Sightseeing
Impressive waterfalls. Good stop prior to going for a walk round Loch Muick.
9 locals recommend
Linn of Dee Car Park
Impressive waterfalls. Good stop prior to going for a walk round Loch Muick.
Walk around the nearest shore of Loch Muick and back to the car park within an hour. Deer sightings often and Royal sightings possible! Longer walks available. We took our buggy round the short walk but it is rough in places!
9 locals recommend
Loch Muick (Balmoral Estate)
Walk around the nearest shore of Loch Muick and back to the car park within an hour. Deer sightings often and Royal sightings possible! Longer walks available. We took our buggy round the short walk but it is rough in places!
Good walks of all lengths and difficulty. Rich in wildlife as retains part of the old Caledonian forest. Resident Osprey and Capercaillie. Ring the bell at St Lesmo's Chapel.
8 locals recommend
Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve
Good walks of all lengths and difficulty. Rich in wildlife as retains part of the old Caledonian forest. Resident Osprey and Capercaillie. Ring the bell at St Lesmo's Chapel.
I can recommend their activities having done a corporate day here (quad bikes and go karts particularly good). Tea and scones are fine and there is a lovely walk to Dess waterfall from the car park which is one of the best views in the local area. A mile away from Millstream.
22 locals recommend
Deeside Activity Park
A93I can recommend their activities having done a corporate day here (quad bikes and go karts particularly good). Tea and scones are fine and there is a lovely walk to Dess waterfall from the car park which is one of the best views in the local area. A mile away from Millstream.
Just back in service after the flooding a few years ago. Pleasant short walk on your way to Ballater.
Cambus O' May, Suspension Bridge
Just back in service after the flooding a few years ago. Pleasant short walk on your way to Ballater.
Fairytale castle. Beautiful large walled garden and lots of nice waymarked walks around the Estate of various distances. Adventure playground for children is much enjoyed by my daughter.
77 locals recommend
Crathes Castle
Fairytale castle. Beautiful large walled garden and lots of nice waymarked walks around the Estate of various distances. Adventure playground for children is much enjoyed by my daughter.
Interesting castle (find out about the Laird's lug!) You can climb up to the top of the tower and go outside and admire the view.
33 locals recommend
Craigievar Castle
Interesting castle (find out about the Laird's lug!) You can climb up to the top of the tower and go outside and admire the view.
Very impressive when the salmon are jumping and you will see a lot of salmon jumping in season and wonder how they can make it up the falls. There is a resident heron and good cafe nearby.
7 locals recommend
Bridge of Feugh
Very impressive when the salmon are jumping and you will see a lot of salmon jumping in season and wonder how they can make it up the falls. There is a resident heron and good cafe nearby.
Not to see Torry Battery but to watch the dolphins at the mouth of Aberdeen harbour. It is one of the best places in Scotland for regularly seeing a large pod of Dolphins. Take binoculars if possible and park at the Torry Battery car park. Free parking.
25 locals recommend
Torry Battery
Greyhope RoadNot to see Torry Battery but to watch the dolphins at the mouth of Aberdeen harbour. It is one of the best places in Scotland for regularly seeing a large pod of Dolphins. Take binoculars if possible and park at the Torry Battery car park. Free parking.
I haven't been into the castle. You can only view the ballroom inside. You will get a glimpse of it from the road though.
120 locals recommend
Balmoral Castle
I haven't been into the castle. You can only view the ballroom inside. You will get a glimpse of it from the road though.
Food Scene
Excellent fresh fish and chips take away and the chicken fillets are made from real breast and battered. There are tables outside you can use for takeaway so on a nice evening take some cutlery, glasses, plates (if you don't want to eat out of cardboard) and a sauvignon blanc and enjoy!
6 locals recommend
The Cowshed
Raemoir RoadExcellent fresh fish and chips take away and the chicken fillets are made from real breast and battered. There are tables outside you can use for takeaway so on a nice evening take some cutlery, glasses, plates (if you don't want to eat out of cardboard) and a sauvignon blanc and enjoy!
