11 Things to do in Lincoln for Teenagers

A great activity for both locals and visitors to Lincoln, the Museum of Lincolnshire Life is packed with fascinating history, artefacts and exhibitions.

Housed within a Victorian barracks, the museum celebrates the culture of Lincolnshire from 1750 to the present day. Exhibitions illustrate the county’s commercial and industrial past, as well as domestic and community life.

With almost 250,000 historical objects to explore, the museum is a fantastic opportunity for teenagers to learn more about Lincolnshire’s complex past – from our military history to our engineering prowess.

Lincoln might feel like a small city to a teenager, but there is still plenty to explore. The Lincoln Free Walking Tour is a great opportunity for young people to learn more about where they live, in a fun and engaging way.

The Free Walking Tour will take you on a journey through history - from the city’s beginnings as a Roman fortress, up until the Lincoln we know and love today. The tour lasts for around 3 hours, starting from the Cathedral Quarter, before heading into the city centre and down to the Brayford Pool.

As well as a great learning experience, taking a walking tour is a creative way to get teenagers interested in their surroundings and take notice of things they might usually walk straight past.

Escape Lincoln is sure to challenge even the sharpest teen’s mind. Suitable for teams of up to 6 people, players will have to tackle a series of team-building exercises – all whilst locked in a themed room.

Each team has one hour to solve the puzzles and escape. Although you will need to use your powers of observation, the key to completing the challenges is teamwork. If you’ve got teenage siblings who clash, this is a great way to make them work together and support each other.

If you’re treating your teenager to a day out in Lincoln, a trip to the Everyman Cinema is sure to earn you some brownie points. Chic, stylish and very Instagrammable, visiting the Everyman isn’t just about watching a film – it’s an all-round experience!

Everyman Lincoln also has a cool bar and restaurant area, complete with a balcony, so you can enjoy a meal and drinks before your film. Alternatively, you can always take advantage of their excellent waiter service and have your snacks delivered direct to your cinema seats. And when we say cinema seats, we mean super comfy sofas…

Dating back to 1884, Lincoln City FC are a huge part of Lincoln’s heritage. Week-on-week, thousands of fans travel across the county to watch them play. They may not be in the premier league just yet, but supporting your local team is a rite of passage for all young football fans!

Even if you’re not a super fan, there’s nothing like the atmosphere at a live sports match. Watching football gives teens a chance to escape their everyday lives and provides some much-needed enjoyment away from the stresses of school.

For under-18s, tickets cost just £10 for league matches. If you’ve got younger teens, we suggest booking tickets in the Junior Imps section as it’s a little more relaxed and a lot less rowdy.

For most teenagers, music is an essential part of life. Not only does it provide a creative outlet, studies show it can also help to increase confidence and improve mental health and wellbeing.

Although it’s a small city, Lincoln has a surprising number of live venues. Whether you want to catch a chart-topping band, or discover the next big thing, you can definitely get your live music fix here.

If you’d like to take your teen to their first big gig, head to the Engine Shed. Situated within the University of Lincoln, this venue has hosted a huge range of global superstars, from the Kings of Leon to Paul Weller. For something more intimate, the Blue Room and the Drill are great for new music and independent artists.

Like music, live theatre can be a wonderful escape for teenagers. Inspirational and educational, a good theatre performance could potentially even inspire a future career path!

If you’d like to check out a show, we suggest visiting the New Theatre Royal, the Drill or the LAC at the University. All these venues offer a packed programme of events throughout the year, ranging from festive pantomimes to more traditional plays.

For teens who prefer to stay behind the scenes, the New Theatre Royal also offer backstage tours once a month. The resident stage manager will take you on a tour around the theatre, revealing plenty of secrets along the way. You can learn about the history of the building, visit the dressing rooms - even stand on the stage!

Situated on The Strait, Lincoln’s Cat Café is the purrfect place to relax. Visited by TikTok superstar Francis Bourgeois, this unique café allows visitors to enjoy their cake and coffee with a side of cat cuddles.

Home to 7 different felines, this open-plan café is full of bespoke walkways and seating areas, enabling the cats to interact with visitors comfortably and confidently. All of the cats here are friendly, as they are so used to being around people. As long as they are willing, you can groom, stroke and play with them during your visit. If it’s a warm, sunny day, however, there is a chance they will just sit and snooze next to you!

As the café is small, visitor numbers are limited, so you do need to book a slot in advance. Admission for one-hour is £5 – which all goes towards supporting the cats welfare.

Most teens love using social media to show what they’ve been up to, so booking an Insta-worthy brunch is sure to go down a treat. Lincoln is packed with amazing restaurants, many of which offer delicious (and photogenic) brunch options.

Located in the stylish Cornhill Quarter, the Cosy Club offer a great breakfast menu. Served until 11.45am, dishes include smashed avocado on sourdough, spicy Huevos Rancheros and stacks of syrup soaked pancakes.

If your teen’s not an early riser, don’t worry. Stokes Lawn Café serve their brunch menu until 2pm. The menu here features traditional cooked breakfasts, Eggs Benedict and mouth-watering bacon sandwiches. Washed down with a steaming cup of Stokes coffee, this is surely the perfect start to any day!

A visit to Lincoln wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the shops. Even if you don’t have a lot of cash to splash, window shopping is a rite of passage for any teenager.

In the city centre, the High Street and the Cornhill Quarter are full of big name brands. If you’re looking for something different, you will find a wonderfully unique range of independent shops and boutiques in the Cathedral Quarter.

Complete your shopping trip with a coffee in one of the city’s many cafes. Trendy hotspots like 200 Degrees, Rising Café or Coffee Aroma are sure to earn you some serious cool points.

Lincoln’s Cultural Quarter boasts a whole host of teen-friendly things to do all year-round.

For history and art, head to The Lincoln Museum. Suitable for all ages, this museum is full of fascinating exhibitions and artefacts. Learn more about horology, archeology and geology, before heading to the café for a cuppa and some cake.

Just across the road, you will find the Collection’s sister museum - the Usher Art Gallery. This beautiful gallery features artwork by some of Europe’s leading artists, dating back to the 16th century. The permanent collections here are enhanced by loans of acclaimed works from national galleries, alongside a vibrant programme of temporary exhibitions.