places to visit uk manchester

21 Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Manchester, England

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Bryan Dearsley traveled to England in the spring of 2022 where he spent eight weeks exploring towns and cities, including Manchester.

The city of Manchester is a celebrated center for the arts, media, and higher education. Like the neighboring city of Liverpool, Manchester has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years. Spearheading the city's transformation have been the introduction of initiatives such as the Castlefield project, with its many canals and restored warehouses, and the city's vibrant museum complex on Liverpool Road .

The extension of the city's entertainment and sports facilities has also considerably enhanced its appeal for tourists. Things to do like attending the excellent Opera House, with its roster of theatrical and music performances, and the thrilling Chill Factore , Britain's longest and widest indoor ski slope, have made it one of the best places to visit in northern England.

Manchester has also become a favorite for shoppers with an enormous range of retail opportunities. Some of the best include the elegant shops of St. Anne's Square , King Street, and the Royal Exchange , as well as the large covered market halls of Bolton Arcade .

To learn more, be sure to read through our list of fun things to do in Manchester.

See also: Where to Stay in Manchester

1. Explore the Canals of Castlefield

2. get technical at the science and industry museum, 3. visit imperial war museum north, 4. take a tour of manchester cathedral, 5. john rylands library & manchester central library, 6. get your game on at the national football museum, 7. go back in time at the manchester museum, 8. pop inside st. mary's catholic church, 9. visit britain's oldest public library: chetham's library, 10. see the paintings at manchester art gallery, 11. the whitworth art gallery, 12. take a wander through chinatown, 13. visit manchester town hall & st. peter's square, 14. visit the people's history museum, 15. explore salford quays, 16. take a trip to heaton park, 17. enjoy the blooms at fletcher moss park, 18. platt hall: gallery of costume, 19. university of manchester, 20. tour manchester's historic victoria baths, 21. museum of transport, greater manchester, where to stay in manchester for sightseeing, manchester - climate chart.

Designated an Urban Heritage Park, Castlefield is an excellent place to visit to begin exploring Manchester. A walk among the carefully restored Victorian homes, storehouses, and former factories along the old canals or through the reconstructed Roman Fort is time well spent.

Be sure to explore the Bridgewater Canal . It was constructed in 1761 to transport coal from the mines at Worsley to Manchester. The many old warehouses that line the canal have been restored and turned into offices, shops, hotels, and restaurants. A trip on one of the Bridgewater tour boats is highly recommended.

Other interesting tourist attractions include the Castlefield Art Gallery , with its exhibitions of contemporary art, and Bridgewater Hall , home to the Hallé Orchestra and first-class concerts. The Castlefield Bowl hosts regular pop and classical concerts and is also worth a visit.

Location: Castlefield Basin, Manchester

The Science and Industry Museum is situated on the site of the world's oldest railroad station. Its 12 galleries include the Power Hall, with water and steam-driven machines from the golden age of the textile industry, as well as vintage made-in-Manchester cars, including a rare 1904 Rolls Royce.

The history of the city from Roman times through the Industrial Revolution to the present day is documented in the Station Building. The Air and Space Gallery is another must-see. Here, you'll see numerous historic aircraft, including a replica of Triplane 1 by A. V. Roe, the first British plane to successfully fly.

Address: Liverpool Road, Manchester

Imperial War Museum North (IWM North) is also worth visiting, especially if you have an interest in the history of warfare. Opened in 2002, this branch of the Imperial War Museum is a popular attraction for its collections of fighting vehicles and aircrafts.

Highlights of a visit include audiovisual presentations and exhibits dealing with the history of warfare and its role in shaping civilization. There are also numerous static displays of large machines such as tanks, aircraft, artillery, and handheld weaponry. A shop and café are located on the premises.

Address: Trafford Wharf Road, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester

Located close to the city center and the River Irwell, Manchester Cathedral dates mostly from 1422 to 1506 and was raised to cathedral status in 1847. Known officially as the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St. Mary, St. Denys, and St. George, it's particularly popular among visitors for its attractive chapels on both sides of the nave and choir.

The cathedral was built between 1486 and 1508, and further additions and alterations were undertaken in almost every subsequent century. Of particular note are the choir stalls, which boast some of the most richly decorated misericords in the country.

St. John's Chapel is the chapel of the Manchester Regiment, and the little Lady Chapel has a wooden screen dating from 1440. The octagonal chapterhouse, built in 1465, has murals that include a figure of Christ in modern dress.

Address: Victoria Street, Manchester

Literary buffs and lovers of the printed word are spoiled for choice when it comes to historic libraries in Manchester. In addition to being the home of Britain's oldest public library, Manchester is also home to two of the country's other most important libraries: the John Rylands Library and Manchester Central Library.

Founded in 1888, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library was established to further the cause of research in humanities, using as its foundation the broad collections of manuscripts and archival material belonging to the University of Manchester Library. Rated one of the top free things to do in Manchester , a visit to this spectacular neo-Gothic building is certainly worthwhile.

While not as old (it opened in 1934), Manchester Central Library is every bit as architecturally pleasing. Set overlooking St. Peter's Square, the design of this impressive domed structure, with its large columns, is reputedly based on the Pantheon in Rome. Grab some photos of its exterior before popping in for a look inside. Highlights include a number of attractive stained-glass windows, the ornate ceiling of the dome, as well as a number of interesting statues.

Address: 150 Deansgate, Manchester

Home to two of Europe's top football teams – Man City and Man United – Manchester is a great place to pay homage to the country's favorite sport. Your first stop should be the National Football Museum . This football shrine features fascinating memorabilia related to the sport, including such gems as the very first rulebook, as well as historic trophies and clothing.

A variety of great short movies show the history of the sport, while fun hands-on (and feet-on, for that matter) displays provide plenty of additional entertainment for youngsters. Check their website for details of special events and programs. It's also worth paying a visit to one (or both) of the Manchester teams' home stadiums.

Manchester City's Etihad Stadium offers a variety of fun tour options, including behind-the-scenes and deluxe dinner tours. Old Trafford , home to Manchester United, offers guided tours that allow access to private boxes and the chance to tread the field itself.

Address: Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd Street, Manchester

Manchester Museum is another of the city's excellent university museums to include on your itinerary. Established in 1888, the museum is notable for its displays relating to natural history, archaeology, and anthropology, with its oldest collections dating back to 1821.

Notable as the largest university museum in the UK , its sizable collection of over 4.5 million artifacts includes examples from all over the world. It's also well known for its large Chinese cultural collections.

Editor's note: The Manchester Museum is closed for major renovations until February 2023.

Address: Oxford Road, Manchester

Another religious site worth visiting, St. Mary's Catholic Church is something of a well-kept secret in Manchester. Built in 1794 and located next to the historic Market Hall, it's also known locally as "The Hidden Gem." But don't let the structure's rather plain exterior stop you from popping in for a look inside.

St. Mary's is one of the city's newer churches, built during the Industrial Revolution, and the interior reveals numerous fine Victorian carvings. Highlights include the marble high altar, statues of saints, and a unique Expressionist-style stations of the cross. Guided tours are available.

Address: 17 Mulberry Street, Manchester

Chetham's Hospital, just north of Manchester Cathedral, dates in part to 1422. Originally a residence for priests, it's now home to a music school and Chetham Library , the oldest public library in England.

In continuous use since 1653, the library has more than 100,000 books , more than half of them printed before 1850. Chetham's is also famous as the meeting place of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels during Marx's visit to Manchester. Guided tours are available.

Other libraries of note are the Manchester Central Library located next door to the Town Hall , and the Portico Library, which houses the literary collection of Dalton and Joule, founders of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

The Victorian John Rylands Library , now part of Manchester University, is also worth seeing. Among its many important collections are medieval texts, a Gutenberg Bible, and collection of early printing by William Caxton.

Location: Long Millgate, Manchester

The Manchester Art Gallery possesses one of the largest art collections in Britain outside of London. The gallery includes works by the pre-Raphaelites; Flemish masters of the 17th century; French impressionists, including Gauguin, Manet, and Monet; and German artists such as Max Ernst.

There are also pieces from well-known English artists, including Stubbs, Constable, and Turner. The gallery's impressive sculpture collection includes works by Rodin, Maillol, Jacob Epstein, and Henry Moore.

For more arts and culture tourist attractions, check out HOME , Manchester's international center for contemporary visual arts and independent film. Located at 70 Oxford Street, the venue is noted for its regular performances of everything from musicals to comedies.

Address: Mosley Street, Manchester

Fresh from a major redevelopment, The Whitworth Art Gallery features over 55,000 artworks in its vast collection. Named after the surrounding park, the gallery's very modern facilities are housed in a mix of old and new buildings overlooking a very pleasant green space.

The oldest collections themselves date back to 1889, and its stellar collections of sculptures and mostly modern artworks have seen it consistently ranking in lists of top attractions in Manchester. Other notable collections include watercolours, textiles, and even wallpapers. Works by the likes of Francis Bacon, Van Gogh, and Picasso can all be enjoyed, along with a sizable collection of outdoor art.

A café and shop are located on the premises, and a variety of fun events and activities for individuals as well as families are available.

The colorful home of one of the largest Chinese communities in Britain, Chinatown is only a stone's throw from the Manchester Art Gallery and is fun to explore on foot. The richly decorated arched gateway leading into the district is especially striking.

The many shops and restaurants here offer a wide range of culinary delicacies from Hong Kong and Beijing. Interested in shopping? Unique Chinese handicrafts and artworks can be found at the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Art (CFCCA).

Address: 13 Thomas Street, Manchester

The imposing façade of the neo-Gothic Town Hall (1877) graces pedestrianized Albert Square , and the tower offers excellent panoramic views of the city. Inside, the Council Chamber merits special attention, along with the cycle of Ford Madox Brown murals that depict the history of the city.

While there, visit the Free Trade Hall, opened in 1951. Editor's note: Manchester Town Hall is currently undergoing major interior and exterior renovations due for completion in 2024.

Allocate some time to also explore St. Peter's Square. This large public square is where you'll find the Manchester Cenotaph commemorating the city's war dead, as well as plenty of great opportunities to get in some people watching.

Also worth a visit, the centrally located Manchester Central Convention Complex , one of the largest such sites in England, hosts many musical performances throughout the year. The building is unique in that it was constructed amid the former Victorian railroad station on Windmill Street.

