While Dublin is not overwhelmed with activities specially designed to appeal to children, parents will find plenty to entertain their young ones, with several museums and the zoo being popular choices. The city’s parks and nearby coastline provide the perfect escape from the urban jungle, as kids can run free and enjoy.

Dublin Zoo
First founded in 1830, today’s zoo is a long way from the zoo it was in the early years, as animals are now housed in spacious quarters that resemble their natural habitats.  It is an ideal venue for children and houses everything from ring-tailed lemurs to wallabies and giraffes.

National Wax Museum
Sure to delight young ones, Ireland's only wax museum makes for a great family day out. With life-like wax models of some of Ireland’s most famous figures, you will find sport and pop stars standing in line with politicians, writers and artists. A section of the museum has been designed especially for children - World of Fairytale and Fantasy - where kids get the chance to get up-close to some of their favourite characters including Snow White. While this part of the museum is ideal for kids, they may have to be diverted from the Chamber of Horrors, which is gruesome and spine-chilling.

Natural History Museum
Ideal for children, the Natural History Museum is both educational and fun, appealing to adults as much as it does to children. It first opened in 1857 and houses a fascinating collection of skeletons and other interesting artefacts. The museum’s three Irish elk skeletons, a variety of preserved creatures in jars and various stuffed animals, including pandas are among the highlights.

Dublin is the culture capital of the Republic of Ireland, so it is therefore no surprise that the city is packed with both ancient and modern attractions ranging from museums, galleries and theatres to historical monuments and landmarks. Top of your museum itinerary should be the Irish Museum of Modern Art and The National Museum of Ireland, while Kilmainham Gaol and Dublin Castle are two of the city’s most prominent historical buildings. The tourist hub, Temple Bar district, offers endless entertainment and artistic charm as well as pubs, pubs and more pubs!

Dublin Castle
The castle was erected in 1204 by King John of England to defend the city from invasions by the Vikings and Danes. During Tudor times, some of the castle’s towers were used as prisons. Throughout British rule, the castle was the centre of British administration and held various functions including being the site of the Royal Mint, dungeons for state prisoners and a weapons store. Having survived the transition from British to Irish rule relatively unscathed, the castle is now a popular tourist attraction.

Government Buildings
Worthy of a visit for their architectural value, the Irish Government Buildings were designed by Sir Aston Webb. Originally built for use as the Royal College of Science, a construction project that was funded by the British administration of that time, the Faculty of Engineering that once shared these quarters was relocated more than a decade ago. Situated next to Leinster House, these two buildings were only ever meant to be temporary homes for the government, but in fact have ended up becoming their permanent residences.

Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)
A relatively recent addition to Dublin’s outstanding collection of museums, the IMMA focuses on contemporary works, hosting visiting exhibitions as well as housing a permanent collection. The museum is situated in the Royal Hospital, a building centred on a courtyard with a series of long corridors, making it an ideal location for displaying artworks. Entrance to the museum is free and souvenirs can be bought at the bookshop, while the café provides respite for those with weary legs.

Kilmainham Gaol
The gaol is significant for its role in Ireland’s development from the 1780s to the 1920s. Now one of the largest unoccupied prisons in Europe, visitors can tour the gaol and take in exhibitions covering Ireland’s penal and political history and nationalism. Having formerly housed many leaders of Irish rebellions, including the leaders of the Easter Rising who were executed here, the prison has also been the set of several films including ‘The Italian Job’.

Spire of Dublin
A recent addition to Dublin’s landmarks, this pin-like monument was erected in 2003 on the site that formerly hosted Nelson Pillar, until it was destroyed by the IRA in the 1960s. At 393 feet high, the structure’s central location on O’Connell Street makes it impossible to miss. Holding the record for being the world’s tallest sculpture, the stainless steel landmark was constructed to commemorate the turn of the millennium. While Dubliners remain divided over the monument, there has been little opposition to the structure.

Temple Bar
One of the liveliest districts in the city, this tourist hub is packed with shops, pubs, dining and night time entertainment venues. It is also one of the best places to head for live music. Its original medieval street pattern is still preserved, making the area a maze of narrow cobbled streets. The district saw a revival in the 1980s, when the low rent of the properties here attracted artistic types and small shop owners began to move in, marking the beginning of the rejuvenation of the Temple Bar area. Now home to many of the city’s cultural institutions, the area has become a major centre for nightlife. Unfortunately, nowadays, the area has a somewhat notorious reputation for attracting hen and stag parties, causing many of the locals to steer well clear.

Theatres
As the Republic’s capital of culture, Dublin is host to many theatres, with live music, dance and theatre performed nightly. Among the larger theatres in the city are the Abbey Theatre, Gate Theatre, Olympia Theatre and the Gaiety Theatre, with most of the theatres well facilitated with bars. Dublin’s largest theatre is the Mahony Hall in The Helix at Dublin City University, where you can catch a large array of performances.

