If you were bringing a visitor to the NE and they wanted to see the best parts, where would you take them? I'm looking for the top five attraction?

In no particular order

Hartlepool marina and museum

Durham cathedral & castle

The roman wall near Corbridge

The beaches of Northumberland or North yorkshire

High Force in Middleton in Teesdale

Hartlepool marina and museum.

Teeside Barage.

Durham Cathedral.

Transporter Bridge.

Victoria Park the place i worship.

The Vic
Transporter Bridge

Are you two seriously suggesting that Port Clarence is a place of beauty? Shall I take her for a Sunday afternoon stroll around Graythorp too?

The top five attractions (in my humble opinion) :

Hartlepool Marina and Hartlepool in general - it has a lot to offer, much more than people give it credit for
Whitby - have fish and chips, climb the steps to Whitby Abbey and have a walk along the cliff tops to Staithes
Bamburgh Castle - go on a boat trip to Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands
High Force - it's been years since I last went there, must go again, the highest waterfall in England
Roseberry Topping - the view from here is great - yes you can see the industry from Teesside, but that's part and parcel of where we live
North York Moors - take a train from Pickering to Goathland (or vice versa)

We have so much to offer in this part of the country.

not forgetting whilst in whitby to have lunch at the magpie fish and chip shop

My parents went there for the first time not that long ago. They said it was alright, but nothing special.

I always take first time visitors for a walk along Headland sea front. One of my favourite places in the world let alone the North East!

I more or less agree with aptid's choice except that for the Marina, I would substitute the parts of the coast round Middlegate and the Heugh.
I have a soft spot for old rusty things like the transporter, too, but not sure anyone from outside the area would be all that with them

Barnard Castle for the river walk.

Whitby for the fish and chips

The Headlands for it's quaint populace.

The Vic for it's hallowed turf.

The Grand Hotel to get in her knickers.

They're nothing special if you just want fish and chips (which is what most people do want at lunch time in Whitby).
They have an extensive menu of more elaborate fish dishes, but those are really expensive and more the sort of thing you (or I, I mean) would want to eat in the evening

I did consider the headland but are the local hillbillies safe these days? Cousin Earl used to be mad as a balloon.

The No Rarfs Arms

The King Johns Tavern

Bar One (pre-match on a Saturday)

The Clarendon

Cafe India

shhhhhh dont tell them all
i will be swamped with the nosey barstewards

i think crissie has the best selection
you could bring her round to see my gun
in the dark

by which time they will have turned on the ambient street lighting

My favourite place is Lindisfarne, me and our lass spent some of our honeymoon there. It's magic if you're stopping overnight when the tide comes in.

So long as you're not on the causeway

Saltburn Pier and cliff lifts (Victorian history at work)

Middleham village square at 6am (first lot on way to gallops)

Staithes. Whitby without the germans (sorry, tourists)

Hardy fishing tackle museum, Alnwick. North East still leads the way in one thing.

The back of the opposition net at VP as the ball is crossing the line and you realise its in......a truly beautiful and magical place

moors....scoff at Blakey ridge - cant whack it!
high force is smart as
redcar amusements

Middleton in Teesdale, then drive over the top to Stanhope and back down Weardale.
Warkworth up to Alnmouth on the Northumberland Coastal Route.
Alston all the way via the A689 and back via the Cow Green Reservoir.
Kirby Stephen via Middleton in Teesdale across the moor top and back via Hawes.

have a look round the old mining villages, just dont leave your car here

[quote="Snowy"]Middleton in Teesdale, then drive over the top to Stanhope and back down Weardale.
quote]

We did that one day in winter when snow was falling....it was magic, one of the best days of my life

It really is like being on top of the world with nothing for miles, been up there in the snow and does it throw the car about when it blows across

Or to put it differently, anywhere except near Hartlepool.

.... I live here, my suggestions are additions.

used to work for yorkshire water go around some of the reserviors near leyburn, masham and middleham they are beautiful although you do need a good car aound this time of year and if you are going through middleham watch out for all the jockeys they are gits

I would say Durham is a must see visitor atraction in the North East park and ride too. Also Whitby via Goathland.

Take them to newcastle and go on the piss.

Depends what they want and what they want to see
Lots of good suggestions so far.
Anywhere above Blyth, but pref Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle together; including Alnwick and its castle if you can fit it in.
I prefer low force to high force; better walk and easier if kids are involved.
Cleveland hills are always good to go up, inc roseberry topping, chop gate way and that.
Newcastle Quayside for the late afternoon of baltic and sage,and then night, if its ok weather. Its beautiful if its lit up and plenty of good restaurants.
Whitby is great too, plus Runswick bay.
Lots to do

I am surprised nobody has mentioned York yet. Great place for a day out.

I was going too but i didnt know if this would qualify as the North East.