Ulster Museum, Belfast (must see)

The Ulster Museum, nestled within Belfast’s charming Botanic Gardens, is Northern Ireland’s largest museum and a national cultural landmark. Founded in 1821 as the Belfast Natural History Society and opened to the public in 1833, it moved to its current spot along Stranmillis Road in 1929. A striking Brutalist extension in the 1960s expanded its exhibition space, though a major renovation brought the museum into the 21st century when it reopened in October 2009. Today, its light-filled atrium showcases a seamless blend of old and new architecture.

Inside, visitors are treated to a sweeping journey through natural history, art, and heritage. The museum boasts an extensive collection of Irish fauna, minerals, rocks, and fossils-and hosts Ireland’s only known dinosaur fossil bones. You’ll discover ancient treasures like the Malone and Moss-side hoards-stone tools and Bronze Age gold artifacts-alongside global ethnographic pieces and even a mummified Egyptian body. For art lovers, permanent galleries feature modern and contemporary works, including pieces by Francis Bacon and local Ulster voices, while the fashion and textile collection spans gorgeous couture from Chanel to Alexander McQueen.

The museum’s “Troubles and Beyond” gallery offers a powerful reflection on Northern Ireland’s recent past, examining the decades of conflict and resilience through compelling personal narratives, memorabilia, and visual storytelling. Interactive spaces like the Discovery Zone make it an engaging visit for families, and rotating exhibitions-everything from wildlife art to contemporary photography-ensure there's always something new to explore.

Best of all? Entry is completely free. Pop next door to the Tropical Hothouse in Botanic Gardens, enjoy coffee in the museum café, and perhaps stroll through Queen’s University grounds afterward.