Skip the overcrowded city tours and spend three hours wandering Ashford Castle grounds and the ancient Cong Abbey ruins. The village is tiny—perfect for a quick pint at Danagher's before grabbing lunch. If you're coming from Galway, the $48 group tour is decent, but driving yourself gives you the freedom to bail once the tourist buses arrive. Avoid the museum unless you're a die-hard John Wayne fan. Just walk the river trails and chill.