Location: Albert Square, Manchester

The People's History Museum is the national center for the collection, conservation, interpretation, and study of material relating to the history of working people in Britain.

Located in a former pumping station, the museum showcases the history of British democracy and its impact on the population. Also of interest are the extensive collections of artifacts relating to trade unions and women's suffrage.

Another museum that's close by and worth visiting is the Manchester Jewish Museum . This interesting attraction features a unique collection dealing with the city's Jewish community.

Location: Left Bank, Manchester

While there are enough fun things to do in Salford for those wanting to make a day trip out of it , those crunched for time would do well to visit one or two attractions in this pleasant university town. The Salford Quays, usually referred to simply as "The Quays," should definitely top your list.

An easy 25-minute, five-kilometer ride away from Manchester city center by public transit, this much revitalized area straddles the banks of the city's ship canal and is a delight to explore on foot.

In addition to such popular attractions as the Imperial War Museum North and Old Trafford, home to Manchester United Football Club, you'll find the Lowry Arts Centre. Dedicated to the life and work of local artist L.S. Lowry, it contains numerous unique pieces, as well as a performing arts center.

Covering some 600 acres, Heaton Park is the biggest park in Greater Manchester and one of the largest municipal parks in Europe. Heaton Hall , built in 1772, lies in the very heart of the park and although not all of it is open to the public, it remains an impressive sight.

Some buildings, such as the charming Orangery, are open seasonly to the public, so check the official website for closures. The park has been extensively restored and retains many of its original buildings and vistas.

Sports enthusiasts will enjoy its 18-hole golf course, driving range, mini putt, and tennis courts, while families can explore the boating lake, animal farm, woodlands, ornamental gardens, observatory, and adventure playground. There's even a volunteer-run tramway and museum.

Address: Middleton Road, Manchester

Also worth visiting is Fletcher Moss Park . Founded in 1917, this large green space, part botanical garden and part wildlife habitat, is an engaging contrast to the busy city center. There are numerous walking trails on the property, as well as regular guided "health" walks.

Popular things to do here include enjoying a stroll or picnic, or opting for more strenuous activities, such as tennis, rugby, or football. There's also a pleasant café located within the grounds. Dogs are welcome.

Address: 18 Stenner Lane, Didsbury, Manchester

Platt Hall , an elegant Georgian house built in 1764 and now part of the Manchester Art Gallery, presents an excellent overview of English fashion and costume from 1600 to the present day. It is perhaps the only collection to rival London's Victoria and Albert Museum .

Strengths of the museum include its many examples of everyday dress, with the Gallery of Costume containing one of the largest collections of costumes and accessories in Britain.

Location: Platt Hall, Fallowfiield, Manchester

Manchester's educational precinct, encompassing the University of Manchester , includes a variety of institutes and halls of residence.

Opened in 1851, the university can claim three Nobel prizewinners: Ernest Rutherford (1871-1939), who laid the foundations of modern atomic physics; physician James Chadwick, who in 1932 proved the existence of the neutron; and Sir John Cockcroft (1897-1967), one of the leading physicists in British and Canadian atomic research.

Housed in the university, the Whitworth Art Gallery is famous for its collections of British watercolors, drawings, prints, modern art, and sculpture, along with the largest textile and wallpaper collections outside London. Also close by is the Manchester Museum, with its extensive scientific collections and Egyptian exhibits.

Known to locals as Manchester's "Water Palace," the Victoria Baths are well worth a visit. The building is a perfectly preserved example of a Victorian-era bath, a feature once relatively common in many large urban areas in bygone days.

Although not unlike modern public swimming pools, it was built in 1986 and is unique for the change facilities that line the pool's perimeter. Also noteworthy is the ornate steelwork that holds the structure up.

Open seasonally from April through to November, it can be toured and makes for a pleasant outing. Be sure to check the official website for dates and availability. The facility also serves as a venue for concerts and movies, as well as special family events. A tea shop and gift shop are located on-site.

Address: Hathersage Road, Manchester

A visit to the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester is a fun activity for all ages. Located in the city's Cheetham Hill area, this impressive collection of vintage transportation consists of over 80 buses, many of them still working. Other historic modes of transport housed here include an original city tram dating from 1901, as well as old trolleybuses.

Displays describe not just the vehicles, but also deal with the development and evolution of public transit in Manchester. A quaint tearoom is located on the premises, as is a gift shop.

Address: Boyle Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester

As in any big city, it's hard to find a hotel that is near all the main attractions. But many of Manchester's points of interest at least cluster in three areas: the Urban Heritage Park and museum complex on Liverpool Road in the Castlefield neighborhood; the shopping district between King Street and the cathedral; and Chinatown to the south, where you'll find the Manchester Art Gallery. These highly rated hotels in Manchester are convenient for sightseeing:

Luxury Hotels :

• With a good-sized pool and a spa, The Edwardian Manchester sits between Chinatown, the Liverpool Road museums, and the smart shopping district north of King Street.
• Another great accommodation option that's close to Chinatown and the Manchester Art Gallery is The Alan . This hip 4-star design hotel features industrial-chic rooms and suites set in a historic red brick building.
• The chic and charming Great John Street Hotel , in the new museum district, has a hot tub on the roof.
• The Midland , opposite the library and well located for visiting museums and the City Hall, has a gym and spa with a small pool, Jacuzzi, and steam room.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Beautifully furnished rooms, thoughtful amenities, and superior service make Velvet Hotel a luxury choice with a mid-range price. It's located between Chinatown and Piccadilly rail station, where trains arrive from London.
• Right next to Chinatown, Roomzzz Aparthotel Manchester City has stylish, well-designed rooms with rain showers and good soundproofing.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly is directly across the street from Piccadilly Station, a 10-minute walk to the central attractions, and near the free shuttle bus stop.

Budget Hotels:

• Premier Inn Manchester City Centre (Piccadilly) Hotel is excellent value, with well-furnished rooms less than a five-minute walk from Piccadilly Station.
• Travelodge Manchester Central has plain but comfortable rooms just across the bridge from the cathedral and shopping district.
• At the edge of Chinatown with plenty of restaurants nearby, Ibis Manchester Centre Princess Street Hotel offers comfortable rooms with few frills.

More on England

Best Things to Do in Manchester, UK: 15 Top Sights & Attractions (+Map)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: April 23, 2023

Wondering what to see and do in Manchester, England? In this guide, we share top sights to see and the most popular tourist attractions in Manchester . This list will help you cover all the musts and make the most of your visit. Find out!

Manchester is a vibrant and multicultural city in the northwest of England UK. It’s a city of innovation and industry, with a fascinating past and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Whatever your interests – from history to pop culture and everything in between – you will find lots of things to see and do in Manchester, along with endless opportunities to discover just what makes this proud and progressive city tick!

In this article, we include the very BEST places to see and things to do if you are visiting Manchester for the first time . All these Manchester attractions are ideal for the whole family and some are totally free to visit!

To help you plan your visit and get a better idea of where everything is located, we also created a map of the main sights of Manchester . You can find it at the bottom of this article, together with our suggestions on where to stay for sightseeing .

Good to know: Quite a few museums and landmarks in Manchester are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so keep this in mind when planning your visit. However, there are also other places that are open daily. So – no matter when you visit – you’ll find plenty to see and do in Manchester. But if you want to visit a specific place, be sure to check the opening times!

Good to know: You’ll see that 3 out of 15 places on our list are related to football (soccer), with two of them at the very top of the list of the most popular Manchester attractions. This is because Mancunians (residents of Manchester) are fiercely devoted to their football and no trip to Manchester would be complete without visiting at least one of these landmarks…

Manchester is one of three cities in the UK that has two professional clubs, Manchester City F.C. and Manchester United F.C. As you can imagine, the rivalry between them is pretty big, particularly since both are in the Premier League.

If you have an interest in football, you really must take a tour of one of the stadiums during your visit to Manchester, plus see the National Football Museum! And even if you are not a fan, be sure to visit at least one of the three ‘football attractions’!

These are some of the best sights to see and things to do in Manchester:

1. Manchester United Museum & Old Trafford Stadium

The success of Manchester United football club (founded in 1878) is legendary and its ‘brand’ is instantly recognized right across the world. This makes a visit to the club’s home at Old Trafford an unmissable experience. It’s one of the most interesting things to do in Manchester, for footy fans and non-fans alike!

A behind-the-scenes stadium tour allows you to walk through the famous players’ tunnel – where the likes of David Beckham and Ronaldo have walked before you – and take a look in their dressing rooms. You can also sit in the manager’s seat in the dugout, see the press room, and visit the VIP room.

The museum takes a closer look at the history of the club, with trophy displays, a tribute to former player George Best, displays of the kit throughout the years, and a virtual chat with Sir Alex Ferguson, possibly the team’s greatest manager.

It’s possible to skip the stadium tour and just visit the museum at a lower price. But few people choose to pass up an opportunity to see firsthand one of the most successful football clubs in the world. We highly recommend doing the full tour !

If people visit just one ‘football landmark’ in Manchester, they usually opt for this one, but the Etihad Stadium (Manchester City) is just as special (see below). So – unless you are a fan of one or the other – just see which one fits your itinerary best and visit at least one of them.

Good to know: Be sure to check the dates when you can visit the stadium ! It has some more ‘black-out’ dates than the Etihad Stadium tour.

2. Etihad Stadium: Manchester City

Etihad Stadium is home to Manchester City football club. Founded in 1880, this is the younger of the two Manchester clubs. And whilst it has always been somewhat in the shadows of Manchester United, the recent signing of several world-class players has really seen a change to its fortunes!

The current name of the stadium comes from its sponsor – Etihad Airways. It is an impressive venue with place for 53,400 people. A few years ago, Etihad Stadium has also been named the best stadium in the world.

Sitting to the east of the city center, Manchester City stadium is a fascinating place to visit! A stadium tour gives you a real insight into how life as a professional footballer must feel to the players. You get to walk down the glass players’ tunnel out onto the pitch, see inside the changing rooms and view the trophy display. You can even have a virtual chat in the press room with Pep Guardiola, the club’s current manager, and take home a photograph of the occasion.

An audio-visual show has recently been added to the lineup which makes the Etihad Stadium tour one of the most immersive in Premier League football. The staff here is also extremely friendly, and the guides that do the tours do an excellent job!

Good to know: The Etihad Stadium tour is available daily, all year round, with just a few exceptions. You can check availability and book a tour here .

