Guide to a day trip to NewcastleGateshead
Discover our guide to things to do on a day out in NewcastleGateshead and how best to spend 24 hours in the city.
Discover our guide to things to do on a day out in NewcastleGateshead and how best to spend 24 hours in the city.
Loading entries...
But if you only have a day to explore then we can help you whittle down your options. Whether you’re arriving by train or live more locally then you’ll find getting around Newcastle and Gateshead couldn’t be easier with the help of the Metro and hop on, hop off Toon Tour bus (April – October).
Indulge in some retail therapy in the bustling heart of Newcastle starting with a visit to stylish department store Fenwick Newcastle or browse Eldon Square’s row after row of designer, high street and department stores. Hop on the bus to nearby Metrocentre in Gateshead and discover a mighty shopping haven.
Take the weight off your weary daytripper’s feet at one of the many independent cafes in Newcastle who serve up a steaming cup of coffee, all-day breakfast options and indulgent afternoon teas. Try Olive and Bean beside historic Grainger Market or stop off at Pink Lane Coffee before you catch your train.
Brunchers and hungry shoppers can enjoy lunch at The Botanist with views across Grey’s Monument followed by a stroll to nearby Laing Art Gallery to take in some art and culture. Explore the free museums in the city centre, such as Discovery Museum and Great North Museum, where visitors on a day out in Newcastle can explore room after room of fascinating exhibitions or take part in an event.
Venture along the Quayside, home to the iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the world’s first tilting bridge, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Sage Gateshead and the somewhat hidden Side Gallery. There’s always time for another cuppa so drop into Quay Ingredient or The Great British Cupcakery where visitors with a sweet tooth will be not be disappointed! If you’re visiting on a Sunday then check out the Quayside Market, the perfect place to pick up local produce, unique souvenirs and great street food.
If you’re staying a little longer and looking for a day trip to discover the city’s surrounding coast and countryside then try Northumberland attractions like – National Trust property Cragside, The Alnwick Garden and English Heritage Belsay Hall or head south of the river to Beamish Museum, The Auckland Project or further still to Lightwater Valley.
January 15th 2026 to March 27th 2026
Heritage
15 Jan 2026 to 27 Mar 2026
Gateshead
Join our friendly guides as you tour our world-class concert halls, peek inside rehearsal rooms...
January 29th 2026 to January 29th 2026
Foodie
29 Jan 2026 to 29 Jan 2026
A lover of Thai food? Situated right next door, Malaysian cuisine is a tantalising mixture...
Things To Do
Further Afield
Situated on the South Shields coastline, Ocean Beach Pleasure Park is a great experience for...
Shopping
Ouseburn
Want to explore what is fast becoming the creative quarter of Newcastle? Ouseburn, nestled within...
January 10th 2026
Entertainment
10 Jan 2026 to 10 Jan 2026
The Night Sky Show will take you on an epic journey from our celestial back...
Food & Drink
Gateshead
Important Notice - Backyard Bike Shop on Gateshead Quayside is currently closed to make way...
Gateshead Millennium Bridge - the...
December 31st 2025 to January 25th 2026
Herd your family together for...
January 30th 2026 to January 30th 2026
Have some fun with a...
Post date: 16th December 2025
A trip to Newcastle and Gateshead doesn't have to break the bank. Discover 33 free things to do in NewcastleGateshead here.
The tinsel may still up, the Christmas dinner is over and you're starting to look ahead to the new year. If you're looking for things to do between Christmas and New Year in Newcastle and Gateshead, then look no further.
Santa Claus is coming to Toon! Click here to find out where to meet Father Christmas in Newcastle and Gateshead.
Christmas in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne would not be the same without a visit to Fenwick’s Christmas Window which is a much-loved part of a long-standing Geordie Christmas tradition. But what will be the theme of this year's Fenwick Christmas Window?
Every part of the world has their own unique traditions and rituals around Christmas time, but a Christmas in Newcastle and Gateshead is truly special.
Things To Do
Newcastle City Centre
Triple A Food Tours is the North East's first walking food tour which is a...
Things To Do
Hadrian's Wall
Visit Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum in Newcastle! To help make the most of your...
Things To Do
Newcastle City Centre
Dance City is the National dance agency for the North East of England and welcomes...
Things To Do
Newcastle City Centre
You are never far from the tranquility of a leafy park in Newcastle city centre...
Where to Stay
Countryside
Welcome to Westfield House Farm, home to four luxury en-suite shepherd's huts and a farmhouse...
Food & Drink
Heaton
Dobson & Parnell on Newcastle Quayside specialises in refined British and European cuisine and is...
Things To Do
Quayside
Side Gallery is committed to exhibiting the best in international humanist documentary, its concerns rooted...
Things To Do
Further Afield
Wallington is a large estate in Northumberland which has been cared for by National Trust...
Things To Do
Further Afield
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery explores the story of South Tyneside through sensational displays...
Food & Drink
Newcastle City Centre
Situated opposite Theatre Royal, Harry's Bar and Brasserie offers an imaginative lunch, pre-theatre, dinner and...
Things To Do
Hadrian's Wall
Explore the northern frontier of a mighty empire that once covered the known world. Hadrian's...
Food & Drink
Ouseburn
Crazy golf, cocktails, graffiti and street food come together at Golf Fang located just outside...
Submitting your information...
Subscribe and be the first to know what’s on in NewcastleGateshead. Receive regular emails with highlights of the best things to do in the North East, straight to your inbox.
Dog-Friendly
Entertainment
Family Friendly
First Timer
Foodie
Get Outdoors
Nightlife
Seasonal
Shopping
Sporty
Art & Culture
