Fun Things to Do in Northern Ireland – 15 of the Best Activities in Northern Ireland

Updated On: April 19, 2024 by   Ciaran Connolly

There are many reasons to visit Northern Ireland; it is a country steeped in rich history and unique culture. If you’re looking for a place that will create lots of memories, then you’ll be delighted by the plethora of unforgettable attractions Northern Ireland offers. Many fun things to do in such a small place during your stay!

Northern Ireland is a fantastic holiday destination, with buzzing metropolitan cities like Belfast, mesmerising natural landscapes like the Giants Causeway, and historic landmarks like Dunluce Castle. There are so many fun activities in Northern Ireland that choosing which to add to your itinerary can be challenging!

In this article, we’re exploring 15 of the most fun things to do in Northern Ireland. Keep reading to explore what the North offers, from outdoor activities to historical attractions! Alternatively, click on one of the highlighted sections below to jump ahead.

Fun Things to Do in Northern Ireland – Outdoor Adventures

Visit Colin Glen Forest Park

First up on our list of fun things to do in Northern Ireland is a trip to the beautiful wooden Glen known as Colin Glen Forest Park. This forest park is home to the iconic Gruffalo Trail Belfast, based on the beloved Gruffalo character. The Gruffalo Trail has become a big hit with families in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland’s only official Gruffalo trail takes visitors through a magical adventure. Each character from the much-loved children’s book appears throughout the walk. It’s one of the best free family attractions in Belfast, which is excellent if you are on a budget.

There’s much more to enjoy at Colin Glen Forest Park beyond the Gruffalo Trail! The park is home to a thrilling adventure centre that offers a variety of fun outdoor activities such as the SKY Trek, Archery, Laser Tag, Mountain Biking, Orienteering, and much more. Visitors can even go flying through the park on Ireland’s longest zipline!

SKY Trek is one of the most popular attractions at Colin Glen Forest Park. It is Northern Ireland’s premier high ropes course. Located in the heart of Belfast Hills, visitors will get a unique perspective of Belfast as they enjoy high city views. The high ropes course reaches 16 metres at its peak, but don’t worry if heights aren’t your thing. There are also less daunting ropes courses to try!

At Colin Glen Forest Park, visitors can also enjoy a 30-foot multi-level climbing wall and Ireland’s first-ever double 90-metre zip lines. The Adventure Park offers an adventurous and fun day out in Northern Ireland and is one of the best fun things to do in Northern Ireland for people of all ages!

Visit Jungle NI

Next up on our list of fun things to do in Northern Ireland is a trip to the leading outdoor activity centre in the country. Jungle NI offers those visiting Northern Ireland an exciting escape from everyday life. The Jungle staff are here to give you a daring adventure unlike anywhere else.

Jungle NI is located in the enchanting woodland among the Sperrin Mountains, about 45 minutes from Belfast.

Jungle NI offers 24 incredible activities such as Body Zorb Football, Adults Tree Top Adventure, Paintballing and Segway Experiences. They are perfect for many group activities, including birthdays, family days, couple adventures, and team-building activities.

Jungle NI started as the first paintballing site in Northern Ireland in 2005. Since then, it has only gone from strength to strength and is now the most prominent outdoor activity centre in the whole country. Jungle NI is suitable for all ages and abilities. It is a place filled with fun, excitement, and engaging activities and is the perfect way to get in touch with nature.

Jungle NI offers various group activities, from glamping and paintball to archery and even an outdoor waterpark! Whatever your tastes, there is something for everyone at Jungle NI.

Glamping at Jungle NI

Visitors can even stay at the glamour camping spot in the Jungle, nestled in its great outdoors. The glamping pods are top-quality and luxurious camping accommodations for those who want to enjoy the beautiful outdoors without compromising comfort.

Glamping is perfect for those nice summer nights in Northern Ireland when you can really take in the gorgeous scenery. It even comes equipped with a BBQ area, fire pit, picnic table, and freshwater taps.

Jungle NI is an excellent location for your next staff night out, girls’ weekend, stag party, or any other excuse to enjoy the great outdoors! It is one of the most fun things to do in Northern Ireland for adults who want something different from the typical night out.

Glamping at Jungle NI should be on your list of fun things for couples, friends, and families in Northern Ireland! We don’t think you’ll regret it, as in our opinion, it is one of the most fun things adults can do in Belfast!