3. John Rylands Library

Located in a late-Victorian neo-Gothic building on Deansgate in the city center, John Rylands Library looks almost nothing like a typical library (apart from its bookshelves, of course!).

Instead, stepping through its doors feels like walking into a beautiful cathedral, with soaring vaulted ceilings and stunning high windows.

Commissioned in 1889, John Rylands Library has a fascinating history. It was one of the first buildings in Manchester to have electric lighting. It also had a very advanced heating and ventilation system for its time, designed to protect its books from the soot and pollutants of industrial Manchester.

Despite its beauty and historic significance, this is still very much a working library and – in 1972 – became a part of the University of Manchester. It contains some of the most important manuscripts and books ever written, including the oldest known piece of the New Testament and the 1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. It is also one of five National Research Libraries in the UK.

John Rylands Library is completely free to visit and everyone is welcome to read, study or simply admire the architecture. Be sure to check out the original Victorian toilets – unchanged since 1900 – and take the main staircase up to the Historic Reading Room, which gives you lovely views of the Entrance Hall below you and the Lantern Gallery up above.

Good to know: The library is open from 10 AM to 5 PM, from Wednesday to Saturday. For more information, check their website .

4. City Center & Walking Tours

There are lots of interesting places to see in Manchester city center . Too many to mention here. So one of the best things to do in Manchester is simply walk around the center. Check out Piccadilly Gardens, Chinatown, Royal Exchange Theatre, Albert Hall with City Hall, etc.

TIP: One of the best ways to explore the main sights of Manchester city center is by taking a walking tour with a local . It’s a great way to see the main sights, but also some lesser-known places and get to know the real Manchester in just a couple of hours.

There are various options, so pick one that best suits your interests. Here are some of the most popular walking tours in Manchester , and each very different:

• Afternoon tour of the main highlights . This small-group tour takes about 2.5 hours and covers the main landmarks in the city center. You’ll see Manchester Cathedral, St. Peter’s Square, Royal Exchange Theatre, Piccadilly Gardens, Chinatown, Vimto Sculpture, and learn more about the history of Manchester.
• Rock & Goal walking tour . This is the most popular walking tour in Manchester (and very affordable too!). It’s not your traditional landmarks tour. Instead, it focuses on the lesser-known places in Manchester and you get to learn some quirky facts about the city. You also visit some filming locations of various films and TV series, see street art, etc. It’s a great introduction to real Manchester, beyond the main tourist attractions!
• Food tour . This highly-rated food tour is another great way to explore Manchester a bit deeper. Not only do you learn more about the city, but you also get to taste some delicious local food .

5. Manchester Cathedral

With 600 years of history, Manchester Cathedral is one of the must-sees in the city. It’s the main church of the Anglican Diocese of Manchester, and quite impressive from the outside. But it’s the interior of the Cathedral that you absolutely must add to your Manchester bucket list!

Located on Victoria Street in the heart of the city, Manchester Cathedral is like an oasis in the busy town center. The peace and tranquility you experience on entering make quite a contrast with the hustle and bustle of Manchester’s lively streets. This is a great place to take a break and just enjoy the beautiful neo-Gothic architecture.

Whilst Manchester Cathedral is much smaller than the likes of Canterbury or Lincoln, it has some stunning features. Its stained glass windows are extraordinarily beautiful and it has some of the north of England’s very best late-medieval woodwork, with a very ornate ceiling. It’s also believed to have the widest nave of any English cathedral.

TIP: Do check the cathedral website before your visit to see what events are planned. You may be lucky to catch anything from an orchestral performance to a ballet during your visit. There are also some lovely craft markets held here at Christmas.

Good to know: You can visit Manchester Cathedral 7 days a week and admission is free . Although it is important to remember that this is a working church and there are daily services that may limit the areas you can visit. Also, some parts of the cathedral are occasionally used for private events (a recent gin festival, for example, which might seem surprising for such a venue!). So do check that it is fully open on the day you plan to visit.

6. Science and Industry Museum

The Science and Industry Museum is the most popular museum in Manchester.

The focus of this fun and fascinating museum is Manchester’s industrial history. It brings the past beautifully – and sometimes noisily – to life. Step into the Textiles Gallery and you are instantly transported back to when the city was the international center of the world’s cotton industry. As the noise of the vintage, steam-powered machines thunders around you, you can get a real sense of just how difficult the cotton factories were to work in.

The ‘Experiment’ gallery, meanwhile, is filled with interesting and interactive exhibits designed to make science fun and engaging. This section is especially popular with children!

There is also a big emphasis on transport at this museum. Indeed, it was built on the site of the Manchester terminus of the world’s first purpose-built passenger railway. You can still see the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station – and its first railway goods warehouse – here today!

Steam enthusiasts will love some of the colorful and historic engines on display in the railway warehouse just across the cobbled yard from the main building.

Located in the city center, the museum is free to enter , although donations are welcome and there is sometimes a charge to enter the temporary exhibitions.

Good to know: The museum is open daily except for a few public holidays around Christmas – New Year. For more information, check their website .

TIP: The Science and Industry Museum is located in the Castlefield neighborhood . If you want to explore the more local side of Manchester, check it out!

With its cobbled streets, canals, and bridges, this old industrial area is especially nice to visit in summer. Here you will find lots of nice restaurants overlooking canals, live music performances, etc.

7. National Football Museum

Back to the football theme… Next on the list of places to visit in Manchester is the National Football Museum . It’s the world’s largest museum devoted solely to this sport and its history.

Whether you are a fan of the game or not, it’s truly fascinating to see how football grew to become one of the best-loved sports in the world. There are a variety of exhibits that examine the game’s culture and its social history.

There is so much to see here! From famous trophies and kits to plenty of fun interactive games for children and adults, too. Be sure to try some interactive challenges such as Penalty Shootout.

Exhibits are not just limited to Premier League teams either – lots of different teams are included and both women’s and men’s football are well represented.

Don’t miss the Match Of The Day Commentary Challenge, where you can try commentating on the action as you see it, or following the autocue. Either way, you’ll find it’s not quite as easy as the professionals make it look!

Good to know: The National Football Museum is open daily. You can see the availability and book entrance tickets here .

8. Manchester River Cruises & Boat Trips

River cruises are a great way to see Manchester from a whole new perspective. You can enjoy the onboard commentary as you take in sights like the Victoria & Albert Hotel, George Stephenson’s 1830 Railway bridge, and the studios of BBC TV.

Whilst it’s nice to sit and enjoy the view from the top deck, the unpredictable British weather means that you may prefer to look out from the totally enclosed lower deck instead. There is a small bar for refreshments and you will learn a lot about Manchester’s history from the very informative commentary.

The cruises range in length and there are different options depending on the time of the year. The most popular are the 1- or 2-hour city center cruises that usually only run between April and September. In addition – in the summer season – there are also half-day trips to Ellesmere Port in Cheshire (that involve a return journey by coach).

These sightseeing cruises originate from Salford Quays , Manchester’s unique waterfront destination located 15 minutes by tram from the city center.

TIP: Be sure to set aside some time for a walk around the Quays before or after your river cruise. This is a fun and lively area, with lots of eateries, bars, places to visit, and sporting activities on offer.

There are also other boat trips in Manchester, such as canal cruises, cruises with shows or music performances, etc. No matter which ones you choose, it’s a nice way to see a different side of the city.

9. Imperial War Museum North

Imperial War Museum North is one of five branches of the Imperial War Museums and the first to be located in the north of England. It’s housed in a quirky, eye-catching building designed to represent a shattered globe, and is symbolically built on a bomb site.

There are more than 2,000 objects on display charting conflict throughout the years. You’ll see weaponry from WWI right up to twisted steelwork salvaged from the wreckage of New York’s World Trade Centre.

But the appeal of this museum doesn’t just lie in its exhibits. What makes it so fascinating – to adults and children alike – is the unique way that the stories of ordinary people who lived through these experiences are told.

The 360° cinematic Big Picture Shows are totally immersive. The images and voices of the victims of war surround you, making the stories feel more real than anything you can read in a textbook.

The museum feels somewhat disorientating and confusing to navigate, but this was a deliberate architectural technique used by its designer to help visitors experience – to a small extent – war’s unsettling nature.

Good to know: The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. It’s free to enter and located at The Quays. For more practical info, see the official website .

10. Manchester Art Gallery

Located right in the middle of the city, Manchester Art Gallery has thousands of world-class exhibits. You can easily spend a few hours here enjoying everything on offer.

The Grade I listed building housing the Gallery is an exceptional piece of architecture in itself. Designed in the beautiful Greek Ionic style, it now also has a glass walkway connecting it to a modern extension.

Manchester Art Gallery is especially famous for its Pre-Raphaelite pieces and other works by 19th-century British artists. But you will find plenty of fascinating works spanning centuries and continents.

The decorative arts collections are particularly interesting, containing pieces that demonstrate the techniques used from ancient civilizations right up to the modern day. There is an ever-changing rotation of temporary exhibitions too. There are also numerous interactive exhibits and workshops for children to enjoy.

Good to know: Manchester Art Gallery is completely free to visit , although donations are always very welcome. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM, from Tuesday to Sunday. More info on their website .

11. People’s History Museum

People’s History Museum doesn’t always make it to the list of ‘must see’ attractions in Manchester. But it is so thought-provoking and interesting that it is definitely worth including in your itinerary.

It tells the story of the development of democracy in Britain and explores the concepts that affect us all, such as social justice, cooperation within society, equality, and more. Whilst the subject matter may sound a little stiff – and possibly unappealing to children – the reality is quite the opposite!

Ideas are presented in ways that are fun, engaging, and interactive. You will learn the truth about historical events – some of which may seem a little different from the way they were presented at school – and celebrate those whose radical ideas were ahead of their times. The exhibits encourage you to think critically and are excellent for opening up some very interesting family conversations!

You can easily spend a few hours here and entry is free , although donations are always welcome.

Good to know: The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM, every day except Tuesdays and some public holidays. More info on their site .

12. Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum is another very interesting museum in the city. It’s focused on natural history, with displays of dinosaurs and mummies. It also has a huge collection of ancient Egyptian art and everyday objects that give you a glimpse into how ordinary people lived in those days.

This museum has been recently renovated and has reopened with lots of new things to see. In addition to over 4.5 million artifacts in its permanent collections, the museum also hosts some very interesting temporary exhibitions.

