Posted 25.5.21
1 min read
With this in mind, we have created a sample agenda to entertain your teenagers. Rest
assured there will be plenty of Instagram-able moments for them to share with
their friends and memories to last a lifetime.
Parents and teenagers can be a tricky combination to keep happy, so it’s
important to have a range of fun activities lined up. Here is a selection of the
Gibson Team’s tried and tested favourites!
Arrive before noon to make the most of the trip. If your room isn’t ready you can leave your bags and check-in later. Grab a quick bite of food downstairs in Eddie Rockets – a family favourite!
Get off to a great start with some wake boarding - never heard of it? Wake boarding is where you stand on a long board whilst a motorboat pulls you along. Wake Boarding is such fun for all ages and will bring out the inner teen in everyone! They offer a beginner’s session and you can book a time exclusively for your family. WakeDock.ie is based in Grand Canal Dock. It’s just across the river from the Gibson so you can walk over via the Eastlink Bridge and through Ringsend (allow 10 mins to get there). To look at the options simply log on to their website or ask a member of our team at reception.
If you fancy something not a bit less intense, but still active, then Surfdock is based in the same location and you can do some kayaking or Standup Paddle Boarding (SUP). This is an activity and will challenge the best us – don’t fall in! For more details check out their website or ask a member of our team. We recommend booking these in advance to get your preferred time slot. This is great fun and definitely sets the tone for the rest of the trip.
You may need some refreshments and its worth checking out BREWDOG. This is just next door to Wake Dock & Surf Dock and is a cool spot to chill after a busy afternoon. They have outdoor dining spaces and it’s a real hip and happening spot.
Get back to the hotel to check-in and get washed and changed before taking a late afternoon / early evening stroll up along North Wall Quay. You will take in the new modern architecture along here, passing the iconic Central Bank of Ireland building and The Convention Centre Dublin followed by the historic Customs House before you arrive at O’Connell Street. If you want to take in some of the history of the Bridges as you walk, check out this website. If walking sounds too much, then you can hop on the Luas outside the hotel and get off at the Abbey Street Stop which is just before the Luas line intersects with O’Connell Street.
From here you can either take in some retail therapy for an hour on Henry Street or head over to Grafton Street to check out the buskers and street entertainment that is on offer. Or take a stroll through the iconic Temple Bar which can bring you up to Georges Street Arcade off Georges Street. There’s plenty to engage everyone along the way you will find plenty of options for dining in this area.
If music is top of mind for your teenagers, check out these live music venues in Dublin and maybe take in a show.
By this stage you may have had enough and decide to head back to The Gibson so everyone can recharge their batteries and get ready for the next day.
After a hearty hotel breakfast you can hop on the Luas to Connolly Station. From there you can walk to Croke Park Stadium where the Irish National sports of Hurling and Gaelic Football are played. Be sure to take part in their Skyline Walk of the stadium and the museum. Even for non-sporting fans this is a real joy. You’ll be hard pressed to find better views of Dublin city than on the roof of a stadium! You will need to allow at least 2 hours for this activity including getting there.
If you prefer something more relaxed you can wander up along the North Wall quay to EPIC Immigration Museum. The Irish are notorious for leaving their footprint all over the world so sit back and learn about how the Irish people have spread their roots far and wide.
After this head to O’Connell Street and take in the GPO Witness Museum. Allow an hour for this activity, it’s a great way to get a taste of Irish History. Alternatively, you can take a walk through the Science Gallery which is engaging for all ages.
Now let’s head over to the south side of the city over O’Connell bridge to Trinity College Dublin. Trinity is home to the Book of Kells, one of the oldest surviving books in the world with beautiful hand-painted images and colours.
After this wander up Kildare Street passing Leinster House to see where the Irish Government resides. If you divert down St Anne Street it will bring you back onto Grafton Street where you can pick up an ice cream to enjoy as you wander around St Stephens Green.
You may have had enough at this stage and be ready to get back to relax in the Gibson Hotel. You can hop on the Luas from here and change at Connolly Station to take the Red Line back to The Point which is the last stop and brings you back to the front door of the hotel. Indulge in a meal in our Hemi Bar, where our staff will be happy to welcome you back.
Grab a Dublin Bike and take the strand road out to Sandymount. Here you can take in the fantastic sea views on our doorstep. If you’re ready for a pitstop, pull in at the Circle K garage and sample a delicious crepe or waffle in Scoop (the ice cream shop located just outside). You can then double back via Sandymount village and cycle past the Aviva Stadium. They run great tours of the Aviva Stadium if you’re a rugby, soccer, (or just about any sport) fan.
You can explore Dublin’s Silicon Docks (home to Google, Hubspot and Salesforce among many others) and check out Grand Canal Dock where you can enjoy a rest while having a bite of lunch on the go. We recommend stopping by Yoi Ramen for some delicious Japanese food before you head back to the hotel.
We hope you have enjoyed looking at some of the options to challenge and excite teenagers and parents while exploring Dublin City. These are only a slice of what Dublin has to offer. Can you think of more must do things in Dublin? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
We hope you have enjoyed looking at some of the options to challenge and excite the teenagers and parents while exploring Dublin City.
These are only a slice of what Dublin has to offer.
If you have suggestions, please let us know.
