Watersports, Aberdeen Beach
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Things to see in Aberdeen
Aberdeen Tourist Office
23 Union Street
Tel: (01224) 288 828.
www.aberdeen-grampian.com
Situated close to the city centre's bus and train stations. The staff are very knowledgeable and can help with planning excursions and booking accommodation. There's also public Internet access as well as a selection of tourist literature and guides (some of it free).
If you're looking for something a little different to keep the kids entertained, head to Codona's Amusement Park on the Beach Boulevard. This seafront complex boasts a live music and entertainment stage, a 3D motion ride theatre and an amusement park with roller-coasters, log flume, waltzers and all the other usual gut-churning rides. Also on the Beach Boulevard is The House of Fun, a family entertainment centre with a children's foam factory, indoor trampolines, 10-pin bowling alleys, pool halls, bingo competitions, bar, restaurant and gift shop.
Within easy walking distance of the harbour is the old fishing village of Footdee (pronounced 'fittie'). The old 19th-century fishermen's cottages all face inwards in squares with their backs to the ocean to protect themselves from the harsh storms that rage in from the sea.
Literally unmissable is the grandiose Marischal College on Broad Street - the second-largest granite structure in the world. After rain, the sun shimmers off its extravagant neo gothic granite facades creating a mesmerising effect. The Marischal Museum was founded in 1786 and houses a weird and wonderful collection of exhibits from around the world.
The centrepiece of Old Aberdeen is the King's College (now united with the Marischal College to form the University of Aberdeen) with its imposing buildings that entomb the famous Quadrangle. The college chapel was used for daily worship for over five centuries and houses an impressive collection of 15th-century artefacts. Also in Old Aberdeen is the 15th-century St Machar's Cathedral , which overlooks picturesque Seaton Park and the River Don.
Peacock is North East Scotland's leading contemporary visual arts centre and organises various local and international art exhibitions. A second smaller gallery displays and sells original prints created by local, national and international artists. Many of these are produced at Peacock's in-house printmaking facilities, which are available, for a small charge, to those of at least a basic competency. For those without a clue about printing and etching, or those wishing to further their existing skills, Peacock runs classes.
On Constitution Street, close to the Esplanade, is the informative Satrosphere Science Centre offering a fun day out for all the family. The hands-on centre provides interactive ways for visitors to learn more about science.
No visit to Aberdeen is complete without a visit to the historic harbour area. The excellent Maritime Museum is located on a site with Provost Ross's House, which is reputed to be the oldest building in the city. Multi-media displays tell the interesting history of Aberdeen's intimate connection with the ocean.
Union Street is the thriving heart of the city off which are many of Aberdeen's main attractions, including the technically accomplished Union Street Bridge built in the 19th century. The Aberdeen Art Gallery is one of the city's most popular attractions and well worth a few hours' visit to study its fine art collection from the 19th and 20th centuries.
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