Bangor is a great place to visit for its beaches and historical attractions. It also has a rich selection of entertainment centers.
North Down Museum offers free entry and has artifacts such as the Bronze Age Ballycroghan swords, the Bangor Abbey bell, and a complete folio of Plantation era maps.
Castle Park
Bangor is a rich town that has quite a few leisure and entertainment centers that are mostly youth-oriented. One of these is Eddie Irvine Sports that offers a wide range of fast-paced activities like go-karting and more. The center also hosts events and concerts like those of Snow Patrol, The Script, D12, and others.
It’s found opposite Bangor’s train and bus stations and is pretty much impossible to miss. This park is actually a woodland, so you won’t find the usual park life here like ponds and ducks and swans (check Ward Park for those). It has walking paths and loads of exciting trees for those big into botany. And if you’re not tired, you can pedal around the park on a Pickie Swan for fun.
Bangor Marina
At Bangor Marina, a fun and family-focused event called Sea Bangor takes place each June. Families can enjoy free activities on the beach and watch fantastic on-water E-foiling demonstrations.
Found next to the Marina is Bangor Pier which has been officially renamed the Eisenhower Pier (although some locals are having none of it and continue to call it the North Pier). This is also where the berthing area for larger boats is. On the opposite side of the Marina is Pickie Fun Park which was once an outdoor swimming pool and has lots of family attractions like the Pickie Puffer kids train track.
Explore the landscape around Crawfordsburn Country Park which is home to a beautiful waterfall, as well as a long stretch of beach that’s perfect for walking, swimming, or sunbathing during summer. Or take the short drive to Mount Stewart for an afternoon stroll around this National Trust mansion house and beautifully manicured gardens.
The Copeland Islands
Those with a love of the outdoors can enjoy a scenic kayak tour through this marine park’s islands. Look out for ancient native pictographs high up on a rock wall along the way!
Kids will adore swimming at Aurora’s leisure centre. Here you’ll find Northern Ireland’s only 50 metre pool, plus an Aqua Challenge and the fun Pickie Puffer narrow-gauge railway journey around the park.
Walkers can also ramble along the North Down Coastal Path, which spans from Holywood in the west to Orlock in the east. Alternatively, stroll through Castle Park’s wooded pathways and explore the Victorian Walled Garden (it pairs well with the nearby North Down Museum). It’s free to enter! This restored garden includes a flower garden, herb garden, kitchen garden and swamp garden.
The Marine Gardens Coastal Walk
The North Down Coastal Walk is a popular attraction for both locals and visitors, and it offers stunning sea views along with the opportunity to see some interesting historical sites like Grey Point Fort. The walk also features a number of famous film locations that have been used in the production of TV shows like Line of Duty and Game of Thrones.
Other popular things to do include visiting Mount Stewart, a huge country house that was once occupied by the Ward family and is one of the most opulent places to visit in Northern Ireland. It is also possible to take a tour of the infamous Titanic Museum in Belfast, which is only around half an hour’s drive away from Bangor.
The Ark Open Farm is a great place for kids to meet some farm animals and play in multiple areas, while the Airtastic inflatable park is a fantastic indoor activity for kids of all ages.
The Guillemot Kitchen Cafe
If you’re looking for things to do in Bangor Northern Ireland that involve the whole family, you’ll find plenty of fun options. You could try the casual and family-friendly Blackwood Golf Centre where you can practice your swing on a full course or go on a driving range. Kids will love exploring native marine species at the Exploris Aquarium in nearby Portaferry.
A visit to the North Down Museum is also worth it to learn about the area’s history. This fascinating free-entry space exhibits artifacts like the Bronze Age Ballycroghan swords and a Viking longhouse.
A stroll down the historic Pier Quarter is another must-do. This is a growing destination that includes the Guillemot Kitchen Cafe Winebar and the Guillemot Deli. The cafe serves up home cooking with a trademark twist, from Belfast baps to huevos rancheros served on tortillas with guacamole and chillies.
