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Unfortunately I have the Titanic bug too. :p I went a few years back and took in the sights and it's a highly enjoyable experience. The museum is ok but for me the weakest bit of the trip apart from the ride that takes you around the dock as if it was being built in front of you. If you want to see the grand staircase replica you need to buy afternoon tea - it isn't cheap!

Just walking around outside the museum you can see the slipways where the Olympic/Titanic/Britannic were built. (the hull shape is lit up at night and gives an impression of the size of these ships) like another poster has mentioned the Normadic is dry docked not far from the museum, it was one of the ships that used to ferry passengers out to the Titanic/Olympic.

The Thompson graving dock is a 10 minute walk and that to me was the highlight of the trip where I felt closest to the past. It's awe-inspiring but a little eerie at the same time as it's so quiet. (well it was when I was there anyhow...) Standing at the bottom next to this wall of steel that is absolutely massive but it only came up to the waterline of the ship:

Titanic-propeller-in-dry-dock.-1911.webp

While I was in Northern Ireland I also took a coach tour to take in Giants Causeway, the Bushmills distillery, (Yes I sampled the whiskey... quite a lot actually... :blush: ) Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and you get to take in the coast in general on the way up which is amazing. If anyone does decide to do this tour though wear comfortable trainers as there is a lot of walking!!!
 
If you are staying for a full week the trip up the Antrim Coast road is certainty worth doing for the scenery and the Bushmills; another worthwhile trip is to hire a car and go around the Co. Down coast, head to Bangor, on to Donaghadee and down the outside of the Ards peninsula to Portaferry, take the ferry to Strangford and then head south along the coast of the Lecale peninsula to Newcastle. From there head south, again along the coast, skirting the Mourne Mountains (where they sweep down to the sea) into Kilkeel and on to Newry. The drive from Newry back to Belfast is only an hour.
You need to take your time and stop in some of the villages along the route and talk to people.
That is the end of the tourist information bulletin.
 
Caolam said:
If you are staying for a full week the trip up the Antrim Coast road is certainty worth doing for the scenery and the Bushmills; another worthwhile trip is to hire a car and go around the Co. Down coast, head to Bangor, on to Donaghadee and down the outside of the Ards peninsula to Portaferry, take the ferry to Strangford and then head south along the coast of the Lecale peninsula to Newcastle. From there head south, again along the coast, skirting the Mourne Mountains (where they sweep down to the sea) into Kilkeel and on to Newry. The drive from Newry back to Belfast is only an hour.
You need to take your time and stop in some of the villages along the route and talk to people.
That is the end of the tourist information bulletin.
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Yes, that East coast is gorgeous. I'd especially recommend the Buck's Head Inn at Dundrum
 
...I went a few times for work in my last years and liked the place. I never stayed overnight but allowed myself a few hours after a meeting to wander into the city. Found a nice little bar behind the shopping centre but you had to ring the door bell before they'd open it. It was good in there, though. I enjoyed a few pints of Guinness and they rung me a cab to get back the airport.
 
Eggs said:
...I went a few times for work in my last years and liked the place. I never stayed overnight but allowed myself a few hours after a meeting to wander into the city. Found a nice little bar behind the shopping centre but you had to ring the door bell before they'd open it. It was good in there, though. I enjoyed a few pints of Guinness and they rung me a cab to get back the airport.
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Sounds like "The Sunflower". Famous for it's security cage outside the door.
 
anjelikaferrett said:
I've always had a fascination with the story of the Titanic. I was thinking of having a weekend in Belfast to visit the exhibition. Has anybody been? Would you recommend it? And, if I do go, what else could I see in Belfast while I'm there. Cheers.
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I personally found the Titanic exhibition a bit hard going. Lots of interviews and footage to listen to and watch which became a bit tedious. It is very well done though, I just found it a bit tiring. It's definitely worth going on one of those black taxi rides around the Shankill and Falls Road. The Crown is an amazing pub to visit for a pint or two. Nice/friendly people too.
 
Peter The Dog said:
I personally found the Titanic exhibition a bit hard going. Lots of interviews and footage to listen to and watch which became a bit tedious. It is very well done though, I just found it a bit tiring. It's definitely worth going on one of those black taxi rides around the Shankill and Falls Road. The Crown is an amazing pub to visit for a pint or two. Nice/friendly people too.
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The Crown is a nice bar although most locals tend to use the bars either side of it. The Crown is definitely a must see tourist bar, for the building itself especially.
 
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