Things to do in Newcastle for Young Adults and Couples in 2023
We went to Newcastle for a long weekend in July 2022. We absolutely loved the city and had a fantastic time, so we wanted to bring together this blog on the best things to do in Newcastle for young adults and couples so you can have a great time too!
As you already know, we love exploring cities, and Newcastle was no different. We went to the races, on a night out, for Sunday lunch and explored the whole city.
We'll be honest… our opinion on Newcastle has been moulded by Geordie Shore - it's one of our guilty pleasures when we're hungover. We had only seen the city through the distorted view on MTV.
When we got there, we were so surprised. Newcastle is like Liverpool but hilly:
It has a great nightlife
It's really safe
The people are friendly
It's not expensive
There are some hidden gems (covered below)
So if you're a young adult or couple, carry on reading so you can make your time in Newcastle one to remember.
Introduction: What Makes Newcastle So Great? 5 Reasons to Visit Newcastle Upon Tyne
So why was Newcastle so great, and what are the best things to do in Newcastle for young adults and couples? We're going to break it down exactly for you.
Newcastle is a city in the North East of England, famous for its stunning architecture and rich history. It has something for everyone, from museums and galleries to beautiful parks, riverside walks and traditional pubs.
Newcastle is one of the most famous cities in the North East region. The city offers a lot for tourists who want to explore more about the history of Newcastle. Here are 5 reasons why you should visit Newcastle:
It's a great mix of culture and modern comforts- As we covered above, we based our opinion on Newcastle on what we saw in Geordie Shore - very messy and not very cultural. What we loved was how it had a mix of culture and comforts.
We stayed on one of the city's most historic and beautiful streets; Grey Street - along this street, you can expect some of the best shopping in the UK and stunning architecture. On top of this, you're not far away from Newcastle castle, which we'll cover below.It's a safe city: We've all been on a night out or a day trip in a new city and thought, bloody hell, that was rough or just felt unsafe in general. As you can tell below, we had a wild night out in Newcastle and felt safe the whole time. On top of this, when we walked around the city, everyone was friendly, and there was a pleasant atmosphere.
Scenery- We didn't realise Newcastle was as hilly as it is. From the centre, you have to go down some slope to get to Quayside. We recommend going downside.
Despite the walk, the scenery and views completely blew us away. We enjoyed the walk down the riverside through the market. Walking through Newcastle didn't feel long at all, as there's just so much to take in and plenty of views to enjoy!Great night out: As we've already mentioned, we went to Newcastle for the races to see Henry's university friends Alex, Gus and their girlfriends. We loved the races and went on a night out throughout the city - with all the bars available, you're not short of anywhere to go.
We're more into chilled bars with good music and a bit of dancing, not going to clubs. Everywhere we went, we got this vibe, even after a few too many.It's cost-effective: You're not going to get slapped in the face by London prices in Newcastle. It really is a fraction of the price. You can get great food and drink for much less than many places in the UK. The hotels aren't bad too.
As we're sure you're thinking… there's one big negative. For many people in the UK, Newcastle is MILES AWAY! We went from Oxford on the train, which was 4.5 hours. Even worse on the way back was that we had to go into London, before then going up to Oxford.
The city is a trek, but it's an absolute dream once you're there! It may be worth using our hotel checker below to extend your stay and get the most out of the city.
Best Time To Visit Newcastle?
We've probably sold you on Newcastle now, but the last thing you want is to visit the city at the wrong time. So below, we've outlined the best time to visit Newcastle and the temperature in Newcastle - as with the rest of the UK, Newcastle has mild temperate, with cold, wet winters and relatively warm summers.
Spring (March to June): You'll get cold brisk mornings, followed by warm days and scattered showers. In Spring, you're unlikely to get sun every day, but when you hit a hot spell, it'll be amazing. Temperatures can range way down from-5 degrees Celsius all the way to 20+ degrees Celsius.
Summer (June to September): Summer is the best time to visit Newcastle. You'll have the highest chance of getting hot and dry weather. Temperatures will lay in the low twenties, and you may even get lucky and have 30-degree weather, like when we were there!
The day after we got scorching temperatures, it did tip it down, so be sure to pack for all weather, as we'll explain below!