Good to know: The museum is free to visit, but you need tickets for certain exhibitions. In that case, it’s also best to book them in advance since the museum gets very busy, especially on weekends and public holidays. The museum is open daily except on Mondays. For more information, see their website .

13. The Trafford Centre & Fun Activities Nearby

The Trafford Centre is one of the UK’s most popular malls. It’s luxuriously decorated with marble and gold fittings, plus palm trees and statues at every turn. Be sure to look upwards as you shop, as the glass-domed roof to the center is quite spectacular.

This area combines great shopping with a big range of fun leisure activities in Manchester. Here, you’ll find an ODEON cinema , SEA LIFE Manchester , LEGOLAND Discovery Centre , Laser Quest , outdoor adventure park Trafford Treetop Adventures , and more.

There are also more than 60 restaurants to enjoy, with the dining area designed to look like the interior of a cruise ship and a dramatic, sweeping staircase worthy of the Titanic!

Good to know: The Trafford Centre is located outside the main city center, but can be reached by tram in less than 30 minutes.

TIP: If you are looking for even more fun things to do in Manchester, this area is the place to be! Just across the road from the Trafford Centre, you’ll find indoor skiing and snowboarding at Chill Factorᵉ, skydiving at iFLY Indoor Skydiving Manchester, a miniature golf course at Dino Falls Adventure Golf, and an indoor playground Play Factore.

You could easily spend an entire day (or a few) in this area alone, especially if visiting Manchester with kids or teens!

14. Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Manchester is a big city and while the city center is best explored on foot, some of its main tourist attractions are quite spread out. So if you want to see the best of Manchester in a somewhat relaxing way, taking a hop-on-hop-off bus is a good way to do it.

It’s a comfortable way to get around but is also a nice activity in itself. In addition to providing transportation between Manchester’s main sights and attractions, it also includes a commentary allowing you to learn more about the city.

Good to know: There are 15 stops at all the main points of interest in Manchester and you can hop on or off wherever it best suits you. The hop-on-hop-off bus ticket is valid for 2 days and offers excellent value for the price. It’s not comparable to the prices you pay in London and other major cities.

15. Take a Day Trip to the Lake District (or other National Parks nearby)

In addition to all the interesting places to see and things to do in Manchester, definitely consider a day trip to the famous Lake District as well! Especially if you are visiting northwestern England for the first time and want to make the most of your trip!

Located just about 1.5 hrs drive from the city, Lake District National Park makes a perfect excursion from Manchester. Here, you can see some of the best scenery around Windermere, the largest lake in England, visit charming villages, and quaint picturesque towns.

The easiest way to do this (and make the most of your time) is by joining one of the organized tours . That way, you are sure to see the best spots and the most beautiful scenery, without having to arrange or plan much.

TIP: Lake District is just one of the many nice places you can visit in this part of the UK. There are also excursions to the Peak District , Yorkshire Dales National Park , or Snowdonia National Park in North Whales.

Also the popular seaside resort Blackpool is just an hour away from Manchester and can be easily visited as a day trip as well.

Map of Manchester Attractions

As promised, here is a map of the best places to see in Manchester mentioned in this guide.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Where to Stay for Sightseeing in Manchester

In general, the best places to stay in Manchester depend very much on your personal taste and what you are planning to do:

• The city center gives you easy access to almost everything and is great for shopping.
• If vibrant nightlife is more important to you, you’ll probably prefer the Northern Quarter .
• The Salford Quays/Old Trafford area tends to be much quieter at night, but is a good base for the stadium and shopping.

Since this guide is focused on sightseeing, we recommend staying in the city center . Here are some of the best-rated hotels in this area for all budgets:

• £££££ The Edwardian – a very popular (and quite affordable) 5* hotel in the heart of the city center. Indoor pool.
• £££ Hotel Brooklyn – excellent-value 4* hotel. Top pick in the mid-range budget!
• £ ibis Styles Manchester Portland – the best lower-budget choice in the city center.

In addition, there are some things to consider when booking a stay in Manchester:

First, Manchester hosts a lot of festivals – Picnic in the Park, Parklife, and Manchester Pride to name but a few. It’s worth checking ahead to see if any of these are taking place when you visit. If so, the hotel prices in the city center are likely to be higher than usual and you might prefer to stay on the outskirts instead. The good thing is that the transport links in and around Manchester are excellent, so no matter where you stay, you can quickly be back in the heart of the action.

Second, consider the impact of football on accommodation costs. When there is a game at the Etihad Stadium, the rates go up in the hotels close to it – so look for accommodation in The Quays area. But when Manchester United is playing at Old Trafford, the best deals are to be found to the north or east of the city (including the Northern Quarter, Piccadilly, and Ancoats.

TIP: Using the map below, you can find the best deals for accommodations in Manchester. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see what’s available for your stay. Check it out!

So, this is our guide to some of the best attractions and most interesting things to do in Manchester, UK.

I hope that this has helped you decide on the things that you really want to see and do during your stay in Manchester, or perhaps inspired you to return for another visit!

TIP: If you are coming to Manchester for just a short visit and wondering how to plan your time, take a look at our suggested Manchester itinerary for 1 day . It will give you a better idea of what can be done with little time and how to best approach it. Check it out via the link below.

LEARN MORE: One Day in Manchester: What to See & Itinerary

UK Travel Inspiration:

• Best Things to Do in London
• London Travel Tips
• London Hidden Gems
• Where to Stay in London
• 2 Days London Itinerary
• Best Day Trips from London
• Best Things to Do in Liverpool
• The Beatles Attractions in Liverpool
• Day Trip to Liverpool from London
• Yorkshire Day Trips
• Best Things to Do in Cornwall
• Where to Stay in Cornwall
• Best Things to Do in Blackpool
• Blackpool Travel Tips
• Best Places to Visit Near Blackpool
• Where to Stay in Blackpool
• Isle of Skye Itinerary
• Scotland Whisky Tour
• Best Things to Do in Edinburgh
• Tips for Visiting Edinburgh
• One Day in Edinburgh
• One Day in Glasgow
• …For more travel inspiration for these and other destinations, take a look at our UK travel guide .

If you like cities and want to explore more of Great Britain, be sure to also check our guide to some of the most beautiful cities in the UK for some more inspiration.

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

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The top 12 things to do in Manchester

Oct 5, 2022 • 7 min read

Manchester is a famously queer-friendly city especially the village around Canal Street © trabantos / Getty Images

Mancunians are fiercely proud of their city. And rightly so as the ever-growing metropolis houses an impressive collection of attractions, with options to appease even the most cultured visitors. 

It’s not just football and great music, either. Awesome art galleries, museums with free entry and all manner of festivals are possible contenders for your itinerary. Not sure where to start? Here’s just a snapshot of the best things to do in Manchester. 

1. Go to a gig

The Madchester years may be over and the Haçienda long gone (or, rather, remodeled as a block of flats), but Manchester ’s musical spirit remains very much alive. The city has nurtured numerous bands over the years and still plays host to countless live music venues.

Attending a gig is easily one of the best things to do in Manchester at night. Band on the Wall and the Deaf Institute showcase an eclectic mix of up-and-coming acts, while the MEN Arena is the domain of globally renowned superstars. You could also treat your ears to free live jazz at friendly neighborhood bar Matt and Phreds or listen to classical masterpieces courtesy of the Hallé Orchestra at Bridgewater Hall . 

Detour: The Science and Industry Museum's Turn It Up: The power of music exhibit lets visitors get hands-on with music making, with displays that include odd and groundbreaking instruments and a space to create your own masterpiece.

2. Explore the Northern Quarter

Manchester’s hippest neighborhood sits a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Gardens and offers numerous refreshing alternatives to the chain cafes and high street stores of nearby Market Street. 

As well as being adorned with thought-provoking street art, the Northern Quarter’s red brick buildings are filled with vintage clothing shops, indie record stores and quirky themed bars. 

Some of the best restaurants in Manchester can be found here, too. Head to Northern Soul Grilled Cheese for a cheap and indulgently cheesy lunch. You could also join the queue for a table at Aussie-run brunch spot, Federal , where great coffee is served alongside plates piled high with smashed avocado, grilled halloumi and freshly-baked sourdough toast.

Local tip: With lots of boutique hotels and situated in a convenient location, the Northern Quarter is also a good place to stay in Manchester.

3. Indulge your inner football fan

Manchester is the home of not one, but two legendary football teams. Whether your loyalties lie with Manchester City or Manchester United , you’ll find much to entertain you at the National Football Museum . Tucked behind the cathedral, it’s the biggest museum of its kind and one of the most popular attractions in Manchester. 

Local Tip: Rather see a ball being kicked across the pitch? The Premier League season kicks off in early September, with matches hosted at both the Etihad Stadium and Old Trafford. Pick up tickets for as little as £20 or go inside Old Trafford during a private stadium tour. 

4. Tick off some museums

There’s no shortage of ways to spend a day in Manchester. With no fewer than ten museums located within the city limits, it’s an excellent place to expand your knowledge on a range of different subjects. 

Learn about the Suffragette Movement at the Pankhurst Centre or uncover the city’s natural history at the Manchester Museum . The Imperial War Museum North in Salford Quays is as educational and evocative as its London counterpart. 

Visiting with kids? The Science and Industry Museum is hands down one of the best things to do in Manchester as a family. It’s lodged inside the oldest railway terminus in the world and has some brilliant interactive exhibits, including astronaut virtual reality experiences for wannabe space explorers. 

5. John Rylands Library

The John Rylands Library – with its Gothic facade and dramatic interiors that wouldn’t look out of place in a Sherlock Holmes mystery – is more than just a giant storehouse for rare books. It’s stood on the same spot on Deansgate since the 1890s and is probably the city’s most impressive heritage site. 

A visit to the library is one of the best things to do in Manchester, whether you’re a certified bookworm or not. Entry is free and it’ll take you less than an hour to admire its wood-paneled reading rooms, sweeping stone staircases and glass cases filled with fading, antique papyrus. 

6. Eat your way around the city

If you take away one piece of advice, let it be this: always come to Manchester with an appetite. The city has some serious culinary credentials, spanning Michelin-starred fine dining to vegan-friendly fast food. Mouth-watering global cuisine is always on the menu, too. 

Ancoats (the Northern Quarter’s equally cool neighbor) is Manchester’s unofficial Little Italy and where you’ll be able to gorge on stonebaked pizza and other carb-heavy delights. For fragrant ramen and delectable dim sum, the brightly decorated restaurants of Chinatown are your best bet. 

