Dublin has always been a family-friendly city. Being the home of Dublin Zoo, the most popular family attraction in Ireland since 1831, adults and children have always flocked to the city for a fun day out. Whether you want to keep your family trip educational or encourage creativity and silliness, Dublin has it all.
Before you plan a family city break to Dublin, book the ideal family accommodation. Ashling Hotel is the perfect family-friendly hotel close to Heuston Station, Phoenix Park and Dublin City Centre. We offer spacious, comfortable family rooms, suitable for families of all shapes and sizes. Check our Dublin hotel’s special offers and enjoy our lowest rates when you book using our official website, guaranteed.
Dublin Zoo
No family city break to Dublin would be complete without a trip to Dublin Zoo. Located in the magnificent Phoenix Park, Dublin has been in operation since 1831 when it opened with 46 mammals and 72 birds and has grown in size and popularity ever since.
Today, the zoo is home to over 400 species, many of which are under threat in the wild. Their conservation program allows protects the future of these species while giving us the chance to experience some of the most unusual and exotic animals in the world right here in Dublin. It’s a brilliant day out for families with plenty of picnic space and restaurants, strategically placed toilet facilities and multiple play areas for all ages. Best of all, it’s a short walk from our Dublin Hotel which has Phoenix Park as our backyard.
National Wax Museum
If you’re crossing O’Connell Bridge, it’s hard not to notice Superman and Dracula staring down at you from The Lafayette Building. The first wax museum in Dublin opened in 1983 and was later moved and renamed to its current location on D’Olier Street in the centre of the city.
Starting outside with a Game of Thrones inspired wall of faces, continuing inside to meet Smegal and Harry Potter, the wax museum is a fascinating and exciting place for kids and adults alike. Inside, you can enjoy a little about the history of the museum and how they make the lifelike wax figures, followed by a visit to Fr Ted’s house, lots of music and entertainment figures and, of course, the chamber of horrors, not for the faint of heart!
Viking Splash Tours
One of the most exciting, and possibly the loudest, of the family fun activities in Dublin has to be the Viking Splash Tour. Roar your way through Dublin City with this unique Land and Water experience. Board the big yellow open-top boat/bus, greeted by your own Viking guide and enjoy an on-road tour of the city focused on the interesting story of these vicious invaders.
You’ll get the opportunity to roar your greeting to passing boats, buses and pedestrians encouraged by your guide and delighting passengers young and old. Then, watch as the bus becomes amphibious, entering the River Liffey and continuing the tour from this unique vantage point. It’s a truly memorable day out for families and groups.
Indoor Activities for Families in Dublin City
We all know sometimes the weather puts even the best-laid plans to rest, especially in Dublin. Don’t worry there are plenty of indoor activities in Dublin city to keep your family happy and dry. The city centre has two main cinemas, Savoy and Cineworld, each showing the latest blockbusters throughout the day, every day.
All of the nationally owned galleries and museums in Dublin are free to enter and child-friendly, often providing treasure hunts or colouring pages for their younger visitors. The Ark is a fantastic creative hub and cultural centre for children located in Temple Bar and often has fun activities to take part in.
Family Accommodation in Dublin City
Don’t settle for cramped or adjoining rooms for your family break. At Ashling Hotel, our dedicated family rooms have over 25 square metres of space, comfortably sleeping 5 people with room for a cot or rollaway. There is also space to relax in the seating area, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with dozens of channels and we offer room service meals so you can stay home and relax after a long day of fun. Our location close is ideal for families, along the Luas line, beside the main train station and Phoenix Park so there are lots of options to entertain your little ones, no matter the weather.
Book a family city break in Dublin on our website and enjoy our exclusive special offers and our best rate guarantee. We’re looking forward to welcoming your family to Dublin and our team are happy to help, always.
