Indoor & Outdoor Activities in Newcastle This Summer

In winter, everyone imagines all the activities lined up for summer. Whether a concert series hosted by the city or simply heading back to your favorite restaurant with outdoor seating, there’s always something to look forward to. But within days of summer’s arrival, the sticky heat can throw a wrench into these plans.

In fact, the best summertime plans usually involve a balance between indoor and outdoor activities. This is especially true on days when the temperature hikes into the 20s in July and August, making extended outdoor excursions uncomfortable affairs. 

So, how can locals take advantage of the warm months and still stay within range of air conditioning (or rain cover), if needed? Let’s take a closer look at four indoor and outdoor activities to help you strike the perfect balance.

Outdoor: Rediscover Newcastle

Casual travel has been revolutionized in recent years by platforms like TripAdvisor and AirBnB. Both put the power back in locals’ hands when it comes to playing host in their own home city. Most people only think about scheduling tours when they’re headed abroad or out of town—but why not rediscover Newcastle with a guided tour?

Many tours are focused on Newcastle culture and history (more on this below), but some also cover parks. Those looking to rediscover Newcastle can head to Jesmond Dene or Tyne Riverside County Park with an official guide to dig even deeper to some of their favorite local haunts.

Indoor: Get into Gaming

Not all summertime activities involve parks. Instead, challenging the mind and staying indoors is a great way to catch up on downtime or spend quality time with others. Today, games of all stripes are available with a few clicks, from classic table games to new crazes like Among Us.

For example, online poker remains one of the most popular games in the world. Anyone looking to dive into a favorite like Texas Hold’em can find a platform online—typically with a few welcome deals on offer. Additionally, most platforms offer guides covering details and key points for those new to the game. It’s particularly popular for logistical thinkers looking for a challenge.

Other titles, like the aforementioned Among Us, are designed to be more social. This means that players can link up remotely to play a game together virtually. Among Us has proved popular because it is a murder mystery; everyone must figure out which players are ‘imposters’ before getting killed off themselves.

Outdoor: Try a Culture Tour

As mentioned above, the availability of guided tours can breathe new life into the city—or, at least, spark a new interest for a local. For example, many culture tours shed light on specific interests. There’s a true crime walking tour that stops in Grainger Town, a Quayside tour that focuses on the River Tyne, and even an Art & Architecture Tour that stops over at the Baltic Arts Centre. For locals, it’s also a chance to make lasting connections in the city with like-minded residents.

Those looking to combine indoor and outdoor experiences can head to the Beamish Museum. Each year, the company puts on various living history events, including activities such as Georgian games and culture and sketching and crafts from the 1950s.

Indoor: Live Theatre

Similar to the Beamish Museum, Newcastle’s Live Theatre is another local staple that easily falls under the radar. For decades, the Live Theatre has helped produce and host live plays, as well as providing a community for up-and-coming actors. The company prepares extensively to produce new plays each summertime.

But the Live Theatre produces a lot more than stage plays. At the moment, the company is also hosting performance art installations, mixtapes created specifically for summertime, and creative, memorable single-person shows like Rachel Stockdale’s Fat Chance. Anyone looking to beat the heat can easily find an event or show that suits their interests—and don’t forget to check out The People’s Theatre, as well, which is known for hosting larger-scale productions.