The Newcastle Museum

Few cultural attractions make learning as fun as Newcastle Museum, which does a great job of making things accessible for kids by placing a high amount of emphasis on interaction. Placing an emphasis on local history and scientific application rather than attempting to cram the entire worlds of both in, the museum is not exceptionally large but still features a wealth of unique and entertaining things to see and do. The history of Newcastle itself is documented in an interesting fashion, with a wonderful display depicting the coal and steel industries upon the back of which the city was built a true highlight. There's also an excellent section that provides coverage of Newcastle's infamous 1989 earthquake, a soft play area for the youngest kids, and a handful of shows demonstrating scientific experiments to often impressive effect. Add in a regularly changing lineup of temporary themes to these permanent exhibits, and the Newcastle Museum is an attraction that can be visited multiple times. Located in the centre of the city, it's possibly Newcastle's best rainy day activity and one that all ages can appreciate.