If you're looking for a unique gift for a friend or family member I would suggest visiting the Yard…read moreGallery on Holywood High Street. The Gallery stocks photography, illustrations, typography, film posters and other prints all from local artists. You can also visit their website but I would suggest popping in to see the art in the flesh. Sometimes when you view art, especially original art, online it doesn't do it justice at all. The Yard gallery is quite small and when more than 3 people are in at any one time it can get quite cramped. But never fear there is a high quality cafe next door. You can also pick up a prints catalogue in the adjoining cafe that lists the art on sale in detail. So if you see anything you like you can just pop next door and see if it's what you want. Prints can be framed immediately in store, so if you are purchasing something you can grab a coffee and collect your purchase ready to hang on the way out. Also worth noting if you know a friend who likes art but are not sure what they would like you can pick up gift vouchers! Genuinely one of the best places to buy local art.

Have you ever walked into a shop from a quiet street only to be greeted by the hustle and bustle of…read morethe patrons? I was literally gob smacked by this gallery. The walls are lined with artwork - all framed and priced. There isn't a space anywhere and it is just stunning. Having never been in this shop before my breath was taken away - I love this gallery. There is a quirky lady on the desk who doesn't even glance in your direction and I don't mean that in a bad way, I mean she isn't all over you like a plague of wasps trying to get you to buy. The whole atmosphere is alive with people looking at art, discussing artists and drinking and eating in the adjacent coffee house. I could have stayed all day. I particularly love the collection of black and white prints and the unique little gifts made from bottle tops. There is a great Belfast feel with the paintings of Harland and Wolff and famous landmarks such as The Crown Bar. Upstairs is also a buzz with people eating and looking at the gorgeous displays. Honestly, I was blown away - this is the nicest, freshest gallery I have been in in Northern Ireland - fab!

History and modern clash here in the Cathedral Quarter which is in the shadow of Belfast's Saint…read moreAnne's Cathedral. I spent most of my time along Hill Street but there's more. The narrow cobblestone alleyways are lined with classic pubs, fashionable bars and a spectrum of restaurants for different tastes and budgets. Many of the walls here are covered with street art, either sanctioned or unsanctioned. This makes for a colorful (colourful?) tour as you stumble from one drinking establishment to the next. Thankfully, my hotel was not too far away from Hill Street so I didn't have to stumble too far after enjoying drinks in the Dirty Onion and the Dark Horse the Garrick bar and the Duke of York. Lots of traditional Irish music, some whiskey, some Guinness and more. Don't miss the Yardbird which smelled amazing with their rotisserie chicken cooking. [Review 1994 of 2024 - 896 in United Kingdom - 23016 overall]

It has become a trend of modern times to quarter off cities into distinct areas. A technique to…read moreimprove the tourist experience and enhance city environments for locals. Some commentators criticise this, pointing to gentrification as a side effect of such urban planning. However, Belfast as a city emerging from decades of turmoil due to The Troubles, needed urban improvement more than any other UK city. The Cathedral Quarter has given Belfast an area to be proud of and I personally think it's brilliant. With cobbled streets, the continental feel of St Anne's Square, street art, The MAC, Black Box, Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast Print Workshop, Duke of York, 2Taps, Coppi, The Merchant and many more pubs, restaurants, independent shops and galleries the Cathedral Quarter brings a long awaited vibrancy to Belfast. It's my favourite area in Belfast to hang out and relax with friends and family. An area buzzing with people, music and culture which makes me proud of my city. Also don't miss it on Culture Night which is an event occurring annually in September. On this one night, the best night of the year for Culture Vultures, Cathedral Quarter abounds with live art, music, performance, dance, fire, colour and entertainment that will make you glad to be alive. You would be a fool to miss it - and bring the kids as it's family friendly up until 9pm.

Great space used for lots of activities. It's a community space that groups meet in for various…read moreactivities; play group,arts classes etc. They have a brochure of workshops. Different size spaces that you can hire out. There is also a play group located here. There's a coffee shop too.

The Duncairn centre is a beautiful centre filled with some amazing pieces of art and even a…read moreresident artist and sculptor . A warm and relaxing cafe is the perfect place for a coffee and lunch. At night the gigs have some of the best traditional Irish bands you could see, all in a great atmosphere and a better crowd of people. On top of that there are classes including Irish language and photography. The must see thing in North Belfast.

The Royal British Legion is a small, popular social club along the Shore Road. Acting as a meeting…read moreplace for members of the Legion it also doubles as an establishment. For a bit of background info, the British Legion safeguards the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving or who have served in the Armed Forces and they help serving and ex-Service personnel and their families. Not just those who fought in the two World Wars, but also those involved in the many conflicts since 1945 and those still fighting today. As to the bar, well, you get all types coming in here, it's mainly the locals and the students from NRC or UUJ or the strays wandering in, wondering what the place is like. Well, if you didn't make it you're not missing much. If you're a history fan and enjoy old men talking about the topic for a good few pints then come on down. I'm sure you'll be more than welcome. Again note, you have to sign in. It's not up to much but everyone's different so it could be your thing. Adorning the walls are memorabilia of past wars and events from the club. A lot of these are really interesting pictures so have a look. The prices are great and it's probably a great bar if you are a member. If interested then call in for more information to see for yourself. If you're out for a walk and fancy a little pick me up, then I'd have to recommend either The Lighthouse or Bureau a little while on down the road in Whiteabbey Village.

