Tyrone keeps its treasures inland — a living-history museum, Ireland's darkest skies and Bronze-Age stone circles ringed by the Sperrin Mountains. Here are the fifteen best days out.
Two big draws, and a lot of green between — the Sperrin Mountains across the north (forests, stone circles, dark skies and sculpture trails) and the heritage towns of Omagh, Cookstown, Dungannon and Strabane, with the world-class Ulster American Folk Park at the heart of it.
Every entry has a full guide. Tap through any place below for our complete guide with prices, opening times, parking and the local know-how — and it's all on the free map.
The darkest skies in the country — the OM Dark Sky Park at Davagh is one of the best places in Ireland to see the Milky Way, and the whole Sperrins region is a designated Dark Sky Park. Wrap up and look up.
Rainy-day proof — the Ulster American Folk Park has plenty indoors, and Aladdin's Kingdom in Omagh is a soft-play saviour when the Tyrone weather turns.
Deep history — this was the heartland of the O'Neills, the great Gaelic dynasty, and the county is dotted with their castles, ancient stone circles and high crosses going back four thousand years.
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Ulster American Folk Park
Omagh · Paid · indoor & out
One of NI's best family days out — a whole recreated Ulster and America you walk through, telling the story of the emigrants who crossed the Atlantic. Wander from thatched Irish cottages and a working forge, aboard a full-size emigrant ship, and out into an American log-cabin frontier, with costumed characters bringing each era to life. Vast, hands-on and part indoors — a proper day out whatever the weather.
Most of a dayPaid · living historyBig outdoor site — comfy shoes & a coat
A gorgeous forest park in the Sperrins with a scenic forest drive, waymarked walking and mountain-bike trails, a play park and Japanese sika deer in the woods. The upper viewpoints look out over the whole glen and the mountains beyond. Wrap up, bring boots and pack a picnic — there's a café and plenty of easy trails for all ages, as well as tougher climbs for the willing.
1–3 hoursParking charge · forest drive · play parkThe forest drive is one-way — mind walkers & cyclists
Tyrone's home of adrenaline — one of Ireland's biggest outdoor activity centres, with a giant zip line, the famous "Big Fall" free-fall, off-road buggies, a huge swing and a climbing tower across a big rolling site. Brilliant for older children, teenagers and groups who want a proper thrill, and there's an indoor Clip 'n Climb too. Activities are booked in advance, so plan before you go.
A striking modern observatory in the heart of Davagh Forest, in one of the darkest places in Ireland — the OM tells the story of the Sperrins' skies with interactive exhibits and a real telescope, and the surrounding forest has cracking mountain-bike and walking trails. Come by day for the exhibition and the forest; come on a clear night for a sky full of stars and, sometimes, the Milky Way.
1–3 hoursPaid centre · dark skies · forest trailsNight sky-watching events sell out — book ahead
A remarkable complex of seven Bronze-Age stone circles, rows and cairns, laid out on the open bog at the edge of the Sperrins some 4,000 years ago and only rediscovered under the peat in the 1940s. It's free, atmospheric and quietly awe-inspiring — a short walk from the car park onto the moor. Bring boots and let the children count the stones under the big Tyrone sky.
30–60 minsFree · Bronze Age · open moorExposed & can be boggy — dress for the moor
A pretty Victorian estate forest famous for its herd of rare white fallow deer, with a fairy-tale manor, an arboretum of specimen trees, waymarked woodland walks and a sensory garden. Gentle, green and easy underfoot, it's a lovely free family wander with a good chance of spotting the ghostly white deer among the trees — a real hit with younger children.
1–2 hoursFree · white deer · woodland walksKeep dogs on leads & a respectful distance from the deer
A relaxed forest park built around the ruins of an old manor, with a walled butterfly garden, two ornamental lakes, a heronry, an arboretum and easy family trails. There's a play area and camping too. Quiet, pretty and mostly flat, it's an easy, low-cost half-day for younger children and a lovely spot to spread a picnic blanket.
1–2 hoursParking charge · butterfly garden · lakesThe butterfly garden is a summer highlight — quieter off-season
A rare survivor of Ulster's great linen industry, cared for by the National Trust — a working water-powered "beetling" mill on a pretty wooded riverbank near Cookstown, where you can see (and hear) the thundering machinery that gave the linen its sheen. Add the woodland riverside walk and it's a characterful, hands-on hour of history. Opening is seasonal, so check before you travel.
