Planning a family getaway to Carlow? With two days to explore, you’ll have plenty of time to experience the county’s perfect blend of outdoor adventure, hands-on attractions, history, and family fun. From peaceful riverside walks along the Barrow Way and delicious chocolate-making experiences to historic castles, interactive museums, beautiful gardens, and exciting indoor play centres, Carlow offers something to keep every member of the family entertained. Whether you’re travelling with young children or simply looking for a relaxed family break, this two-day itinerary combines some of Carlow’s most loved attractions with plenty of opportunities to explore, play, and create lasting memories together. Here’s how to make the most of a 2-day family trip to County Carlow.
Day 1 Morning: Start at Barrow Walk & Barrow Brew
Start your day with a nice walk alongside the Barrow Way. A beautiful path following alongside the Barrow River offering beautiful countryside views and great opportunities to spot local wildlife. With its even terrain the Barrow Way is well suited for families going for a walk alongside this beautiful river. The atmosphere makes it easy to slow down whether you are looking for a short stroll or a longer walk with the family.
After your walk, get yourself a well-deserved Coffee at Barrow Brew. This Café sits directly beside the river and is perfect for sitting down, having a cup of coffee or homemade sweets and snacks while enjoying one of the most scenic and relaxing pieces of land Ireland has to offer.
For more information, visit CarlowTourism.ie
Day 1 Noon: The Chocolate Garden of Ireland
After your morning walk at the Barrow River, take a 30-minute drive to the Chocolate Garden of Ireland. There you and your children can learn more about chocolate. Immerse yourself into the arts of making chocolate, unleash your inner Willy Wonka and make your handmade piece of sweetness. Interactive workshops allow visitors to gain an interesting insight into the art of chocolate making. Especially children enjoy getting hands-on and creating their own personalised treat to bring home.
The Chocolate Garden of Ireland is a favourite among visitors (especially among children) and also offers its own shop where you can get chocolate in all sorts of forms and colours. Discounted passes are available at our reception to purchase. Advanced booking is advised.
For more information, visit The Chocolate Garden of Ireland website.
Day 1 Noon: Rathwood
Located right next to the Chocolate Garden of Ireland, Rathwood is another fantastic family attraction that is well worth a visit. Originally established as a garden centre, Rathwood has grown into one of the South East’s most popular family destinations, offering something for visitors of all ages.
Rathwood is the perfect spot for having lunch where families can enjoy the large playground, explore the maze, browse the extensive retail stores or relax in one of the cafés and restaurants on site. Depending on the season, Rathwood also hosts a variety of special events and activities for children, making every visit a unique experience. Whether you are looking for a place to shop, play or simply take a break, Rathwood is an excellent addition to your family day out before continuing on to Coppenagh House Farm.
For more information, visit Rathwood Events
Day 1 Afternoon: Coppenagh House Farm
With some chocolate in your bag and ready to go, you can drive to Coppenagh House Farm, just another 10 mins away and go from making chocolate, to a real authentic Irish farm with a shop including all sorts of beef, pork, bacon, honey and lots more. The farm makes for a great contrast to busier everyday life and showcases to visitors and their children, where local foods come from. For children, it can be particularly interesting to learn more about farming and food production while seeing first-hand where many local products originate.
For more information, visit Coppenagh House Farm
Day 1 Afternoon: Duckett’s Grove
After your stop at Coppenagh House Farm just 15 mins north, you will find the famous Duckett’s Grove.
Duckett’s Grove is one of County Carlow’s most striking and famous landmarks. The once by the Duckett’s family inherited gothic-styled manor with its rising towers and astonishing architecture is sitting out of town, surrounded by plains and fields offers a postcard-like appearance and is a real eyecatcher, especially at dawn.
With its surrounding restored walled gardens it’s also a good place to just rest and have a little walk through its gardens filled with roses, fruit trees and seasonal colour.
If you want something to end your evening properly, Carlow offers a wide range of local bars and restaurants where you can enjoy real Irish atmosphere.
