Many of us are accustomed to Northern Ireland’s frequent rain and grey skies but with January’s boast of being one of the wettest months we’ve taken a look at 15 wet weather activities to keep you entertained.
Mini Golf
Though some seasoned putters may argue a sunny day is needed for a game on the green there are several mini golf locations across Northern Ireland that beg to differ.
Lost City Adventure Golf at Cityside Retail Park in Belfast offers a truly immersive – almost Tomb Raider-esque - experience with its distinctive aesthetic. With 36 holes to play, the Lost City course is suitable for “ages three to 103″ according to their website.
Alternatively, families can enjoy a space-themed course at Airtastic or scrapyard inspired round at Scrapyard Golf in Glengormley.
Ulster Museums
Free to visit, the Ulster Museum is home to mummies, dinosaurs, dragons and polar bears – not to mention the iconic 87-metre-long Game Of Thrones tapestry depicting events, characters and filming locations from the hit series.
Or be transported back in time at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra or Omagh’s Ulster American Folk Park. Both museums are family friendly and offer valuable insight into Northern Ireland’s history.
W5
Northern Ireland’s leading science and discovery centre, W5 has been providing families with educational and entertaining days out for more than 20 years.
In 2021 the centre received a £5 million investment and has been “completely transformed from top to bottom”, making this the perfect time to visit if you haven’t been for a while.
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
Northern Ireland’s leading astronomical research and education facility is the perfect place for any budding astronomers.
The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium’s digital full dome theatre allows visitors to sit back, relax and marvel at the wonders of our universe. Take a tour of the night sky and discover how the centre’s scientific research has impacted the field of astronomy.
Airtastic
Described as Ireland’s premier indoor leisure and entertainment brand, Airtastic, which has locations in Newtownabbey, Craigavon, Bangor and Belfast, offers trampolines, inflatable parks, laser tag, bowling, mini golf, soft play, amusements, and a brand-new ultimate challenges course.
The new course features 30 rooms with each one offering a physical, mental or skill-based game to play. In a team, players aim to earn the most points and become the ultimate champions. With themes like music, football, shooter games and more, there’s something for everyone.
Crumlin Road Gaol
Crumlin Road Gaol in north Belfast opened in 1845 and held more than 25,000 prisoners including the likes of Éamon de Valera, Martin McGuinness, Michael Stone, Bobby Sands, Ian Paisley, and Gerry Adams before closing its doors in 1996.
Now a popular tourist attraction ‘the Crum’ offers visitors the opportunity to explore the gaol at their leisure or through a guided tour which lasts around 60 minutes.
It is also worth paying a visit to McConnell’s Distillery and Visitor Experience located in the A-wing, which opened in March 2024.
Distillery Tours
From Belfast to Bushmills Northern Ireland is home to more than 20 distilleries and breweries.
Nearly every county now boasts a top-class producer of beer and cider or whiskey and gin and many of them are offering tours where they will divulge some, if not all, of their long-held secrets so why not pay one of them a visit and discover the ‘spirit’ of Northern Ireland.
Linen Hall Library
Sometimes you just can’t beat curling up with a good book and a hot drink on a rainy day, so why not pop into Linen Hall Library in the centre of Belfast? Open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30 pm, you can also grab a tasty traybake or sandwich in the café.
Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
Located an hour away from Belfast in Portaferry, Exploris is home to various sea life, including tropical fish, rays, sharks, turtles, penguins, otters and jellyfish as well as Hector the Capybara.
The aquarium has also been operating as a seal sanctuary since 1989 having helped to rescue and rehabilitate more than 500 seal pups.
Theatre
Northern Ireland is fortunate to have multiple theatres, with the likes of Belfast’s Grand Opera House, Enniskillen’s Ardhowen Theatre, Derry’s Millennium Forum, Ballymena’s Braid Theatre and others hosting a variety of shows throughout the year.
With the majority offering matinee performances on the weekends a trip to the theatre provides an alternative to the cinema and an opportunity to get away from all types of screens.
Marble Arch Caves
Under the vibrant emerald green hills of Fermanagh lies a labyrinth of caves, sinkholes and subterranean rivers. Among them is the Marble Arch Caves which is the most active river cave in Ireland and Britain.
In 2023 the caves had to close for several days due to heavy rain but since then the team have been working to ensure visitors can enjoy a range of activities and events come rain, hail or shine.
From its virtual reality experiences, to nature walks, history talks, and much more, the downpours can even help add to the attraction at times.
The MAC
The MAC in St Anne’s Square in Belfast features various exhibitions, art installations and experimental works which are free to explore and are sure to get your creative juices flowing despite the wet weather.
Museum of Free Derry
The Museum of Free Derry offers a full multi-media exhibition on the civil rights and early conflict era in the city, including the Battle of the Bogside, Internment, Bloody Sunday and Operation Motorman.
Established by the Bloody Sunday Trust in 2006 the museum has become an important part of Ireland’s radical and civil rights heritage.
Stormont Buildings
Learn more about Northern Ireland’s political history and heritage with a free tour round one of the north’s most famous locations. Public tours of the Stormont buildings on the edge of Belfast are available Wednesday to Friday and operate between 12pm and 2pm, lasting around 45 minutes.
Raceview Karting
Located just outside Ballymena in Co Antrim, Raceview Karting is the ideal destination for any and all thrill seekers.
With 15, 20, or 30-minute sessions on offer there’s something for everyone whether you’re a first time racer or a seasoned pro wanting to showcase your skills and chase that perfect lap.