- Feed the ducks which might be rabbits on Arklow duck pond behind the Bay Hotel. But how do you know they're ducks on a pond? They might equally be rabbits on a cricket pitch, or anything else, according to Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951). He spent 1947-48 at Kilpatrick House near Redcross south of Arklow (nowadays a private residence), writing Philosophical Investigations, pondering intensely whether he was feeding bread to the ducks or to the rabbits (and how do you know it's really bread? It might be the Holy Spirit) and generally being the sort of fellow you don't want to get trapped with at a party. He moved on to Connemara then Ithaca New York but returned to England seriously ill with prostate cancer.
- Omniplex Cinema is in Bridgewater Shopping Centre.
- Golf: Arklow Golf Links start 500 m south of the river. White tees 6157 yards, par 70, round €50.
- Woodenbridge GC is inland along R747, and The European Club is on the coast north at Brittas Bay.
- Beaches near town are spoiled by industry. Either go 10 km north to Brittas Bay, or 7 km south to Clogga Beach.
- Climb Croghan Mountain 10 km west of town on the Wicklow—Wexford county boundary. It's 606 m (1998 ft) high, detached from the rest of the Wicklow Mountains and with a double peak: Croghan East Top is 562 m. The easiest trail is from Raheenleagh Wood on the Wexford side. On a clear day from the summit you might see Snowdon.
- Gaelic games: the County GAA team play Gaelic football and hurling at the County Ground (or "Joule Park", capacity 10,000) in Aughrim, 10 km west of Arklow.
- Seabreeze Festival is a weekend in mid-July, with associated events (such as "Swinging Pubs Contest") in the prior two weeks.
- Row a boat to Wales: the Celtic Challenge is a rowing race held in alternate years from Arklow to Aberystwyth, almost 160 km (100 miles).
