- Linlithgow Loch is a good stroll for views of the palace. The path around it is mostly firm going but there are sometimes quaggy bits after rainfall. It's a freshwater loch, shallow, and stocked with rainbow trout. A couple of islets were probably crannogs, 5000-year old stilt-dwellings. The loch sometimes suffers from agricultural run-off, which promotes the growth of toxic algal blooms in early summer - don't let the dog plunge into any green mush.
- Union Canal has a good towpath for walking or cycling. A mile west of town, this sweeps over the impressive Avon Aqueduct, 250 m long and 26 m above the river. The aqueduct, completed in 1821, uses an iron trough to carry the canal, enabling a more slender design than earlier masonry and clay structures. The canal continues west to Polmont then enters Falkirk by a long tunnel. Finally after 9 miles it descends to the Forth and Clyde Canal via locks, tunnels and the ingenious modern Falkirk Wheel.
- Eastbound the canal has nothing so spectacular, but pleasant views towards the Pentland Hills, great when the autumn berries are out or there's frost on the hills, and a muddy dog in tow. The canal passes through Winchburgh, loops back to Broxburn, then continues west under the M8 then via Ratho to end at Edinburgh Lochrin Basin after 18 miles.
- Boat trips sail the canal, usually just a 30-minute putter from the Canal Centre (south-side of the railway station) across the Avon Aqueduct and back. But the entire canal is navigable, as is the canal west from Falkirk to Glasgow. They need notice to open the locks and bridges: check the Scottish Canals website for current status. This includes a skipper's guide to all the locks, moorings and similar essentials.
- John Muir Way is a coast-to-coast hiking trail. Westbound the local section is from South Queensferry to Blackness Castle then Lithlithgow, then follow the canal towpath towards Falkirk.
- Golf: Linlithgow GC is a mile southwest, Bridgend & District GC is 4 miles southeast, Kingsfield GC is 3 miles east and West Lothian GC is 3 miles north.
- Football: Linlithgow Rose play soccer in Lowland League East, the fifth tier, at Prestonfield on Braehead Rd.
- Deacon's Court is a street fair, with the next probably on Sa 10 May 2025, tbc.
- Linlithgow Marches is a ceremony of "beating the bounds", with parades, floats, riders and general hoop-de-hoop - High Street is closed throughout, and it also takes in Blackness. It's held on the first Tuesday after the second Thursday in June, so the next is Tu 16 June 2026.
- Party at the Palace is a music festival in August, with the next on 8-9 Aug 2026.
