Game of Thrones fans can walk the actual Dothraki Grasslands at Shillanavogy Valley for free.
Families with young children are well covered, with several indoor soft play options and a free castle estate to explore. 48 places are listed within about 10 miles, so there's always a plan to be made.
The best days out near Ballymena
Slemish Mountain
ECOS Nature Park
Galgorm Castle Estate
Galgorm Falconry
Mid-Antrim Museum
Shillanavogy Valley (GoT — Dothraki Grasslands)
Honeybees Playtown
Tower Centre
Seven Towers Leisure Centre
IMC Cinema Ballymena
Fairhill Shopping Centre
People's Park (Ballymena)
Ballymena Skate Park (People's Park)
GP Kids The Playground
Galgorm Castle Crazy Golf
Galgorm Parks Riding School
TinyToes Sensory
Mid Antrim Paintball & Airsoft
Moto Training NI
Our Brewery
Sperrin Distillery
Mackenzies Equestrian Centre
Abhainn Cruises
World of Owls
Ulster Aero Modelling Club (Langford)
Breckenhill
Omniplex Cinema & Bowling Junction One
The Junction Shopping Centre
Junction Jack's Mini Golf
Shane's Castle Estate
Lough Beg
Heaney Farmhouse Brewery
The Braid Arts Centre
Ballymena Sportsbowl
People's Park Play Park, Ballymena
Slemish Market Garden
Galgorm Castle Golf Club
Galgorm Driving Range
Creative Gardens Galgorm Castle
Gracehill Moravian Village
Ballymena Golf Club
Arthur Cottage
Ben Vista Garden Centre
Rowandale Creamery
Hillstown Farm Shop & Cafe
Oldstone Coffee & Play
Skerry Church Yard
Clough Castle
Days out in Ballymena — your questions
What are the best days out in Ballymena?
Start with Slemish Mountain for a free outdoor adventure, or head to Galgorm Castle Estate for a walk through the castle grounds. Galgorm Falconry is a standout for something different, and ECOS Nature Park is ideal for a relaxed wildlife walk. Honeybees Playtown keeps younger children busy indoors.
What free things are there to do in Ballymena?
Quite a few. People's Park (Ballymena) is great for a relaxed visit, ECOS Nature Park has free wildlife walks, and Galgorm Castle Estate is free to explore. Mid-Antrim Museum is also free, as is Shillanavogy Valley — the Game of Thrones Dothraki Grasslands filming location.
Where can you go on a rainy day near Ballymena?
Soft play centres are your best option. Honeybees Playtown, GP Kids The Playground, and TinyToes Sensory all work well for younger children. Mid-Antrim Museum is free and indoors. Ballymena Sportsbowl adds bowling to the mix, and Oldstone Coffee & Play is another good indoor stop.
What's good for young children near Ballymena?
Honeybees Playtown, GP Kids The Playground, and TinyToes Sensory are all dedicated soft play venues. Galgorm Falconry gives little ones the chance to see birds of prey up close. People's Park (Ballymena) has free outdoor play space, and World of Owls is another animal-focused option nearby.