At the most northern tip of Strangford lough, Newtownards is a large town overlooked by the 41 meter tall Scrabo Tower in Scrabo Country Park. Strangford Lough is a popular sailing spot with its own yacht club.

The Somme Heritage Centre at the north end of the town is an internationally renowned facility commemorating the contribution of Irish troops during the Great War.

The Ark Open Farm to the north of the town focuses on rare and endangered species, often no longer seen in the wild in Ireland.