Things to Do in Dublin with Travel Mom Tamara
We’re off to Ireland with Travel Mom Tamara in this episode. She joins us to share her top Things to Do in Dublin from her family’s 3-day adventure.
What was your last big family adventure?
My husband and I took our daughter Adeline to Dublin, Ireland for three days and two nights.
Europe is very family-friendly, and Dublin is like a small town. Everyone is friendly, and there are lots of great pedestrian streets, especially great for Adeline, who had just started walking.
Tell Us Your Top Things to Do in Dublin
We arrived early, checked in, napped then went straight to The Guinness Factory. It’s a very family-friendly spot with seven levels of different activities, from restaurants to tasting rooms to entertainment that Adeline loved. The top has great views across the city. We spent 4 hours there, and it was a great start to the trip.
We had to visit St Patrick’s Cathedral as it’s the sister to New York’s Cathedral. Then we took a lovely boat trip down the River Liffey to Dublin Castle. Right next to it is a War Memorial Garden with a peaceful place to enjoy a break.
One of the other things I love about Europe is you can just walk around and see history. Dublin is perfect for strolling to see things, then stopping for a bite or a drink at different places, which we love to do.
Temple Bar is an area on the south bank of the River Liffey and a great sport for an adult night out. We popped into the famous Temple Bar Pub, but it was a little too loud for Adeline.
What was the BEST part of the trip for you?
I’m all about castles. We jumped on public transportation to Malahide Castle and Gardens. The Castle is spectacular with a neat tour, stunning inside, then the outside is even better. It’s like a wonderland for kids with a butterfly house and botanical garden.
We had a delightful afternoon exploring the local town as well which has a couple of cute streets with shops and restaurants.
What was the BEST part of the trip for the family?
The Chocolate Warehouse…where we learned about the history of chocolate and even got to make some!
Every day we walked through the beautiful St. Stephen’s Green, the city’s beautiful green space. Grafton Street is also great spot with wide pedestrian streets lined with shops and pubs.
What was your favorite meal?
Our favorite Dublin meals were at The Duke (a historic old watering hole in the city center) and The Bank on College Green for Irish coffee.
Anything you missed?
I want to go back to explore the countryside and stay in a castle.
And I’d love to visit Ireland’s highest waterfall at Powerscourt Estate, just 20 minutes south of Dublin.
Top Travel Tips and Advice
Traveling with kids is all about making sure you have enough supplies (food and water, diapers) then being flexible.
There are so many things I wish I’d know when I started traveling with Adeline. Here are some of my top tips.
- Buy the Pockit lightweight stroller! It folds up, fits under your seat, and fits down the aisle.
- Bring a travel car seat, so you’re always prepared.
- I always bring toys.
- When you take off and land, feed the babies to pop their ears. Have a bottle on take-off and landing. I still do at almost 2 to make sure she’s sucking on something.
- Airport Lounges – We have Chase Sapphire and American Express Platinum to have access to 2 different lounges. Then you have room to relax and spread out with the kids while waiting.
- Get bulkhead seats and request get a bassinet on longer flights. Make sure you call the day before to ensure they will have it.
Why do you travel with your daughter?
We love to go to places that expand our knowledge of customs, culture, and history. Travel is vital for growth and education, and we didn’t want to stop once we had Adeline. There’s no better education than seeing something first hand.
Next trip you’re planning or dreaming about?
The one we’re dreaming about is Athens, Greece. This summer we’ll be staying closer to home with a trip to Bryce Canyon in Utah.
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Thank you so much, Tamara, for joining us!
Tamara, a content creator and storyteller, has worked in journalism for over 20 years and is now the Chief Marketing Officer for A.Lynn, the sustainable fashion brand creating better basics…better for the environment and a better fit.
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For more visit Ireland, check out this podcast episode.