Was at a private party here in the upstairs room…read more Would be worthwhile place to hire for a birthday party ... Engagement party etc as you can bring your own entertainment. Staff were friendly and the drink was reasonably priced ... Members get 20% off but unfortunately I'm not one of them :(

The Whitehouse Working Mens Club (a.k.a. The Workies) is, as far as I've seen, a bar which is…read morepredominantly reserved for locals (if you're not a member you have to sign in upon arrival ) but the wee old man who sits at the front desk is the best of banter (He used to be my milk man!) he's still very pleasant and accommodating. The bar certainly can get busy over the weekends but I'd say it's pretty quiet for the rest of the time. It's a good bar for an older crowd to enjoy a quiet drink at the weekend. The bar itself is split in to various floors and sections so you can experience different surroundings. It's nothing fancy but no over the top airs or graces. It does what it says on the tin, a club for working (wo)men to come relax, have a drink or a meal. The restaurant has only opened a short while ago (then closed, apparently over row with chef, now reopened under new management) and although it is now a little more pricey it still does the same job. You can come and enjoy your Friday lunch here and won't have to worry about breaking the bank. You won't come any where near. Bonus, did I mention how cheap the pints are? Your round! Cheers!

Great artwork of a 33ft long by artist John Kindness. This fish is a ceramic tile and located at…read morethe bank of Lagan River. It's very noticeable and well created. Glad that I visited.

We live laugh love the salmon of knowledge!!! Big Fish was a huge highlight of the trip, even…read morethough we only got to see it at night because of our timing.

Belfast Exposed was founded in 1983 as part of a community photographic initiative. It now acts as…read morea gallery / exhibition area for photographers with an emphasis on commissioning and a view to publishing new work. It is an extensive gallery which also runs a community outreach programme . Their aim is to help people to learn from and understand their community through photography and they offer a range of courses and developmental programmes. Belfast Exchange is the archive programme compiled of over half a million images collected over the last 30 years in Belfast. These are a great and interesting insight in to Belfast life and events over the past years. Call in to the gallery, or to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum to see the archive of photographs. You never know, you might spot some one you know! This is an invaluable part of our history which should be cherished and supported. As far as the gallery goes, most of the time I've been in I have to say I haven't been overly impressed with the work they've decided to show, but that's just my taste. On occasions there's been pictures that have blown me away, that's more a rarity though. The gallery has great potential for doing some amazing things but I think its stuck in a bit of a rut as far as choice and selection is concerned. Their concept of the community gallery is a great idea; I just wish they could carry it all through properly.

Belfast Exposed was founded in 1983 as a community based arts initiative. The photographers who…read morefounded Belfast Exposed wanted to use the art form of photography as a way to break down barriers in Belfast and the rest of the world. Since then, Belfast Exposed has been holding art exhibitions, community events and also training and development classes for those looking to learn the art form of photography. The gallery exhibition changes every couple of months and hosts a fantastic collection of work from Belfast, Ireland and beyond. Their web site holds a treasure trove of archival material from Belfast and Northern Ireland's past.

Before planning our trip here, I was unaware that the Titanic originated in Belfast. This museum…read moredid an incredible job of detailing all that went into the ship as well as all that went wrong after they were at sea. The place is very large and the tour takes a couple hours. You're taken through the processes that occurred during the massive undertaking it was to construct the ship, to the setup onboard and ultimately the voltage itself. The place flows very nicely, there's a delightful ride and the pictures/audio tell quite the story. It's a very powerful place. The SS Nomadic outside is the last surviving ferry ship in the fleet was great to walk on and around. This is a must see spot when you're up in Belfast!

I was blown away by this museum! Sure it's an extremely popular historic event with a huge movie…read moreto gather even more attention, but Belfast had done it right. I enjoyed every aspect to the gigantic museum, from the surrounding area , before you enter, to each and every floor full of displays, movies and interactive activities. Masses of people will be there, yet I never felt rushed or overwhelmed as I worked my way through. So many thumbs up to this iconic museum. Must see!

We visited the Ulster Museum after we had done quite a few other attractions and decided to only…read morefocus on one of the displays, namely the section dedicated to the Troubles. Extremely informative and well-presented.

Great museum with a wide variety of things- like a national museum. So many genres, and we got…read moreextra lucky that there was an exhibit of current artists with art for sale. That exhibit was gigantic and impressive. Only downside of the museum was no acoustical/ absorption to buffer the screeching children. It was well worth a visit if you have spare time in Belfast.