Photo: Chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do in County Antrim
Wondering what to do in County Antrim? This guide lists the area's attractions — zoos, museums, theme parks and more — with distances, so you can plan every day of your trip.
🎟️ This weekend near County Antrim
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Museums & Galleries
7.8 mi from County Antrim
Mid-Antrim Museum
Museum in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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9.7 mi from County Antrim
Gracehill Village Old School Museum
Gracehill Village Old School Museum sits within Gracehill, Northern Ireland's first conservation area and the only complete Moravian settlement in Ireland, recognised as a World He...
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16.4 mi from County Antrim
Garden Heritage Exhibition
The Garden Heritage Exhibition is a small display inside Clotworthy House, part of Antrim Castle Gardens, that traces the history of the gardens and the Massereene family whose liv...
17.7 mi from County Antrim
Seamus Heaney HomePlace
Seamus Heaney HomePlace is a museum in Mid Ulster, Northern Ireland, dedicated to the life and work of poet Seamus Heaney. Inside, you'll find an exhibition packed with poetry, pho...
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17.8 mi from County Antrim
Ballycastle Museum
Courthouse in Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
19.4 mi from County Antrim
Sentry Hill Historic House
Local authority museum in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
19.4 mi from County Antrim
Museum At The Mill
Museum at the Mill tells the story of Mossley Mill, once a flax spinning powerhouse central to Northern Ireland's industrial past. Woven into the fabric of the building itself, exh...
21.2 mi from County Antrim
Carrickfergus Museum
Museum in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
22 mi from County Antrim
Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is a volunteer-run charity based at Whitehead, County Antrim, preserving Irish steam locomotives, carriages and rolling stock and keepin...
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23.6 mi from County Antrim
Boathouse Visitor Centre & Museum
Boathouse in Rathlin Island, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
24.2 mi from County Antrim
Coleraine Museum
Coleraine Museum is housed within Coleraine Town Hall, an Accredited exhibition venue in the heart of the town, in a listed building dating from 1859. Inside, temporary exhibitions...
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24.6 mi from County Antrim
Ulster Transport Museum
Ulster Transport Museum is one of four distinct museums looked after by National Museums NI, which serves as custodian to 1.4 million objects in a collection spanning art, history...
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24.9 mi from County Antrim
Crumlin Road Gaol
Crumlin Road Gaol is a visitor attraction in Belfast, Northern Ireland, offering a Gaol Experience alongside a Solitary Screening. Beyond the historic visit, the venue doubles as a...
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25 mi from County Antrim
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Both the Ulster Folk Museum and Ulster Transport Museum are situated in Cultra, Northern Ireland, about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) east of the city of Belfast. Now operating as two sep... — Wikipedia
Theme Parks
12.9 mi from County Antrim
Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone
Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone is a family fun park set within Carnfunnock Country Park near Larne, in Mid and East Antrim. On site you'll find a miniature railway ride, an 18-hole mi...
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26.5 mi from County Antrim
Curry's Fun Park
Barry's Amusements was an amusement park in Northern Ireland. Located in the centre of Portrush, County Antrim, on the north coast, it was founded in 1925. The owners offered it fo... — Wikipedia
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27.3 mi from County Antrim
Pickie Fun Park
Pickie Funpark is a family attraction in Bangor, County Down, popular with children and families looking for a fun day out. You can explore the Adventure Playground, cool off at th...
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Water Parks
15.9 mi from County Antrim
The Lake Kilrea WaterPark
The Lake Kilrea is Northern Ireland's largest water park, located in the Causeway Coast and Glens, County Antrim. With over 11 acres of freshwater, this 80,000 sqft waterpark offer...
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Zoos & Wildlife
16.4 mi from County Antrim
World of Owls
World of Owls is Northern Ireland's only Owl, Bird of Prey and Exotic Animal Centre, set within Randalstown Forest. It's a non-funded rescue centre run entirely by volunteers, home...
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21.8 mi from County Antrim
Belfast Zoo
Belfast Zoo is home to around 100 species, with highlights including a recently reopened Monkey House and outdoor viewers where you can watch the Western Lowland Gorilla troop. You...
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24.5 mi from County Antrim
North Coast Alpacas
North Coast Alpaca Trekking is a family-run farm experience on the Causeway Coast, offering the chance to walk, feed and get close to a small herd of alpacas. You can choose a padd...
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Where to stay near County Antrim
Places to stay within easy reach of these days out.
More around County Antrim
County Antrim packs a lot into a small space: one of the most photographed coastlines in these islands, a scattering of castles and country estates, and enough indoor options to rescue a wet afternoon. Most visitors base themselves around Portrush on the north coast, and there are 171 places to stay listed on BritStays across the region, so you can pick a base and build your days around it rather than driving long loops.
