21 Things To Do With Teenagers In Newcastle

Newcastle is a hidden gem in the North East. Off the beaten path for many tourists, they’re missing out – there’s so much to do here – especially for teenagers.

From exploring the underground at the Victoria Tunnel to climbing high at the Lantern Tower there’s something for all teens.

Explore Newcastle of the past at the Discovery Museum or experience the wonders of the universe at the Live Science Centre.

For those who love the great outdoors, enjoy a bike along the River Tyne or take the metro out to the beach. And if you’re looking for a bit of culture, Newcastle is home to several theatres and galleries too.

If your a Newcastle resident, there’s are many fun activities – from axe throwing to escape rooms – the imagination is the limit.

In this blog, we’ll highlight some of the best things to do with teenagers in Newcastle and help you plan an unforgettable family adventure.

Go Underground at Victoria Tunnel

Photo credit : Wikimedia

Victoria Tunnel is the number 1 attraction in Newcastle on TripAdvisor so well worth checking out for adults and teens.

Essentially it’s a guided tour of a fully preserved 19th century coal waggon way and WW2 air-raid shelter. The guides are very entertaining and keep the whole group enthralled for over an hour.

Book your tour in advance.

Climb the Lantern Tower

Cathedrals don’t seem like an exciting stop for teenagers. However did you know, you can encourage your teenager to visit Newcastle Cathedral with a promise of an adrenaline type experience?

In the spring and summer, visitors can climb 162 steps up to the top of the Lantern Tower at Newcastle Cathedral. On the way stop off at the ringing room, hear stories from the Civil War and see some of the bells up close.

At the very top, teens will love the magnificent views of the city.

Book Tower Climb Tickets

Partake in Indoor Crazy Golf at Mr Mulligans

Great for a rainy day, have a go at indoor crazy golf. There’s 3 golf courses to choose from at Mr Mulligans including a space themed course.

While you’re at Mr Mulligans teens can also try out electro darts or have a game of table tennis.

Book your game online at Mr Mulligans Newcastle.

Explore the Quayside

The Quayside is an iconic part of Newcastle. It’s home to Tyne Bridge and Millennium Bridge, a great backdrop for those Instagram pics. With plenty of bars and restaurants to sit in and soak up the atmosphere, its’ a great place to have a wander. 

Self Guided Treasure Hunt Newcastle

Get teens walking with a smartphone treasure hunt. Use your phone to solve clues and follow maps while discovering Newcastle on foot. See both the popular landmarks and the hidden gems of this fabulous city.

The best things about this treasure hunt is that teenagers can enjoy it at their own pace. Pause whenever you want, whether it’s for a coffee break or to take a breather.

For more information visit Treasure Hunt Newcastle.

Take a bike ride along the River Tyne West Circular Cycle Route

Hire bikes and cycle from Newcastle along the River Tyne to the west. The River Tyne West Circular route is mainly traffic free. You can hire bikes at Ouseburnbikeworks. It’s a great way for teenagers to see the city and surrounding areas.

Visit a Museum

Like many cities, Newcastle is home to fantastic museums. Check out a few favourites that may appeal to teenagers.

Learn About Newcastle’s History at the Discovery Museum

Discover Newcastle’s history from Roman times to the present. Spread across three floors, the extensive galleries of the discovery museum are jam packed with groundbreaking inventions, world-firsts, and model ships and interactive activities.

It’s a gem of museum with excellent reviews over on Trip Advisor. 

Find out more at the Discovery Museum

See the Planetarium at the Life Science Centre

The Life Science Centre is an interactive science museum which has something for all the family.  It’s probably best for younger teenagers and families with kids of all ages. I think some teens may have outgrown it, so it will depend on the teenager in question!

Highlights for teens are the planetarium, where you can see stunning shows about the universe and the 4D motion ride. There’s lots of interactive exhibits on topics including space exploration, genetics, and climate change.

In addition, attend a science workshop or live science show. The museum often has exhibitions so it’s worth checking out the Life Science Centre website to see what’s on.

Discover Egyptian Mummies at the Great North Museum

The Great North Museum is free! It’s a great place to visit and showcases the history, culture, and natural world of the North East of England.

Some highlights for teens include the lifesized T-Rex skeleton and a model of a humpback whale. There’s also a significant collection of Ancient Egyptian artefacts, including mummies, amulets, and a replica of a Pharaoh’s tomb. In addition, there’s another planetarium.

Find out more at the Great North Museum.

Go on a Newcastle Ghost Walk – If You Dare

See a darker side of Newcastle on a Newcastle Ghost walk. Led by a entertaining tour guide, you’ll hear stories of ghosts, grisly tales of murder, local Geordie legends and see real murder locations. 

