HMP Belfast, also known as Crumlin Road Gaol, is a former prison situated on the Crumlin Road. Since 1996 it is the only remaining Victorian era former prison in Northern Ireland. It is colloquially known as the Crum.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency has given it a grade A listed building status because of its architectural and historical significance. The Crumlin Road Courthouse, derelict since it closure, stands opposite the Gaol with a tunnel under the main road connecting the two buildings and used previously to transport the prisoners between both buildings.

Despite being known as Europe's Alcatraz, there were a number of successful escape attempts at the Gaol. The first recorded escape was in 1866.

During its 150-year history the gaol had many prisoners pass through its doors. Some of the more well known prisoners included Éamon de Valera, Martin McGuinness, Michael Stone and Bobby Sands.

On 24 November 1991, during the last stages of the Troubles, the Loyalist wing of the prison became the target of a Provisional IRA bomb that killed a UVF and a UDA prisoner.

The gaol closed its doors as a prison in 1996 and it was empty for many years. A restoration project was announced in August 2010. In November 2012, the prison opened as a tourist attraction and conference centre and now hosts concerts. The museum welcomed a visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 2014.

The Shankill Road (from Irish: Seanchill, meaning 'old church') is one of the main roads leading through west Belfast. It runs through the working-class, predominantly loyalist, area known as the Shankill.

The road stretches westwards for about 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from central Belfast and is lined, to an extent, by shops. The residents live in the many streets which branch off the main road. The area along the Shankill Road forms part of the Court district electoral area.

In Ulster-Scots it is known as either Auld Kirk Gate ("Old Church Way"),[better source needed] or as Auld Kirk Raa ("Old Church Road"). In Irish, it is known as "Bóthar na Seanchille" ("the road of the old church").

The Belfast Peace Walls are barriers that separate Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods through the city. They were originally built in 1969 to establish peace by separating sectarian groups. Today, they are popular tourist attractions.

Arguably, the most famous Peace Wall is located between Shankill Road and Falls Road. There is also a large Peace Wall along Cupar Way, which has become a canvas for local artists. Graffiti and street art intermingle on the Peace Walls to provide color to the city while also reminding citizens and tourists of the strife of the country.

The walls were originally meant to be temporary structures. Ironically, the structures have not only stayed in place, but have increased in number. The most recent Peace Wall was constructed in 2017. There are now 59 in the city.

The Belfast City Council began a plan to remove the Peace Walls, but the vast majority of residents believe they continue to help quell violence. Still, the plan is for all Peace Walls to be removed in the future.

The Falls Road (from Irish túath na bhFál 'territory of the enclosures') is the main road through west Belfast, running from Divis Street in Belfast city centre to Andersonstown in the suburbs. The name has been synonymous for at least a century and a half with the Catholic community in the city. The road is usually referred to as the Falls Road, rather than as Falls Road. It is known as the Faas Raa in Ulster-Scots.

On some walls along the main road have been painted large murals. These are representations of local and national political issues and figures. One of the most famous is the large mural of Bobby Sands on the side wall of Sinn Féin's offices at the corner of Sevastopol Street. Further down the road on the corner of Northumberland Street is a series of murals which has come to be called the International or Solidarity Wall. This is a series of images of international figures who have been involved in various liberation struggles. These murals have become a popular attraction for visiting tourists.

The Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum is located in Conway Mill in West Belfast. The museum first opened in 2007 but it located in a former linen mill that dates to 1842. It opened on the anniversary of the death of the main benefactor of the museum, Eileen Hickey.

Hickey was the former Officer Commanding of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoners in Armagh Women's prison and she dedicated her life to preserving artifacts and relics from the period in Irish history known as The Troubles.

Some exhibits at the Irish Republican History Museum include a jacket worn by Mairead Farrell, a cell door from the Armagh women's prison, weapons used during The Troubles, items sculpted by prisoners and a large number of posters, paintings and articles. The museum is also home to a library and interpretive center.

The Irish Republican History Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Belfast Cathedral, also known as Saint Anne's Cathedral, was built on the same grounds as the parish church of Saint Anne. The original church, built in 1776, was encased by Belfast Cathedral upon its construction in 1899. The only remnant of the first church is the Good Samaritan window, located in the sanctuary.

Belfast Cathedral was designed by architect Sir Thomas Drew. It was completed in 1904. The church was expanded in 1924 and again in 1932. Tragically, the cathedral was nearly destroyed during World War II. Due to The Troubles and staggering finance issues, reconstruction wasn't completed until 1981.

Today, church-goers and visitors to Belfast will see the beauty of the mosaics, stone sculptures and gothic-influenced arches. The feature that arguably stands out the most is the Spire of Hope, a 131-foot (40 meter) steel spire. The Spire of Hope was added in 2007.

Another feature that visitors should note is the Belfast Cathedral organ. It was built in 1907 by Harrison and Harrison, and then rebuilt in 1975. It is the second-largest pipe organ in Northern Ireland.

Visitors are welcome inside Belfast Cathedral. It is open from 10 AM to 4 PM from Tuesday through Saturday. It is also open for church services at 11 AM on Sundays.

In business since 1983, Belfast Exposed is Northern Ireland's only dedicated photography gallery. The gallery operates a fine exhibition space in a refurbished warehouse building. It also provides local photographers with dark room and processing facilities and a well maintained library.

Belfast Exposed Photography has an archive of half a million images that reflects some difficult periods in Belfast's history. They show the community itself, important people, and some certain parts of the city.

Exhibitions are usually free and a worth-see while in Belfast.