The outdoors: coast, cliffs and one very famous path
The Giant's Causeway is the obvious draw, and it earns the attention — but it's busiest in the middle of the day, so early or late tends to be calmer. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is the other big coastal set piece; it's worth knowing in advance that crossings are usually timed and weather can close the bridge, so it suits a flexible morning rather than a fixed plan.
For something gentler, Portstewart Strand is a long National Trust beach that works for walkers, swimmers and anyone who just wants the car boot open and a flask on the go. The Dark Hedges is a quick stop rather than a day — a beech avenue you'll recognise even if you can't place where from — and it slots neatly into a drive between other things.
Family days out
Portrush is the family hub. Curry's Fun Park is the traditional seaside option, all rides and noise, and it pairs well with a beach morning. The Lake Kilrea WaterPark is the one to keep in reserve for a warm, still day — inflatable water parks are far less fun in a stiff north-coast wind. North Coast Alpacas gives younger children something calmer and more hands-on, and tends to work well for mixed-age groups where not everyone wants a rollercoaster.
- Little legs: North Coast Alpacas, then a short stretch of Portstewart Strand.
- Older children: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in the morning, Curry's Fun Park later.
- Teenagers: The Lake Kilrea WaterPark, with the Giant's Causeway the following day.
Rainy days
Coleraine Museum is the handiest indoor stop near the north coast and makes a sensible first move when the forecast turns. Seamus Heaney HomePlace is the region's standout indoor attraction — a museum devoted to the poet and the landscape he wrote about — and it holds the attention of adults far longer than a typical hour-long visit.
If the weather has settled in for the whole day, it's worth looking beyond the county. W5 in Belfast is built for hands-on, child-led exploring, and the Ulster Transport Museum in County Down is the sort of place where you'll lose an hour you didn't plan to spend. Both work better as a committed day out than a quick detour.
Heritage, castles and estates
Hezlett House is a National Trust property on the north coast and pairs naturally with Portstewart Strand — three of the region's landmark sites are National Trust, so a membership card goes a long way here. Glenarm Castle and Ballygally Castle sit away from the Causeway coast and are best treated as their own day rather than squeezed onto the end of one. Drenagh and Kilchrist Castle round out the heritage list for anyone whose interest runs to houses, gardens and estates rather than beaches.
How to group it into a sensible day
- Classic coast day: Giant's Causeway first thing, Dark Hedges on the way back, Portstewart Strand for the late afternoon.
- Family day: North Coast Alpacas, lunch in Portrush, Curry's Fun Park afterwards.
- Heritage day: Hezlett House, then Glenarm Castle or Ballygally Castle with time to spare.
- Wet day: Coleraine Museum in the morning, Seamus Heaney HomePlace in the afternoon.
Where to eat
We don't currently hold any food hygiene ratings for eating places in this region, so we'd rather not point you at somewhere specific than guess. In practice, Portrush is where you'll find the widest choice, and it's the obvious stop for lunch between a morning at the coast and an afternoon at Curry's Fun Park. For the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Portstewart Strand, pack something — you'll want to eat where you are rather than drive back for it.
Turning it into a short break
Three nights is about right: one coastal day, one family or heritage day, and one day held loosely in case the weather turns. Base yourself in or near Portrush and most of the north-coast sights fall into easy reach, with Seamus Heaney HomePlace and the castles as your inland days.
Book timed entry for Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Giant's Causeway before you travel, check opening days for Coleraine Museum and the castles rather than assuming, keep waterproofs in the car even in July, and save The Lake Kilrea WaterPark for the day the wind drops.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best-known outdoor attractions in County Antrim?
The Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge are the headline coastal sites, with Portstewart Strand as a long National Trust beach and the Dark Hedges as a quick landmark stop on a drive between them.
What is there to do in Portrush with children?
Portrush and the surrounding area has Curry's Fun Park for traditional rides, The Lake Kilrea WaterPark for warm, calm days, and North Coast Alpacas for a gentler hands-on visit that suits younger children.
Where can I go in County Antrim if it rains?
Coleraine Museum is the handiest indoor option near the north coast, and Seamus Heaney HomePlace is the region's standout museum. If the whole day is washed out, W5 in Belfast and the Ulster Transport Museum in County Down are worth the longer trip.
Are there National Trust places in County Antrim?
Yes. Three of the region's landmark sites are National Trust, including Hezlett House and Portstewart Strand, so a membership card is useful if you plan to visit more than one.
Which castles and estates can I visit in County Antrim?
Glenarm Castle, Ballygally Castle, Drenagh and Kilchrist Castle are the heritage properties listed for the region. Glenarm Castle and Ballygally Castle sit away from the Causeway coast, so they are best planned as their own day.
Where should I stay for a short break in County Antrim?
Portrush makes the most practical base for the north-coast sights, and there are 171 places to stay listed on BritStays across County Antrim. Three nights lets you cover a coastal day, a family or heritage day, and a spare day in case the weather turns.
More ways to explore
Not booked yet? See the best places to stay in County Antrim.