Must See Tourist Spots

When it comes to Northern Ireland tourist spots there are a lot of suggestions that can be made, from the historical landmark to the locations used for filming the likes of Game of Thrones - Below you'll find our recommended locations in NI which are a must see.

Titanic Belfast

"Titanic Belfast is an iconic six-floor building featuring nine interpretive and interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Titanic, as well as the City and people which made her."
As a great day out for you, your friends or your family, why not take a step back in time and explore the world famous RMS Titanic. Within the exhibit itself you can see the story of the Titanic from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end.
The Titanic Quarter is also home to many other spots including the harbour and the painthall film studios were filming takes place on the likes of HBO's Game of Thrones.
See titanic-quarter.com for opening times, prices and more locations within the Quarter to visit.

Giant's Causeway

Follow in the legendary footsteps of giants at Northern Ireland's iconic World Heritage Site.
One of Northern Ireland's most iconic tourist sites, the Giant's Causeway has amazed visitors for decades now and continues to do so with its beautiful landscape and the folklore tale behind it.
The causeway itself, created by volcanic eruptions over 60 million years ago, has four different pathways to walk, each with their own views and sites of the causeway. Aside from the paths themselves there is also a new visitor centre opened in 2012 which explores the myth of Finn McCool and his tale through interactive activities and a film.
Tours in different languages are also available at the Giant's Causeway for visitors.
To get more information on opening times, prices and other aspects of the site itself, see nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway.

Carrick a Rede

"Jutting out from the rugged North Antrim Coast Road, the 30m-deep and 20m-wide chasm separating Carrick-a-Rede from the mainland is traversed by an amazing rope bridge. This rocky island is the ultimate cliff-top experience, if you are bold enough to make the crossing."
Carrick-a-Rede like the Giant's Causeway is run by the national trust and makes a great family day trip for many reasons including the scenery, walking paths or even the thrill of crossing the rope bridge itself. This tourist site includes a viewing platform, restored fisherman's cottage and a chance to view the stars at night at the Dark Skies site.
It costs the small toll fee of £5.90 to enter which is well worth the rush you receive from crossing the old-school rope bridge that connects to the pieces of land. While Carrick-a-Rede is open from dusk until dawn the rope bridge itself is open from 9-6 each day. They also have many events on over summer worth checking out. To get more information on the history of this iconic site, along with the events on in the near future, see nationaltrust.org.uk/carrick-a-rede

Crumlin Road Gaol

"Crumlin Road Gaol first opened its gates to prisoners in 1846 and was a fully operational prison, only closing its doors in 1996. During that time the Gaol housed murderers, suffragettes, loyalist and republican prisoners. It has witnessed births, deaths and marriages, as well as executions, escapes, hunger strikes and riots."
For just small price of just £9 per adult and £6.50 for children (with package and family deals available) the Crumlin Road Gaol is an one of the most interesting on this list, allowing visitors to see all of the history of the famous 'Crum' including the eerie cell blocks, execution chamber and the grave site which still holds the bodies of many of the men who were sentenced to death there.
A less doom and gloom part of the tour includes the gift shop and Cuffs Bar & Grill which is a brand new addition to the site opening in the Summer of this year.
Crumlin Road Gaol also offers guided paranormal tours around the cells and tunnel under the prison, which is supposedly hunted by all of the men and women who had died there during their prison sentence.
For more information on opening times or took book a tour, either basic or paranormal, visit crumlinroadgaol.com

Bushmills Distillery

Established in 1784, Bushmills has been the most iconic whiskey brand in Northern Ireland. Since the moment the distillery opened it's doors over two centuries ago, it has grown to become a globally respected brand, bringing in both whiskey connoisseurs and fans alike to Northern Ireland in order to see exactly how it comes to be made.
For the small price of only £7.50 you can get a tour of the distillery which shows you step by step how the whiskey comes to be and even gives you a little sample at the end of the tour, what's not to like? You can even go for tasting tours if your a big fan of Bushmills or whiskey in general, and looking to try some unique types.
Whilst it may seem like a strictly adult centred site this isn't in the case. The tour is presented in a very interesting and charismatic way, allowing it to be a fun and interesting activity for kids also, whether its learning about the history of the brand and distillery, or seeing the whiskey itself being made.
One of the other appeals to the Bushmills Distillery is the fact that it is so close to some of the other sites on this article, including the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, along with nice north coast family towns such as Portrush and Coleraine.
For more information on opening times and the types of tours provided, check out bushmills.com.