Slow Adventure

Next on our list of fun things to do in Northern Ireland is Slow Adventure, a new concept that offers slow and immersive experiences in nature-rich locations. Slow adventure allows people to engage with nature and partake in activities while learning about aspects of the local areas, such as wildlife, produce, and the environment.

It can be difficult to appreciate the areas we visit during our travels. We often spend so much time trying to fit as many activities into our daily schedule as possible to make sure we see everything that an area has to offer that we forget to be mindful and appreciate our surroundings.

Slow adventure is ideal for families and adults who want to relax after a busy few days of exploring. You can admire your surroundings and be at peace with nature.

At Slow Adventures, you can try out different Packages, including the Food and Mindfulness Tour, which allows you to explore and appreciate the outdoors in the wild spaces of the Sperrin Mountains.

You can also try out the Great Foyle Canoe, Heritage, and Slow Food Experience, which includes a three-hour guided canoe trip by the river, a 1.5-hour slow food cooking experience, and lunch. Visitors can also enjoy horseback riding at Beech Hill, which takes them through gorgeous and secluded historic landscapes.

Slow adventure offers many more great activity packages in which you can participate. Most of these packages are aimed at adults, providing a truly unique experience in Northern Ireland.

Off-road Driving at Todd’s Leap

Following Slow Adventure, we have another fun activity for you in Northern Ireland: the off-road driving experience. Adrenaline junkies will want to experience the Todds Leap ultimate driving experience. At the award-winning outdoor activity centre, you’ll find many exciting activities.

Off-road driving is one of the best things you can do at Todd’s Leap. In the available Land Rovers, you can tackle one of the toughest terrains imaginable on a purpose-built road for a thrilling experience.

Professional instructors will guide you on a challenging eight-mile track through muddy tracks, up steep hills, around twisty corners, and past water hazards.

Those willing to take part will be behind the wheel at all times. No level of driving experience or driving license is required. Todd’s Leap also offers ziplining, paintballing, and air rifle shooting activities. These are ideal for adventurous families, group bonding sessions, and parties who want an adrenaline rush!

Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail – Fermanagh’s Stairway to Heaven

The Cuilcagh Boardwalk trail is famous for being Fermanagh’s ‘Stairway to Heaven‘. The Self-led walk is 11km and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.

The Boardwalk is a family-owned conservation project that aims to protect farmland and the surrounding bogland in the area. It is also situated near the Marble Arch Caves, a UNESCO Global Geopark well worth visiting!

The climb is ideal for charity, corporate and group events, with discounts and flexible offers available to groups. For people outside of organised groups, there is only a parking fee, which is used for restoration purposes and maintenance. This is one of the most rewarding things to do in Northern Ireland if you are a nature lover who likes a challenge; the view from the top is simply beautiful!

Game of Thrones Tour

This will be one of the favourite things to do in Northern Ireland for fans of the fantasy drama. Game of Thrones is one of the most popular TV shows of all time, and many of the first eight seasons were actually filmed in Titanic Studios in Belfast and on location in places around Northern Ireland!

The Game of Thrones Tour is one of the most immersive experiences of any TV tour or visitor experience. The tour guides were actually extras in the show and will tell you stories about their time on set. Additionally, you will even get to don cloaks, banners, and swords as you parade around the city!

Here are some of the most iconic parts of the Game of Thrones Tour:

The Glass of Thrones Walking Trail

Six huge stained glass windows were created to celebrate 10 years of filming Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland. The windows are found along the ‘Maritime Mile‘, which is located in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.

Tolleymore Forest Trek

This tour includes iconic locations such as The Haunted Forest, The Wolfswood, and Kings Road, to name but a few. Visitors on the tour have the opportunity to wear wool cloaks throughout this section, just like the Stark family from the show.

Iron Islands and Giant’s Causeway

This 9-hour trip from Derry will see visitors dress up in Iron Born costumes, including swords and banners. On the Iron Islands, you will see locations such as Dragonstone Beach, Renly’s Camp, and Lordport Harbour. During the tour, you will also see the Giant’s Causeway.

Exploring the Giant’s Causeway is one of the most popular and fun things in Northern Ireland.

Fun Things to Do in Northern Ireland – Family-Friendly Attractions

Visit We Are Vertigo

Following Jungle NI, why not take a trip to We Are Vertigo, Northern Ireland’s leading entertainment complex for all ages? This is the ultimate place for fun in Northern Ireland that you won’t want to miss out on!