For more information, visit Duckett’s Grove
Day 1 Morning: Carlow Castle
The famous Carlow Castle is a good point to start your tour through Carlow as its one of Carlow’s most recognisable historic attractions.
Built in the early 13th century, the castle witnessed many centuries of Irish history and since then remains one of Carlow’s most essential and famous sights. With its location, sitting directly beside the River Barrow and its surroundings, Carlow Castle offers a perfect scenery for pictures and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere while being in the middle of town.
The riverside setting also makes it an excellent place for a short break while exploring Carlow Town.
Information panels located at the castle around the ruins provide interesting information about the building and the people connected to it through the last 800 years since its construction.
Carlow Castle is a short but rewarding stop on your tour through Carlow you shouldn’t miss out.
For more information, visit Carlow Castle
Day 2 Morning: Carlow County Museum
After your Start at the Carlow Castle, you can take a short 10 minute walk to your next stop. The Carlow County Museum. While you are walking towards the museum, you head straight through Carlow city centre with its streets filled with shops and little sights.
With its countless artifacts and many exhibits, the museum offers an astonishing insight into the local life of Carlow through history.
Visitors can discover stories about the people who shaped the county, explore archaeological finds from ancient settlements and gain a deeper understanding of how Carlow developed through the centuries.
With a wide range of free exhibits, the display covers a wide span of time, from prehistoric times to the middle ages up to the revolutionary period of Ireland’s and Carlow’s history.
The Carlow County Museum is regarded as one of Ireland’s finest museums and even engages younger visitors to learn more about history.
For more information, visit Carlow County Museum
Day 2 Afternoon: Delta Sensory Gardens
After your lunch break you can take a short drive through the town up to the award winning Delta Sensory Gardens, one of Carlow’s most unique attractions. Designed to stimulate all five senses.
The Delta Sensory Gardens spread across 2.5 acres and are made up of 16 interconnecting themed garden spaces filled with flowers, plants, water features, sculptures and seating areas for visitors to see, hear, smell, feel and discover.
Every section of the gardens has its own distinct character making the garden even more interesting, as every garden brings its own unique features to the table.
Especially for families, it’s a nice stop through the busy city where parents and children can admire these beautiful gardens and escape everyday life for a bit.
Children particularly enjoy discovering the many different gardens and exploring the area. For parents it’s a good spot to relax for a bit and enjoy this oasis before heading to your last big point on the list.
For more information, visit Delta Sensory Gardens
Day 2 Afternoon: The Big Blue Barn
If you take a short 10 minute car ride out of town you can visit your children’s favorite location. After a long day of sightseeing and exploring museums, surprise your kids with a lot of fun in the Big Blue Barn, one of the region’s most popular family attractions.
From Wednesday to Sunday this large indoor play centre with its wide variety of equipment suitable for different age groups, is a very good place to visit when you have kids. It’s designed to keep kids up to the age of 12 entertained for hours and is the perfect place to end your day regardless of the weather. The facility has been specifically designed with families in mind and offers a safe and exciting environment where children can climb, slide, explore and play all day.
This area provides the perfect end-your-day experience, from climbable frames, to slides, to soft play areas and a toddler zone it has everything it needs for a child to play and have a lot of fun.
After spending the day discovering Carlow’s history and attractions, The Big Blue Barn provides the ideal opportunity for children to burn off any remaining energy while parents enjoy a well-earned rest in a little Café like area before returning to the hotel for a nice dinner.
For more information, visit The Big Blue Barn
MAKE IT A GETAWAY: STAY AT THE WOODFORD DOLMEN HOTEL
With so many fun things to do in Carlow, getting away for a 2 night family break might be the best way to ensure you don’t miss out on the fun. Treat the family to a fun and relaxing stay in a spacious room, with a Full Irish breakfast each morning and a two-course meal for the whole family in the evening. Kids will love The Chocolate Mould Making Pass or the Family Pass at IMC Carlow cinema. Enjoy a sweet welcome with a complimentary box of handmade Irish chocolates from the Chocolate Garden of Ireland. Book your family break now with us.