With only a few weeks to go before the school holidays draw to an end – why not go out and try something truly different before the summer disappears?
If you’re stuck for things to do this August, why not consider a trip to Belfast and experience the very best in affordable entertainment, events and hospitality your family won’t forget in a hurry.
“Holidays are a rare enough treat, so why not make the most of them and take a quick spin into Belfast as part of them?, said Belfast Welcome Centre manager Julie Cochrane.
“Only a car drive, train or bus ride away, the city is bursting with summer holiday activities – from world class attractions and unique festival events, there’s never been a better time to make the best of your time and pack in what you can.”
Here are just a few favourites to enjoy over the next few weeks:
Sunday Treats
Sundays in Belfast have got a whole lot better as the city bursts with life with eight dedicated weeks of hand-picked ‘Sunday Treats’. A series of street theatre shows are under way every Sunday afternoon this summer throughout the Cathedral Quarter and around Belfast City Centre. So if you’re the kind of person who likes to laugh and loves a bargain you would be a fool to miss out on this season of shows. For the full programme and meal deals, visit www.foolsfestival.com.
Belfast Music Tours
Take a trip through the heart of a great rock and roll city, taking in artists like Them, Van Morrison and Snow Patrol on the way. The Belfast Music Bus Tour, which is organised by the Oh Yeah Music Centre, runs fortnightly every Saturday at 2pm from the Ulster Hall, Bedford Street. For bookings and more information, contact the Belfast Welcome Centre or log on to www.visit-belfast.com
‘Belfast Bred’ Food Tour
A walking tour with a big difference! As part of this brand new experience, you’ll be taken on a unique guided jaunt around Belfast’s fascinating culinary history in the company of Barney, a chef from RMS Titanic – and you’ll sample some great Belfast food along the way. Defrosted after 99 years frozen in an iceberg, Barney has just two and a half hours to search contemporary Belfast for the finest ingredients to recreate the famous ship’s launch menu… This mouth-watering dramatic tour includes free food samples at each location along the way. For dates and times, and to book your tickets, contact Belfast Welcome Centre on 048 9024 6609.
SS Nomadic
Visited Titanic Belfast and need to know more? Then why not take a trip to the SS Nomadic, a new addition to the Titanic story. The Titanic’s ‘little sister’, this ship was built around the same time, by the same people, in the same Belfast shipyard. However, this was one used to ferry the passengers boarding from Cherbourg in France to the great ship itself as the looked forward to starting a new life in America. Now completely refurbished as a visitor attraction, you can walk in the footsteps of history, learn the full story and become part of the new chapter of her dramatic existence. Visit www.nomadicbelfast.com
The MAC
If you haven’t checked out Belfast’s Metropolitan Arts Centre in St Anne’s Square yet, this is the time to do it. With a jam-packed schedule of workshops and music, theatre, events and exhibitions for every age group, the only thing you need to do is choose! Along with a range of shows, art talks and theatre performances, there’s also a Sculpture Fun Day and a Summer Rock School for younger members of the family, as well as great food and drink. Visit www.themaclive.com for more details.
The Belfast Hills
Think you know Belfast? Well, why not take a completely different view? With unbelievable views across the city, there’s plenty to see from Cave Hill and Belfast Castle or Black Mountain. Explore the paths through Colin Glen valley. This is a wonderful area to visit at any time of the year, but especially this month when a full schedule of specially-arranged events are on offer.
Visit www.belfasthills.org for more details
Crumlin Road Gaol
One of Belfast’s newest and most popular attractions, Crumlin Gaol is well worth a visit. Dating back to 1845, this famous prison reopened last year after a major refurbishment. Hear all about its sometimes gruesome past and its place in history with a guided tour. There are other ways to enjoy this historical building too – with a musical or comedy twist on various dates throughout August. Visit www.crumlinroadgaol.com to see what’s on.
Belsonic 2013
If Tennents Vital has given you the urge for more, you’ve got only got a few minutes to get yourself across the city before Belsonic starts! This incredible six-day music fest starts as Tennents Vital ends on Friday 16th August with the incredible upbeat sounds of Basement Jaxx. Suede, Ben Howard, The Lumineers and Steve Angello are all on this year’s bill, so log on to www.belsonic.com or visit www.ticketmaster.ie to book your place.
For full details about these and other events in and around Belfast over the summer, contact the Belfast Welcome Centre (47 Donegall Place BT1 5AD) on 048 9024 6609 or visit www.visit-belfast.com
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