There are two ‘We Are Vertigo’ complexes in Northern Ireland, both offering different activities. In Newtownbreda, you’ll find the Inflata-Park, Adventure Centre, and Ski Centre. At Titanic Park, you can enjoy indoor skydiving and a Ninja Master course.

Perfect for all seasons, the Ski centre is one of the best things to do in Northern Ireland in winter, as you can enjoy the excitement of skiing without ever leaving the city of Belfast! This is one of the most fun things to do with kids in Northern Ireland. Families will love bouncing around in whichever We Are Vertigo location they choose!

Amazing Inflatable Indoors Park and Sky Diving

The Inflata Park is fun, no matter how old you are! The massive 30,000-square-foot inflatable playground is where your childhood fantasies can become your reality.

The park includes inflatable floors, walls, slides and doors. The Inflat-park even hosts nights exclusively for adults, so you can enjoy yourself without feeling too old to be there. They also host event nights that are autism-friendly and tailored for those with sensory sensitivities.

You can also try We Are Vertigo’s Indoor Ski Centre, a fun and safe environment where you can learn to Ski or Snowboard before hitting the slopes on holidays. It is also the first and only indoor ski centre in Northern Ireland!

One of the most accelerating experiences available in Northern Ireland is Indoor Skydiving at Titanic Park. You will be flying without wings! This is one of the most fun things to do in Northern Ireland, as you will experience skydiving in a safe environment. Even children as young as four years old can try out the Skydiving experience so that it can be a fantastic family memory!

This is one of the best recommendations for all of the adrenaline junkies out there. Indoor skydiving at Titanic Park is a great, safe activity for anyone looking for a thrilling experience. And who knows, you may want to do some real-life skydiving afterwards!

Extreme Bowling at Dundonald

Next on our list of fun things to do in Northern Ireland at night is trying out Extreme bowling at the Dundonald International Ice Bowl. Here, you can enjoy all the fun of tenpin bowling with an exciting twist.

The surprise is that you will be bowling in the dark with glowing bowling balls, pins and ultraviolet lights for the ultimate bowling experience! You can also party as you bowl with DJ entertainment, prize competitions, disco lights, and even some cool smoke effects!

Other things to do at the Dundonald International Ice Bowl include Ice Skating at Northern Ireland’s only public Olympic-sized ice rink. Younger children may enjoy Indiana Land, a jungle gym with plenty of fun.

Dundonald International Bowl is the perfect place for a day trip, with various activities that will suit all families. It is one of the most fun things for children and adults alike to do in Northern Ireland!

Timescape Live Escape Rooms

Another fun thing to do during a Northern Ireland trip is to enjoy the cleverly designed escape rooms at Timescape Belfast. These rooms offer people a break from ordinary life and the opportunity to step into a fascinating mystery that only they can solve.

For those who are unsure of what an escape room is, it’s basically an interactive adventure in which you have an hour to complete a mission with your team or friends and escape the room. When you step into your game, you’ll be transported to another world. This is a perfect activity for team building, celebrating birthdays, or having fun with friends.

Escape rooms offer a challenging night out and an alternative way to spend your evening in Belfast. It could even be a fun way to start a night out before you head to the best Bars in Belfast!

At Timescape, you can choose between three original escape rooms: Titanic—The Final Hour, Jack the Ripper—Murder Mystery, or Spellbound—A Wizard’s Trial. Each room offers a captivating interactive story in which you must solve hidden puzzles before the clock runs out.

The homage to the 1912 Titanic disaster is fitting, considering that the Titanic was actually built in Belfast. If you are in Northern Ireland, you should take the opportunity to learn about the city’s rich history. The Timescape escape room offers an immersive experience that may ignite a love for history in your little ones.

Timescape is up there with the best fun things to do in Northern Ireland. Families, adults, corporate groups, and parties will all love this immersive experience. The escape rooms are only an hour long, so they won’t take up much time in your itinerary. It could also be a great way to fill an hour or two between your other plans in the city.

Visit Corralea Activity Centre

Next on our list of fun things to do in Northern Ireland is a visit to the Corralea Activity Centre in Fermanagh. One of the most enjoyable activities you must try here is the trampoline water park, which the whole family will love.

The trampoline park is impressive, sitting above the water level. Three trampolines, all connected to different walkways, provide hours of fun where participants can bounce around and slide into the water.

