I might have been born and raised in County Armagh, but I spent more than ten years living in Dublin, and this 3-day family loop is how I’d show Dublin to my own nephews and nieces when they’ve got only a long weekend. I’m aiming to keep this rain-proof, stroller-friendly, and (crucially) steer you around Dublin’s most exhausting queues, perfect for families based in Dublin for 3 days who want “best of” without the chaos. I’m using family to mean two adults and two kids, but adjust as necessary for your family structure!
You’re looking at a tight, focused 3 day Dublin itinerary that respects nap schedules and wet weather while still delivering those “we’re really in Ireland” moments. No marathon drives. No standing in line for an hour with grumpy littles. I’m trying to give you clear routing, genuine experiences, and the kind of pacing that lets you actually enjoy your kids instead of managing meltdowns (yes, I have 16 nieces and nephews!).
Do these three things:
- Dublin’s modern story at EPIC: Indoor, hands-on, and genuinely engaging for all ages. Irish history without the yawns.
- Seaside Ireland on the DART to Howth: Big views, salty air, easy logistics. A proper coastal village that feels a world away from the city centre. I’d argue some of the best fish and chips.
- Kid-wonder day trips like Malahide’s Casino Model Railway and Butlers Chocolate Factory: Small-scale attractions that deliver big smiles without the tour-bus crowds.
Planning
Estimated Base Cost (3 days, excl. flights): USD $1,800–$3,000 / CAD $2,400–$4,000 for a family of 4. That’s mid-range stays, public transport as your backbone, and 1–2 paid attractions per day. Book accommodations early; Dublin’s family-friendly hotels fill fast during shoulder season.
Transit Mix: ~70% walk + Luas/DART/bus, ~20% taxis (optional for rain emergencies), ~10% tours (optional). Dublin’s public transport is clean, frequent, and genuinely child-friendly. Leap Cards save you about 30% versus single tickets: buy one at any local shop.
Patrick’s Hassle Rating: 2/5 - Dublin is compact and forgiving with kids, but the weather turns quickly and the “big-name” sights can waste half your day if you don’t time them right. This Ireland family itinerary sidesteps those traps.
Day 1: Dublin (Smithfield + Docklands, rain-proof start)
The Bed
Stay central and transit-easy near museums. Maldron Hotel Smithfield puts you a 10-minute walk from EPIC and Dublinia, with a pool for post-museum wind-down. Breakfast is included, which matters when you’re feeding a family before 9 a.m. The Smithfield neighborhood itself is quiet enough for evening strolls but close enough to everything that matters.
Morning: EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Main Entrance to the EPIC Museum © Failte Ireland
Start here. Seriously. EPIC is the single best indoor anchor for families in Dublin: interactive screens, audio booths the kids can control themselves, and a narrative that moves fast enough to hold attention spans. My own nieces spent 20 minutes “designing” their emigration journey on the touchscreens and didn’t ask for a snack once.
Book your tickets online ahead of time to skip the desk queue. Aim for a 10 a.m. entry when the galleries are still calm. The whole experience takes about 90 minutes with kids, maybe two hours if they’re really into the passport-stamping stations.
If you want a guided option: EPIC Museum tickets and tours.
Afternoon: The Local Pivot: MoLI Gardens + Iveagh Gardens
After EPIC, you need air. Walk 15 minutes south to the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI). The garden entry is free, and the Iveagh Gardens right behind it are Dublin’s best-kept secret: a Victorian walled park with fountains, gravel paths, and enough space for kids to run without trampling flowerbeds. This is how you avoid crowds in Dublin.
If it’s drizzling (it might be), MoLI’s ground floor has free entry and a small interactive exhibit where kids can “write” like Joyce using old typewriters. It’s a 20-minute diversion that feels special without requiring tickets or queues.
Evening Session
Head back toward Smithfield for an early, hearty dinner. The Cobblestone is a proper local pub with trad music most nights, plus it’s family-friendly until about 8 p.m., and they serve a solid Irish stew that’ll warm you from the inside out. Boxty (potato pancakes) is the kid-friendly option that actually tastes good.
If the weather’s been relentless, grab a taxi back to the hotel. No shame in it. You’re on holidays, not an endurance test.
