Day in Newcastle with teenage girls

[earlydoors42]

Me and my friend have a day booked in Newcastle and are taking our teenage daughters - though we let them go off and do their own thing. We are getting the train up from York.

Has anyone got any recommendations of what we can do, where to go, what to see, where to eat or have a drink? We haven't been before.

Also I assume the centre has the usual shops and is easy to find from the train station? Anything else cool for teenage girls? They will want McDonald's which I'm sure is easy to find?

Finally - my friend really wants to see the Angel of the North and the Tyne Bridge. Does the train go past the Angel? I have seen it from a car but don't remember from the train when heading up that way.

Thank you!

Good tips re Newcastle. With regards to seeing the Angel, keep an eye out of the right hand side of the train about 5 mins out of Durham (or the left hand side about 5 minutes after you leave Newcastle) & you'll see the Angel on a hill in the distance. Not very close up though (& too far to travel to for a day out)

Grrrrr, I got my Fenwicks and Bainbridges mixed up. To be fair it’s been a few years - middle aged gimmer.

This thread has brought back some lovely shopping memories.

Another one recommending the stack, my 15 year old DD regularly goes with her friends on a Saturday afternoon, (I think it makes them feel grown up) it has live music and a good atmosphere, it has lots of bars and food choices but last time I went I just had a coffee.

Punk pizza is great got teens, pick any toppings got £10- they’ve got all the traditional ones and some whacky stuff

You will see the angel approaching from the south on the train. If you really want to pose by it (it's massive!) you can get the angel (21) bus out to it from Eldon Square bus station, though it'll be almost a 30 minute bus ride, each way.

If they like a view, they might enjoy a ride to the Baltic on a Quay link bus. It's also walkable if you're feeling fit and the weather is kind.

Newcastle is fantastic. Great shopping in Eldon Square and around Grey's Monument. Lots of museums and art galleries very central - The Laing which has a lovely coffeeshop and does great cakes is just along from Grey's Monument, as is the art deco Tyneside Cinema with it's cafes. The street that runs down from Grey's Monument to the Quayside is Grey Street - one of the most beautiful Georgian streets in the country. The Quayside us great - lots of good places to eat, you can see all the bridges and the river. The architecture ranges from 16th to 21st century and is stunning. Great walks along the riverside. It has a castle and a keep not far from the station and on the way to them is The Lit and Phil - the biggest private library outside of London and it is well worth a 15 minute stop- quirky, welcoming, fabulous building, much-loved locally with a wonderful history. The cathedral is also near the castle and keep and has some fascinating monuments-it is 15th century- and a vampire rabbit statue. Newcastle is small enough that everything is walkable and there is loads to see. Look up at the buildings in Grainger town as you walk around - they are amazing. Don't miss the Grainger market- again near Grey's Monument-historic market that changes with the times but the architecture is still original.
There is nowhere like Newcastle. Whenever I am away and come back on the train I get up and go and stand near the exit doors and open the window to see the river and the bridges and I get all emotional at coming home,

Just agreeing with @LuluJakey1, Newcastle is totally brilliant. 🙂 One of my favourite places.

Thank you all! I will start making an itinerary for me and my friend to see and visit lots of things suggested.

The girls are 14 and 15 and will honestly rather have McDonald's and shop. As long as there's s Victoria's Secret, Lush etc they will be happy for the whole day! When we went for a similar day in Liverpool, they did come with us to the wings painted on the wall for a photo op but then deserted us for the shops!

Newcastle always reminds me of Liverpool (another of my favourite places!).
I'm sure the girls will enjoy themselves 🙂.

If all they want to do is eat McDonalds and go shopping why not save your money and go to Leeds for the day?

Cat cafes? There's one on the quayside and another in town wonderfully named Mog on The Tyne

Instead of Maccas would they at least maybe head for Greggs and get a Stottie and a peach melba?
North eastern specialities and still quick, cheap and cheerful, and bloody lush.
I grew up in the north east and still miss them.
Does anyone else remember the pencils in Eldon Square?