Best Things To Do in Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Are you looking for what to do in Newcastle Upon Tyne?

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

  • Castle Keep: Discover the story behind the city, including how it got its name. Climb to the rooftop which boasts an outstanding view of the River Tyne and its seven bridges.
  • Gateshead Millennium Bridge: The world’s first and only tilting bridge, it is one of the 10 bridges connecting Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Gateshead.
  • Angel of the North: This iconic sculpture by British artist Antony Gormley is perched on a hilltop and is believed to be the largest angel sculpture in the world.
  • Quayside: This is an area along the banks of the River Tyne. Once an industrial area and busy commercial dockside, it’s now the hub for Newcastle activity.
  • St. Nicholas Cathedral: England’s most northerly cathedral is easily recognisable by its Lantern Tower, which was once a navigation point for vessels on the River Tyne.

Below we have a list of things to do in Newcastle Upon Tyne and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Newcastle Upon Tyne getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Newcastle Upon Tyne with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Newcastle Upon Tyne

Here is the list of things to do in Newcastle Upon Tyne and tourist attractions in city.

  1. The Quayside

    Bar, Waterfront, Landmark, View Point

    Newcastle is on the north bank of the River Tyne. The Quayside Riverside Walk is everything good about the North Side. Bars, pubs, nightclubs and restaurants line the street; it’s a housing development area (meaning that it’s not tourist trap); the arts and music scene here is thriving; and there’s lots of seating all along the Quayside, set up by local businesses to draw in t...Read more
  2. Boulevard Show Bar

    4.6 (216 Votes)
    Boulevard Show Bar

    Bar, Food And Drinks, Entertainment, Performance

    Dazzling dance routines, outrageous comedy and titillating costumes have made this Dinner Theatre/Bar Newcastle’s favourite nightspot. Your host and compere is a 7-foot-tall diva Miss Rory. She’s as much of a delight as the performers themselves, who are Broadways stars led by Miss Betty 'Legs' Diamond. Every dance here is a showstopper. But just so you’re not surprised, this ...Read more
  3. The Discovery Museum

    4.5 (281 Votes)
    The Discovery Museum

    Museum, Science Museum, History Museum, Specialty Museum

    This is a science and local history museum. Newcastle has terrific maritime history, and has also played a large part in founding game-changing science and tech. The incredible interactive displays at the museum cover history from Roman times to the first decade of the new millennium. There’s also mini-museum dedicated to the 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars and the Northumberland Hussa...Read more
  4. St James' Park

    4.5 (295 Votes)
    St James' Park

    Landmark, Stadium, Entertainment

    This all seater football stadium is one of the city’s landmarks. The cantilevered white roof is the largest in Europe, and can be seen from all across the city. They’ve used for international, Olympic and even Rugby matches. They’ve used it as film locations and for rock concerts. Try and visit during the game. If you can, during a match, take a moment to realise that football...Read more
  5. Victoria Tunnel

    Historical Site, Tunnel

    Historically, this 2.5 mile wagonway tunnel from the Town Moor to the Tyne is one of the most intriguing places in the city. It was built to transport coal, but during WWII, became an important bomb-raid shelter for over 9000 locals. The only way to visit is by guided tour, but that’s also the best way to visit. Each tour is a production of light and sound full of fantastic effects &ndash...Read more
  6. Grey Street And Grainger Town

    Entertainment, Theatre, Leisure, Market

    Richard Grainger was a 19th century builder and developer who created some of Newcastles most iconic buildings and streets. The areas he worked on are said to have a distinct style of Georgian architecture that’s been given its own name – Tyneside Classical. These cover Grainger Market, Theatre Royal, Clayton Street, Grainger Street and Grey Street. Grey Street is known as one of th...Read more
  7. The Tyne Bridge