Local Tip: Searching for a cozy Sunday lunch spot? Book a table at Sam’s Chop House . It’s one of the best pubs in Manchester and still has the same moody Victorian decor as it did when it opened in 1868.

7. Check out the city’s craft beer scene

Manchester is swiftly catching up with the capital when it comes to craft beer. A good chunk of its breweries (many of them with onsite bars) lie a short walk from Manchester Piccadilly station. This includes trendy Cloudwater Brewing Co and the slightly more rustic Alphabet Brewing Company.

Detour: Prefer a G&T? The Manchester Gin distillery behind the Odeon Great Northern offers terrific tasting tours. 

8. Hit up a market

Sucker for a good market? Manchester has plenty. Foodies will be thoroughly satisfied with the treats on offer at Altrincham Market and Mackie Mayor in the Northern Quarter. If it's vintage treasures you’re seeking, make a beeline for eclectic Afflecks on Church Street. There’s also the Didsbury Maker’s Market – an emporium of locally made gifts and crafts – which sets up shop just off Burton Road on the last Sunday of every month. 

9. Salford Quays

Looking for things to do outside Manchester City Center? Hop on the tram and head for Salford Quays. The modern waterfront district is on the site of the former Manchester Docks and serves as the home of the BBC and ITV in the North. You’ll spot their studio buildings in the aptly named MediaCityUK .

Directly opposite is The Quays, a shopping, dining and entertainment complex. Within it is the Lowry , one of the top-performing arts centers in the region, and Salford Water Sports Centre where you can hire paddleboards or kayaks to explore the surrounding canals. 

10. Attend one of Manchester’s many festivals

No matter the season , there’s bound to be a festival to take your fancy. Mancunians love to celebrate, whether that’s by heading en masse to Heaton Park for the Parklife music festival or by lining the streets of the Gay Village for the annual Pride parade. 

You could also enjoy avant-garde film screenings and immersive performance art at the biannual Manchester International Festival or join in with the Lunar New Year festivities in Manchester’s Chinatown in early February.

11. Take a dip at Victoria Baths

This early Edwardian swimming pool turned cultural events venue is worth trekking up Oxford Road for. Victoria Baths first opened in 1906, and it’s managed to retain its period beauty. Original tiles cover the walls of the entrance hall, while powder blue changing cubicles with red and white striped curtains line the edge of the female baths.

The long-term goal is to refurbish it as a public pool and Turkish bath. For now, though, Victoria Baths is open for tours between March and September.

Local tip: Various events are held throughout the year too, including the Vintage Home Show in June and a pop-up festive cinema in December.

12. Embark on an art-themed tour of the city

Art fanatics will be in their element in Manchester. The Whitworth Art Gallery ’s collections are vast and include prints by Renoir and Cezanne, as well as a room dedicated entirely to wonderfully colorful wallpaper. 

Back in the city center, Manchester Art Gallery is a haven for fine art aficionados and usually has a fantastic temporary modern art exhibition. You could also browse bold works with hefty price tags at Castle Fine Art Gallery on King Street. 

Local tip: After a unique date idea? Leisurely uncovering the street art of the Northern Quarter and Ancoats – preferably with a coffee in hand – is one of our top things to do in Manchester as a couple.

This article was first published April 2022 and updated October 2022

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Manchester   Travel Guide

18 Best Things To Do in Manchester

Updated June 17, 2021

If you're a football (soccer) fan, you've come to the right place. Join fervent fans at Old Trafford or Etihad Stadium , or marvel at trophies and practice penalty kicks at the National Football Museum . History buffs will want to walk through

• All Things To Do

John Rylands Library John Rylands Library free

The University of Manchester's John Rylands Library is known as much for its beautiful architecture as it is for its collection of rare books and manuscripts. The impressive Gothic structure took 10 years to build and opened to the public in 1900. Among its vast collection are a fragment of Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" manuscript, as well as the personal letters and papers of writers, military generals and more. There is even a papyrus fragment of the Gospel of John from the Bible. The fragment is believed to be the earliest part of any New Testament writing ever found.

Recent visitors said that the architecture is stunning, likening it to a scene out of the world of "Harry Potter." Though tripods and flash photography are not allowed, reviewers suggested snapping several photos of the interior (with no flash). Others recommended a stop in the restroom to have a look at the Victorian toilets, which have remained largely unchanged since 1900.

Manchester Art Gallery Manchester Art Gallery free

Established in 1823, the Manchester Art Gallery boasts a collection of more than 25,000 items that has been collected over a period of 200 years. Of particular note is its pre-Raphaelite collection. There is also a costume collection of dress from the 1600s to present day. Families with younger children will appreciate the museum's explorer tool belts with binoculars, magnifying glasses and more items. Plus, visitors can refuel in two on-site cafes.

Recent visitors said the museum is a great spot to see beautiful, romantic paintings and well worth a stop. Many also recommended indulging in a cake at the cafe.

Old Trafford Old Trafford

Manchester United is one of the – if not the – world's most celebrated football (aka soccer) teams. The team's stadium is even nicknamed the "Theatre of Dreams." Picture a sea of red shirt-wearing fans spread across an oblong stadium cheering madly for a much-beloved bunch of talented athletes. Even if you don't get to watch the team (and the boisterous crowd) in action, you should make time for a guided tour of the stadium. The 80-minute tour takes you everywhere from the locker rooms to the tunnel where the players emerge onto the field and more.

Recent visitors advised there is a lot of walking and stairs to climb on the tour and recommended arriving an hour before your tour begins. Others said the tour is great even for non-football fans and highly recommended visiting the museum.

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Imperial War Museum North Imperial War Museum North free

The Imperial War Museum North, one of a series of Imperial War Museums throughout the U.K., traces Britain's involvement in different conflicts from World War I through the present day. Items on display include the gun that shot the first British shell in World War I, as well as twisted steel rubble from the ruins of the World Trade Center in New York City. There are also 360-degree movies covering the topics featured at the museum.

Many past visitors said they were moved by the presentation of the artifacts and displays at the Imperial War Museum North and described the staff as knowledgeable. Several reviewers recommended taking time to admire the suitcase wall, which features old suitcases once used by soldiers.

Greater Manchester Police Museum Greater Manchester Police Museum free

The Greater Manchester Police Museum, which sits in a restored Victorian police station, traces the history of policing in the Greater Manchester area. Visit the courtroom, the old cells (complete with wooden pillows) and see numerous artifacts dating from the era, including police uniforms and old police vehicles. The volunteer tour guides are founts of knowledge, ready to answer questions about policing.

Recent visitors said the museum holds fascinating artifacts and is larger than you would expect. They also reported that volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable.

Science and Industry Museum Science and Industry Museum free

The Science and Industry Museum is an extensive museum spread across five buildings with exhibits that range from textiles to electricity to the development of railways. You'll find the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station built in 1830, as well as the interactive "Revolution Manchester," where visitors will be challenged by a number of games and tasks that test the user's knowledge of everything from energy and nuclear fusion to coding. Other must-do experiences include admiring the display of old aircraft and trying your hand at the flight simulator.

Families raved about the museum, saying it's great for all ages thanks to its variety of interactive exhibits.

Afflecks Afflecks free

Afflecks calls itself "an emporium of eclecticism" and "a totem of indie commerce." This mall, which spreads itself across four floors, is no usual shopping center – you won't find your typical British stores like John Lewis or Cath Kidston here. Instead, Afflecks' shops and stalls are filled with everything from Thai massage services to all types of clothing to anime and art. You'll also find tarot card readers and tattoo parlors.

Past visitors said Afflects is a longtime Manchester institution and a great place for quirky finds. It's also popular with teens.

Etihad Stadium Etihad Stadium

The Etihad Stadium is home to Manchester City, one of the city's much beloved football clubs (or soccer teams to Americans). This stadium is one of the U.K.'s largest, with the capacity to seat 55,000 rowdy spectators. If you're able to view a match, be sure to wear a light blue shirt, and don't even think about badmouthing the home team – Manchester City fans are a very loyal bunch. They're also very fond of their stadium. But if you can't make a game, you could stop by for a 70-minute guided tour that takes you behind the scenes from the media conference room to the entrance tunnel and includes high-tech audio and visual components.

Past visitors praised the tour and their guides and highly recommended it for football fans. They especially loved seeing the locker rooms and the player tunnel.

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The Lowry The Lowry

The Lowry is a mixed-use facility – part art gallery and part theater – contained in a modern steel and glass structure. You'll find everything from exhibitions showcasing the works of beloved British artist L.S. Lowry to a variety of rotating exhibits. While here, you can also attend comedy shows and contemporary dance performances. In addition to the visual and performing arts, the Lowry also has a restaurant, a bar and a coffee shop.

Recent visitors said the Lowry is a fascinating building. Others advised that lines can be long both for tickets and parking, so buying online ahead of time is a good idea.

Royal Exchange Theatre Royal Exchange Theatre

The Royal Exchange Theatre is known for its compelling stage layout: None of the seats are more than 30 feet from the seven-sided stage. It's also known for its impressive performances, which range from Shakespearean plays to modern works. What's more, the building used to house a different kind of production: It was the site of the city's cotton trade, which closed in 1968. Some of the remnants of the exchange remain, including the original trading board with the day's closing numbers.

Past visitors praised the building's architecture and atmosphere, saying it's a great venue to see a show. Many also recommended visiting the theater's cafe.

Whitworth Art Gallery Whitworth Art Gallery free

Part of the University of Manchester, the Whitworth Art Gallery's mission is to "use art for social change." It was originally founded in 1889 to educate and inspire Manchester citizens. It houses a collection of some 60,000 works, though the museum says it has nothing on permanent display. Rather it rotates exhibitions, pulling from its collection with themes ranging from tapestries to wallpaper to Cezanne.

Past visitors described the Whitworth Art Gallery as a "great surprise" with an eclectic mix of both historic and contemporary artwork. Others warned that the more well-known paintings were on loan and that the space only had largely unknown modern art. Another positive that many visitors pointed out is the cafe.

Manchester Museum Manchester Museum free

Located on the campus of the University of Manchester, Manchester's own natural history museum boasts four floors of exhibits. Highlights include a T. rex fossil, ancient Egyptian mummies and a vivarium that's notable for its large collection of Costa Rican frogs. In total, the museum's collection comprises more than four million items. Note: The museum is undergoing a restoration and some galleries are temporarily closed.

