Northern Ireland - attractions - Travel Guide

Cathedral Quarter
Once the city's centre for trade and its warehouse district, the heart of Belfast's cultural and tourist hub is Cathedral Quarter, so named because of the presence of St Anne's Cathedral. There are some lovely examples of Victorian and Art Deco architecture, several galleries, dedicated performing arts venues, good restaurants and bars, and the area plays host to the Belfast Film Festival and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival annually. Given some time, the area could rival Dublin's Temple Bar district.
Telephone:
Website: www.cqaf.com
Transport:
Opening times:

Belfast Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum
The Belfast Botanic Gardens date back to 1828, but were only opened to the public in 1895. The Gardens boast the Palm House, a cast iron glasshouse built in 1852, rose gardens, green walkways and the Tropical Ravine greenhouse built in 1889. The Gardens are popular with office workers, students, locals and tourists alike, and at the main entrance to the Gardens is the fascinating Ulster Museum. Founded in 1821, the Ulster Museum is a treasure trove of fascinating exhibits on a range of subjects (including Irish and local history), as well as an excellent art collection. *Special note: the Museum is closed until spring 2009 for refurbishment.
Telephone: During closure call (0)28 9042 8428. Otherwise call (028) 9038 3000 (Museum); (028) 9032 4902 (Gardens)
Website: www.ulstermuseum.org.uk
Transport: Citybus 69
Opening times: The Ulster Museum is closed until 2009 for major redevelopment.

Belfast Zoo
The Belfast Zoo is packed with animals from all over the world - from sea lions to giraffes - in a range of habitats, and offers a fun-filled day out for the family. The zoo also hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year such as reptile displays, birds of prey displays and more, and has active breeding and conservation projects.
Telephone: (028) 9077 6277
Website: www.belfastzoo.co.uk
Transport: From the City Centre, Metro buses 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g and 2a all stop at the Zoo
Opening times: Daily 10am to 7pm (1 April to 30 September), closing at 4pm in winter (1 October to 31 March)

St George's Market
Built between 1890 and 1896, St George's Market is one of the city's oldest attractions and the last Victorian covered market in the region. After painstaking (and expensive) restoration, the market has reopened. On Fridays, the Variety Market, as the name suggests, offers a range of different items from antiques to clothes, while the City Food and Garden Market is on Saturdays and offers the freshest local, international and speciality foods.
Telephone: (028) 9032 0202
Website: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/stgeorgesmarket/index.asp
Transport: Free market shuttle-bus runs every 20 minutes between the city centre (outside Boots the Chemist, Donegall Place or HMV, Castle Place) and the market
Opening times: Variety Market on Fridays 6am to 1pm, City Food and Garden Market on Saturdays 9am to 3pm

Cities & Regions: Belfast