    Waterfront, View Point, Bridge, Walking Area

    This through arch bridge, opened in 1928, is the 10th tallest structure in the city. The first bridge on this location was built by the Romans in the year 122, and since then, multiple bridges have fallen into disrepair and been reconstructed on the spot. When you visit, notice the remnants of a tram infrastructure – these were retired in the 1950s. High above the road in the centre of th...Read more
  8. Life Science Centre

    4.4 (303 Votes)
    Life Science Centre

    Village, Educational Site, Entertainment, Exhibition

    They like to think of themselves as a self-sustaining science village. 600 people from 35 countries work at this centre in genetic research, medicine, education, and business. The special exhibitions here are what tourists come to see – over 250,000 visits happen annually. The permanent exhibitions focus on scientific processes and discovery. Most of the exhibits are interactive and quite...Read more
  9. Jesmond Dene Park

    Church, Religious Site, Park, Zoo

    This pleasant little wildlife corridor is a narrow valley that stretches between South Gosforth and Jesmond Vale, running along the Ouseburn Stream. The trees are both native and exotic. Laid out in the 1860s, the park is supposed to look charmingly rural, with trees and crags and pools and waterfalls. The park is very popular with the local birdwatchers. On Sunday mornings, you can find an ar...Read more
  10. Belsay Castle Hall And Gardens

    Art Gallery, Garden, View Point, Historical Site

    This 19th century mansion built in Greek Doric style is popular for it’s mildly decayed look, and the glimpse it offers into a bygone lifestyle. It was owned by the Middleton family for over 7 centuries. There are also interesting formal and natural gardens, such as the Quarry Garden, which is inspired by the ancient gardens of Sicily. Other than that, it’s also a popular place to h...Read more
  11. Newcastle Castle

    4.5 (208 Votes)
    Newcastle Castle

    Castle, Historical Site, Exhibition , Heritage Building

    Newcastle’s namesake 12th century building has three parts: the Castle Keep, the fortified stone tower, and the fortified Black Gate. There’s been a fort here since Roman Times. During the English Civil war, Newcastle was besieged until it surrendered. It was later made into a prison. In the 20th century, the gate was briefly used as a slum tenement. Your visit will cover these vari...Read more
  12. The Stand Comedy Club

    4.7 (142 Votes)
    The Stand Comedy Club

    Club, Restaurant, Entertainment, Performance

    The franchise was carried over from Edinburgh and Glasgow, and now, this is considered to be one of the best comedy clubs in the country. Mixing celebrity comic artists with some of the best local talent, the club hosts shws practically every night! And the Bistro is no pushover either. The restaurant here is one of the best places to eat in town. The dishes are exquisite, but the prices are lo...Read more
  13. Lane 7

    4.3 (269 Votes)
    Lane 7

    Bar, Bowling Alley, Food And Drinks, Restaurant

    Bowling, ping-pong, karaoke, beer pong and pool – these make for Newcastle’s most chilled out hangout. Beautifully decorated and competently staffed, Lane7 also offers three excellent cocktail bars and a yummy restaurant. Drinks are never far away, and the bartenders will be happy to walk you through any exotic cocktail you may care to try. Perfect for an evening out with friends, t...Read more
  14. The Great North Museum-hancock

    Museum, History Museum, Planetarium , Specialty Museum

    This is a natural history museum-cum-planetarium. The collection began in the late 18th century, when Marmaduke Tunstall started his ethnographic collection. Ancient civilisations that ruled the area around Newcastle are a particular focus, though there are also significant collections on Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt. There’s a kids area for under 5 year olds. There&rsqu...Read more
  15. St. Nicholas Cathedral

    4.6 (139 Votes)
    St. Nicholas Cathedral

    Religious Site, Architecture , Cathedral

    Along with the Castle, this 14th century cathedral with its 15th century bell tower is the heart of Newcastle’s medieval section. There was an earlier Norman church here that was destroyed by fire in the 13th century. St. Nicholas was the patron saint of sailors, and it’s thought the castle got its name from its position over the River Tyne. One of the cathedral’s most strikin...Read more