One of the positives of the pandemic (and there are not many) is that it has forced us to look at some of the great attractions closer to home. With this in mind, we have created a sample agenda for families booking our Teenage Kicks Package to help you get a plan together for your stay.
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 are our favorites which are tried and tested on teenagers and parents.
Day 1
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 in the gibson or in any of the nearby food outlets on our doorstep.
Get off to a great start with WakeDock.ie which is based in Grand Canal Dock. Its literally just across the river from the gibson so you can walk over there (via the Eastlink Bridge and through Ringsend). Allow 10 mins to get there. Wake Boarding is such fun for all ages and will bring out the teenager in everyone! They offer a beginners session and you can book a private time for families. To look at the options you can check on their info on their website.
If you fancy something not so high octane, but still active, then Surfdock is based in the same location and you can do some kayaking or Standup Paddle Boarding (SUP). This is a real fun activity and will challenge the best us. For more details check out their website.
We recommend to book either of these well in advance to get the time slot that you require. This is great fun and definitely sets the tone for the rest of the trip.
After your activity 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.
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.
Day 2
After a hearty breakfast you can hop on the Luas to Connolly Station from where you can walk to Croke Park Stadium to take in their Skyline Walk of the stadium and the Museum. Even for non-sporting fans this is a real joy! You can book online and it really is an exceptional activity for all the family, regardless of age. 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. You can easily lose yourself in here for several hours and learn all about the footprint of the Irish people in a fun and interactive way.)
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. At this stage it may be time to grab some lunch before wandering over to Trinity College Dublin to see the Book of Kells. Even if you don’t want to go into see the Book of Kells, it’s worth walking through Trinity to have a stroll around. 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.
Day 3
Grab a Dublin Bike (there is a docking station just outside the gibson hotel and you can book this online. We recommend taking the coast road out to Sandymount to 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 some yummy ice cream at 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 that’s your thing and you can check availability online. You can explore Dublin’s Silicon Docks (home to Google, Facebook, Twitter among others) and check out Grand Canal Dock where you can enjoy a rest while having a bite of lunch on the go. At this stage you can decide whether to explore some more of Dublin by bike or head back to the gibson to collect your bags and head home. But if you have more time, then there is plenty still to explore. There are loads of cycle paths in the city centre and several urban parks like Merrion Square, Iveagh Gardens and Fitzwilliam Square where you can rest and recharge before heading off again.
If you prefer to stay on foot, you can walk to Poolbeg Lighthouse from the gibson hotel. Walk the route via Sean Moore Park and Irish Town Nature Park, it is stunning and you will see a very different side of Dublin. You need to allow up to 3 hours for this walk and make sure you have comfy shoes on. There is a Coffee Van at the start of the Wall in case you need refreshments on the way.
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.
