Handily located between Tralee's most famous attraction, the Aqua Dome, and the dramatic Blennerville Windmill, the Tralee Bay Wetlands Visitor Centre is another unique family attraction for the area, offering a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages - and the Lakeside Café, which is a great place to start the day, or for a break to relax and restore the energy levels in between activities.
Run by a local, Margaret Kissane, the café has terrific views over the lake from large windows and picnic tables all along one side, so it's just the spot to keep an eye on activities while enjoying something from the extensive breakfast menu (available most of the day), or the multi-choice lunch menu and daily specials which cater equally well for both adults and children.
If you're in for breakfast (available 9am-4pm), you can get the traditional Full Irish or a mini version, or other popular hot breakfast/brunch dishes including Eggs Benedict, Pancakes with Nutella, Porridge with honey, freshly baked sausage rolls and more. There’s fresh fruit too, of course, along with Yogurt Granola and a smoothie of the day, and you can pop in for tea or coffee and scones with jam and cream or sweet treats at any time.
Lunch is the busiest time and you may have to queue but there's plenty to choose from, especially, wraps and toasties - such as the Toasted Club Sandwich with rashers, fried egg, chicken, tomatoes and mayo on brown or white bread - and bagels, with cream cheese, crispy bacon, chips and salad being a popular option. And there's a Children's Menu too of course, featuring pasta, chicken, and fish fingers, and more.
It's a fascinating place for a day out, or just a few hours. The Visitor Centre, designed with environmental sustainability and energy efficiency in mind, gives you access to the Wetlands Nature Reserve where there's a guided nature boat tour, a 20-metre viewing tower, bird hides, and nature boardwalk. The Activity Lake and Walkway just outside the Visitor Centre can be enjoyed by locals, tourists, walking enthusiasts, nature lovers and families. Outdoor features include a Toddler Playground, Pedalo Boats and Water Zorbing (both for hire), Guided Safari Nature Boat Tours (fee applies) and Pond Dipping (fee applies).
Kids will love taking on the 9-metre Climbing Wall and Bouldering Area (with instructor on hand) and everyone in the family can enjoy stunning views of Tralee Bay and surrounds.from the 20 metre viewing and observation tower.
It's an all-year destination, with wonderful winter wildlife to observe, occasional school programmes (primary and secondary levels) andl workshops on wildlife, including pollinators - the Ecology Park has won all-Ireland pollinator of the year more than once. A tour with one of the Wildlife & Nature guides offers visitors of all ages the chance to learn about the wetland habitat and its importance - or, if you just want to take a walk or a run around the boardwalks, you’re more than welcome. A wonderful destination for all to enjoy.
