For the perfect adventure with your family, we’ve got a three-day itinerary guaranteed to keep everyone happy. From gentle alpaca trails to boat trips on Lough Ree, Westmeath is changing the game when it comes to family fun.
 
A medieval castle looms over swirling waters. Herons stand watch on the riverbanks. Boats putter into the marina. This is Athlone – a place that captivates with its dramatic setting on the River Shannon and excites with an array of great family-friendly outdoor activities, from shoreside walking trails to fun-filled pet farms. Pedal through lush landscapes along wildflower-strewn cycle paths, discover elves and pixies in enchanting gardens, and take an alpaca for a walk. In this part of Ireland, the best memories are made outside.  
 
The lowdown
Located at the heart of the island in County Westmeath, Athlone makes a great base for exploring both the county itself and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. The mighty River Shannon dominates the town, positioned as it is at a key crossing point between the east and the west of Ireland. Downstream, lush waterside meadows unfold, rich with birdlife and fringed by blue-green rushes. To the north, the river opens into the wide expanse of Lough Ree, strewn with islands and home to a mythical lake monster. Athlone’s shimmering waterways have made it a popular destination for pleasure craft cruising the Shannon, but this historic town is more than just a waypoint. So slow down, take your time and discover what Athlone has to offer.  
 
DAY ONE
Morning:
The perfect place to kick off an Athlone adventure? It’s got to be Athlone Castle. Dominating the western edge of the river, this impressive 13^th-century fortification offers sweeping views from its wind-buffeted battlements. There are lively interactive exhibits, an outdoor 3-D chess area, tales of heroic soldiers and even a historical garden, where kids can learn about medieval medicines. Family-friendly events take place at various times of the year, including Heritage Week, so keep an eye on the website to see what’s coming up.

                             
 
Afterwards, drop into the friendly Spill the Beans café, a two-minute walk away on Castle Street, for a legendary hot chocolate, before changing things up with the Shannon Banks Walk and Nature Trail, which you can join at Quay Wall. The trail is within easy reach of the town and lasts about 5km, but it’s perfect for connecting with nature – swans glide past, herons stalk the shoreline, and moorhens cluck and yelp in the reeds. Along the way, you’ll find information boards detailing the area’s biodiversity and birdlife, as well as points of interest.


 
You can walk right back to the start of the walk at Big Meadow or take a short detour for a tasty lunch at Bastion Café. Cosy up at one of the small tables inside for soups, wraps, baps and pancakes, or grab a takeaway and stroll over to Burgess Park on the eastern side of the river for a picnic lunch.
 
Afternoon:
One of the best amenities in Athlone town is the Old Rail Trail, a scenic off-road route that weaves through the leafy Westmeath countryside to Mullingar – a distance of 43km. It’s an idyllic escape that’s perfect for kids: bees buzz, butterflies flit from flower to flower, and cows graze peacefully in the surrounding fields. Best of all, you can take it at your own pace.


 
The trail is generally quiet, giving a sense of a real escape, but passing cyclists often stop to chat as they journey between the two towns. For a fun afternoon, why not cycle the 8km to the Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park in Moate? Grab a cake and a coffee in the café before checking out the attractions, including heritage cottages, a pet farm and quirky museums. Back on the bike, it’s another 8km cycle back into Athlone town, where you can kick back and relax for the evening.
 

 
DAY TWO
Morning:
It’s time to trade the serenity of the Shannon for the tranquillity of Lough Ennell, near Mullingar, just a 40-minute drive from Athlone or cycle 43km to Mullingar along the Old Rail Trail to Mullingar and it's just a short spin from there. At the lough’s scenic shoreline, you’ll find the peaceful Tudenham Park Trail, perfect for a relaxing morning’s walk. Park in the main car park where you’ll find a small trail that hugs the water’s edge. Tiny beaches and secluded coves invite you to pause and gaze out over the still, translucent waters; on a calm day, it looks like a watercolour.


 
Take a detour into the dense, fern-rich forest, and you’ll find marked walking trails along sun-dappled and fragrant woodland paths. If you need to recharge, walk down to the Lough Ennell caravan park, where a small café overlooks the lake. Otherwise, continue back along the same road you arrived on to Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm. This charming, family-run place is a real treat for animal-loving kids. There’s a small playground, but it’s the pigs, donkeys, rabbits and other friendly animals that steal the show.
 
Afternoon:
A five-minute drive away is one of Westmeath’s grandest attractions, Belvedere House, Gardens & Park. Start with lunch at the light, bright café in the airy atrium, then set off to explore the grounds. Walking here is pure pleasure, whether you choose to follow the audio guide, which brings the estate’s rich history to life, or simply relax and enjoy the flourishing parkland.