About an hourNT members free · working mill · riversideSeasonal & limited opening — check the days first
The historic hilltop seat of the O'Neills, the great Gaelic dynasty who ruled Ulster from here — now crowned by a viewing platform with sweeping views over as many as six counties, alongside the Ranfurly House arts and visitor centre telling the O'Neill story. Free to climb the hill and take in the view, with exhibitions and events in the centre below. A proud slice of Tyrone history.
A Neolithic passage tomb crowning a forested hilltop above Augher, its chamber decorated with mysterious carved stones some 5,000 years old — "Áine's Cove" in local legend. A steady woodland climb brings you to the tomb and one of the finest views in the county, out over the Clogher Valley to the mountains. Free, wild and well worth the puff up the hill.
1–2 hoursFree · ancient tomb · hilltop viewsA steady uphill woodland walk — decent footwear helps
The whitewashed thatched cottage in the Tyrone hills where the grandfather of US President Woodrow Wilson was raised before emigrating — still furnished with original pieces, and still farmed by Wilson relatives. A charming, off-the-beaten-track glimpse of 18th-century rural life, and a proud stop on the Ulster–America story. Opening is limited, so it's well worth checking ahead before you go.
45–60 minsSmall charge · presidential cottageVery limited opening — phone ahead to be sure
A trail of giant timber sculptures hidden across the Sperrins, each a guardian of the landscape — the towering "Darach the Guardian" near Gortin among them. Part treasure hunt, part woodland walk, it's a brilliant way to get children exploring the forests, with more colossal figures to track down near Cookstown and Cranagh. Free, and great fun to try to collect the whole set.
1–2 hours eachFree · giant sculptures · forest walksThe figures are spread across the Sperrins — plan a route
A peaceful little lake in the Sperrin foothills near Carrickmore, with an easy circular lakeside path, a jetty, picnic spots and good coarse fishing — a gentle, free, away-from-it-all spot for a stroll, a paddle and a picnic. It's lovely on a still evening, and rarely anything but quiet. A perfect leg-stretch to round off a day in the hills.
About an hourFree · lakeside walk · picnic & fishingOpen water & a jetty — keep an eye on little ones
A magnificent ancient high cross standing in the village of Donaghmore, carved with biblical scenes over a thousand years ago on the site of an early monastery said to have been founded by Saint Patrick. It's free to visit, quick to see, and the nearby heritage centre fills in the story. A lovely, easy heritage stop to pair with the Hill of The O'Neill just up the road.
20–40 minsFree · ancient high crossThe heritage centre has its own opening hours — check ahead
Tyrone's big indoor play centre — multi-level soft play, slides, ball pools and climbing frames for littler ones, with a café for the grown-ups to catch a breath. It's the classic Omagh rainy-day rescue, with plenty for children to burn off energy whatever the weather is doing outside. A firm favourite with under-tens and a handy pairing with the Folk Park nearby.
1–2 hoursPaid · indoor soft play · rainy-day proofBusiest on wet weekends & school holidays
Tyrone's top days out are the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh, Gortin Glen Forest Park, the OM Dark Sky Park at Davagh, Beaghmore Stone Circles, Todd's Leap activity centre and the forest parks and sculpture trails of the Sperrins.
What can you do for free in County Tyrone?
Beaghmore Stone Circles, Parkanaur's white deer, Knockmany passage tomb, the Sperrins sculpture trail, Lough Macrory and Donaghmore High Cross are all free to visit.
Where can you stargaze in County Tyrone?
The OM Dark Sky Park at Davagh Forest is one of the darkest places in Ireland and a designated Dark Sky Park — brilliant for seeing the Milky Way on a clear night.
What are the best family days out in County Tyrone?
The Ulster American Folk Park, Todd's Leap, Gortin Glen, the forest sculpture trails and Aladdin's Kingdom soft play in Omagh are all family favourites.
Make a day of it
Three ready-made Tyrone days
The Sperrins: the forest drive at Gortin Glen, a picnic by the stones at Beaghmore, then a night under the stars at the OM Dark Sky Park.
Emigrant story: a full day at the Ulster American Folk Park, then the Wilson Ancestral Home in the hills above Strabane.
History & a run-around: the Hill of The O'Neill and Donaghmore's high cross, then the white deer at Parkanaur — or soft play at Aladdin's Kingdom if it's wet.
Keep exploring
Every place in this list — and about 2,000 more across Northern Ireland — is on our free map, with full guides, live events and what's-on near you.