You won’t need to worry about being cold, as the centre will provide you with wetsuits and life jackets. If water activities aren’t your thing, though, don’t worry—the centre is filled with other great activities for you to enjoy.

You could try archery or try out the climbing wall in the beautiful forest surroundings, which has different levels for different abilities. No matter what you try, visiting the Corralea Activity Centre is easily one of the most fun things to do in Northern Ireland.

Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory

Another one of the most fun things to do in Northern Ireland is to visit Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory. Located in the heart of East Belfast on the Castlereagh road, the factory has been open since 1953.

You can join a fun chocolate or candy-making workshop or skip to the best part and buy some sweets from the Aladdin Cave’s shop. The candy factory is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth and the ideal way to end a day full of the best fun things to do in Northern Ireland!

Fun Things to Do in Northern Ireland – Exploring History

The Ulster Museum

One of the best places you can visit in Northern Ireland for fun and learning is the Ulster Museum. The Ulster Museum offers something for everyone; whether you are an art lover, a history buff, or simply excited to discover and learn about the past, you’ll find entertainment here.

The impressive collections at the Ulster Museum will take you across Ireland and around the world. You can meet dinosaurs, get close and personal with Egyptian mummies, and enjoy the interactive discovery zones.

This is a great family-friendly attraction. At each discovery zone, children and adults alike are encouraged to explore, discover, and question the world around them. There is so much to enjoy and experience at the Ulster Museum; best of all, it is completely free to visit!

Titanic Belfast Discovery Tour

Looking for one of the best ways to explore some key locations and attractions around Belfast while having fun? Then check out the Titanic Belfast Discovery Tour around the Titanic Quarter in Belfast. This is one of the most unforgettable and fun things to do in Northern Ireland.

Learn how and why the Titanic was built and what happened in its final hours by following in the footsteps of the designers and shipbuilders who brought the iconic boat to life.

The Titanic experience is an iconic part of Belfast, and by taking the tour, you can learn more about the city’s history and how it became the city we know and love today. If you want to experience a place, learning about its history will always enhance your time there.

The Titanic Discovery Tour is an Award-winning activity, so you are guaranteed everything will be done to ensure a good experience. The Discovery Tour will also allow you to see notable points of interest in Belfast, so be sure to have your camera ready!

Visit Montalto Estate

Like a fairy tale nestled in the heart of nature, Montalto Estate offers something for everyone. Everything combined produces a beautiful scene that will warm your heart and pleasure your spirit. With its historical past, this location has redefined what it means to have fun and adventure.

Montalto Estate consists of beautiful cottages combined with outstanding buildings cut out of a solid rock face, creating a set of houses that are sure to draw your attention instantly.

Montalto Estate is a serene setting where lush gardens meet crystal-clear ponds, creating a relaxing ambience. The only sounds are the calm stream of water and the rustling of leaves.

DC Tours – Belfast Walking Tours

DC Tours offers daily scheduled city tours, ranging from private and group tours to self-guided tours and groups led by professionally accredited tour guides. City tours can be some of the most educational and fun things to do in Northern Ireland, and there are many to choose from to ensure you take a tour you love!

The most popular tours led by DC include:

A History of Terror (2hrs 30min / 1.5 miles)

The History of Terror tour is an award-winning experience led by expert guides who explain the Troubles and peace process from an entirely neutral perspective. The tour takes place every day at 10:30 a.m. and involves visiting locations of significant events that occurred during the 1970s in Belfast.

The Best of Belfast (1.75 miles)

If you don’t know what to do in Belfast, why not take this tour on our first day in the city? The Best of Belfast will guide you around the city, showing some of the best highlights and secret locations you can visit! History, architecture, entertainment, and art lovers will enjoy this adventure.

There are Tons of Fun Things to Do in Northern Ireland

Although it is a small country, there are endless fun things to do in Northern Ireland – and the number of attractions grows yearly! From outdoor adventures at Colin Glen Forest Park to historic experiences at Montalto Estate, Northern Ireland has something to pique everyone’s interest.

Whether you’re a local looking for something new to do, visiting Northern Ireland with friends or family, or even exploring the country on a solo adventure, there are fun things to do in Northern Ireland for every itinerary.

Have you experienced any of these fun things to do in Northern Ireland? Do you have any other recommendations? Let us know in the comments below!

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