17 of the Best Things to do in Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey is the merged settlement of a number of towns in County Antrim like Whiteabbey, Glengormley, and Carnmoney.
As a local myself, I know it can be hard to find things to do that aren’t in Belfast or a bit of a drive away.
So to help you fill those empty days, here is my list of the 15 best things to do in Newtownabbey (in no particular order).
Things to do in Newtownabbey
- Belfast Zoo
Belfast Zoo is the biggest attraction Newtownabbey has to offer and is the most popular thing to do. With over 1,200 animals, you are guaranteed to find an animal you love. There is a large playpark and plenty of activities to keep children occupied, making it a great day out for everyone. You can also buy ice cream at the cafe at the top of the hill, making the uphill walk worth it! Who doesn’t love some ice cream?

Find out more and book a trip to Belfast Zoo here.
- Climb Carnmoney Hill
Newtownabbey offers some stunning views and that is why climbing Carnmoney Hill is such a great thing to do. Walking to the top takes about half an hour, but the view is so worth it! You can look out over the whole of Newtownabbey, and beyond. There are lots of different routes and trails you can take too. At the Cloughfern car park, there is also a kids’ play park and a duck pond to have some fun at too.

Address: Carnmoney Hill Nature Reserve, Newtownabbey, BT36 6AQ
- Visit Jordanstown Loughshore Park
Speaking of play parks, few come close to Loughshore. Visiting Jordanstown Loughshore Park is one of the best things to do in Newtownabbey. Besides the play park, there is a beautiful walk along the front of the sea, with a beach if you go at the right time. Also, a lovely cafe and a modern bandstand too. Loughshore is very popular and I can guarantee everyone from Newtownabbey has been at least once!

Address: Jordanstown Loughshore Park, Shore Rd, Newtownabbey, BT37 0PY
- Have fun at Airtastic
Airtastic is a great day out for everyone! You can go bowling, play mini golf, have fun in the amusements, or their main attraction, bounce at their Inflata Park! Airtastic truly has it all, they even have their own restaurant in NY Kitchen. It’s a great place for birthday parties, team building, or just to have a fun time! It’s definitely one of the most fun things to do in Newtownabbey.

Find out more and book a trip to Airtastic here.
- Go shopping at Abbey Centre
Shopping at Abbey Centre is a must! They have over 70 stores, ranging from JD Sports to Argento, or from Bonmarche to Game. They have anything and everything you could possibly need! Every clothes shop imaginable- New Look, Next, Dunnes, Jack&Jones, Primark, just to name a few. On top of this, they have a huge food court with the likes of Burger King and McDonald’s on offer. Abbey Centre is the place to be, and there’s a reason why it’s so popular.

Find out more about Abbey Centre here.
- Visit Belfast Castle
Built in 1870, Belfast Castle is one of the most beautiful castles Northern Ireland has to offer. It’s an extremely popular venue for weddings and other occasions. You can have afternoon tea in the castle too, which makes for a very luxurious experience. If you are in Newtownabbey, make sure to pay a visit to the castle. It is one of the nicest things you can do, and the surrounding gardens are just as beautiful as the castle itself!

Find out more about Belfast Castle here.
- Play Foot Golf at Newtownabbey Foot Golf
As an avid footballer player myself, nothing beats a game of foot golf! If you are unfamiliar with foot golf; it’s basically golf, but with a football. Newtownabbey is lucky to have its own course, Newtownabbey Foot Golf. The 18-hole course has beautiful views of the area and takes between 1 and 2 hours to complete. The best thing about Newtownabbey Foot Golf is anyone can get involved! Even with no football experience, it’s great fun and suitable for all ages.

Find out more and book a game of Foot Golf here.
- See the views from Cave Hill Country Park
The most scenic and picturesque thing you can do in Newtownabbey is to climb Cave Hill. The views are breathtaking. If you enjoyed Carnmoney Hill, you will LOVE Cave Hill. It’s a slightly longer hike but the view is worth it. You can see over Newtownabbey and even Belfast. At Cave Hill Country Park, there is also a huge adventure play park for kids, and there’s never an ice cream van too far away! If you are in Newtownabbey, Cave Hill is a must.

Find out more about Cave Hill Country Park here.
- See the Sea at Hazelbank Park
Hazelbank is another popular thing to do in Newtownabbey. The seaside park has walks through their woods and also along the front of the coastline. If you go at the right time, there will be sandy beaches too. Along with a playpark, bowling green, and exercise machines, Hazelbank makes a good place to spend a few hours outside.