Past visitors said the museum boasts an interesting collection housed in a beautiful building. Others warned the museum is quite compact, but said it's easy to get through in about an hour. 

National Football Museum National Football Museum

Located in the city center in the six-story, glass Urbis building, the National Football Museum is a collection of items and information about everything football (that's soccer, to us Yanks). In fact, this is England's only national museum for football. Visitors will find trophies, exhibits on stadiums, fans and the media, as well as opportunities to try their football skills. 

Past visitors say the museum has lots of interactive exhibits, but warn that there are a lot of stairs. Reviewers also said the museum staff is friendly and that the museum is a great attraction for football fans.

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People's History Museum People's History Museum

The People's History Museum is self-described as the national museum for democracy, exploring the development of democracy in Britain. The museum features a variety of rotating exhibits, and its main galleries focus on themes of workers' rights, reform, strikes and voting, among others. Highlights include a suffrogate banner from 1908, 95,000 photos detailing the history of the Labour Party and a variety of political posters.

Past visitors described the museum as a thoughtful collection of artifacts and exhibits displayed in a balanced and thoughtful way, and many said they were glad they stopped by and would recommend it. 

Manchester Cathedral Manchester Cathedral free

Manchester Cathedral, which dates back to the 15th century, has been through numerous conflicts and suffered damage both in World War II, as well as from an Irish Republican Army bomb in 1996. You'll want to take time to see the "Angel Stone," a stone found embedded in the structure that dates to 700. Also worth a look are the wooden carvings of medieval tales and legends under the seats of the quire stalls and the remains of a medieval bridge in the visitor center.

Past visitors said the cathedral is a beautiful building with fantastic stained-glass windows. Other said it's worth a visit even if you're not a religious person.

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Top Things to Do in Manchester, Greater Manchester

Places to visit in manchester.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. The John Rylands Library

2. Etihad Stadium

3. Science and Industry Museum

4. National Football Museum

5. Manchester Museum

6. People's History Museum

7. Manchester Art Gallery

8. The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience, Manchester

9. Greater Manchester Police Museum

10. Manchester Arena

11. Manchester Central Library

12. Manchester Cathedral

13. Royal Exchange Theatre

14. The Bridgewater Hall

15. The Spirit of Manchester Distillery

16. Palace Theatre

17. Gay Village

18. Manchester Arndale

19. Fletcher Moss Park & Botanical Gardens

20. Head Over Heels

21. Museum of Transport Greater Manchester

22. Virtual Hideout Manchester

23. Albert Square

24. Heaton Park

25. Whitworth Art Gallery

26. Chetham's Library

27. Manchester Jewish Museum

28. Clayton Hall Museum

29. Chinatown

30. Manchester Opera House

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Places to visit in Manchester

From the world’s first industrial city to a multicultural urban paradise, a Manchester visit is rich in cultural highlights, with the Transport, People’s History and Science & Industry museums offering a great insight into the area’s history. A city steeped in sporting glory, take a tour around England’s National Football Museum or the world famous football stadium, Old Trafford. Food lovers will love the vast selection on offer, and no trip to Manchester would be complete without a trip to Rusholme’s curry mile, which features around 70 different Indian restaurants. On the cusp of the Cheshire countryside, start making your plans to visit Manchester and enjoy the fruits of the north-west’s premier city first-hand.

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Best things to do in Manchester

From touring Etihad Stadium to sipping cocktails in The Northern Quarter, discover incredible things to do in Manchester with our in-depth guide.

Rainy Day Activities: Get hands on at the National Football Museum

Explore the world's largest football collection, learn about the history and culture of England's national sport and take part in other footy-related indoor activities at Manchester's National Football Museum.

Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester

Rainy Day Activities: Visit Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum

Find out how Manchester’s famous inventions helped shape the modern world, from the world’s first steam-powered mill to the splitting of the atom, at this fantastic indoor attraction.

Location: Manchester

Go behind the scenes of Manchester’s Town Hall

Explore the spectacular staterooms and corridors of the Victorian gothic-style Manchester Town Hall.

Explore England’s industrial past on a Manchester city break

Discover Greater Manchester’s historic canals, the world’s first railway station and picturesque countryside on a city break.

Imperial War Museum North

Get an insight into the wars and conflicts that have shaped both England and the world at the Imperial War Museum North.

Entertain the kids with a family fun day out to Salford Quays

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t always rain in Manchester. But when it does, there are still plenty of things to see and do.

Location: Salford Quays, Salford

Explore Manchester's markets

Manchester's varied markets are buzzing with independent traders and great bargains.

See how the Chinese party as they usher in the New Year

Manchester’s Chinatown is transformed as lanterns, food stalls and a Dragon Parade take over the streets of the city.

Experience the Blitz spirit at Stockport Air Raid Shelters

See how Britain survived the Blitz as you negotiate this dark labyrinth of tunnels at Stockport Air Raid Shelters.

Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester

Sip cocktails and soak up panoramic views of Manchester at Cloud 23

If you’ve got a head for heights and a taste for good cocktails, go to Manchester’s highest bar with a view.

Location: Deansgate, Manchester

Learn the art of chocolate making at Slattery Patissier & Chocolatier

Chocolate lovers should make a beeline for the leafy north Manchester suburb of Whitefield, where they’ll find John Slattery’s Patisser and Chocolatier.

Location: Whitefield, Greater Manchester

Enjoy beer and cycling at Manchester Beer & Cider Festival

There are hundreds of beers, ales and ciders to test out as you watch the cyclists whizz by at the Manchester Beer & Cider Festival.

Rainy Day Activities: Aim for a strike at All Star Lanes

Bowling, dining, cocktails and perhaps a touch of karaoke - a simple combination of indoor activities that guarantee a memorable boutique experience.

Run wild at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester

The centre is made up of a series of interactive features to immerse kids into a world where their imagination can run wild at every turn.

Delve into delicious food in Manchester’s Exchange Square

Enjoy fine food, delightful drinks, impressive architecture and remarkable views in some of Manchester’s best and newest restaurants and bars.

Indulge in a tripple at Manchester’s Beer and Cider Festival

If beer and cider are your passion don’t miss this CAMRA-organised festival at Manchester the Velodrome between 25th - 27th January 2018.

Indulge in a romantic city break in Manchester

Your romantic getaway is just round the corner; visit some of the city’s most sumptuous hot spots for great cuisine and spectacular skyline views.

Uncover Manchester’s hidden gems

Get a taste of the city’s secret side and discover a plethora of unusual and wonderful places.

Discover Manchester’s bohemian Northern Quarter

The Northern Quarter offers a truly alternative experience with its array of unique independent retailers, retro boutiques, cafés and bars.

Treat your loved one to a romantic weekend in Manchester

Enjoy sweeping views of the city skyline, indulge in fine food and stay in luxurious settings on a romantic weekend break in Manchester.

Set sail on a canal boat trip in the heart of Manchester

Whether you are looking for a short break or week-long trip, enjoy historic hands-on canal tours in Manchester.

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Grand listed buildings, riverside panoramas – and a city bursting with both pop and culture. Trips to this Merseyside city start at Liverpool Pier to snap the trio of iconic buildings.

Visit Bristol, Banksy’s town and experience a wide range of attractions for all the family. From stunning bridges to modern museums, this South West city has something for everyone.

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30 Things To Do In Manchester You Need To Try Before You Die

From visiting iconic landmarks in the city to sipping cocktails high above, enjoying a spot of culture and shopping, these are the best things to do in Manchester to add to your list.

Manchester is absolutely bursting with exciting activities to get involved in , but it’s not always that easy to choose the best things to do. Plus, when you’ve lived in a city for quite some time you can be guilty of doing the same old things and only scratching the surface of what Manchester has to offer.

We’ve rallied up the team’s suggestions of some of the best things you need to do in Manchester and have put them all here in this article for you to peruse at your leisure. So, without further ado, here’s a round-up of the best things to do in Manchester you’ve got to try at least once in your life. Of course, we’re always open to suggestions, so if you think we haven’t covered your favourite bucket list activity, then give us a shout!

1. Tuck into delicious dishes from Manchester’s top food halls

Manchester is home to some tasty spots meaning you’re never too far from your next meal. From Mackie Mayor to Society , GRUB to brand new Kargo MKT at Salford Quays, the street food choices are endless as you can take your pick from a range of delicious cuisines . Eat your way around the city hitting all of these food and drink destinations and you’ll wish you’d ticked them off your Manchester bucket list sooner.

2. Go on a night out to the Warehouse Project

The music scene is thriving in Manchester but one spot for a great club night in the city has to be the Warehouse Project . Taking place in the huge Depot Mayfield behind Piccadilly station, the event hosts a wide selection of DJs and musicians to soundtrack your night out. The Haçienda used to be the top music destination, but some might say the Warehouse Project is it’s top predecessor in the city.

3. Wander around the Maker’s Market in both the city centre and suburbs

Every month, multiple areas in and around Manchester city centre play host to the Maker’s Market where you’ll find everything from plants to paintings, beaded jewellery to baked goods. Found in locations such as the Northern Quarter, Ancoats, Didsbury, Chorlton, MediaCity and Sale, independent traders can vary but it’s a really wholesome way to spend your weekend supporting local businesses .

4. Go vintage shopping in the Northern Quarter

Manchester’s Northern Quarter is a hub for vintage finds and one spot in the area that is a must-visit is institution Afflecks . The shopping emporium has been open for over 40 years and boasts multiple floors filled with independent traders selling everything from second-hand garms to vinyls, a LGBTQ+ bookshop and a store dedicated to all things Manchester, you can get lost in here for hours. The Northern Quarter also has a number of vintage clothing shops like Pop Boutique and Blue Rinse worth browsing too.

5. Enjoy cocktails overlooking the city skyline

Manchester is great but higher up, even better. Sipping cocktails and soaking up fantastic views of the city has got to be one of the best things to do in Manchester, especially on a warm, sunny day. Treat yourself and watch the world go by from above from rooftop bars and restaurants like Cloud 23 , King Street Townhouse , Climat and 20 Stories , and you’ll feel like you’re on cloud nine.

