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2 Day Family Itinerary

The Island is a playground of stunning natural beauty and enchanting history that will keep both children and teenagers enthralled. From exciting outdoor pursuits, to intriguing history, to vibrant culture, the Isle of Man is the perfect holiday destination for families.

Day 1 

Begin your first day with a scrummy breakfast at Noa. With two locations in Douglas, Noa Market Hall and Noa Bakehouse, this Manx bakery focuses on producing top products with a variety of local ingredients. It even has a seasonal pop-up on Port Erin Beach! We recommend the almond croissants and the full english breakfast. 

Head over to Douglas Railway Station to hop on one of the Isle of Man Steam Railway's impressive steam trains and head south. The journey allows you to soak up beautiful views of the Isle of Man's coastline and countryside without having to drag little ones on a long walk!

When you reach Castletown, dive into the Island's expansive history with a visit to the medieval Castle Rushen, an impressive fortress that was once home to the Kings and Lords of Mann. If you like exploring Manx National Heritage sites, why not grab yourself a Go Explore Heritage Card for unlimited access to all sites. Afterwards, wander around the Isle of Man's ancient capital, perhaps taking a stroll to Scarlett Nature Discovery Centre & Nature Trail. Alternatively, get creative at Craftworks Studio where you can paint your own pottery. 

There's a variety of tasty options for lunch in the south, why not try Cafe Bar Two Six, Kellas, The Cafe at The Sound or The Shore Gansey, all offering treats that the whole family can enjoy! Afterwards, check out the watersports at Port Erin Beach and try your hand at paddleboarding, kayaking, aquabiking and more.

If you'd rather stay on dry land, see if you can spot the Island's resident seals on the Kitterland (visible from The Sound), or make your way to South Barrule Forest where there's loads of fun activities for kids and adults to get involved in; Ape Mann Adventure Park, mountain bike trails and a skills area, and Laser Mayhem.

In the evening, why not check out one of the capital's child-friendly establishments? Barbary Coast and JUST Pizza & Pasta, both located on the popular North Quay in Douglas, are great options for all families. Afterwards you can grab a gelato from Douglas' Gelatory, a popular gelato parlour with a plethora of innovative flavours that change each day. 

Day 2 

Start your second day with a trip to the Great Laxey Wheel, the Island's most iconic landmark and the largest working water wheel in the world. Additionally, learn about the lives of the Laxey Miners and explore the mine trail, fascinating history for little ones to soak up! Afterwards you can get some brunch at The Shed, a cute beachside café. 

Next, why not take a trip up to Snaefell Summit via the Snaefell Mountain Railway, from the top of the mountain you can see the Seven Kingdoms on a clear day; Isle of Man, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Sea, and Heaven... Have fun trying to spot all seven! Follow this up with lunch at Victory Cafe (a stop on the ride back to Laxey) where you can devour some hearty classics like the Manx-loved chips, cheese and gravy. Afterwards stop for a play in the scenic Laxey Glen Playground. 

Spend your afternoon in the north, which is home to many fun attractions for youngsters. Mooragh Park is a great leisure facility located in Ramsey that features a 12 acre boating lake, tennis courts, a bowling green, BMX track and a crazy golf course, as well as a children’s playground and special water play area.

If you'd rather take a walk on the wild side, Curraghs Wildlife Park in Ballaugh will be sure to impress the whole family with more than 60 species of animals, opportunity to have up close animal experiences, miniature railway, and loads of play areas for little ones. Located behind the park is an area known as Ballaugh Curraghs that is home to hundreds of wild wallabies, why not go for an adventure through the area and follow the Where's Wally the Wallaby Trail? 

In the evening, why not visit the beautiful seaside town of Peel for a family-friendly meal. The Island is known for its premium seafood offering, and Peel is a fishing hotspot! You can grab a delicious meal at one of Peel's much-loved restaurants like The Boatyard, The Creek Inn, or Barbary West Coast. End your evening with a chilled out stroll along Peel Beach and enjoy views of the majestic Peel Castle. 

Check out other things to do for the whole family here!