Best Outdoor Activities in Dún Laoghaire

"Dublin Zoo, located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin City, is Ireland’s biggest family attraction and had over a million visitors last year. Dublin Zoo is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in Europe and is home to 600 different animals. The zoo is always an unforgettable experience and promises to be a memorable day out for all the family."

"As you might expect, it’s wonderful for strolls, family cycles and general play. There are plenty of wide-open spaces that are far from any traffic (even though there are a few through-roads in the park) and it’s a scenic, vast and well-maintained park. You might also see some of the hundreds of deer that roam the area."

"At over 1700 acres, Phoenix Park is one of the largest and most beautiful urban parks in Europe. This is a great place for a walk with the kids, a bike ride, or a picnic. Keep an eye out for the deer that roam the park or enjoy one of the many concerts or sporting events that are held throughout the year."

"A little trip away from Dublin City Centre, it’s the perfect romantic location for beach strolls or some sunset portraits. It has the tall grass, sea air and the iconic Poolbeg Towers as the quintessentially-Dublin backdrop!. A great spot for an engagement session, an elopement or a lovely portrait spot on a wedding day if you’re driving in from the south side."

"This is the perfect place to go to if you want to capture water and nature. Moreover, going to this beach is a very fun thing to do when you're in Dublin. So it's not only great for photography, but you'll also have an amazing day if you go here."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kanakari used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Bord Gais Energy Theatre is a performing arts venue located in the Docklands. It is the city’s biggest fixed-seat theater and was designed by Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind for the Dublin Docklands Development Authority."

"Designed by Studio Libeskind in 2010, the Grand Canal Square formed an important milestone for the redevelopment of the Dublin Docklands area. The 2000-seat theater is based on the concept of stages: the stage of the theater, the stage of the piazza, the stage of the multiple lever lobby above the piazza."

"One of my all time favourite memories as a child was visiting the Gaiety Theatre with my grandmother. She use to take us once a year and I absolutely loved it. Things haven’t changed too much at The Gaiety but it remains a prominent influence on Irish arts and theatre."

"Porterhouse Central on Nassau Street is the 2nd Porterhouse location in Dublin. Thanks to being off Grafton Street just a little bit further from the heart of the nightlife action, it was much more chill than other pubs were on the same night I visited. I had the Celebration Stout, which had been created for the brewery’s 20th anniversary."

"Those who are fans of fine dining will delight at the mouthwatering French cuisine on offer in this Monkstown restaurant. Sip on a glass of wine while enjoying food prepared by their executive chef. They offer a three-course set menu, which can be paired perfectly with some cocktails or a bottle of wine."

"Monkstown is a real treasure trove of restaurants, while Seapoint is a great little spot with a delicious kids' menu. There's a great booth for larger groups that allows you to trap the kids away from harm or mischief."

"Chez Max on Palace Street is kind of like a portal to Paris – there are Parisian bistro chairs on the heated patio, the chefs can be heard speaking French in the kitchen, and the dishes taste just as good as they would on the Champs-Elysées. What’s more, the atmosphere is distinctly French, with low lighting, charming music and traditional décor. Chez Max has three locations throughout the city, but this one outside Dublin Castle is the original."

"A pleasant and informal bistro, Chez Max recreates the experience of a traditional Parisian café. There is a charming, intimate back garden with plants climbing the walls and shade cast by the building. All of the outdoor furniture is chic and comfortable, with white thatched chairs and small, round white marble tables."

"Chez Max has table and chairs tumbling onto the pedestrianized palace street. Typically French right down to its staff, try the croque monsieur or one of their drool-worthy sweet and savory crepes. They’re open from breakfast to dinner so there’s no bad time to stop for a coffee and a bite."