Spending time entertaining the kids made easy with this handy go-to guide on all that you can do and see, no matter the season half term falls.
We start our guide in the gateway of the Borough, Holywood, just 15 minutes from Belfast City Centre...
Step into the Past in Holywood
The boutique town of Holywood boasts a host of coffee shops and eateries for all the family. Not far from the town centre, is the perfect spot to expel some energy - Seapark Recreation Grounds has a recently renovated play park and is also home to a sandy beach which forms part of the 16 mile long North Down Coastal Path.
Just a little further down the road towards Bangor direction, lies the Ulster Folk Museum and the Ulster Transport Museum in Cultra, and families love these attractions!
Choose to visit one museum or both - immerse yourselves in the rich local traditions of our homeland and transport innovation from the past 100 years. Both museums are accessible by public transport (train stop, Cultra), or by car via the main A2 Belfast to Bangor carriageway.
From here you can jump in the car, or follow the stunning 26 km North Down Coastal Path on foot or bike along shore Belfast Lough shore from Holywood via Crawfordsburn Country Park with its pristine beaches, to the seaside city of Bangor.
Create Seaside Memories in Bangor City
For those arriving by car or into Translink Bus and Rail station from Belfast direction, visitors are met with the iconic sight of Bangor City Hall, locally referred to as Bangor Castle. Standing proudly on a hill overlooking the city centre, the City Hall is also home to the North Down Museum. Admission is free to this hub of history. Kids love the mini cinema showing old film reels of days gone by in the area; the mini display models of Viking villages as well of course as the life size Monks Hut.
The building is nestled in the grounds of leafy Castle Park which you can explore independently, but to make it more interesting why not grab an Explorer's Pack from the museum to see what you can find. Just at the edge of the park is Bangor Castle Walled Garden, a favourite for so many visitors, and open all year round! And, just opposite it is Bangor Aurora and Aquatic Leisure Complex which features the renowned Aqua Challenge and the pirate themed Leisure Waters.
Take a wander down through the city to the seafront, where you will get a sneak peak of exciting plans in the making - the construction and renovation of our waters edge promenade area. It is a sign of much to look forward to as it comes to completion in late 2026, despite the work you can still very much enjoy a seaside revival experience - stroll with an ice cream on the pier, admiring yachts at the world-class marina. Your visit to Bangor would not be complete without time spent at Pickie Funpark! Located overlooking the marina, families flock to have a go on the iconic pedal swans, the pickie puffer, mini adventure golf and more.
Towards the outskirts of the city you will find Eddie Irvine Sports, where families can enjoy a wealth of activities like karting, a roller disco, Pickleball and more.
For the animal lovers, the Ark Open Farm should definintely be on your bucket list for the holidays! Located between Bangor and Newtownards in Conlig is where you will find this popular attraction that has expanded it's offering over the years to include trails, an extended play area and more.
Stand on top of the world (well, sort of!)
In Newtownards, take the kids on a mini adventure to Scrabo Country Park and take a gentle climb to historic Scrabo Tower where you can pause and take in panoramic views of the lough, then explore the beech and hazel woodlands of Killynether forest beside it.
Just a few minutes distance through the town of Comber, is WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre. Here the kids will have a ball exploring the lough shore where they can feed native and exotic birds while learning about sustainability and wetland habitats.
Explore the Ards Peninsula Way
Go on an adventure - take a leisurely drive along the Ards Peninsula Way and take in the views and the tranquillity of Strangford Lough, discovering charming villages and towns on the way. Starting from the western shores, highlights include:
Ballycopeland Windmill in Millisle, the only surviving windmill of its kind in the world.
Away from its shores and set in the countryside is the hidden treasure of Eden Pottery where visitors can see the vibrant pieces on display, relax over a sweet treat and a coffee, or even have a go at decorating their own piece to take home. Not far from Eden Pottery, in the middle of the peninsula countryside is Eastwell Farm Alpacas, Carrowdore - well worth a visit!
As you head along the west coast of the peninsula toward Ballyhalbert, where you will travel to *Burr Point, the island of Ireland's most easterly point;
Continuing on your journey, follow the coastal road to Portavogie, a busy fishing harbour with a colourful fleet of fishing trawlers and nautical history, and the perfect place to spot some seals!