Either way, it’s an easy place to spend a few hours, getting lost in the abundant beauty of the 160-acre lakeside estate or enjoying the zip line and swings. Be sure to visit the enchanting Magical Fairy Garden, accessible from the Walled Garden. The soothing sounds of gushing water, the rustle of wind in the trees, and the soft light filtered through layers of leaves create a perfect stage for a secret world of sprites, elves and pixies. Down near the lough, woodland walks open to reveal stunning waterside views and a chance to see waterbirds like pochard, tufted duck, swan and coot.


 
You could return to Athlone for dinner at one of the town’s renowned restaurants, such as the Left Bank Bistro or stay in the vicinity of Lough Ennell and enjoy an elegant dinner at Bloomfield House Hotel.
 
 
DAY THREE
Morning:
Start the day off at Derrymore Springs Water Adventure Centre, tucked away down a quiet country lane in one of Westmeath’s greenest and most peaceful hideaways. It's just a few minutes from the Royal Canal Greenway, down quiet rural roadways or you can drive there from Mullingar in just 15 minutes. It’s popular with families, but this small, local activities centre feels like a secret – the island-dotted waters are glassy and calm, and the whole place has an unhurried, laid-back atmosphere.
 
The spring-fed lake at Derrymore is man-made but looks utterly natural and wild, with a small sandy beach, an abundance of trees, and nature walks to explore. Phone ahead to book water activities such as kayaking and pedal boating, and don’t forget your swimsuit – it’s a safe and pleasant spot for a refreshing dip. 
 
With a handy location close to Mullingar and right beside the Royal Canal Greenway, The Pewter Café is a favourite with locals, and a great place to enjoy a family-pleasing lunch menu of paninis, soups, quiches and salads, as well as swoon-worthy sweet treats. The café is part of the Mullingar Pewter Gift Shop, where you can browse a range of traditionally crafted pewter products.


 
Nearby, in the rolling Westmeath countryside close to Slevin’s Lough and Lough Sheever, you’ll find an unexpected sight: a herd of Peruvian alpacas – long-lashed, gentle creatures that seem curiously at home amid the lush green pastures of Ireland’s midlands. At Andean Alpacas, these entertaining animals hold court, and rightly so! You can opt for a one-hour “Meet and Greet” or go all-out with a two-hour walking trek, alpaca in hand.  

 
Switch the focus up next with a very different kind of adventure. At Mullingar Bicycle Hire, around a 10-minute drive away at the Royal Canal Hub, your biking adventure awaits. Perfectly located for exploring both the Royal Canal Greenway and the Old Rail Trail, the hire shop rents everything from electric bikes to tandems and kids’ bikes, with great advice, maps and tips to help you find your way.

Both the Old Rail Trail and the Royal Canal Greenway are popular routes, but a lesser-known option is the 4km cycle trail out to Lough Owel, and it’s a particularly good one for kids. This trail is linked with the Royal Canal Greenway just 100 metres or so from Mullingar Harbour, where a pretty stone bridge marks your detour off the main greenway, along a small, tranquil riverside path. The route crosses railway tracks and winds through scenic countryside down to the shores of Lough Owel by the Mullingar Canoe Club.

Arriving along quiet country lanes lined with hedgerows and wildflowers, you’ll find the perfect spot to pause and take in the lough’s lustrous waters. It’s a place to rest, escape the everyday, and soak up a landscape that seems to breathe with its own quiet rhythm – a perfect end to an outdoors adventure in Westmeath.
 
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Staying longer?
From walking trails to water activities, there’s always something to do outdoors in Westmeath. Here are a few more to try:
 
Viking Tours Ireland
Just in front of Athlone Castle, you’ll come across an intriguing boat that looks like something from another era. Captained by “Viking Mike”, the Viking Tour glides 15 kilometres downstream to the 6^th-century monastic site of Clonmacnoise or upstream to Lough Ree, which Viking Mike recommends as a great bet for families. “Kids love the Viking Ship as it’s a semi-open vessel,” he says. “They can move around between the inside and outside, and they love the flora and fauna along the way”.  
                                        
The Bee Pollinator Trail at Streamstown
There’s a thriving ecosystem along the Old Rail Trail, with beautiful wildflowers including red clover, knapweed and dandelion providing key foods for native pollinator bees. This small trail includes signposts with QR codes to help you learn about our bees, and you can explore it from Jack’s Stop Café at Streamstown along the Old Rail Trail. It’ll take about an hour to cycle here from Athlone or you can drive and park in the car park at Jack’s Stop.


 
Athlone Equestrian Centre
Just under 5km from Athlone town, the Athlone Equestrian Centre is surrounded by beautiful countryside and forest and takes visitors on trails into the surrounding landscape. Only a novice? Try a lesson instead.



Lilliput Adventure Centre
Located on the scenic edge of Lough Ennell, Lilliput is the go-to for day-long outdoor activities including canoeing, kayaking, hill walking, rock climbing and raft building. All equipment is provided, and there are hot showers available all day.