Transport if it Rains
If rain is heavy from the start, use a covered hop-on/hop-off bus to stitch sights without meltdowns. The City Sightseeing route stops at EPIC, Trinity College, and the museums: upper deck, front seats, and you’ve just turned transport into entertainment.
Optional paid experience: River Liffey Cruise (covered boat, 45 minutes, €18 per person). It’s a gentle way to see the city’s bridges and docklands without walking, and kids love being on the water even when it’s grey outside.
Day 2: Malahide (mini-adventure day trip)
The Bed
With a short trip, I’d keep the same base. But if Smithfield isn’t it for you, and you want river views and easier taxi access back after a long day, consider The Spencer Hotel. It’s right on the Liffey, family suites are spacious, and the kids’ menu at breakfast is better than most.
Morning: Casino Model Railway Museum
Courtesy Shannon Group PLC
Take Bus 46A from O’Connell Street (about 40 minutes) to Malahide. Sit upstairs at the front if you can: it’s the “driver’s-eye” view that keeps kids engaged, and you’ll roll through suburban Dublin with its rows of colorful doors and neat gardens.
The Casino Model Railway Museum is small, volunteer-run, and utterly charming. It’s not a castle or a cliff, it’s a room full of meticulously crafted model trains running through miniature Irish landscapes. Kids under 10 are mesmerized. Adults are quietly impressed. Entry is about €10 per family, and you’ll spend 45 minutes to an hour here.
The volunteers are chatty and proud of the work. Ask questions. They’ll show your kids how the signals work.
Afternoon: Butlers Chocolate Factory Tour
From Malahide, it’s a short bus ride or taxi to the Butlers Chocolate Experience in Clonshaugh (about 15 minutes). This is hands-on chocolate-making, kids get to decorate their own bars, taste samples, and learn just enough about the process to feel like they’ve “made” something. Book ahead online. Sessions run about 90 minutes, and they’re capped at small group sizes, so it never feels like a factory conveyor belt. Cost is around €20–€25 per person, and yes, you leave with chocolate.
If the weather’s been kind, Malahide Castle grounds (free to walk) are nearby for a quick leg-stretch before heading back to Dublin.
Evening Session
Back in Dublin, keep it simple. Soda bread with seafood chowder is the reset button after a wet day. Brother Hubbard in Smithfield does a modern Irish menu that’s family-welcoming without being dumbed down. Think roasted vegetables, good bread, and a kids’ menu that isn’t just nuggets.
Transit Context
Bus 46A is your friend today. It’s frequent, reliable, and the route is straightforward. If you’re traveling with a stroller, the buses have low floors and space near the front. Leap Cards work here, and the driver will help if you’re unsure about stops. If you’re keeping it to Dublin, no need for a rental car.
Day 3: Howth + Sandyford (sea air + science energy)
Howth Cliff Walk, Courtesy Failte Ireland
The Bed
If neither of the previous hotels work with your budget, Generator Dublin offers hostel-style family rooms that are clean, central, and about half the price of mid-range hotels. It’s no-frills, but the location (Smithfield) is perfect, and the communal vibe is friendly.
Morning: Howth Harbour + Cliff Walk
Take the DART from Connolly Station to Howth (about 30 minutes). Aim for off-peak (before 9 a.m. or after 10 a.m.) to avoid the commuter crush. Grab a window seat on the right side of the train for the best bay views as you approach Howth.
Howth is a working fishing village with a harbour full of boats, seals if you’re lucky, and a cliff walk that ranges from easy (paved path along the harbor) to moderate (the full loop, about 6 km). With kids, stick to the harbor path and the first section of the cliff trail, you’ll get the big coastal views without the full hike.
If it’s lashing rain, skip the walk entirely. Sit in one of the harbour-front cafés with a bowl of seafood chowder and watch the weather roll in. I’m a fan of local fish and chips (with malt vinegar, but that’s just me). .That’s Ireland too, and it’s no less memorable.
Afternoon: Explorium (Sandyford)
Head back to Dublin and take the Luas Green Line to Sandyford (about 25 minutes from the city centre). Explorium is an indoor science center with VR zones, climbing walls, and toddler areas, it’s the “burn energy” finale your kids need after two days of museums and buses.
