January can be a long month. Long and financially troublesome. We all spent a little too much over the festive period. Maybe you forgot to cancel that direct debit payment you set up for the new gym membership. The sales have tempted us all one to many times. All in all, we're all waiting for payday.
However, you don't have to just sit in waiting. There are actually loads of things to do for free in Belfast and across NI. Below is a list of things that will easily keep you entertained for the rest of the month...

Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens and the Palm House

To locals the Ulster Museum could be easily forgotten; maybe you haven't been since you were a child and remember it as being a bit rundown. Well, if so, you should definitely revisit.
Following extensive renovations, the museum is better than ever. You'll come "face to face with dinosaurs, meet an Egyptian Mummy and see modern masterpieces..."
Entry if free - donations are welcomed - to almost their entire museum and its exhibitions. Currently you'll find work by Rembrandt – on loan from the National Gallery – and Rep-Tails, a "unique hands-on experience with reptiles, tarantulas, scorpions and insects. And of course the museums resident displays of art, historical artefacts and collections.
"As Northern Ireland's treasure house of the past and present, the museum is home to a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences and free to all visitors. From Ireland to the South Pacific, ancient relics to hands on activities, the museum offers something for everyone from the simply curious to the enthusiast."
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00.
nmni.com/um

And of course, as you're in the area you can enjoy the walk through Botanic Gardens.
Now the Gardens might not be the most attractive proposition during the winter months, but don't forget that they also contain the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine.
Home to a range of "tropical plants, hanging baskets, seasonal displays and birds of paradise", the Palm House is said to be one of the earliest examples of a glasshouse made from curved iron and glass, which Belfast City Council say showed how "advances in glasshouse technology allowed horticulturists to grow exotic plant species during the Victorian period".

Belfast City Hall

How much do you know about City Hall, apart from its ample use of marble. It has a fascinating history and you can find out it all, for free, on a guided tour.
Running three times a day, every day, the tour is led by an experienced tour guide, and includes the history of the Hall and its "finest features".
Tours operate on a first come, first served basis, with registration closing 15 minutes before each tour starts. All tours are free, but donations are welcomed.
Monday to Friday at 11:00, 14:00 and 15:00. Saturday and Sunday at 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00.
belfastcity.gov.uk

Linen Hall Library

Founded in 1788, Linen Hall Library is the oldest in the city, the last subscribing library in Ireland, and true sight to behold.
The library holds some 250,000 items from the Northern Ireland Political Collection, the "definitive archive of the Troubles", alongside a renowned Irish and Local Studies Collections, which includes printed materials from Early Belfast and Ulster.

 The Library also boasts the Northern Ireland Theatre and Performing Arts Archive, and is home to a unique collection of books by and about CS Lewis, donated by the CS Lewis Association of Ireland.
While the Library has a membership scheme, visitors are welcome to view all collections for free. Donations are welcomed and "always needed".

They do also offer a guided tour, priced at ￡3.50 per person, on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:30. Advance booking recommended.
linenhall.com

Belfast Hills

We all know Belfast sits in a valley, but have you ever gone up and explored its surrounding hills. Now, we accept this is a much more attractive prospect during the summer, but considering how brief that can sometimes be here, you should brave the elements and hit the paths for a "unique backdrop, some fresh air, wildlife, history, events and fantastic views of the city".
And you have got quite a few options too, including Carnmoney Hill; Cave Hill Country Park; Divis and the Black Mountain, Slievencloy Nature Reserve; Colin Glen Forest Park; and Ligoniel Dams and Park.

 The Belfast Hills Partnership is an independent charity that works to improve how the hills are managed. Commenting on getting off the city streets and into the wild, they said: "A short walk (from) the city streets can take you into the river valley paths at Colin Glen or up through the old Carnmoney Hill woodland. The upland heath and wildflowers of Divis or Slievenacloy are a must for fresh air.
"Travelling from Black Mountain on to Divis walkers are rewarded with spectacular views of Belfast Lough, the Castlereagh Hills, the Ards Peninsula, the Isle of Man, Scotland, Slieve Gullion, the Mournes and Carlingford Mountains on the one side, and on the other the Sperrins, Antrim Plateau and Lough Neagh. The Samson and Goliath cranes, Titanic centre, Stormont Parliament Buildings and the peace lines are all visible."
As for the history, it is understood that Divis was used to train Allied troops during WW2 for the D Day Landings, and the crashing of an American bomber in Cave Hill inspired the film, Closing The Ring.
Cave Hill's McArt's Fort is also believed to be the inspiration for Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" as the hills are the embodiment of a sleeping giant.

More information, maps and virtual tour are available at belfasthills.org

Beaghmore Stone Circles

And if you want to travel a little further, you could visit one of Northern Ireland's many historic landmarks, Beaghmore Stone Circles.
Seven stone circles were discovered during peat cutting in the 1940s. The rings are believed to be associated with cairns – a human-made mound of stones built as a memorial or landmark – with a stone row at the site leading to such mounds.
Investigations of the site lead to one possible explanation:

 "It is possible that Neolithic occupation and cultivation preceded the erection of burial cairns and ceremonial circles and alignments: some irregular lines and heaps of boulders resembling field-fences or field-clearance may predate the ritual structures.
"At some stage peat started to form over the site, and it may conceivably be that the cairns and rows were erected in a futile propitiatory attempt to restore fertility to the soil by attracting back the fading sun."
The stone circles are found off the Blackrock Road, Cookstown, Co Tyrone. Access is free and always open.
More information on the history of the site is available on the Dept of the Environment website.