Ballymena is a prosperous market town in County Antrim, sitting on the River Braid south of the Antrim plateau. It's a workmanlike place — the commercial centre for a large rural hinterland — without obvious tourist ambitions. Liam Neeson was born here, and a modest plaque in the town centre marks that fact for those who care. More usefully, the town is a reasonable base for the Antrim Coast, which lies 30-odd kilometres east: the Glens of Antrim and the Causeway Coast are easily reached.
The Ecos Centre on the edge of town is one of Northern Ireland's environmental centres, with nature trails and cycling paths around the Ballymena park. As a stopping point it works better than as a destination.