The National Museum of Ireland
Covering everything from archaeology and history to decorative arts, natural history and country life, this museum is home to some of Ireland’s largest collections of historical artefacts. Archaeological artefacts at the museum date from 7000 BC to medieval times including Celtic metalwork, while the decorative arts section of the museum exhibits everything from weaponry and furniture to costumes and glassware. Children will love the fossils in the natural history section.

Museums
Dublin is particularly well known for its wide choice of museums. The artistic heritage of the city has ensured some excellent art museums, with The National Print Museum of Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Art, National Gallery of Ireland and the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery being among the most acclaimed. Lovers of history should head to the National Museum of Ireland to trace the history of Dublin.

Shopping in Dublin has drastically improved over the past decade, with the city now hosting everything from large malls to specialist boutiques, selling every imaginable object. While a traditional Irish shopping experience of days gone by might be hard to find in the city, the city does offer a few intriguing markets. The more popular ones include: the Saturday Market in Meeting House Square, selling homemade and organic food; Cow’s Lane Market, offering fashion and design items and Temple Bar Book Market, selling literature to suit all tastes.

The shopping hub of the city is Grafton Street, now pedestrian-only to give shoppers the right of way. Here you will find Brown Thomas, Ireland’s upmarket department store, as well as all sorts of high street chain outlets and clothing stores. Other areas to visit include Nassau street, where there are a number of tourist-orientated shops selling Irish souvenir items; Market Arcade, for vintage clothing and fabrics; and the areas around O'Connell and Henry streets on the Northside.

If the weather isn’t too great, head to the Powerscourt Centre; this shopping mall is housed in an 18th century townhouse and offers everything from jewellery, cafés and clothing shops to galleries and antique dealers. Alternatively, The Square in Tallaght and Dundrum Town Centre also offer indoor shopping experiences, with the latter being the largest shopping centre

Dining opportunities are on a par with shopping options in Dublin, with literally hundreds of restaurants, pubs, cafés and bars spread across every corner of the city. Modern, trendy restaurants are cropping up more frequently, while there is still a large selection of traditional Irish pubs serving up well known Irish favourites. The tourist areas, such as Temple Bar District, tend to be overpriced, and chain outlets in shopping centres are often more reasonable, yet devoid of any traditional Irish atmosphere.

The multicultural flavour of the city is evident in Dublin’s dining options, with a great selection of superb Indian restaurants dotted around the South William street area, many of which are excellent value for money. Dublin also offers great Thai, Chinese and Italian cuisine as well as fast food delights, with kebabs and chip shops often being the only after-hours grub available.

Popular Irish dishes to try include corn beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread and Mulligan Stew, consisting of beef or lamb and vegetables. Irish coffee (coffee with cream and a splash of Irish whiskey) and a hearty Irish breakfast are also not to be missed.

The Irish are an active nation, with the uniquely Irish sports of Gaelic Football and Hurling being among the most popular activities in the country. Golf is also huge in Ireland, with several excellent courses within easy range of the capital. Hiking and angling provide excellent opportunities to see Dublin from a different perspective. The Liffey Swim is an annual event, where the brave swim across the river; visitors are advised to watch the event before attempting to participate.

Angling
Renowned for being polluted for centuries, some may be surprised to discover the River Liffey is actually a popular spot at which to fish for perch and pike. The stretch from Lucan to Memorial Park in Islandbridge is rich in salmon and trout. Anglers must conform to club regulations and hold a permit.

Gaelic Football and Hurling
A combination of soccer and rugby, Gaelic football teams are made up of 15 players, who kick or punch a round ball, with the aim of scoring a goal by getting the ball to one end of the pitch. Run by the Gaelic Athletic Association, matches can be watched at Croke Park stadium in Dublin. Hurling can also be watched in the summer months at the stadium, with the game being played with a stick and ball, similar to the way hockey is played.

Golf 
Just a 10-minute drive from Dublin city centre is St Margaret's Golf and Country Club, which offers golfers an 18-hole champion course, practice areas and conference and restaurant facilities. Former host to the Women's Irish Holidays Open for two years running, the vast parklands are a popular place for visitors of every level to come and enjoy a game.

Hiking
Less than an hour’s drive from the city, the Dublin Mountains, officially known as the Wicklow Mountains, provide an expansive area of wilderness, just waiting for exploration. Once home to rebels, murderers and bandits in hiding, the mountains are accessible via Military road, a British built transport route intended to help with the flushing out of these unwanted characters. The road runs from Rathfarnham in the southern suburbs of Dublin to Aghavannagh, high up in the mountains. Hikes and nature walks can be taken in the mountains by those who are brave enough.

Liffey Swim
This August event began over 60 years ago and sees hundreds of people take to the waters to cross the Liffey River from Watling Street Bridge to Custom House. Entrants must first pass a qualifying test prior to the race, while spectators often show their support by turning out in fancy dress.