Kilmarnock: Best Things to Do

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Kilmarnock is the 15th most populated burgh in East Ayrshire and the second largest town in Ayrshire, Scotland.

The city is known for its history and home of Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker.

It also has Dean Castle Country Park as its most popular attraction. Serving the oldest castle in Kilmarnock.

Its downtown area has many entertainment spots to offer, including the beautiful and interesting Dick Institute.

While you’re in the city, you don’t want to miss Burns Monument and Kilmarnock War Memorial for the most interesting trips.

Make sure to try Kilmarnock’s popular whisky and the tastiest Cullen Skink.

You can also visit Wallace's Monument and Kay Park for a great picture opportunity.

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SIGHTSEEING

For over 400 years, Dean Castle Country Park has been the stronghold for the Lords of Kilmarnock known as Boyd Family. The castle has a strong connection to Scotland history. Until today, this castle is still serving its interesting history with classic buildings to its visitors. The beautiful nature and river surrounding are added as its beautiful sides. As the most visited attraction, this castle is a perfect place to admire the interesting facts about Kilmarnock.

Dean Castle Country Park

The castle has a strong connection to the Scotland history.

Until today, this castle is still serving its interesting history with classic building to its visitors.

Not to forget the beautiful nature and river surrounding.

As the most visited attraction, this castle is a perfect place to admire the interesting facts about Kilmarnock.

Address : Dean Rd, Kilmarnock KA3 1XB, United Kingdom

DOWNTOWN

A cultural trip has to be on your to-do list when you’re in Kilmarnock. Dick Institute is an important cultural venue in the south-west of Scotland you need to visit. This cultural center features the largest museum and art gallery space in Ayrshire, a library, and usually used for event space. The building itself is a classic when it comes to architecture. And not to forget the beautiful greenery surrounding the building. Absolutely a must visit.

Dick Institute

This cultural center features the largest museum and art gallery space in Ayrshire.

It has a library and usually used for event space.

The building itself is a classic when it comes to architecture.

And not to forget the beautiful greenery surrounding the building.

Absolutely a must visit.

Address : Elmbank Ave, Kilmarnock KA1 3BT, United Kingdom

SHOPPING

For a good shopping experience, you can shop at Burns Shopping Mall. This shopping mall is one of the most popular places for shopping. It is centrally located in the heart of Kilmarnock town center and is easily accessible. It has more than 20 shops within the Centre and King Street, offering a variety of retail shopping outlets including major brands like Boots, Argos, JD Sports, Bargains, and Poundland.

Burns Shopping Mall

This shopping mall is one of the most popular places for shopping.

It is centrally located in the heart of Kilmarnock town center and is easily accessible.

It offers a variety of retail shopping outlets including major brands like Boots, Argos, JD Sports, Bargains, and Poundland.

Address : Burns Precinct, Kilmarnock KA1 1LT, United Kingdom

FOOD & DRINK

As Kilmarnock is popular for its whiskey, Cullen Skink would be a good pair to it for your fun trip. Cullen Skink is a thick soup made of smoked haddock, potato, and onion. But since Kilmarnock has many connections with international cuisines, other foods like Indian and European foods are also popular in the town. The variety of deliciousness in Kilmarnock will totally bring excitement to your culinary trip.

CULTURE

Kilmarnock is the original home of Scotch whiskey brand Johnnie Walker which was originally known as Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky. This happened when the brand first started trading from the town in the mid-1800s. Kilmarnock is also popular for its history. There are several cultural places for you to visit, whether it’s the popular Dean Castle or the gorgeous Wallace’s Monument.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

June until August is the best time to plan a trip to Kilmarnock. The weather is pleasantly good with moderate temperatures at this time of year. With the support of good weather, any trip you make in this city will definitely be a memorable one.

HOTEL

Premier Inn Kilmarnock Hotel has got your covered with all the exciting amenities you need for your stay in the town. This 3-star hotel comes with comfortable and casually decorated rooms with their modern facilities. It also has entertainment places like restaurants and bars for your enjoyment. Its location allows you to have easy access to Kilmarnock’s best destinations. For a budget hotel, you can stay at Travelodge Kilmarnock. It is located near some of the town’s best places including Dick Institute Museum and Art Gallery, Kay Park, and Burns Monument. The hotel comes with modern amenities at affordable prices. The king-size beds are ready to pamper your tired body with a comfortable atmosphere.

Premier Inn Kilmarnock Hotel

This 3-star hotel comes with comfortable and casually decorated rooms with their modern facilities.

It also has entertainment places like restaurant and bar for your enjoyment.

Its location allows you to have an easy access to Kilmarnock’s best destinations.

Address : Moorfield Roundabout, Annadale, Kilmarnock KA1 2RS, United Kingdom

Travelodge Kilmarnock

It is located near some of the town’s best places including Dick Institute Museum and Art Gallery, Kay Park, and Burns Monument.

The hotel comes with modern amenities with affordable price.

The king size beds are ready to pamper your tired body with comfortable atmosphere.

Address : Belfield Interchange, A71, Kilmarnock KA1 5LQ, United Kingdom

RESTAURANT

Check out this Cotton Mill Cookhouse + Pub for a lovely dining experience. This restaurant/bar brings all deliciousness to your presence. From fish and chips, brownies, and ice cream, to a cheeky gin and tonic along with freshly prepared dishes and delicious drink. All menus are served with the most good-looking presentation, as it’s a big part of the restaurant. WG13 restaurant is also a great place for your culinary trip. It offers a wide variety of menu, from breakfast, lunch, light bites, dinner, to kids’ menu. The restaurant is handled by professionals with great personalities. It has a pleasant atmosphere with nice room decoration.

