Three of the state's premiere entertainment venues are located in Glenorchy. The Royal Hobart Showgrounds are used year-round for pacing and greyhound racing, and each October for the Royal Hobart Show. Elwick Racecourse, virtually opposite, is the home of thoroughbred horseracing in the state. Next door to Elwick is the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC), used for concerts.

Further north at Claremont is the Cadbury Schweppes chocolate factory, Australia's largest. Tours (and samples) are available, but bookings are required. Also at Claremont is Alpenrail, the largest and most realistic model train setup in Australia. There are models of favourites such as Thomas the Tank Engine which children can control themselves.

Moorilla Estate, one of Tasmania's oldest vineyards, is located at Berriedale .

The suburb of Lutana hosts one of the south's heaviest industries, the Electrolytic Zinc works, one of the larger zinc refineries in the world.

For the recreationally-minded, Glenorchy and Hobart are connected by a bicycle path. The interchange (hub) of Hobart's public transport service is in Glenorchy, ensuring good services to all northern suburbs.