Ballymena

United_Kingdom

Ballymena (Irish: an Baile Meánach, "the middle townland") is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

  • Slemish. Mountain the remains of the plug of an extinct volcano.

Slemish. Mountain the remains of the plug of an extinct volcano.

  • Ecos centre, +44 28 2566 4400. a park and factual centre
  • the Braid arts centre, 1-29 Bridge St, +44 28 2563 5077. Mid Antrim Museum & Arts Centre
  • Peoples Park, Doury Rd, +44 28 2564 3081. very popular, a play park and garden.

Ecos centre, +44 28 2566 4400. a park and factual centre

the Braid arts centre, 1-29 Bridge St, +44 28 2563 5077. Mid Antrim Museum & Arts Centre

Peoples Park, Doury Rd, +44 28 2564 3081. very popular, a play park and garden.

Ballymena is seen by many as the best place to shop in Northern Ireland after Belfast (and with cheaper parking!) and so makes it a good place to spend a sunny or rainy day. There are two large shopping centres, the Tower Centre and the Fairhill, and many other great shops. As well as a cinema, leisure centre and bowling alley.

The Tourist Information is in the Town Hall, Linenhall Street.

There are many restaurants, take-aways, as any Western city, there are plenty of major food chains such as McDonalds, Subway etc. as well as quaint cafés and coffee shops.

  • Nobel's cafe, 102-104Church street, +44 28 2565 4302. Great for a traditional Ulster Fry at cheap prices.

Nobel's cafe, 102-104Church street, +44 28 2565 4302. Great for a traditional Ulster Fry at cheap prices.

Nightlife in terms of clubs is poor, but Belfast and the North Coast aren't far away.

Hotel bars are the best bet or The Thatch in nearby Broughshane

  • The M2 runs by the town so the North Coast and Belfast are easily accessible
  • Only a few miles away is the village of Broughshane, well known in the summer months for its flowers.
  • Portglenone Forest is famous for the bluebells that carpet it in the spring.
  • For panoramic views of the whole county and if clear enough, Scotland, Donegal and the Mournes, head out to Slemish Mountain, and from there, on into the Glens of Antrim.
  • Antrim (town)
  • Ballymoney

Only a few miles away is the village of Broughshane, well known in the summer months for its flowers.

Portglenone Forest is famous for the bluebells that carpet it in the spring.

For panoramic views of the whole county and if clear enough, Scotland, Donegal and the Mournes, head out to Slemish Mountain, and from there, on into the Glens of Antrim.