Something fun for the ladies in Belfast

Are your husbands golfing at Ormeau? Along Ormeau Road there are lots of independent boutiques if you want to go shopping and they are all grouped within a mile of the City Centre. I like to shop at home, but overseas not so much given the exchange rate sucks. If I do shop overseas, it has to be something unique that I can't get back at home, so I prefer the independent boutiques for one of a kind buys over any of the big box retail places you'd find all over Europe (Top Shop, Marks & Spencer, Dunne's, H&M, Primark & the likes...). The Botanical Gardens in Belfast are very nice and there's a museum & Queen's University that you can also explore nearby. If you can ditch your husbands for the whole day, you could also consider taking an early bus or train to daytrip into Derry which is about 70 miles away from Belfast. Derry is compact and easy to walk around to see the sights. The Museum of Free Derry and the political murals in The Bogside were both terrific. Of course if your husbands don't want to see it, you could always take a Black Cab tour of The Shankill or Falls Road area right in Belfast and check out the many political murals there. If you email the concierge desk at any of the swankier hotels in Belfast, they could give you the names of half a dozen spas (you don't have to be staying at the hotel to ask them for a recommendation which you can book directly yourself). I'm in agreement with Kira that some of the activities are things you can do at home. Belfast has a lot of wine bars and nice bistros, so if you aren't into the pub atmosphere, but you still want to chat with some locals, eat lunch at a wine bar and strike up a conversation over a glass of merlot. Pub or wine bar, eat your lunch at the bar itself and not at a table as that's where you'll strike up conversations easier.

I vote for the pubs. In fact, "Kira, Ceidleh, and Karen Go to the Pubs" sounds like a great tour. Ladies? Women?

I am a woman (not a "lady") so maybe I am not thinking the way you are thinking, but... if I were in Belfast with a woman friend and we got rid of our male ballast for a few hours, I'd hit a good local pub, hoist a few pints, and strike up a conversation with someone/a few people who looked interesting. I love sitting down for a beer, picking out an older gentleman, and eliciting "back in my day" stories. It is fascinating! And even better when abroad. You learn so much. And when you are traveling, that is true for eveyone you talk to, not just elderly folks. I find that having my husband - or another couple - around hampers actually having interactions with local people. My husband and I love to meet people as part of travel, and it is harder when we are together than when we split up. In any event, IMHO... you can shop back home. You can have a spa day back home. You can't talk with actual real Irish people back home!

@Karen: I'm in! Sounds great. :-)

O'Chippendales?

yup, I'm with Kira on this one, have a nice looooonnnng liquid lunch,, perhaps even eat something,, fish n chips and white wine, yum( sorry I am not a beer girl normally)

Yeah, tell the hubbies you're going to a special spa to get the "Guiness Treatment."

I agree with Kira! There are lots of great historic pubs to explore, and so many friendly people in Belfast with great stories! A great way to get some history.

Kira's answer was my first thought too? Of course, drinking and eating can both be combined with shopping!

You guys crack me up! We discussed this with the men last night and told them they might have to come find us in a local pub!! Cheers!

High tea?