Next on the route lies the small village of Cloughey, where a walk through the dunes and along the long sandy beach is a must no matter the season. This is the picture perfect beach for kite flying, sand castle building or paddling.
Ballyquintin Point is a beautiful area to make a stop, before following the scenic road to Portaferry at the tip of the Peninsula. Here you can get up close with local marine species, sharks, seals and even penguins at Exploris Aquarium, Northern Ireland’s only aquarium and seal sanctuary. Portaferry can also be reached from the west of the Lough, by passenger and car ferry Strangford-Portaferry.
Hugging the east shore of Strangford Lough, this beautiful drive will then bring you to National Trust’s magical Mount Stewart. Wander through the restored 19th-century stately home, the world class gardens, and discover the walking trails and natural play park of this idyllic location.
Visit Iconic Sights in Donaghadee
Donaghadee - where the restaurants and cafés serve delicious local fayre and the lighthouse stands tall in the harbour. Kids enjoy the adventure of exploring the Moat and Camera Obscura (open May – September), and in the summer months, boat trips depart from the harbour for the Copeland Islands, located not far off the shores of Donaghadee.
Fans of the hit TV series Hope Street will recognise the setting as Donaghadee stars as the fictional town of Port Devine in the show.
Free Things to Do
Top 10 - Listed in no particular order
- History made fun at North Down Museum, Bangor
- Pretty walks through Bangor Castle Walled Garden
- Feeding the Ducks at Ward Park, Bangor
- Enjoy a different view from Donaghadee Moat and Camera Obscura
- Stand on top of the world at Scrabo Tower and go on a forest adventure in Killynether Country Park beside it, Newtownards
- Visit Ballycopeland Windmill and the visitor centre with displays that bring to life the fascinating stories of those who lived and worked in this last functional windmill in Northern Ireland.
- Explore the forest trails of Crawfordsburn Country Park or go rock pooling along the beach beside the park
- Walk the boardwalk and build sand castles on Cloughey Beach
- Photograph the pretty bluebells (Mar-May) at Nugent's Wood, Portaferry and explore this National Trust managed woodland
- Learn about Portaferry's rich history with the Portaferry Heritage Trail. This is one for all the family - There is a Kid’s Explorer Pack for the mini explorers amongst the group with fun facts and challenges to complete as you go!
One more to add, for the summer months, would be Cockle Row Cottages in the seaside village of Groomsport, just 10 minutes drive away from the centre of Bangor and 15 minutes from Donaghadee. Here, every weekend in June until early September, you will find free family fun, and the opportunity to explore nature with the free Explorers Pack which takes little ones on a self-guided sense trail around the surrounding grass land and beach area of the cottages, encouraging them to look, listen, smell and feel the natural surroundings of this special place (children must be supervised at all times).
Fun on two wheels
Why not bring the bikes to let the kids burn off a bit of energy at one of the Borough's Pump Parks? Find Pump Parks
Follow the Comber Greenway, a seven mile, traffic free section of the National Cycle Network. The cycle path starts in Belfast and finishes in Comber, providing views of Stormont Estate and Scrabo Tower along the way.
Play park tours
How many play parks can you visit in a day?
List of Borough play parks
National Trust's '50 things to do before you're 11¾'
Find more inspiration for Free Days Out in Ards and North Down here
What's On
Find out what events are happening over half term and beyond in our dedicated What's On section here.
Even more inspiration...
These are just a few ideas for free days out in Ards and North Down. Check out our Things to do section and further Blog articles for even more inspiration.
Make it an extended break
Take the chance to stay a while. Find accommodation here
Be sure to check out our Offers section first for potential deals on overnight stays and activities.
Need more help in planning your trip?
Contact the Visitor Information Centres where our trained advisors can help guide you on accommodation, attractions, and all that there is to do in our place on the island.
Details correct at time of publication.
Be sure to always check opening times of the attraction you plan to visit before travelling.
For information on our public transport system, routes and timetables, visit translink.co.uk.
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*Burr Point Sculpture Artist: Ned Jackson Smyth.