Only restaurant other than the Nurtaj Indian in Aboyne. Decent beer and nice surroundings with a toy train which runs around the upper walls! Food ok but limited menu.
24 locals recommend
The Boat Inn
Charlestown RoadOnly restaurant other than the Nurtaj Indian in Aboyne. Decent beer and nice surroundings with a toy train which runs around the upper walls! Food ok but limited menu.
This is the best Indian in the area for takeaway or sit in. Nice, modern restaurant and excellent food beautifully presented.
10 locals recommend
Echt Tandoori
Main StreetThis is the best Indian in the area for takeaway or sit in. Nice, modern restaurant and excellent food beautifully presented.
Banchory Lodge has good food, service and surroundings in a country house hotel. It has a super spot on the Dee where the River Feugh joins it and was considered to be the 3rd best dining room view in the country by the Daily Mail. A bit pricey and limited menu but still recommended.
9 locals recommend
Banchory Lodge Hotel
Dee StreetBanchory Lodge has good food, service and surroundings in a country house hotel. It has a super spot on the Dee where the River Feugh joins it and was considered to be the 3rd best dining room view in the country by the Daily Mail. A bit pricey and limited menu but still recommended.
Nurtaj
1 Ballater RoadFairly good Indian in Aboyne.
Sport
Deeside Gliding Club
Trial flights above the lovely Deeside scenery.
Scenic hacks or treks into the Caledonian forest and if 2 hours or more up into the hills. Also lessons in an indoor school. My daughter (5) and I both enjoy riding here.
6 locals recommend
Glen Tanar Equestrian Centre
Scenic hacks or treks into the Caledonian forest and if 2 hours or more up into the hills. Also lessons in an indoor school. My daughter (5) and I both enjoy riding here.
Friendly ski centre. Main slope small so suitable for beginners/ improvers only. Nursery slope is excellent for children learning to ski and has a magic carpet. Council run, good, cheap and the surface has just been renewed. Lessons available or just ski at a public session (you have to have basic skills). They also do tubing if you don't fancy skiing. Haughton Country Park or Alford Pool good as an add on.
Alford Ski Centre
Greystone RoadFriendly ski centre. Main slope small so suitable for beginners/ improvers only. Nursery slope is excellent for children learning to ski and has a magic carpet. Council run, good, cheap and the surface has just been renewed. Lessons available or just ski at a public session (you have to have basic skills). They also do tubing if you don't fancy skiing. Haughton Country Park or Alford Pool good as an add on.
I'm not a mountain biker but friends enjoy this place. Pump track and downhill trails of various scariness some of which are family friendly. Free!
Tarland Trails
Burnside RoadI'm not a mountain biker but friends enjoy this place. Pump track and downhill trails of various scariness some of which are family friendly. Free!
Olympic sized outdoor pool heated to 29 degrees, paddling pool, sunbathing areas. Other ideas for when in Stonehaven are to wander around Stonehaven harbour (home of the fireballs New Year celebration) and view Dunnottar Castle.
35 locals recommend
Stonehaven Open Air Pool
The LinksOlympic sized outdoor pool heated to 29 degrees, paddling pool, sunbathing areas. Other ideas for when in Stonehaven are to wander around Stonehaven harbour (home of the fireballs New Year celebration) and view Dunnottar Castle.
This is one of the best hotels in the area and serves excellent food from an award winning chef but the main reason for it's inclusion here is that the health club is open to all at a cost of £12 a visit. There is a lovely little pool which is always warm, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. You have to phone to make a pool booking which are on the hour. Also a gym and tennis courts and nice walks in the gardens and the Estate.
Douneside House & Health Club
This is one of the best hotels in the area and serves excellent food from an award winning chef but the main reason for it's inclusion here is that the health club is open to all at a cost of £12 a visit. There is a lovely little pool which is always warm, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. You have to phone to make a pool booking which are on the hour. Also a gym and tennis courts and nice walks in the gardens and the Estate.
