This was a beautiful building, inside and out. I loved the stained glass windows and…read morearchitecture! There were many different rooms to explore, with museum-like pictures and information to view. The toilets are free!

Belfast City Hall is the city center district and located in a business area, but with expanding…read moreresidential and entertainment. Plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, churches, and historical locations surrounding the city hall. Inside is very beautiful layout architecture with a beautiful dome plus plenty of glass windows artwork. Inside the surrounding garden within, there are: Titanic Memorial Garden, Korea War Memorial, Victoria Memorial, Boer War Memorial Royal Irish Riffles, and couple statues on the other side plus city ground for you to seat and admire the city hall.

Went to the Crumlin road jail as it's the top ranked attraction on trip advisor. It was…read moreinteresting that the site is owned by the Govt but run by a private company. It cost £6.50 (had a £2 discount coupon). The last tour of the day is at 4:30pm but it's also cool that the main building is open till late because of the restaurant located inside. Hearing about what went on was truly horrific but overall this was an okay experience for me. I think I was expecting more info about the troubles and the political prisoners but that wasn't really our tour guide's focus. He also started the tour by asking for volunteers but nothing was done involving a volunteer! It's an hour's tour and the visit to the tunnel plus the hangman info was the most interesting bits of the tour for me. Another tip - Don't miss checking out the beautiful but now derelict courthouse opposite the street. The govt sold it for £1 but it's going to take a fair bit of bob to put it back to rights! So overall it was interesting tour but maybe Note: #222 of Yelp 100 challenge for 2016

I had been meaning to come here for absolutely years, and just never got around to it…read more I am a huge fan of anything of historical interest, however my first visit, surprisingly, was for the Ghost tour this Halloween! I booked the tickets online and came along this October hoping for a spooky experience. We were greeted at the gates by security who explained how to get around into the car park, and got parked up with no issues. We waited in the coffee shop 'The Crum' - and had a wine and beer each prior to the tour. When the tour started, we were initially taken into a holding area, and then began by being taken into the tunnel linking the jail to the courthouse, where allegedly, paranormal activity has taken place! Unfortunately (or thankfully, maybe) we experienced no such activity on our trip. We were then taken into a side room where an employee was said to have met a grisly end, and we were instructed to record audio on our phones. Next, we were taken to one of the wings where we could see the cells (and inside the cells) and last but not least, we were shown to the condemned man's cell, and behind the book case to the gallows, before being taken down into the basement. We didn't experience any ghostly going's on in our trip, but I would definitely come back again, this time during the day, so I can get a proper look at the inside of the jail, since the tour I did was in the dark or low light. Recommended!

CS Lewis Square is not much more than a small park. However, it is free to enter and roam as well…read moreas filled with a handful of statues which bring figures of his Chronicles of Narnia to life. I came in the morning and was effectively the only person around. I spent about 15-20 minutes in total walking around, attempting to take the perfect pictures, and otherwise admiring the work. If I knew folks heading to Belfast, I would recommend they try to work in a visit, especially if they were already in the area. I would not advise drastically changing your schedule to incorporate nor spending heavy for transit to get there if it were significantly out of the way. Hopefully that guidance helps in planning if you should or should not plan a visit!

We stopped by CS Lewis Square during our vacation. It is a nice dedication to CS Lewis. There are a…read morefew unique art/statue pieces dedicated to his different stories. There isn't a lot here but it's cool to get some really nice pictures. It doesn't cost anything and takes no more than 15 minutes to see each of the statues. Well worth getting off the bus walking over to it taking a look and waiting for the next bus. Especially if you are a CS Lewis fan.

I enjoyed the art work and background here, however, like many countries, there is a migrant and/or…read morehomeless problem. As our group exited the bus, some folks not paying attention almost stepped into human feces. Outside of that issue, everything else was good.

Peace wall during our Belfast shore excursion in the British Isles. Didn't know that people in…read moreIreland are still divided up to this day. The good thing about this trip is it's not raining.