6. Practice your skiing skills at Chill Factore

Can’t afford a ski trip to the Alps? Luckily you can take to the slopes right here in Manchester and it’s a fun day out with friends and family. Boasting 180 metres of real snow , the Chill Factore at Trafford City is the UK’s longest indoor ski slope and allows you to ski or snowboard on a massive indoor slope (perfect for those rainy days in Manchester) and is a great experience for both frequent skiers and beginners. You can also enjoy some apres-ski action in the Alpine Street, where there are a number of bars, cafes and restaurants.

7. Take on the Slattery’s Chocolate Challenge

What can only be described as Manchester’s chocolate paradise, Slattery has become an iconic brand in the North West, well-known for its fine chocolates and pâtissier in Whitefield and their food challenge. For those with a  sweet tooth, you can take on a whopping chocolate challenge consisting of a giant slab of American-style chocolate fudge cake , fresh cream , a portion of chocolate ice cream , two chocolate pots filled with melted chocolate and a tall hot chocolate topped off with cream and a piece of chocolate. It’s not for the faint-hearted but definitely worth a try!

8. See a show at the Palace Theatre

The historic Palace Theatre has been an Oxford Street landmark since 1891 and hosted some of the biggest touring productions in the UK. The theatre is often the first stop for shows fresh from the West End including the likes of The Book of Mormon . The Palace Theatre will also be the first theatre outside of London to welcome the smash hit Hamilton later this year before it tours the UK more widely.

9. Explore all the galleries and exhibitions at Manchester Museum

Reopening in February 2023 after a £15m refurbishment, Manchester Museum is bigger, better and busier than ever – therefore it is a must-visit. The neo-Gothic building’s new extension includes a new exhibition hall, which is hosting the Golden Mummies of Egypt exhibition until the end of 2023. There’s also a South Asia Gallery in partnership with the British Museum, a new Lee Kai Chinese Culture Gallery , the Belonging Gallery and a brand new Dinosaur display .

10. Visit the world famous Bury Market

Venture out of the city centre of Manchester and head to the award winning Bury Market, plus it’s right next door to the tram station. Voted Britain’s favourite market for the second time in 2022, if you haven’t visited Bury Market you need to definitely see what the fuss is about. Providing fantastic local produce for over 500 years now, Bury Market has long held a place in the heart of Mancs – and has over 370 stalls to potter , with pretty much everything you could think of on offer. Famed for its black pudding stalls , you also can’t go home without one (there are vegan black puddings available too).

11. Get your culture fix at The Lowry

Located in the heart of Salford Quays, The Lowry is a stunning beacon of modern architecture housing two theatres and several galleries . Here, you’ll find a permanent exhibition of work by its namesake artist L.S. Lowry, featuring the well-known artwork ‘Going to the Match’ . Huge shows including War Horse and West End hit musical Wicked have taken to the stage at The Lowry over the years, as well as hosting intimate plays and performances.

12. Watch a live sports game

Manchester is home to some top sports teams , so why wouldn’t we go and see what they can do? Whether it be a football match at Old Trafford or the Etihad, a Sale Sharks or Salford Red Devils rugby game at the AJ Bell, a cricket match at Emirates Old Trafford, netball team Manchester Thunder at Belle Vue Sports Village or ice hockey team Manchester Storm in Altrincham, there are plenty of teams to cheer on. Not only does it mean support for these teams, you might even discover a new sport you like in the process.

13. Marvel at the beauty of John Rylands Library

One of Manchester’s most striking buildings, the neo-Gothic grade I listed library looks like something from a Harry Potter film inside. Quite the contrast to the nearby glass buildings in Spinningfields and the bustle of Deansgate, you’ll feel both calm and like you’ve stepped back in time once you enter. The reading room is magnificent thanks to its vaulted ceiling, statues of notable writers, spectacular stained glass windows, stone arches and cosy alcoves. Its collection includes some impressive historical texts , including papyrus fragments believed to be a section of the New Testament.

14. Enjoy a drink by New Islington Marina

If you’ve not visited New Islington Marina in Ancoats then where have you been? This waterside spot comes alive in the summer time with people flocking to the area for a cheeky tipple or two with a rather scenic backdrop. Sit here with a glass of beer, wine or even a coffee, and watch the world go by as people walk past (many with dogs) and the canal boats floating on the still water. It’s quite the suntrap and will make you feel like you’re abroad and not in the centre of Manchester.

15. Feel like you’ve stepped into the world of Harry Potter at Chethams

The oldest public library in the English-speaking world, Chetham’s was founded in 1653 , and is famously where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels began to formulate their Communist Manifesto. The historic building even features the desk where the pair worked in 1845 as well as a rare first version of John Milton’s Paradise Lost , an archive on Belle Vue Zoological Gardens and a Northern Soul collection. The library, which was the potential filming venue for Hogwarts , is also attached to Chetham’s School of Music, whose talented young musicians perform free lunchtime concerts in its Carole Nash Hall on weekdays during term-time.

16. Devour an epic meal on Manchester’s Curry Mile

What is Manchester without its legendary Curry Mile? Though not actually a mile, this stretch of Wilmslow Road in Rusholme , south of the city centre, is home to some of the best and oldest Indian , Pakistani and Bangladeshi restaurants in Manchester. Restaurants started popping up on Wilmslow Road in the fifties and sixties as immigrants from the South Asian subcontinent arrived in Manchester to work in the city’s textile industry. Noteworthy restaurants on the ‘Curry Mile’ include Chit ‘n’ Chaat , Mussarat’s , Mughli Charcoal Pit , Ziya and Bardez . 

17. Explore Manchester’s amazing street art

Manchester is known for many things, but one thing visitors and locals alike are always surprised and delighted by is the fantastic array of street art we have adorning the sides of our buildings. One area that is particularly popular for artists in need of a canvas is the Northern Quarter , with official plots in the trendy neighbourhood being highly sought after. Manchester has even been voted one of best cities for street art , giving you another reason to explore the best street art Manchester’s Northern Quarter has to offer.

18. Visit the city’s oldest pubs

There’s no shortage of watering holes to choose from in Manchester. The general rule of thumb for many is the older the better, and we have some pubs dating back centuries that we’re extremely proud of, but in some cases many aren’t aware of. From Peveril of the Peak to The Old Wellington , experience every creak and nook, old carpet and low bar in each of these ancient pubs across the city, as well as learning about some of their sordid history and legendary visitors.

19. Paddle your way around Salford Quays

One way to see the quays from a different perspective is right on the water itself. On a dry day in Manchester paddleboarding is one of the best things to do, plus you can see all the sights as you try your hand at the watersport. At Salford Watersports Centre you can even have a go on one of their giant stand-up paddleboards , which are perfect to try with a group. Whether it’s friends, family, work colleagues or on a Stag or Hen do, you can explore the Manchester waterways together, race against each other or simply see who can stand up for the longest.

20. Eat your way through the menu at a Michelin Guide restaurant

As well as top food halls and curry houses, Manchester is home to a some top notch dining establishments that will take you on a culinary adventure . Mana , the only Manchester restaurant with a Michelin star , is definitely worth a visit, even if it means saving up for the occasion. However, there are a number of affordable restaurants in Manchester offering fine dining and flavoursome yet elegant dishes , with some featuring in the Michelin Guide.

21. Take a stroll along Castlefield Viaduct

A welcome green addition amongst the industrial backdrop of Manchester, Castlefield Viaduct is definitely worth a wander along. The National Trust transformed a disused Victorian era railway viaduct into a stunning new green space for city dwellers , with a similar approach to New York’s famous High Line . The elevated garden has provided a much-needed slice of nature for Mancs, with a variety of stunning plants and flowers completely taking over the space and giving it a whole new lease of life.

22. Take a trip to the Trafford Centre

Now, some might be second-guessing whether this is one of the best things to do in Manchester but hear us out. The Trafford Centre has been open for over 25 years and although it’s not as old as Chetham’s or other iconic landmarks, it has plenty of showstopping architecture to marvel at as you stroll along the avenues. Home to a huge range of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and experiences , you could spend an entire day at the Trafford Centre. Plus at neighbouring Trafford Palazzo, you’ll find the LEGO Discovery Centre, SEA LIFE Manchester, King Pins and NERF Xperience , all worth a visit at least once.

23. Indulge in an afternoon tea at The Midland

Manchester’s iconic hotel has also been serving afternoon tea to its guests for 120 years, making it the longest-running afternoon menu in Manchester’s history . And with age comes experience, so visitors to the hotel can rest assured they are in safe hands. The table is set, the scones and cakes baked and the Champagne and tea are ready to be poured. Offering a variety of loose leaf teas, sandwiches, cakes, jams and more, the afternoon tea at The Midland is a a timeless, classic and indulgent way to spend a special day in Manchester.

24. Attend a glowing Candlelight concert at Manchester Cathedral

Manchester’s music scene is hard to trump and with a host of music venues on offer, nights and weekends could be filled with us listening to tunes. One spot which might not be on your radar for a musical evening is Manchester Cathedral . The stunning venue not only boasts beautiful architectural features but also plays hosts to a number of Candlelight concerts , which transforms the cathedral into a glowing and mesmerising space . From tributes ranging from Rihanna to Queen, to renditions of scores from movie classics to golden games like Zelda, there’s bound to be a Candlelight concert to take your fancy.

25. Enjoy a day on the Cobbles at the Coronation Street experience

Possibly one of the most noteworthy television programmes to come from Manchester, Coronation Street is part of the city’s DNA. The world’s longest running soap has a tour experience right here in Manchester, with plenty of features to fully immerse yourself in the world of the iconic cobbled, terraced street. Every Corrie fan can get access to replica sets, historic props and iconic costumes from over 6o years of drama as well as stand behind the bar at ‘The Rovers’.

26. Discover Failsworth’s Antiques Quarter

If you’re a furniture fanatic or crazy for crockery, head to the Antiques Quarter in Failsworth. Wrigley Head is the street that houses the main antique shops in Failsworth, making it super convenient for a day-long spree. From shops selling jewellery, silver, watches and vintage fashion to ceramics, artwork and furniture, you’re bound to leave this quarter with some hidden gems under your arms – and it’s one way to remember your trip to the Greater Manchester town by. 

27. Party the night away at Manchester’s Gay Village

If you’re looking for a party, look no further than Canal Street and the surrounding streets that make up the Gay Village. Canal Street itself is lined with bars and clubs , most of them with terraces where you can enjoy a waterside drink by day, but it’s at night when the area really comes alive. And be sure to visit Sackville Gardens , where you’ll find a memorial statue to Alan Turing depicting him sitting on a bench, and the Beacon of Hope, the UK’s only permanent memorial for people living with HIV or AIDS or who have lost their lives to it.

