While Newcastle has long been known as a vibrant, thriving, nightlife-filled city popular with students, it is also an ideal weekend escape for everyone from families to couples.

The city is a foodie's dream, with so many fantastic cafes and restaurants that it's difficult to know where to begin. It's jam-packed with world-class performance halls and mind-blowing art galleries. The city's nightlife is some of the greatest in the country, and it also has a lovely blend of history and legacy, as well as plenty of green walks and idyllic riverfront areas to chill.

If all of that isn't enough to entice you to buy a ticket, remember that Newcastle is close to some excellent stretches of shoreline where you can switch city-slicking for seaside dreaming.

The Victoria Tunnel

It's a  wagonway from the nineteenth century.

A good place to discover Newcastle in an unusual way: underground. On your guided tour path from Town Moor to the River Tyne, you'll also learn about its history.

Ice-Dip Social

What exactly is it? A chilly dip in the North Sea, followed by a sauna and some scran.

Why go? If you enjoy the great outdoors and don't want it to end during the winter. This takes place from November to March and consists of an ice dip into the chilly waters of the North Sea, followed by a Finnish tent sauna. Then, when you warm up, try some native food cooked over an open flame on the beach.

Quayside Sunday Market

It's a  lively weekly outdoor market.

Take in the waterside vistas while strolling around a bustling market. There are numerous independent vendors selling a wide range of local items and products, including apparel, jewellery, art, and pottery. There are also a number of street food sellers, making it a perfect spot for lunch or coffee and a cake, as well as shopping.

Aspers Casino

One of the best casinos in Newcastle.

Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer who is still reading “roulette wheel strategies explained”, Aspers Casino is dedicated to providing you with the greatest casino experience possible. Aspers at The Gate is Newcastle's leading casino, and they are extremely happy to be at the cutting edge of modern gaming, offering you the most diverse and extensive selection of games available.

The Castle of Newcastle

Newcastle is named after the now-very-old castle...

Actually, that's a little misleading. The mediaeval ruins that you can see now were built on the ruins of an even older castle that gave Newcastle its name. In any case, it's a fascinating family-friendly attraction that will tell you about the history of this section of the North East.

Rising Sun Country Park

A 400-acre wildlife preserve and park.

Why should you go? If you're on foot or on wheels, this is the place to be. The lake region is designated as a local nature reserve, featuring habitats including grassland, woodland, pond, wetlands, and a lake, as well as a bird hide for keen twitchers.

Live Theatre

Quayside Theatre produces and stages innovative new plays, stand-up comedy, and other events.

Newcastle's Live Theatre is one of the most intriguing new work groups in the north of England. Two of its works transferred to the West End in 2017, one of which (Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour) won an Olivier Award. Take a chance on anything - you never know what can turn out to be a hidden gem. Check out Northern Stage as well - another fantastic theatre.

Gateshead Sage

An iconic performance venue on the Tyne that opened in 2004 and looks like a massive, sparkly slug.

The Sage Gateshead, like the Sydney Opera House, is such a unique structure that it's worth seeing even if you're not there for the music. If that's the case, the programme includes world-class traditional, brass, jazz, blues, folk... the list goes on.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

An old flour mill has been transformed into a very cool modern art gallery that features the greatest in art and performance right now.

The Baltic art gallery welcomed its first guests two years before Sage debuted. Because the two locations are so close together, you can combine a visit to both with a walk along the river and a look at the Millennium Bridge. If you're serious about modern art (and you might not even realise it), a trip to the Baltic is nearly mandatory.

The Biscuit Factory

A modern art gallery and a fantastic brunch location.

If this list is beginning to resemble a guide to the greatest artsy venues in Newcastle, it's because Newcastle is such a creative hotspot that it's difficult to avoid highlighting these places. The Biscuit Factory is a commercial modern gallery, but even if art isn't your thing, you should come here for the lavish brunch buffet.

The St. James Park

Since 1892, it has been the home of the Magpies and is one of the largest football venues in the UK.

St James Park is the legendary home of Newcastle United. Take a stadium tour that contains all the behind-the-scenes information you could desire, from sitting in the locker room to strolling through the tunnel.