I have never been to Belfast before so I can't judge what was here before. Instead, I'm looking at…read morewhat looks like a frozen ribbon from one of those Olympic rhythmic gymnastic performances or perhaps those metal rings you see street magicians perform with. This is officially the Spirit of Belfast and it is the centerpiece of Arthur Square. Unveiled in 2009, it is steel and cost £200,000. It was supposed to show both steel (to represent Belfast's shipbuilding heritage) and linen (another of Belfast's core industries). I understand the locals now call it the Onion Rings and that name fits perfectly. [Review 1867 of 2024 - 851 in United Kingdom - 22889 overall]

This 7 metres high steel sculpture is intended to represent a combination of smooth linen and the…read morestrength of shipbuilding, two important industries in the history of the city. It was unveiled in 2009, being the winning art work for Arthur Square following a public vote. I can't say it's one of my favourite pieces of public sculpture but it was obviously a very popular sculpture! Like other public artworks in Northern Ireland (I'm thinking especially of the Beacon of Hope sculpture at Thanksgiving Square which has many nicknames including 'the Nuala with the Hula'!) this sculpture has unfortunately earned the less-than-flattering nickname, 'Onion Rings'. The sculptor was the New York artist, Dan George (b. 1943).

It looks like a jewelry box but it's actually the Jaffe Memorial Fountain. Striking and brightly…read morecolorful it was originally erected in 1874 by Sir Otto Jaffe to honor his father, Daniel Jaffe. It was initially placed in Victoria Square but was later moved to the Botanic Gardens, where it remained until 2008 It is intricate and elegant, made of Portland stone with each of the smaller columns featuring a female figure that represents each of the four seasons. It stands at the Victoria Street entrance to the Victoria Square shopping center. The original yellow and white were apparently selected to reflect the aesthetic preferences of the Victorian era, as these were popular colors to symbolize purity and light and optimism. It is indeed a fountain but in September it was dry. I'm not sure if it is ever filled with water. [Review 1883 of 2024 - 866 in United Kingdom - 22905 overall]

I bet you've walked past this wee gem hundreds of times but never given it a second look, I'm right…read morearen't I? Well now it's time to be enlightened. This is the Jaffa Fountain, not named after everyone's favourite cake/biscuit but actually named after Belfast's first Lord Mayor Otto Jaffa. The fountain itself was actually built in 1879 and it was erected in its current location, but here's the strange part. As industrial and commercial Belfast grew it was moved out to Botanic Gardens - mature students might recognise it from those days. Once Victoria Square was commissioned the decision was made to bring the old fellow back to its rightful place. I for one am glad they did as I think it provides a welcome nod to Belfast's past in the centre of its current commercial renaissance.

An iconic clock in the heart and city of Belfast. Conveniently located, making it a great…read morehistorical destination when exploring the city. Although Belfast was a gloomy day, the clock was visible and beautiful from the street and very visible from a great distance.

One of Belfast's best known landmarks, the Albert Memorial Clock does look a lot like the famous…read moreclock tower in London. What's that one called? Stig Bun? Large Leonard? Major Mark? Oh, right. That's Big Ben and this is Big Al. Constructed between 1865 and 1869, the Albert Memorial Clock stands at Queen's Square and is 113 feet tall. It keeps accurate time but you might notice that it has a bit of a lean. It turns out that the Irish engineers back in the 1860's built it on some rather marshy ground and set it on wooden piers. Over 150 years, it's starting to be a bit tipsy. Not "Leaning Tower of Pisa" leaning but it is four feet off from being straight. This gave rise to the expression that the tower "has the time and the inclination." All this makes it unique and interesting and you absolutely can't miss it along the Belfast docks. (And no, it's not a Red Light District. This is a nice neighborhood now!) [Review 1869 of 2024 - 853 in United Kingdom - 22891 overall]