Autumn (October to November): Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe… Autumn can be very hit and miss in Newcastle. Typically it will be pretty warm during the day and cold at night. For many, this is a good time to visit as you can explore during the day and chill at night.
Winter (November to March): Cold, wet, and sometimes miserable; UK winters can either break you or surprise you. In Newcastle, you can expect snow on occasions and temperatures ranging from minus 10 degrees to around 10 degrees - be sure to pack a warm winter coat and an umbrella!
We would say the best time to visit Newcastle is in Summer - we visited in July and it was one of the best weekends we've had in a while.
7 Things To Do In Newcastle - What can young adults do in Newcastle?
During our weekend, we got up to a lot of stuff. We also have friends there who have helped us bring together this guide, so you have the absolute best list of things to do in Newcastle for young adults and couples.
If we have missed anything off our list, feel free to get in touch!
It is a beautiful city with plenty of things to see and do. Newcastle is home to many attractions, including:
#1 Newcastle Castle
One of the oldest buildings in Newcastle is the castle. It was first renovated by Henry II in 1168, but even after 900 years, there's still a lot more to see. It's got a range of stonework from different periods, which gives it an interesting mix of old and new.
We're not massively into history and viewing monuments in the city as we tend to like things a bit more fast-paced. Still, as you can see below, it's 100% worth taking the trip to see what the castle offers. The 360-degree view of the city is worth it alone, in our opinion!
The castle may look small, but you'll get lost if you're not careful! There are winding passageways, narrow staircases, twisting corridors and many different chambers. The castle is great for young adults and couples. On weekends, you'll often see actors in medieval costumes telling gruesome tales of the past.
#2 Explore Quayside and take in the view
On Sunday morning, we walked down to the Quayside, not expecting much, but boy, we were wrong. This was one of the best things to do in Newcastle for young adults and couples that we found. We had fabulous views of the bridges and river from the train as we came into the city, so we knew we needed to head out early to take in the scenes before it got busy.
Along the River Quayside, you'll be able to find brass plaques with the city's stars and celebrity names on its river walk. There is plenty of outdoor art installations, cafes, coffee shops, restaurants and even a small beach too, if you look hard enough!
We say enjoy the view because you'll have a great view of some iconic bridges from the river. If you've watched the Great North Run (or even Geordie Shore 👀), you'll recognise the iconic Tyne Bridge, which has now become a symbol of Newcastle and a key part of the city's identity.
Fun fact: The Tyne bridge was opened in 1928 after it was built by the business that built Sydney Harbour Bridge. Henry's degree in Civil Engineering had to come in useful at some point during this blog…
You'll also need to walk along the Quayside to go to some of the best restaurants and bars in Newcastle, so it's probably best to go there during the day, so you know your way around!
#3 Explore Grey Street and Grainger Town
As we mentioned above, we stayed on Grey Street and absolutely loved the setting. Grainger Town is Newcastle's historic heart and includes Grey Street and several other streets (such as Grainger Street and Clayton Street).
When you go around this area, history just absorbs you. Don't let this put you off, though, if you're not into history, as at the bottom of Grey Street, you have Quayside. At the top, you have Newcastle's shopping district, which, again, we were blown away by!
Along Grey Street, you will also find classical architecture from the 1830s, which puts the street as one of the most beautiful in the UK. You're also not too far from the beautiful Theatre Royal, which has a stunning foyer.
#4 Pop into The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art -
Overlooking the River Tyne, The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art (or Baltic, not to be confused with Baltic in Liverpool) is one of the best art galleries in the North of England.
This building was designed in the late 1930s, opened as a mill in 1950, and stopped working as one after 1981. It then converted in 2002 and became the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. You won't get many places as big or full of contemporary art anywhere else.
We loved the Tate Modern in London when we discovered things to do in London at night, but Baltic can give the Tate a run for its money. Particularly because of how affordable Newcastle is and the great things to do in Newcastle for couples around the site.
Aside from the art centre, there are two other food and drink venues you can visit. There's a cinema, bar and two restaurants with outdoor space on the fourth floor that offers great views of Newcastle from up high.
#5 Explore Fenwick, Newcastle
We're not particularly made for shopping; we're not one of those couples who can just walk around shopping areas for hours and hours mooching. But we love spending time in flash department stores such as Harrods and Selfridges.