Address: Hazelbank Park, Shore Rd, Newtownabbey, BT37 9JQ
- Feed the ducks at Mossley Mill
Feeding the ducks is fun at the best of times, but feeding them with the sight of a 500-year-old mill in the background is even better! Mossley Mill offers a beautiful pond with ducks, swans and geese swimming around. Even fish! You can purchase a fishing license if this interests you too. Mossley Mill has some nice walks too which will take you to Three Mile Water Park. Take advantage of Theatre at the Mill too, and see some live performances.

Address: Mossley Mill, Carnmoney Rd N, Newtownabbey, BT36 5QA
- Get active at the Valey Leisure Centre or play at the V36 Park
The Valley Leisure Centre is the perfect place to unwind, or get active, whichever route you choose. There are badminton courts, 5-a-side football pitches, state-of-the-art 3g football pitches and grass football pitches, spa and sauna, gym, jacuzzi, swimming pool and slide, judo halls, and more! They also have a soft play area –Playzone. The ‘Valley’ has it all, you are sure to find something which suits you.


The V36 park also offers a huge adventure play area. Along with a duck pond, walking routes, and a skate park, V36 only adds to the list of reasons to visit the Valley Leisure Centre. The parks are free and have things to do for kids of all ages, with the likes of baby swings leading up to a huge twisting slide.
Address: Valley Leisure Centre, 40 Church Rd, Newtownabbey, BT36 7LJ
- Treat yourself at Fallones Ice Cream Desserts & Treat Bar
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat, right?! Nowhere does better than Fallones. Their desserts are simply delicious. My personal favourites are their Kinder coated dough balls and their MilkyBar milkshakes. They do so many different desserts, drinks, and normal food like Pizzas, and they are all mouth-wateringly good! I would highly recommend trying Fallones if you are in the area.

Address: 252 Whitewell Rd, Belfast, Newtownabbey, BT36 7NH
- Learn a bit of history at The White House
Not quite the White House in Washington but still a building worth visiting! The White House in Newtownabbey is a thing to do that not many people know about. The White House teaches history about the Williamite and Jacobite wars. It’s a very unique place and I can’t believe it isn’t more popular! The building is over 700 years old, being built in the 1500s, and is a great way to learn some history whilst having fun.

Find out more about The White House here.
- Enjoy a movie at Movie House Cinemas
Whilst there are lots of cinema options in the area, nowhere beats Movie House Cinemas in Glengormley. They have VIP screens that have reclining sofa seats and once you experience them, normal cinema seats are simply a no-go! It’s like watching a movie in the comfort of home but with the experience of a cinema. The best bit is, it’s only an extra £1.50! If you want to see a movie, definitely watch it VIP-style.

Find out more and choose your movie here.
- Go back to the 19th Century at Sentry Hill
Sentry Hill is another hidden historical gem in Newtownabbey. Built in 1835, the farmhouse, other buildings and surrounding gardens offer a beautiful walk back in time to the 19th century. It’s a great day out for all and is something you won’t get anywhere else in Newtownabbey. Tour guides are available, and they are extremely good at creating the feeling it really is in the 19th century. You can see hundreds of artefacts from all around the world, as the McKinney family which owned the house, emigrated from Scotland in the 1700s. Whether you are interested in history or not, it makes for a great visit.

Address: 40 Ballycraigy Rd, Newtownabbey, BT36 4SX
- Play at Funworks
Funworks is the most popular indoor soft play area in Newtownabbey. It’s a great thing to do with kids and young children. There is a cafe too, so you can relax whilst the kids go crazy! Funworks is also a very popular place to hold birthday parties. They have sessions, especially for young babies, and those with sensory needs, making it inclusive for all kids.

Address: Funworks, 3 Glenwell Rd, Glengormley, Newtownabbey, BT36 7RF
- Pay respects at Knockagh Monument
At 34m (110 feet) high, Knockagh Monument can be hard to fit in one photo! The monument is a war memorial, remembering the County Antrim men who sacrificed their lives in WWI and WW2. The monument is beautiful in itself, but if you come around Remembrance Day (11th November), it is even more beautiful. There will be poppy reefs upon poppy reefs along with other items of remembrance for those who sacrificed it all.

The site also offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area, as it is high up in the hills. Overlooking Greenisland, the view is unbeaten, with the ocean in the background. Even if you do not want to go for the monument, the short drive to see the view is worth it. Not to mention, the drive itself is pretty nice and you are likely to see cows, sheep, horses, etc. on the way.

Address: Knockagh Monument, Monument Rd, Carrickfergus, BT38 8QG
Things to do in Newtownabbey: Wrap Up
Well, there it is! My 17 best things to do in Newtownabbey. If you are in Newtownabbey, I would definitely recommend doing as many as possible to fully emerge yourself in the area which I call home. It has so much more to offer than people first realise. Now get out there and have some fun!
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