Belfast Zoo: 5 miles (8km) north of the city on A6, Antrim Rd., County Antrim 028/9077-6277 Apr-Sept daily 10am-5pm; Oct-Mar daily 10am-3:30pm (to 2:30pm on Fri) Bus: 9, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, or 51 Admission charged; free for seniors and children under 4 In a picturesque mountain park on the slopes of Cave Hill overlooking the city, this zoo was founded in 1920 as Bellevue Gardens. A completely new, modern zoo was designed in recent years. It emphasizes conservation, education, and breeding rare species.

Cavehill Country Park: Off the Antrim Rd., 4 miles (6.5km) north of city center, County Antrim 028-9077-6925 Parking at Belfast Castle or Belfast Zoo Daily dawn-dusk Free Admission This lovely park is on the slopes of a 1,200-foot basalt cliff. It offers panoramic views, walking trails, and a number of interesting archaeological and historical sights. The five Neolithic caves that gave the hill its name provided shelter from prehistoric times. There is also MacArt's Fort, an ancient means of protection against the Viking invaders. There is also an adventure playground for children.

Ulster Folk And Transport Museum: Cultra, near Holywood, 028/9042-8428 Apr.-June and Sept., weekdays 9:30-5, Sat. 10:30-6, Sun. noon-6; July-Aug., Mon.-Sat. 10:30-6, Sun. noon-6; Oct.-Mar., weekdays 9:30-4, weekends 12:30-4:30. Devoted to the province's social history, the unique Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is set on 176 acres of parkland 10 miles northeast of Belfast. It brings the North's past to life with a fascinating collection of buildings, all furnished in 1900's style. These structures represent different facets of Northern life : a traditional weaver's cottage, terraces of Victorian town houses, an 18th-century country church, a village flax mill, a farmhouse, printer's workshop, a rural school and many other buildings.

Across the main road (by footbridge) is the beautifully designed Transport Museum, where exhibits include locally built airplanes, locomotive, and motorcycles; the car produced by John De Lorean in his Belfast factory in 1982; and a moving section on the Titanic, the Belfast-built luxury liner that sank on her first voyage, in 1912. Check for the special events held throughout the year.

Ulster Museum: Stranmillis Rd. 028/9038-3000 Free Admission Weekdays 10-5, Sat. 1-5, Sun. 2-5. In the southwest corner of the Botanic Gardens, this museum has three floors devoted to the life and history of Northern Ireland, together with a considerable collection of 19th- and 20th-century fine art. Also featured are armada treasures recovered from the 1588 shipwrecked Girona and two sister galleons lost off the Antrim coast in 1588. Other exhibits include one tracing the rise of Belfast's crafts, trade, and industry; another tells the story of the Nationalist movement and explains the separation of the North from the rest of the country.

Lagan Valley Regional Park: 028-9049-1922 Nine miles of paths along the banks of the River Lagan pass old locks and lock houses from the early 1700's when the towpaths were used by horses pulling coal barges. The path begins near Belfast Boat Club in Stranmillis and goes to Lisburn.

Lagan Lookout Center: 028-9031-5444 Hands-on exhibits and videos explain the river's influence on the city. Outside, river activity can be viewed from the lookout platform.