It took us entirely by surprise when we walked through Eldon Square (the shopping centre in Newcastle) and came across Fenwick - we'd never heard of this department store before. Still, we could instantly tell we were on for a winner.
Not only did Fenwick have a great makeup and bag section (that Henry had to drag Robyn out of), but it also had one of the best food halls we'd been in outside London (if not the best!).
There were 2-3 restaurants in the food hall. One boasts large steaks and every type of meat you could imagine, and the other has a large fish counter, champagne and oysters! To top it off, it had a marble bar to sit at while bathing in the atmosphere.
We enjoy the nicer things in life, and Fenwick is a little gem for things to do in Newcastle for young adults.
#6 Check out the Quayside Sunday Market
Looking for a market with plenty of local crafts and food? Head to Newcastle's Quayside, where you will find the Sunday market. It's an excellent opportunity to find a gift or something you may need while out and about.
This area was so good, we had to add it twice to include the Sunday market!
The Quayside market is the perfect place to have a morning coffee, shop, or enjoy the atmosphere. The market opens from 9.30 a.m. until 4 p.m., and it's on the Newcastle side of the river between the Swan Street Bridge and the Pacific Highway Bridge.
What makes the market even better is that they close the road to traffic, meaning the market and pedestrians completely take over the street, which only adds to the atmosphere.
#7 Victoria Tunnel
We didn't actually go ourselves, but our friends told us that this had to make it onto the list due to its uniqueness.
When looking for things to do in Newcastle for young adults and couples, you can get guided tours to learn more about the history of coal in the city and thoroughly explore the WW2 air raid shelter.
Best Restaurants In Newcastle
Despite only being in Newcastle for the weekend, we still got to know that there are many great restaurants around. With all the guides online, it can be challenging to find and choose which one is the best. That's why we came up with this list of the 5 best restaurants in Newcastle.
#1 Peace & Loaf restaurant
We had read that Head Chef Dave Coulson brings 13 years of culinary experience to Peace and Loaf that comes through in the delightful menu, so we had to try it out.
With a passion and reputation unmatched by any other, he creates dishes with new and innovative flavours that are both exciting and fulfilling. It had to take the top spot.
Peace and Loaf offer fine dining without the fuss or faff. It has been awarded two AA rosettes and a mention in the Michelin guide, so you can enjoy delicious food with the added knowledge that you're having a great night out
#2 House of Tides
Looking for a Michelin star restaurant in Newcastle? We didn't visit this place, but our friends told us that this had to take the top spot.
House of Tides resides in a beautiful, Grade I listed merchant's house, which is a wonderful place for a rustic ground floor bar, exposed brickwork and an upstairs restaurant.
If you head to this restaurant, we recommend trying the taster menu. Yes, it's pricey, but as we experienced on our trip to a Michelin star restaurant in Ludlow, you won't regret it.
#3 Dobson and Parnell
Dobson and Parnell offer casual fine dining on Newcastle's vibrant Quayside. The restaurant is a 2* Michelin-listed eatery. Thanks to its head chef, Troy Terrington, it offers excellent value lunch and culinary tasting menus. This restaurant is a sister to renowned restaurants, Blackfriars Restaurant in Newcastle and Hinnies in Whitley Bay, so you know you're in good company when going to this spot.
#4 Rio Brazilian Steakhouse - Quayside
Located at 95 Quayside, Newcastle, on the first floor of Tomahawk Steakhouse. Offering the people of Northumberland divine views of the River Tyne and a fantastic Brazilian culinary experience!
At Rio Brazilian Steakhouse, you can expect perfectly cooked meats, a great atmosphere, and staff with plenty of personality to guide you through the evening.
Malmaison Newcastle (TripAdvisor)
#5 The best Sunday lunch in Newcastle: Malmaison
You will already know from our best things to do in Brighton guide that we love a Sunday lunch. Newcastle was no different, and Robyn spent the best part of an hour researching to find the best Sunday lunch in Newcastle.
Fortunately, we found it in Malmaison. We got a huge portion of everything you would expect on Sunday lunch:
Perfectly cooked beef
Crispy, light Yorkshire puddings
Extremely crispy roast potatoes with a fluffy interior
Well-seasoned vegetables
On top of this, the service was fantastic and attentive, meaning we got a great lunch, with service to match the surprisingly cheap price tag.
