There's no shortage of great things to do in Northern Ireland.
We might have been seeing a bit more snow lately than we would have liked, but summer is only around the corner. There's nothing quite like booking a few days away to make it seem even closer.
It's easy to just think of a holiday as a chance to jet off somewhere else. As great as that may be, there's a lot to be said for staying on these shores, especially when you can head for a great weekend in Belfast or the Causeway Coast (voted number one region in the world to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet) and be back home in time for Sunday dinner.
There are many reasons why Lonely Planet saw fit to bestow that title on Northern Ireland. We'd be here all day if we tried to list them all, but here are five great things to do while you're there.
Regardless of your experience levels with kayaking (even if you've never gone near one), this is something you're not likely to forget.
Taking you along the River Foyle, you'll get to see what Northern Ireland's gorgeous countryside looks like under the stars. Expect plenty of historic castles, and a backdrop of Binevenagh Mountain as you make your way through this peaceful journey.
Although the route itself is somewhat challenging, the views make it all 100% worth it. Starting off from Belfast Castle, the 4.5 mile-long path takes you over the "Devil’s Punchbowl," past caves, forests and stunning mountainsides overlooking the city below.
Yes, this is every bit as good as it sounds. Nothing like a bit of fresh air to get you going!
All that hiking and kayaking will build up a mighty thirst and there's no better place to quench it than at Northern Lights Belfast, Galway Bay Brewery's first bar in Northern Ireland.
Northern Lights has several rotational taps, a huge range of imported and local bottled beers and a great atmosphere to boot.
We're not ready to admit the fact that Game of Thrones® is coming to an end soon. That said, the TV show shouldn't mark the end of your time in Westeros.
So many of the show's iconic scenes were filmed in Northern Ireland, and this year's exclusive exhibition in TEC Belfast is another reason to go sooner rather than later.
Plus, there are plenty of fantastic tours to enjoy as well. Without even having to climb a 100-foot wall of ice, you can do just about anything from trying your hand at archery to eating like a king in Winterfell!
You could dedicate a weekend in Belfast to St George’s Market and see something different every day. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays each have their own respective specialties, but the focus on high quality local produce is always the same.
You'll find nothing but the best wares in its 248 stalls, and the atmosphere is always buzzing. Match that with its frequent live music gigs and fantastic location in the heart of a city fast becoming a foodie's heaven and you're onto a winner!
Discover Northern Ireland is the official tourism body for Northern Ireland. Discover inspiring things to do, places to stay, world class events, and the best places to eat and drink to make the most of your short break.Brought to you by Discover Northern Ireland
Regardless of your experience levels with kayaking (even if you've never gone near one), this is something you're not likely to forget.
Taking you along the River Foyle, you'll get to see what Northern Ireland's gorgeous countryside looks like under the stars. Expect plenty of historic castles, and a backdrop of Binevenagh Mountain as you make your way through this peaceful journey.
Brought to you by Discover Northern Ireland
