10 things to do this bank holiday in Aberdeen
The bank holiday weekend is approaching, the days are getting warmer and restrictions are easing – so why not make the most of it and plan the ultimate Bank Holiday weekend?
While we’re still staying local, take a look at our top things to do in Aberdeen this weekend.
Visit your favourite restaurant
With restrictions easing in time for the bank holiday, we’re finally able to visit our favourite cafes, restaurants and bars.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to support local. Many places now have outdoor seating to make the most of the warmer weather this bank holiday weekend, like Mains of Scotstown Inn, No.10 Bar and Restaurant and Ferryhill House Hotel.
Visit a local café
Enjoy a cake that you haven’t baked yourself with a trip to a local café. There’s a wide range of cafes in Aberdeen – whether you’re looking for some French-inspired macarons at Almondine, or fresh homebakes at Cult of Coffee.
If you’ve started reading a lot more during lockdown, try Books and Beans where you can pick up some new reads too!
Take a trip to a local garden centre
Another place to enjoy a great cake, along with plenty of other home and garden pieces, is your local garden centre.
Parkhill Garden Centre is only ten minutes from Grandhome and is a great local garden centre to visit. Whether you’re looking for some plants to get your garden summer ready or if you just fancy a look around, it’s got you covered.
Take a long walk
So many people have been getting out for long walks over the past year and it’s good for both our physical and mental health. Now that restrictions are easing slightly, why not mix up your walking route and try somewhere new? Fit Tae Dee shares some of the best places to explore in and around Aberdeen to make the most of your local area.
If you’re looking for things to do with kids in Aberdeen this weekend, Aberdeen beach is perfect for a long walk, finished with an ice cream from one of the beachfront cafes like the sanddollar café and Inversnecky café.
With better weather, why not take a picnic to Scotstown Moor or Brig o’ Balgownie and Seaton Park? You could even collect a takeaway from your favourite café for an extra special treat!
Visit some local shops
Shops are back open and like cafes, bars and restaurants, they need our support more than ever.
Looking for something to brighten up your home? Try local plant store Rooted in Scotland for some extra special houseplants to bring the outdoors in.
Looking for the perfect gift? Juniper in the centre of Aberdeen is an independent, family-run business that sells a wide range of giftware, homeware, jewellery and more.
Local zero-waste café Foodstory also stocks a range of eco-friendly and delicious food and drink products, as well as homeware and gifts.
Spruce up your garden
Once you’ve been to the garden centre, you’ll have all you need to get your garden summer-ready.
Check out our blog focused on how to prepare your garden for summer. Think growing vegetables, collecting rainwater for an eco-friendly space and creating a bee hotel!
Cook a delicious meal
Many of us have spent lots of the last year trying new recipes and foods, so why not celebrate the bank holiday with some of your favourite new recipes?
Outdoor swimming and watersports
The benefits of outdoor swimming have been widely discussed in recent months and as it gets warmer, open water swimming seems to be a little less daunting.
Whether you’re an experienced outdoor swimmer or would just like to feel the benefits for yourself by trying it out, Aberdeen has lots of places to go.
The beach is a great place for a quick dip, but make sure the water is calm and remember to stay close to the shore. It’s recommended for beginners to stay in the water for no more than ten minutes. On cold days, make sure to cover your hands, feet and wear a hat to keep these areas warm.
If you’d like to try a new activity, water sports are a great place to start. Stand up paddle boarding can be great fun and Sport Aberdeen run classes over at Rubislaw Quarry – a scenic and enjoyable activity for this bank holiday!
Visit a local art gallery
Winner of Art Fund Museum of the Year 2020, the most prestigious museum prize in the world, Aberdeen Art Gallery shows off some world-renowned artwork and history.
You can book tickets here.
Have your own at-home holiday
With a lack of holidays over the last year, you can make your own! Why not choose your top three destinations and spend your weekend ‘visiting’ all three?
Think Sangria and tapas on Friday, enchiladas, margaritas and salsa dancing on Saturday, and sushi on Sunday?
We would love to see what you get up to this weekend, so share your photographs with us over at the Grandhome Community Facebook page.