There are various ghost walks to choose including a family friendly option.

Find out more at Newcastle Ghost Walks.

Tour St James’ Park Football Stadium

If you have a teenage football fan, this is a must. Take a tour of St James’ Park, the home of Newcastle United.

See the changing rooms, learn the history of the club, sit in the managers seat and walk down the tunnel.

If you really want an experience your teen will never forget, book onto the rooftop tour. Climb to a walkway 150ft above the ground, to take in panoramic views of Tyneside. On the way down, you’ll stop off pitch side and get a rare glimpse of the stadium from the dugout.

Book your Stadium Tour

See the Waterfall at Jesmond Dene

Jesmond Dene is a lovely park a short bus ride for the centre of Newcastle. It’s lovely to walk through or take a picnic. It’s also home to a small waterfall which is worth seeking out.

Climb the Keep at Newcastle Castle

Standing for over 900 years, Newcastle Castle is small but surprisingly good to visit with teenagers.

Enjoy exploring the great hall, dungeons, gate house, tiny corridors, towers and turrets. A highlight is climbing to the top of the tower for stunning views of the city. In addition, make sure to visit the Black Gate – the castle’s medieval gatehouse which was built in the 13th century.

You can also do a medieval guided tour with an entertaining guide. The tour includes entry to the castle. With tales of blood and gore, it’s another great way to keep teenagers engaged.

Find out more at Newcastle Castle 

Visit an Art Gallery

If your teenager has an interest in art, Newcastle has a couple of good art galleries. In the heart of the city you’ll find The Laing gallery.  With free entry, it’s home to a wide collection of art and sculpture, so definitely worth a visit.

In addition, The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle is the UK’s largest independent commercial art, craft & design gallery set

See a show at the Theatre Royal

From musicals to comedy, Shakespeare to Pantomime, the Theatre Royal has something for everybody to enjoy.

Check out the Theatre Royal website to book your performance.

Shop til You Drop

Newcastle is a fantastic for shopping with teenagers. Here are the top shopping hotspots.

Eldon Square  – great for the high street shopper, Elton Square is home to over 150 stores, including Topshop, Zara, and Apple.

The Intu Metrocentre is a short drive from Newcastle. With over 300 stores, including luxury brands such as Hugo Boss and Louis Vuitton, it’s a shopper’s paradise.

Grainger Market is Newcastle’s indoor market which has been around since the 19th century! Find butchers, bakers, and vintage clothing stalls. It’s also great for tucking into some street food.

Fenwick is a department store located on Northumberland Street. With a range of luxury brands, including Gucci, Prada, and Mulberry, it’s great for the high end shopper.

Independent stores – Newcastle has many independent stores, including vintage clothing shops, record stores, and food shops. Also check out The Quayside Market. It’s held every Sunday on the Newcastle Quayside and is a great place to find unique gifts and crafts.

More Fun Things To Do:

Discover 5 more fun activities that Newcastle has to offer for teenagers.

Escape Rooms: Like many cities, Newcastle has many Escape Rooms that are perfect for teenagers. One to try is Escape Newcastle in the Grainger market.

Axe Throwing: Teens are going to love this activity of throwing axes at a target. No experience is necessary. An axe throwing coach shows you how to do it! Hatchett’s Harry in Newcastle is the place to go.

Cinema : if you fancy seeing a movie while you’re in Newcastle there are a few cinemas to check out. Choose between Cineworld in The Gate, Tyneside Cinema on Pilgrim Street which is an old style cinema or  for a cosy experience the Everyman Cinema on Grey Street which has sofas instead of seats.

Go Karting: You can go kart at the Team Sport Newcastle, a multi level go-karting circuit.

Bowling: Try Lane 7 in Newcastle or Ten Pin Bowling inside Eldon Square at Eldon Leisure for lots of bowling fun.

Places to Eat With Teenagers

Newcastle has lots of chain restaurants that are quite often a hit with teenagers. They include Carlccios, Nandos and Wagamama. 

Here are some more ideas of great places to eat. 

The Fat Hippo – sells all types of burgers – meat and vegetarian.

Marco Polo – an Italian restaurant on Dean Street has great food and is very reasonably priced.

British cupcakery – this pretty cafe makes amazing cakes.

Red Meze on Leazes Park Road is a Turkish / Mediterranean restaurant that makes amazing food.

Grainger market – great for some street food at lunchtime.

Things To Do With Teenagers Near Newcastle

There are also lots of great things to do in the surrounding areas. Here are a few ideas: 

Drive out to see The Angel of the North Statue

Take the metro out to Tynemouth or the coast

Explore living history at the Beamish open air museum

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