Wet weather
It's free and a good wet weather activity in Aberdeen. The hot houses are quite extensive and the cafe does good ice cream!
6 locals recommend
David Welch Winter Gardens
Polmuir RoadIt's free and a good wet weather activity in Aberdeen. The hot houses are quite extensive and the cafe does good ice cream!
Varied displays cover Aberdeen's maritime past and present. From Clipper Ships to the Oil Industry.
116 locals recommend
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
ShiprowVaried displays cover Aberdeen's maritime past and present. From Clipper Ships to the Oil Industry.
Another pleasant free activity. Shows some interesting Scottish original paintings.
56 locals recommend
Aberdeen Art Gallery
SchoolhillAnother pleasant free activity. Shows some interesting Scottish original paintings.
The most modern cinema in Aberdeen set in a modern shopping centre with a large choice of restaurants. The Union Square shopping centre has a few unusual shops.
24 locals recommend
Cineworld Aberdeen Union Square
5 Guild StThe most modern cinema in Aberdeen set in a modern shopping centre with a large choice of restaurants. The Union Square shopping centre has a few unusual shops.
Kids
Large playground with something for most ages, walks by the river and ideal area for a picnic including BBQ stands
Haughton Country Park
Montgarrie RoadLarge playground with something for most ages, walks by the river and ideal area for a picnic including BBQ stands
Outdoor play area good fun (especially the jumping pillows). Children will enjoy feeding the animals which includes an indoor barn. Good indoor soft play. Expensive if multiple adults as adults have to pay though.
11 locals recommend
Wynford Farm
Outdoor play area good fun (especially the jumping pillows). Children will enjoy feeding the animals which includes an indoor barn. Good indoor soft play. Expensive if multiple adults as adults have to pay though.
Linx Ice Arena
Beach EsplanadeGet your skates on!
Trampoline park with some other additions such as a tight rope over a foam pit, drop from a tower into a giant air bag and dodge ball. Fun.
Skyline Trampoline Park
Trampoline park with some other additions such as a tight rope over a foam pit, drop from a tower into a giant air bag and dodge ball. Fun.
The soft play (Den) is excellent for toddlers and up to about aged 8 as there are some fun, fast slides and a large soft play area. It is very clean and the food is reasonable. The Glen is an Aberdeen classic! It consists of some good and some fairly ropey fibreglass statues hand painted and outdoor play equipment in a park setting and can't be recommended for anyone over 6. However, young children enjoy it and it is pretty good value with a free play at the soft play if you book a trip to the Glen.
17 locals recommend
The Den & The Glen
South Deeside RoadThe soft play (Den) is excellent for toddlers and up to about aged 8 as there are some fun, fast slides and a large soft play area. It is very clean and the food is reasonable. The Glen is an Aberdeen classic! It consists of some good and some fairly ropey fibreglass statues hand painted and outdoor play equipment in a park setting and can't be recommended for anyone over 6. However, young children enjoy it and it is pretty good value with a free play at the soft play if you book a trip to the Glen.
Lovely beach, dunes and large car park. The beach goes all the way up the coast to Newburgh. This is now easily accessible using the new Aberdeen Bypass.
Balmedie Country Park
Lovely beach, dunes and large car park. The beach goes all the way up the coast to Newburgh. This is now easily accessible using the new Aberdeen Bypass.
This is an hour and a half's scenic and fun drive away (especially the steep hill at Bridge of Brown) but worth the trip if you have children. The dinosaurs are great (they move and roar and there are lots of them to see) and there are also high ropes adventures, log flumes, tree top trail, electric cars, walk through butterfly house and optical illusion display.
161 locals recommend
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
B9153This is an hour and a half's scenic and fun drive away (especially the steep hill at Bridge of Brown) but worth the trip if you have children. The dinosaurs are great (they move and roar and there are lots of them to see) and there are also high ropes adventures, log flumes, tree top trail, electric cars, walk through butterfly house and optical illusion display.