The Glenariff Coastal Walk, Cushendun Caves, and Cushendall Beach alone could fill a full family day.
Twenty-five of the 37 places in the area are free — beaches, wildlife spots, coastal paths, and live music at Johnny Joe's McCollam's Bar. Glenariff Forest Park and Watertop Open Farm are the main paid picks for families.
The best days out near Cushendall
Waterfoot / Red Bay Beach
Glens of Antrim Distillery
Curfew Tower
Johnny Joe's McCollam's Bar
Cushendall Golf Club
Cushendall Beach
Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club
Red Bay Castle
Layd Old Church
Glenariff Coastal Walk
Cushendun Caves
Glendun Viaduct
Cushendun Beach
Cushendun Coastal Snorkel Site
Carra Castle
Cushendun to Torr Head Coastal Walk
Garron Point
Glenariff Forest Park
Loughareema (The Vanishing Lake)
Cranny Falls
Carnlough Bay Boat Tours
Carnlough Beach
Garron Plateau
Watertop Open Farm
Dunfin Farm
Ballycastle Farm Shop
Straidkilly Nature Reserve
Old Coastguard Station
Tor Head Seal Viewpoint
Torr Head Loop
Glenarm Beach
Glenarm Castle Land Rover Experience
Torr Head
Glenarm Castle & Walled Garden
Altarichard Forest Stargazing Site
Murlough Bay
Sheans Horse Farm
What's on near Cushendall
- 1AugHeart of the Glens FestivalCushendall
- 2AugGet Wet Stay Safe - Swim Safety TrainingCushendun
- 5AugDuplo Club — Ballycastle LibraryBallycastle Library
- 5AugJunior Storytime — Cushendall LibraryCushendall Library
- 5AugWalled GardensGlenarm Castle
- 5AugDog ParkGlenarm Castle
Days out in Cushendall — your questions
What are the best days out in Cushendall?
Cushendun Caves and Glenariff Forest Park are both standouts. Cushendall Beach and Waterfoot / Red Bay Beach are great for a relaxed day by the sea. If you're after wildlife, Tor Head Seal Viewpoint is free and easy to reach. Most of the best options here cost nothing.
What free things are there to do in Cushendall?
Plenty. Cushendall Beach, Cushendun Beach, and Waterfoot / Red Bay Beach are all free. Cushendun Caves, Layd Old Church, and the Glenariff Coastal Walk cost nothing either. Johnny Joe's McCollam's Bar has live music for free. Twenty-five of the 37 places in the area are free.
Where can you go on a rainy day near Cushendall?
Options are limited indoors — this part of Antrim is best in fair weather. Glenariff Forest Park is worth visiting in light rain. Glens of Antrim Distillery is a good indoor stop, and Johnny Joe's McCollam's Bar is a warm, welcoming local option.
What's good for young children near Cushendall?
Watertop Open Farm and Dunfin Farm are the top picks for young children — hands-on animal experiences that little ones tend to love. Cushendall Beach is close to the village and easy for families with toddlers. Glenariff Forest Park also works well for kids who like to explore.
More about Cushendall
Cushendall is known as the Capital of the Glens, sitting where three of the nine Glens of Antrim come together on the Antrim Coast. At its centre stands the Curfew Tower, an unusual red sandstone tower built around 1817 as a lock-up for prisoners, and today owned by the musician Bill Drummond.
The village kept so much of its old character that it became one of Northern Ireland's very first conservation areas, back in 1973. On the hills above is Oisín's Grave, a court tomb around 5,000 years old, linked by tradition to the legendary warrior-poet Oisín.