Walks, hikes and parks to visit in Dublin

Even in Dublin you’re never too far from some greenery, with pockets of parks around the city centre and scenic routes to go for a dander further out from the main city itself. Check out some of these parks and trails:

• St Stephens Green
• Phoenix Park
• Merrion Square (Merrion Square Park Playground)
• Dublin Mountains (Ticknock walk)
• Montpelier Hill (Hell Fire Club)
• Irishtown Nature Park
• Booterstown Marsh Nature Reserve
• Dún Laoghaire Pier walk
• Howth Cliff
• Killiney Hill
• St. Patrick's Park
• Clara Lara Fun Park
• Bushy Park
• Herbert Park
• Corkagh Park
• Blessington Street Park (The Basin)
• Fairview Park
• Saint Anne’s Park

Beaches and bays

Sometimes the Irish weather can make us forget that we have a beautiful coastline right on our doorstep. If it’s a sunny day in Dublin then make the most of these beaches and bays with your family. But even if it’s a day where you end up looking a bit more “windswept and interesting” that fresh seaside air will still be worth it!

• Dollymount Strand (Bull Island)
• Sandymount Strand
• Killiney Beach
• Balscadden Bay Beach
• Dublin Bay
• Hackettsland Bay Beach
• Seapoint Beach
• Sandycove Beach
• Burrow Beach
• Scotsman’s Bay
• Portmarnock Beach

Gardens, Estates and Castles

Dublin is also home to some gorgeous gardens and captivating castles. You can take the kids out for an afternoon stroll in one of the following places:

• Airfield Estate
• Dubh Linn Gardens (Dublin Castle)
• Cabinteely House
• National Botanic Gardens
• Iveagh Gardens
• War Memorial Gardens
• Drimnagh Castle
• Garden of Remembrance
• Powerscourt House & Gardens
• Howth Castle
• Fernhill House & Gardens
• Malahide Castle & Gardens

Zoos, Farms and more

Kids tend to love being around animals, so why not treat them to a day out at the Zoo or another petting farm?

• Dublin Zoo
• Dublin Falconry
• Edmondstown Park
• St. Anne's City Farm and Ecology Centre
• Reynoldstown Animal Farm
• Farmleigh House and Estate

Museums and Galleries

Entertain and educate your kids at the same time by going to a Museum. Dublin has a wide range of museums on art, history and science, so you’re sure to find one to please each member of your family!

• National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
• National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
• National Museum of Ireland – Natural History
• The Ark
• The Little Museum of Dublin
• Dublinia
• The National Wax Museum Plus
• Imaginosity
• National Leprechaun Museum
• TCD Zoological Museum
• Science Gallery Dublin
• EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
• Croke Park Stadium Tour & GAA Museum
• GPO Museum
• National Print Museum
• National Maritime Museum of Ireland, Dublin
• The Jeanie Johnston: An Irish Famine Story

Other activities for kids

Whether your kid has a lot of energy to burn off or you want to treat the family to something tasty, then there’s an activity for you:

Treetop, zipline and climbing parks:

• Castlecomer Discovery Park
• Zipit

Theatres:

• Gaiety Theatre
• Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

Swimming pools:

• National Aquatic Centre
• AquaZone

Ice Skating:

• South Dublin On Ice
• Dundrum on Ice
• Blanchardstown Ice Skating

Other Sports:

• Awesome Walls
• Ski Club of Ireland
• Experience Gaelic Games
• Surfdock Watersports School
• Bounce n Beyond

Cinema:

• Cineworld Cinema Dublin

Chocolate factories:

• Butlers Chocolates Factory & Chocolate Café
• The Chocolate Warehouse

Markets:

• Liberty Market

Mini Golf:

• Rainforest Adventure Gold

Go-kart racing:

• Kylemore karting

Children’s amusement centres and other ideas:

• Go Kids Go! (play and party centre)
• Leisureplex
• Popstar Studios
• Makeshop