Cotton Mill Cookhouse + Pub

This restaurant/bar brings all deliciousness to your presence.

From fish and chips, brownies and ice cream, to a cheeky gin and tonic along with freshly prepared dishes and delicious drink.

All menus served with the most good-looking presentation, as it’s a big part of the restaurant.

Address : Moorfield Roundabout, Annadale, Kilmarnock KA1 2RS, United Kingdom

WG13

It offers a wide variety of menu, from breakfast, lunch, light bites, dinner, to kids’ menu.

he restaurant is handled by professionals with great personalities.

It has a pleasant atmosphere with nice room decoration.

While taste is everything, prices are very well put in this restaurant. All are reasonably priced.

Address : 13 W George St, Kilmarnock KA1 1DH, United Kingdom

CAFE

Not a secret anymore that Costa Coffee, Kilmarnock is one of the most popular cafes in the United Kingdom. This cafe has been the nation’s favorite coffee shop since its establishment. The amount of quality coffee and other delicious drinks this cafe offers is literally all you need for escaping your busy hours. No wonder it is popularly known. Not to forget their favorite dishes and pastries. The Coffee Press would also be a good reference to relax. This lovely cafe serves amazing pancakes with delicious coffee in a nice room setting. Other delicious menus like sandwiches and the tastiest hot chocolate are also available for your enjoyment. Don’t forget to taste their popular cakes.

Costa Coffee, Kilmarnock

This cafe has been the nation’s favorite coffee shop since its establishment.

he amount of quality coffee and other delicious drinks this cafe offers is literally all you need for escaping your busy hours.

No wonder it is popularly known.

Not to forget their favorite dishes and pastries.

Address : 12 Portland St, Kilmarnock KA1 1HZ, United Kingdom

The Coffee Press

This lovely cafe serves amazing pancakes with delicious coffee in a nice room setting.

Other delicious menus like sandwiches and the tastiest hot chocolate are also available for your enjoyment.

Don’t forget to taste their popular cakes.

Address : 1 Bank Pl, Kilmarnock KA1 1HL, United Kingdom

BAR AND NIGHTLIFE

Be sure to have fun at the city’s best bar Fanny by Gaslight. This cool bar comes with a huge selection of drinks. It also offers great fun with the existence of the live music band. The amazing room setting will definitely create a lively atmosphere for your visit. With its convenient location, this bar is easily accessible. If you haven’t had enough, you can also visit Maggie's Bar & Kitchen for another great experience. If offers the city’s special cuisines and a great selection of drinks in a very well-appointed setting space. The warm lighting will be added as one of the best things about this bar.

Fanny by Gaslight

This cool bar comes with a huge selection of drink.

It also offers great fun with the existence of the live music band.

The amazing room setting will definitely create lively atmosphere for your visit.

With its convenient location, this bar is easily accessible.

Address : W George St, Kilmarnock KA1 1DG, United Kingdom

Maggie's Bar & Kitchen

If offers the city’s special cuisines and great selection of drinks in a very well-appointed setting space.

The warm lighting will be added as one of the best things about this bar.

The staff are very welcoming and attentive.

Address : 14-16 Glencairn Square, Kilmarnock KA1 4AH, United Kingdom

INTERESTING PLACE

Burns Monument, Kilmarnock is a great place for you to visit. This monument is built in the dedication of the famous poet named Robert Burns. It is located at an elevated position within the popular Kay Park. The monument is surrounded by old architecture with the statue of the poet himself standing in the middle with its bright color. This is absolutely a great place to go to. Make sure to pay a visit to Kilmarnock War Memorial. Built in 1927, this place is dedicated to those who fought in the First World War. The building is beautifully standing giving access to public. Inside this memorial building showcases old engineering, miniature ships, statues, and many other things related to the First World War.

Burns Monument, Kilmarnock

This monument is built in dedication of the famous poet named Robert Burns.

It is located at an elevated position within the popular Kay Park.

The monument is surrounded by old architecture with the statue of the poet himself standing in the middle with its bright color.

This is absolutely a great place to go to.

Address : Kay Park Cres, Kilmarnock KA3 7RU, United Kingdom

Kilmarnock War Memorial

Built in 1927, this place is dedicated to those who fought in the First World War.

The building is beautifully standing giving access to public.

Inside this memorial building showcases old engineering, miniature ships, statues, and many other related things related to the First World War.

Address : 7BJ, Elmbank Ave, Kilmarnock KA1 3BU, United Kingdom

INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT

Don’t forget to visit Wallace's Monument, Ayrshire for another great experience with Kilmarnock’s historical landmark. This monument is categorized as an A-listed building in Kilmarnock and it’s dedicated to the memory of William Wallace. It is located on Barnweil Hill South Ayrshire. The classic architecture with the surrounding of beautiful trees will definitely make a dramatic picture for your camera. You don’t want miss the simply beautiful Kay Park when you are in Kilmarnock. This 30-acre park is popularly known for its beauty and a great place for family vacation. It offers greenery surroundings, a playground, a pond, a fountain, and interesting statues.

Wallace's Monument, Ayrshire

This monument is categorized as an A-listed building in Kilmarnock.

It is dedicated to the memory of William Wallace and located on Barnweil Hill South Ayrshire.

The classic architecture with the surrounding of beautiful trees will definitely make a dramatic picture for your camera.

Address : A719, Kilmarnock KA1 5NE, United Kingdom

Kay Park

This 30-acre park is popularly known for its beauty and a great place for family vacation.

It offers greenery surroundings, a playground, a pond, a fountain, and interesting statues.

A good spot for walking and relaxing.

And it is one of the best destinations in Kilmarnock.

Address : 2 Kay Park Terrace, Kilmarnock KA3 7AZ, United Kingdom