Belfast on the Langan River

Northern Ireland is part of the UK and is located northeast of the island of Ireland and shares a border to the south and west with the Republic of Ireland. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast which was the birthplace of the RMS Titanic.

Titanic Belfast opened in 2012 is considered to be "the world's largest Titanic visitor attraction." The building has nine interactive exhibitions. Over a century ago the ill-fated ocean liner, Titanic was built right at the docks in the city, There are guided tours around the slipway and gigantic dry-dock. The building is star-shaped to represent the log to the White Star Line and has many artifacts that are related to the ship among them letters, brochures, and menus.

At the same docks, you'll find the SS Nomadic which can be boarded and explored. The vessel was built to transfer passengers and mail to and from RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic.

The newest addition to the Titanic Quarter is the HMS Caroline which is the last surviving vessel to have served in both world wars. It has been open to the public since 2016 and is a floating museum with information about WW I and the history of the ship, Among the highlights are audio-visual displays, tours of sections of the ship, and hands-on displays for children, There is a gift shop and cafe and on shore a picnic area and playground.

The Waterfront Hall overlooks the River Lagan and is about a mile from Titanic Belfast. This is a world-class entertainment and conference venue open since 1997. The venue has musicians and performers from all over the world and also hosts many exhibitions. The building looks particularly impressive when lit up at night and you can see concerts from pop to symphonic. There is a great restaurant on-site that offers panoramic views over the river.

The Ulster Museum is a national museum with exhibits that include a 2,500-year-old Egyptian mummy, the Armada Room, and a gallery with modern art masterpieces on display. Other highlights are a collection of ancient relics, and a large diverse collections of art, history, and natural science spread over several floors.

Belfast City Hall is located right in the center of the city, Visitors can have a guided tour of this impressive building, Among the highlights are an art display and historic stained glass windows as well as an exhibit about the history of Belfast, On site is a gift shop and cafe.

The grounds of the city hall include the Titanic Memorial Garden and vast lawns for picnicking. At night the building is colorfully illuminated.

The Botanic Gardens were established in 1828. There is an elegant Palm House with tropical plants. The Tropical Ravine was built in 1889 and has many exotic plants like bromeliad, banana, orchids, and cinnamon. It protects some of the world's oldest seed plants, The gardens host concerts and festivals.

North of the gardens is Queen's University with impressive Tudor-style buildings.

St Anne's Cathedral is the main church of the Anglican Church of Ireland. It is also known as "Belfast Cathedral" Built in the neo-Romanesque style it has three west doorways with sculptures. There are fine stained glass windows, marble tiles, woodwork, and carved stonework.

The Grand Opera House dates from 1895 with a large extension built in 2006. It hosts musicals, operas, and live performances and is one of the city's best-known landmarks, Guided tours are available.

Belfast Castle has become a popular wedding venue. It dates back to the 12th century. You'll find the Cave Hill Visitor Center here and a restaurant, For children there is the Adventure Playground, and the grounds are a popular place to have picnics.

Not far from the castle is Belfast Zoo with views over Belfast Lough. It is home to over 140 species. Among the highlights are ring-tailed lemurs, Asian elephants, monkeys, Malayan sun bears, Sumatran tigers, and Barbary lions. The Rainforest exhibit is popular with tropical plants and animals like sloths and fruit bats.

The Parliament Building is home to the Power Sharing Executive or Northern Ireland Assembly. It dates back to 1921. On the front lawn is the statue of Unionist Sir Edward Carson, The scenic grounds are popular with walkers and joggers, The building is open on weekdays for tours,

St George's Market is the oldest covered market in the city, It has 300 vendors selling everything from food to arts and crafts, There are also food festivals, art shows, dancing, and pop and rock concerts. Among the highlights is the Twilight Market with extended evening hours and entertainment.