Dublin is the heart of Ireland, a magnificent city, with friendly locals, beautiful music, and the ability to leave a lasting mark on your heart forever. One of my favorite activities when traveling to any city is to walk around the city during two different times of the day, one is in the early morning and the other is at night. These are the times when you see a city in its truest form, in its unrefined beauty, and once you see a place in that light it is hard to see it in any other way. Dublin is a city that comes alive at night, music fills the street, people are crowding the sidewalks with laughter, and all areas of people’s characters come to life. Take this as an opportunity to see this amazing city in another light.

Stop for a Quick Bite at Queen of Tarts

Anytime that I am in Dublin, I always make sure to stop at Queen of Tarts. This small pastry mecca offers visitors both classic and modern breakfast and dessert fare. Though you really can’t go wrong with any of their baked goods, my go-to order is their scones with cream and a tart (the tart varieties vary but I have yet to find one that wasn’t delicious).

Visit One of the Many Beautiful City Parks/Gardens

One of my more breathtaking discoveries during my roaming of Dublin was the surprising amount of parks throughout the city. Through my multiple trips to Dublin, I have found more and more of these treasures, I know you there are probably lots of side ventures on your trip to this city but a quick walk through any of their enchanting parks are definitely worth the time.

St. Stephen’s Green 

 Located near Trinity College St. Stephens Green is arguably the most famous and for good reason. With a variety of professionally maintained greenery, flowers, and waterways this park is an amazing way to spend the afternoon or even for a short picnic. We visited St. Stephens Green in March, with the flower displays in full bloom and local wildlife in full force this place truly seemed like one of those magical gardens you read about in British fairytales.

Iveagh Gardens

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As a great many of my favorite places, we stumbled upon Iveagh Gardens. We landed in Dublin a few hours before we could check into our hotel and wanted to stretch our legs a bit after the long flight. From the outside I couldn’t see much, just some old stone walls and what appeared to be a waterfall, of course, my brain thought how could there be a waterfall? So we ventured around the area until we found an entrance, we were welcomed by a 19th century garden with an immaculate waterfall styled display. This unique stop is a great way to see some of the histories of the city in a beautiful setting.

Stop at the Guinness Storehouse

A four-leaf clover, leprechauns, and Guinness are arguably the top things that people relate to the emerald isle. While in Dublin make a trip to the Guinness Storehouse to learn more about this iconic brew and get an amazing view of the city as you drink your own glass from Guinness’s own Gravity bar (trust me the view is worth the trip alone) located on the top of this seven-floor building in the heart of Dublin. 

Check out the Book of Kells

The first time I heard of the Book of Kells was in a college history course. To say I am an Irish history nerd would be an understatement, so during my next trip to Dublin, this was an essential stop. If you love history or just want to learn more about this ancient culture this is a great start. The date of this ancient book’s creation has a shroud of mystery around it but is known around the world for its lavish decorations and handcrafted pages. Though there are multiple copies that can be found at various institutions around the world only the original can be found on display at this Trinity college. 

Have a  Pint at Brazen Head 

One thing that Dublin is not lacking is in a choice in pubs. As you walk down the old stone streets you will see colorful buildings on almost every block with quirky names and a variety of stouts and ales to keep you satisfied for days. What makes The Brazen Head so unique is that it is the oldest pub in Ireland, originally founded in 1198. This lively pub is home to delicious food, my favorite dish which came was the Irish stew which came with fresh brown bread. Music and laughter filled the air during our meal with live entertainment of classic Irish music.

Stop at the Book Market

If you are visiting Dublin during the late spring/ summer months keep an eye out for the local pop up street book market in the Temple Bar area. With an array of titles and Irish printed books, this is a great stop for any tourist or book lover who wants to find an uncommon title or bring home a unique memento from their trip. 

Visit the Jameson’s Whiskey Experience

Who doesn’t love a good Irish whiskey? For me, Jameson’s is my go-to whiskey for any occasion. In the heart of Dublin, you can find the home of this Irish classic. Unlike most Brewery tours Jameson’s experience is nothing short of an experience itself. A knowledgeable guide will take you through the historical homestead of whiskey well giving you a once-in-a-lifetime experience not only into the history but also into the making of world-famous Jameson’s whiskey firsthand. You will begin your tour by walking through a hallway that has a written history of Jameson and that specific Factory and is a  part of Ireland’s history as well. Your tour guide will then take you into a round room in the middle of has a digital projector and a once-in-a-lifetime experience of explaining not only the history and Legacy of Jameson’s but also all the events that unfolded that helps you create and idolize iconic the Jameson’s that everyone knows and loves now. And what better way to wrap up your tour than with a fresh Jameson’s drink at their own private bar.

Walk by the Molly Malone Statue

Molly Malone is one of the most iconic figures in Dublin City. It’s likely that if you walk into any pub in Ireland you will hear this iconic song. Though there’s no proof that  Molly Malone ever lived, her myth has left a mark on Dublin that has lasted a lifetime. The song tells the story of a young woman who lived in Dublin during the 17th century. Who went through the streets of Dublin selling various local kinds of seafood But ultimately met her demise at the hands of a fatal disease. This beautifully detailed bronze statue it’s located in the heart of Dublin on Suffolk Street and immortalizes her pushing her cart of goods through Dublin for all eternity.