ATTRACTIONS

Belfast Attractions

Cathedral Quarter

Once the city's centre for trade and its warehouse district, the heart of Belfast's cultural and tourist hub is Cathedral Quarter, so named because of the presence of St Anne's Cathedral. There are some lovely examples of Victorian and Art Deco architecture, several galleries, dedicated performing arts venues, good restaurants and bars, and the area plays host to the Belfast Film Festival and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival annually. Given some time, the area could rival Dublin's Temple Bar district.

Address: City centre, between Royal Avenue and the Dunbar Link; Website: www.cqaf.com

Belfast Attractions

Belfast Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum

The Belfast Botanic Gardens date back to 1828, but were only opened to the public in 1895. The Gardens boast the Palm House, a cast iron glasshouse built in 1852, rose gardens, green walkways and the Tropical Ravine greenhouse built in 1889. The Gardens are popular with office workers, students, locals and tourists alike, and at the main entrance to the Gardens is the fascinating Ulster Museum. Founded in 1821, the Ulster Museum is a treasure trove of fascinating exhibits on a range of subjects (including Irish and local history), as well as an excellent art collection. *Special note: the Museum is closed until spring 2009 for refurbishment.

Address: Between Botanic Avenue and Stranmillis Road; Website: www.ulstermuseum.org.uk; Telephone: During closure call (0)28 9042 8428. Otherwise call (028) 9038 3000 (Museum); (028) 9032 4902 (Gardens); Transport: Citybus 69; Opening time: The Ulster Museum is closed until 2009 for major redevelopment.; Admission: Gardens: Free

Belfast Attractions

Belfast Zoo

The Belfast Zoo is packed with animals from all over the world - from sea lions to giraffes - in a range of habitats, and offers a fun-filled day out for the family. The zoo also hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year such as reptile displays, birds of prey displays and more, and has active breeding and conservation projects.

Address: Antrim Road; E-mail: challism@belfastcity.gov.uk; Website: www.belfastzoo.co.uk; Telephone: (028) 9077 6277; Transport: From the City Centre, Metro buses 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g and 2a all stop at the Zoo; Opening time: Daily 10am to 7pm (1 April to 30 September), closing at 4pm in winter (1 October to 31 March); Admission: Summer: �8.10 (adults), �4.30 (children under 18). Winter: �6.70 (adults), �3.40 (children under 18). Concessions and packages available

Belfast Attractions

St George�s Market

Built between 1890 and 1896, St George's Market is one of the city's oldest attractions and the last Victorian covered market in the region. After painstaking (and expensive) restoration, the market has reopened. On Fridays, the Variety Market, as the name suggests, offers a range of different items from antiques to clothes, while the City Food and Garden Market is on Saturdays and offers the freshest local, international and speciality foods.

Address: May Street; E-mail: markets@belfastcity.gov.uk; Website: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/stgeorgesmarket/index.asp; Telephone: (028) 9032 0202; Transport: Free market shuttle-bus runs every 20 minutes between the city centre (outside Boots the Chemist, Donegall Place or HMV, Castle Place) and the market; Opening time: Variety Market on Fridays 6am to 1pm, City Food and Garden Market on Saturdays 9am to 3pm; Admission: Free