Located in Belfast's most famous historical hot spot this tourist attraction is one of the city's…read moremost exciting new ventures. Over the next number of years The Titanic Quarter will be built and developed as a prime tourist spot. Admittedly, we happened across it totally by accident (we were going to another building linked with Titanic close by, we failed to see the room so decided to detour around the docks) And so we discovered the story behind Belfast's maritime magic at the dry dock and pump house. This area was once the very heart of Harland & Wolff during the construction of the Titanic. The dry dock is HUGE. This is not an exaggeration. It was ...gargantuan! (Imagine getting a bath in that bad boy! Ha, think of the amount of water and all those fluffy bubbles! Sorry, out of crazy Suzi B land) Back to boat...we decided not to take one of the guided tours (you can choose to do so inside) so instead we dandered slowly around by ourselves. I'd recommend taking the left side so you can check out the life size model of the Titanic's prow (wow!) Then continue on and look at the entrance to the lower dock. The steps lead down to the lower level. It's interesting to see the ramp which was used to carry all the building materials, and that chain. Boy that is old! When you think how old this place is, there's so much history and life to it, even though it's deserted. So once you've had enough here, go on to the end of the dock and see if you can spot the few leaks in the gate. Scary, isn't it! Once you reach the end and are at the waters edge, if you're a total tourist, which I am, you can stretch your arms Rose style in Titanic and pretend to be flying. I did, I'm sorry, its fun! The views up this end are stunning. Take a look at the machinery currently working, building the ships of today. It's obviously machine now not man, the dockers life has gone. I found this all incredibly interesting. You can go in to the Pump house where there's a small cafe situated as well as some more informative points and videos to watch. Look for the picture showing the rudders of the Titanic. Look at the size of these compared to the dock. Mind blowing! This would be a great place to bring visitors. Exceptionally informative and interesting. I could not believe I'd never been here never mind heard of it. I'll def be back to check out more and Its 100% getting brilliant recommendations from me.

Great site to visit in Belfast and a short drive from the city center…read more This graving dock was once the largest in the world (in 1911) and is an extraordinary engineering feat for its time. Here you can see the pumphouse, view videos and exhibits of the facility, and descend the stairs into the graving dock itself. Guided tours available during the busy months. Video exhibits, and Android/iPhone apps to supplement your tour also. Make sure if you are using the app to download the video components before you leave the ticketing area.

A remarkable sculpture at Holywood Arches that depicts the author CS Lewis as he opens the door of…read morethe wardrobe where the journey to Narnia begins in the well loved series of children's books, of which the first is The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. CS Lewis grew up in nearby Ballyhackamore and some of the landscapes described in the Narnia books are identifiable with north Co Down nearby. Ross Wilson was commissioned to produce the sculpture in 1998, the centenary of Lewis's birth. The Searcher stands just outside the library, a surprising sight when you first see it, especially in a rather unassuming part of the city. As a landmark I suspect is not as well known as it might be.

The people of East Belfast are always proud to refer to the likes of George Best and Van Morrison…read moreas having come from the area, and rightly so. Oooh, story time... [The podiatrist I worked for has dealt with Van Morrison's feet, and this somewhat excited me, though he never appeared while I was working for her. I was quite gutted to say the least...I had rather hoped he would serenade me with "Brown Eyed Girl", but it just wasn't to be.] Anyway, back to the review! One of the most famous and recognisable stars to have come from this side of Belfast is CS Lewis, though he is often forgotten about amidst the other names, such as the aforementioned Best and Van Morrison. I absolutely love this sculpture, as it epitomises CS Lewis' most famous work, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by including him in it, as the narrator of another of his books from the Chronicles of Narnia - The Magician's Nephew. I remember The Searcher being erected, and I can't believe it was 12 years ago in commemoration of the centenary of Lewis' birth! Since then, CS Lewis has become a bigger talking point for the tourist industry, with tours based on his life occurring every Sunday of the month from June to the end of September, and on the first Sunday of every month from October to March. Tickets are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre. I truly hope this wonderful and inspirational man is remembered for another hundred years, and East Belfast will continue to be proud of a man who was born here, educated in Campbell College, and lived here for much of his life.