Best family days out in Cardiff

[holidaysaver75]

I’m on a course in Cardiff at the end of May and it’s the first time we’ve ever been to the area. DH and sons are driving down with me and I’m looking for something that will keep them happy for the 5 or 6 hours I’m working. Any suggestions really gratefully received. The boys are 8 and 11.

[Guest]

St Fagans museum. Great day out.

[eleele]

St Fagans outdoor museum is lovely, it's a short drive to the outskirts of the city - not sure if your boys would be into it though - it's lots of historic buildings from all over Wales that are set up inside in a period suiting the building. There's also a castle and it's all set in nice grounds. Lots of primary schools have their school trips there.

National Museum close to the city centre, a five minute walk, has paintings, natural history and dinosaurs which my kids love (13 and 10 now)

Cardiff Castle is also in the centre, again they might be a bit young to be interested.

If your boys want to shop (mine don't but we bribe them with the Lego Store and Game followed by a Krispy Kreme doughnut) the city centre is quite big but fine to walk around.

Cardiff is a great city and I'm sure you'll find something to suit them and if I think of anything else I'll post it

[jacqui]

Techniquest, a hands on science discovery centre close to Cardiff Bay. Sorry don't know how to post links.

[DisneyDaffodil]

Another vote for St Fagans, every school in the area takes their pupils there for trips every summer.

Cardiff Bay is a lovely place for a walk around by the waterfront. Great ice creams there 😀. Also in the Bay, is Techniquest a hands on science museum, and the Dr Who exhibition and the Welsh Millennium Centre which is a theatre with lots going on including kid's workshops and shows. It is also possible to take a boat ride from the bay to city centre and back.

City centre has lovely shops and lots of old style shopping arcades which are great to stroll through. The castle is beautiful and in the city centre too.

A few miles outside Cardiff is Barry Island (famous for Gavin and Stacey) which has a good sized, sandy beach, fairground, amusement arcades and promenade. The prom has a lovely Italian coffee and ice cream shop with tables on the seafront.

Penarth is another smaller coastal area just outside Cardiff with a beach and a pier.

Cardiff is a brilliant city, plenty to keep them occupied. I hope the weather is good for your family's visit 😀

[The A team]

A little way outside of Cardiff (30/40 mins or so) is Big Pit Museum. This gives them the chance to go down an old coal mine.
Otherwise look into Cardiff Bay. There are boat trips, including some very fast ones, techniquest museum and then a walk to Cardiff Bay Barage which if they are lucky will open to let a boat through while they are there. Loads of restaurants there too as well as the National Assembly for Wales which you can take a tour of too.

[redspottyowl]

St fagans ( free entry pay to park only) Cardiff museum, techniquest (can use Tesco points) there is a white water rafting centre if you want an activity, mini crazy golf at treetops inside st David’s shopping centre ( start before 12 and get 2 courses for price of 1) lots of trampolining places, Cardiff bay and walk across the barrage to Penarth then get boat back... there is loads to do. Also big pit museum a short drive away where you go down a real mine with miners

[CardiffBob]

my fellow Welshies are spot on with their recommendations above. The only thing I would say is the Dr Who experience mentioned by DisneyDaffodil is now closed - which is a shame

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by The A team

A little way outside of Cardiff (30/40 mins or so) is Big Pit Museum. This gives them the chance to go down an old coal mine.
Otherwise look into Cardiff Bay. There are boat trips, including some very fast ones, techniquest museum and then a walk to Cardiff Bay Barage which if they are lucky will open to let a boat through while they are there. Loads of restaurants there too as well as the National Assembly for Wales which you can take a tour of too.

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I had forgotten Big Pit and it is literally on my doorstep 😀. If anyone visits Big Pit on a weekend, there is also a short steam train trip running nearby which does themed rides, such as Thomas trains or Santa specials, on various dates.

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by CardiffBob

my fellow Welshies are spot on with their recommendations above. The only thing I would say is the Dr Who experience mentioned by DisneyDaffodil is now closed - which is a shame

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Oh no Bob, I hadn't realised this had closed. We are often in the Bay for a theatre show or a stroll around but hadn't visited the exhibition for a while.

Sorry for the incorrect info op, but still lots to do around Cardiff Bay 😀