and the hounds of Ulster made me want to travel to Belfast.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t exactly the best of vacation spots in the late ’80s.  But these days Belfast is back and better than ever – and a wonderful town to take the family to for a visit. 

1.  Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Trains, planes and automobiles!  The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is a rare museum – it boasts a lovely traditional Irish countryside village and a fantastic collection of old bikes, trains and cars.  You and your family can learn about how the Irish lived and got around 100 years ago – with fantastic hands-on displays that make learning about history fun for all.  My favorite part?  The trains, of course.  Kids can climb in, up and around the different engines and feel as if they’ve gotten lost on the Island of Sodor.

2.   Aunt Sandra’s Candy

Everybody loves candy.  Take the one-hour tour of Aunt Sandra’s candy factory and learn the traditional Irish methods of candy-making (and how David lost his fingers).  And then stop in the shop at the end and let the kids act like, well, kids in a candy shop.  (And get yourself a few treats to sustain yourself once the sugar high wears off).

3. W5

Belfast’s science and discovery museum, W5, has plenty to entertain kids big and small.  The nearly 200 exhibits (not including traveling ones that come to town) are all about doing.  Your kids can learn all kinds of science and physics concepts by testing them out by hand.  It’s fun for all – and don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting lost in trying to “do” yourself.

4.  Streamvale Farm

Thanks to Sesame Street, my kid knows that cows make milk.  But a visit to Streamvale Farm, a working Irish dairy farm, can provide a whole ‘nother level of education.  Check out the gorgeous scenery, take a tractor ride, bottle feed a lamb and get a real look at how a working farm operates.

5.  The Belfast Zoo

You know us – if there’s a zoo, we have to go.  And the Belfast Zoo is a great one.  This 55 acre park has over 140 different species of animals.  Walk the gorgeous grounds and learn more about the zoo’s many conservation projects.