It’s not central, and it’s not on the classic tourist trail, which is exactly why it works. Locals bring their kids here on rainy Saturdays. Expect hands-on exhibits, friendly staff, and the kind of organized chaos that feels fun instead of overwhelming.
Entry starts around €15 per person, depending on the activities you choose. Plan for 2–3 hours.
Evening Session
If you’re near Dundrum or Sandyford, Milano does reliable, family-friendly pizza and pasta for €10–€15 per person. It’s not fancy, but after three days of new experiences, sometimes you just want something familiar and fast.
If you’re back in the city centre, grab a final pint (or a pot of tea) somewhere quiet and toast the fact that you’ve just done Dublin with kids without losing your mind.
Transit Context
The DART to Howth is one of Dublin’s most scenic public transport rides. The bay opens up on your right as you leave the city, and by the time you hit Howth station, you’re in a different world: salty air, fishing boats, gulls everywhere.
The Luas Green Line to Sandyford is efficient and clean. If you’ve got a stroller, there’s dedicated space near the doors. Off-peak travel is your friend, midday is calm, and you’ll actually get a seat.
**PATRICK’S IRELAND TRAVEL TIP **If I were optimizing this family road trip Ireland itinerary, I’d book one timed-entry indoor anchor each day (EPIC, Butlers, Explorium) and let everything else be flexible so weather never “wins.” The worst family travel moments happen when you’re locked into an outdoor plan and the skies open up. Build in slack. Let the kids lead occasionally. Ireland rewards spontaneity more than rigid schedules.
Budget & Gear
Daily Spend Summary (family of 4, typical)
- Transport: $25–$60 per day (Leap Cards, DART, Luas, occasional taxi)
- Food: $120–$220 per day (breakfast included at most hotels, lunch €10–15 per person, dinner €15–30 per person)
- Tours/Attractions: $60–$180 per day (higher if you stack multiple ticketed stops; look for bundles or Dublin Pass-style savings on multi-entries)
Total estimated spend: $1,800–$3,000 USD / $2,400–$4,000 CAD for the best Dublin 3 days, excluding flights and souvenirs.
The Essential Layer
Pack true waterproof outer layers and spare socks. Ireland doesn’t do “light drizzle” for long, it escalates. A good rain jacket (not just water-resistant) and layers underneath will save your trip. I’ve seen families in denim jackets standing miserably outside EPIC waiting for the rain to stop. It won’t stop. Dress for it.
Compact umbrellas are fine for adults, but kids lose them or turn them into swords. Hooded jackets for kids are better.
FAQs
Can we do a “Dublin to Cliffs of Moher” day trip in a 3-day family itinerary?
Possible, but it’s a long haul, about 3.5 hours each way by car or tour bus. With young kids, that’s 7 hours of travel for maybe 90 minutes at the cliffs (and they’re sometimes cloaked in with fog or wind). This 3-day plan keeps days short and kinder. Save the Dublin to Cliffs of Moher trip for a longer itinerary when you can overnight in Galway or Doolin and experience the Wild Atlantic Way families actually enjoy.
How do we avoid crowds in Dublin with kids?
Skip Guinness Storehouse and Temple Bar during peak hours (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Choose EPIC, MoLI, and the Dead Zoo Lab (Natural History Museum pop-up) as alternatives, they’re equally engaging but far less mobbed. Book timed entries online for anything ticketed, and aim for first thing in the morning or late afternoon.
Is Ireland doable without a car for 3 days?
Yes, especially my 3 day loop. DART, Luas, and Dublin Bus make the city and near suburbs easy to navigate. Howth and Malahide are both accessible by public transport, and you’ll avoid the stress of driving on the left, parking fees, and navigating unfamiliar roads with tired kids in the back.
Getting the Feel of Dublin & Howth
Dublin people are used to visitors and will happily help, but the vibe shifts a bit you hit the coast. Howth and Malahide feel like breezy seaside villages where people are more likely to know each other and the pace slows down. Expect chatty service, quick humour, and a strong preference for “sound” behavior over strict formality. If your kids are polite and curious, locals will go out of their way to make them feel welcome.