The only thing to look out for is that they put a big dollop of horse radish on your plate, which caught out Robyn when she took a mouthful of "mashed potatoes".
What is there to do in Newcastle on a Saturday night?
Newcastle is the perfect place for a Saturday night. Bars and pubs are plentiful, as well as places to eat and drink; it's definitely the best night out in the North of England.
On a Saturday night in Newcastle, you can start with the Cluny. They have awesome live music and a great atmosphere. In this area, there are two bars worth visiting. Union Rooms is one of the best places for cocktails, and The Bridge Inn offers guests a laid-back drinking experience with good beer on tap and pool tables for entertainment.
One place we would definitely recommend you also head to is Hillgate Quay, next to Swing Bridge. You will see this place opposite Quayside. It's full of independent bars and restaurants and has a similar feel to Digbeth (as we covered in our fun places to eat in Birmingham blog).
Where can I go on a date in Newcastle?
If you are looking for a romantic date, the best area to explore is Quayside. There are lots of restaurants and bars to choose from and plenty of outdoor activities. On top of this, if you visit on a Sunday, you'll get to explore the market, and you're not too far away from the city centre, meaning you can walk up and explore the many bars and restaurants Newcastle has to offer for couples.
The Five Best Places To Stay In Newcastle
We stayed at Grey Street Hotel, but we wouldn't recommend it at all as when we got into our room, it was full of flies! Yes, the staff fixed it immediately, but what hotel has that sort of issue just presumably hours after it's been cleaned?
To save you time, we've compiled a list of the best hotels in Newcastle for young adults and couples.
1. Malmaison Newcastle - you can't really go wrong with a Malmaison. After trying the Sunday lunch they had and seeing the location of this hotel, we wish we had stayed there when we visited!
2. Hotel du Vin Newcastle - We stayed at a Hotel du Vin in Brighton when Henry ran his marathon there. You can't go wrong if you're looking for things to do and visit in Newcastle for young adults and couples. Located in the city's heart, we'd recommend staying here if you can't get into Malmaison.
3. INNSIDE Newcastle - INNSIDE markets itself as "Newcastle's newest lifestyle hotel", and to be fair to the place, you can see why. It has enviable views of the River Tyne and offers everything you'd need if you were staying there for work or leisure. INNSIDE Newcastle has many transport links and is situated near shops and attractions such as the Baltic and Sage Gateshead. Its proximity to rail, road and metro links makes it the perfect home for exploring this great city.
The hotel features culture through music, art, and literature that acts as a way for guests to switch from work and relax. In addition, the Open Living Lounge has food with a soundtrack by local DJs that runs all day long. To top this off, it has a gym open 24 hours per day, meaning you can still get your fitness in while travelling.
4. The Vermont Hotel - This is somewhere we walked past and wished we had stayed. Few hotels can compete with the enviable City Centre location of the Vermont Hotel, right in the heart of Newcastle, not only next to Newcastle Castle and opposite historic Moot Hall but also just a stone's throw from the train station too!
5. easyHotel- If you're looking for something a bit more on the affordable side, then look no further than easyHotel. This place is located on the street down to Quayside, meaning you're in the perfect spot to explore all the things we've included above.
What to Pack for Newcastle
Packing for Newcastle or even any weekend away is an exciting prospect. You are going to a new place with different customs and people, meaning you need to pack differently than you would in your hometown.
The first thing to consider is what Newcastle's weather will be like. Check the above guide on the best time to go to Newcastle, as you will need different clothes depending upon the temperature when you arrive.
To help make your stay even more straightforward, Robyn has brought together a TikTok video showing you what to pack for a weekend trip with your boyfriend. If you're a guy, unlucky, just pack the essentials.
@acouplethingstodo What do you pack for a weekend away with your boyfriend? Follow the link in our bio to find our tips for packing for a romantic weeknd #packing #weekend #boyfriend #traveltok #couplethingstodo #travelbucketlist #uk #travel #traveltips #toptips #weekendwithboyfriend ♬ Sunroof - Nicky Youre & dazy
Conclusion
Newcastle is a beautiful place to visit, and there are so many things to do that it can be difficult to know where to start. We didn't even include the Angel of the North!
This article provides the best things to do in Newcastle for young adults and couples. It also has a conclusion on what the best things are and what not to miss out on when visiting Newcastle.