28. Race around the UK’s first live action go-karting experience

Offering a new way to hit the pedal to the metal is Chaos Karts , an attraction which combines real-life racing with augmented reality , and you can find it right here in Manchester. The UK’s first live action video game experience throws players into a virtual world, living inside a real-life video game to race-battle their friends, family, rivals and colleagues. Possibly one of the best and most unique things to do in Manchester for competitive types, the drivers’ vehicles interact with the virtual track and any challenges rival players might “launch” their way.

29. Take a ride on an East Lancashire Railway steam train

We might have trams, buses and trains but have you been on board a steam train in the area? Well, you can step back in time and get on board a steam locomotive from Bury via the East Lancashire Railway and as you ride out to the Lancashire town of Rawtenstall, you’ll pass the beautiful, green Greater Manchester countryside. Make the occasion extra special by booking a Red Rose dining experience where you’ll be served an elegant three course meal on board. The East Lancashire Railway even hosts murder mystery and family-friendly events to keep everyone entertained. 

30. Eat a Manchester Tart

What is a Manchester bucket list if you haven’t tried the famous tart named after the city? Quite possibly one of the best (and tastiest) things to do in Manchester is to sample the city’s famous baked good, the Manchester Tart . 

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The Best Things to do in Manchester, England

Last updated: December 16, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 2 Comments

Manchester is a city located in the north-west of England. It’s well known today for its football teams, music, and food. It’s also a city with a rich past, having been at the centre of the Industrial Revolution.

Laurence worked and lived in Manchester for a time, and it’s a city we both enjoy visiting where we always find plenty to see and do.

In this guide, we’re going to share with you some of our favourite things to do in Manchester. These cover a diverse range of sights and activities, from cultural highlights through to food and shopping experiences.

We’ll also share some tips for your visit, including how to get around the city and where to stay in Manchester.

So, whether you’re visiting Manchester for the weekend, catching a match, or in Manchester with kids and looking for entertainment, we think this guide will help you figure out how to fill your time.

15+ Things to do in Manchester

This guide features some of our favourite things to do in Manchester. Of course, as a major city there are lots more than 15 things to do in Manchester!

If you are in Manchester for an extended period of time, then you will no doubt discover many more things to do in the city.

But we think this guide covers the main highlights of the city and should give you some ideas for your visit.

Visit a Football Club

It’s hard to mention Manchester without instantly thinking about football (soccer). There are two main football clubs in Manchester, which are Manchester United (often referred to as “Man U”) and Manchester City (often just referred to as “City).

Both are popular and well-respected Premier League football clubs. They’re also longtime rivals and both clubs date back to the 19th century.

Manchester United in particular is one of the world’s most well-known football clubs, with supporters all around the world. Whenever we travel overseas, we nearly always find ourselves chatting with a Man U supporter or two!

You can also visit both teams’ stadiums should you wish. If you happen to be in town on a match day then it is also often possible to get tickets to watch the players in action.

Alternatively, you can take a guided tour of their respective stadiums. Tours of Old Trafford, the Manchester United Football Stadium can be booked online in advance here . Tours of the Etihad Stadium, the Manchester City Football Stadium, can be booked here .

We recently visited the Manchester United stadium, Old Trafford. The tour included access to the excellent museum as well as a full tour of the stadium itself. We’re not exactly huge football experts, but the tour was a lot of fun and well worth it. Definitely recommended, even if you aren’t a huge football fan.

Advance booking is definitely recommended as these are some of the more popular activities in Manchester. Also note that both stadiums are a bit outside the city center. From central Manchester, you can get to either of the stadiums using the city tram or public buses in under 30 minutes.

Take a Sightseeing Bus, Cruise, or Walking Tour

Taking a sightseeing bus ride, a boat cruise, or a walking tour is one of our favourite ways to get an idea of the history, layout, and culture of a new city.

So if you are new to Manchester, taking one of these tours can quickly orient you and give you some local knowledge. Here are some options to consider.

Sightseeing buses

A good way to get around all the major sights in the city is with a hop-on hop-off bus. This covers the main highlights of the city and also provides commentary so you can learn about what you are seeing.

You can book a hop on hop off bus tour here . As the name suggests, you can get on and off as often as you like for the duration of your ticket, so this is also a good way to visit a number of sights and save walking.

Boat Cruises

A river or canal cruise is one of the most popular activities in Manchester. The city is criss-crossed with canals, and it’s also where the Manchester Ship Canal starts.

Opened in 1894, this 36-mile-long canal was a serious engineering feat of its time, linking Manchester to the Irish Sea and allowing for the passage of goods and freight from the city.

It was the largest river canal in the world when it opened, and enabled Manchester to become one of the UK’s largest ports. This despite Manchester being over 30 miles inland.

You can learn all about the canals of Manchester by taking a river and canal cruise like this .

Walking Tours

We always enjoy taking walking tours when we visit a new city. They are a great way to learn a lot in a short time. We also often pick up tips and advice on what else there is to see and where to eat from a local.

There are a number of walking tours you might consider taking in Manchester, here are some suggested options.

• This group walking tour focuses on the highlights and history of the city. A similar private tour is also available here .
• This group walking tour focuses on the musical and football heritage of the city
• Food lovers will want to check out this guided Manchester food tour which will tell you the history of Manchester through its food
• Manchester’s Salford Quays area is famous for the Manchester Ship Canal, as well as being the home of media giants like the BBC. This tour will introduce you to this fascinating area.

Some of these are special interest tours. So for example, if you’re interested in the Salford Quays area you might want to take this one , wheras if you are interested in combining food and history you might want to take this one, .

Finally, we just wanted to mention this tour of the Coronation Street set . This is one of the most well-known and longest running UK TV shows, and the set is found in Manchester.

The tour is fully guided, and is a must for fans of the show, as well as those who just love to see behind the scenes of how a TV show works.

Science and Industry Museum

Manchester has been at the epicenter of some seismic technological advancements, from the rise of industrialization and steam-powered mills through to the creation of the world’s first computer with memory.

If you’d like to learn about some of this incredible history, then you’ll want to visit Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum.

The museum buildings themselves sit on the site of Liverpool Road Station, the Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway and the world’s first purpose-built passenger railway.

This free museum covers a huge amount, from the Industrial Revolution that changed how people lived and worked, through to modern advancements in computing. There’s also a whole floor of interactive experiments which is fun for both adults and kids alike.

Note that some sections of the museum are currently closed for a major renovation project that started in 2019 and will be ongoing until 2030, so check the website before visiting to see what sections are currently open.

The Science and Industry Museum permanent exhibits are free to visit, although donations are obviously welcome and encouraged. There are also often paid temporary exhibits and experiences. You can find out more and plan your visit on the official website here .

Try the Local Food

Manchester is a fantastic place for dining out, with everything on offer from street food to afternoon tea to independent coffee shops and even Michelin star restaurants. Of course, there are also all the common chain restaurants and bars as well.

So you will definitely want to schedule some time during your Manchester visit to dine out.

There are of course many options. For street food for example, you might consider the Mackie Mayor food hall which showcases some of the region’s best food and drink. Another central option is the Picadilly Gardens Street Food Market which has a range of eating options.

We always love to indulge in an afternoon tea when we travel, and Manchester also has some good options. We had a lovely afternoon tea at the historic Midland Hotel (where Rolls and Royce met to discuss their car venture!), but there are lots of great options for those of you who love afternoon tea.

If you enjoy Indian food then we can definitely recommend Dishoom , they’re one of our favourites and they have a restaurant in central Manchester. Reservations recommended.

For high-end Michelin starred dining, we can highly recommend Mana Restaurant . This is a Michelin-starred restaurant offering fantastically creative British dining.

We loved that you could watch the whole kitchen at work and the service and attention to detail was spectacular. Definitely worth the price, and one you will need to reserve for in advance.

Of course, there are many more options, and there’s a good list of dining options on the Visit Manchester website here .

If you’re wanting to try some local food specialties while in Manchester, then we recommend dishes like Lancashire hotpot, Eccles cake, Morecambe Bay potted shrimp, local black pudding, and chorley cake.

If you want to discover some popular places to eat and drink, consider joining a Manchester food tour such as this one or this one .  

People’s Story Museum

Manchester was the world’s first industrial city. The massive rise in industrialization led to the creation of all sorts of new jobs, and people flocked from the countryside to the city for work.

Unfortunately, many of the jobs were incredibly dangerous, with profits generally put above workers’ health and safety. This lack of focus on the rights of workers led to the popularity of trade unions in the UK, and a general movement towards human rights in general, including the right to vote.

The story of people challenging the status quo and improving their rights is told in Manchester’s excellent, and free, People’s History Museum.

If you are interested in learning about the past, present and future of issues like the right to vote, fair pay, social justice and time off, then this is definitely the museum for you. You can find out more and check opening times on the museum’s official website here .

We learned a lot when we visited, and can highly recommend it.

Go Shopping

If you love shopping, you’ll find plenty of options to keep you busy in Manchester. There are a number of locations to choose from, depending on what you are interested in. Here are some of the main shopping options and areas to consider:

• The massive Arndale Centre in the middle of Manchester has all the major high street brands as well as dining options
• The Northern Quarter is where you’ll want to head for independent outlets, where you’ll find vintage clothing stores and handmade items
• For jewellery, you’re going to want to visit the aptly named Jewellery Quarter, where you’re going to find a huge range of watches and jewellery to suit any taste
• For high-end designer shopping, plan to visit The Avenue in Spinningfields, which has a range of designer stores

Of course, there are plenty more places to shop across Manchester, including the Trafford Centre which is a little out of the town centre. But we’re sure if you’re into shopping you won’t run out of options in Manchester!

Manchester Museum

If your idea of a museum includes dinosaurs, fossils, and other properly old stuff housed in a beautiful Gothic building, then you’ll definitely want to head to the Manchester Museum.

This free museum focuses on natural history, archaeology and anthropology. It has around 4.5 million items in its collection, which means you’re likely to find something that interests you.

So whether you’re into the history of how the world came to be as it is today, understanding the Egyptians, or staring at frogs, we think you’ll find something to enjoy.

The Manchester Museum is free to visit, although donations are greatly appreciated. You can see more about opening hours and other information for your visit on the official website here .

Manchester Art Gallery

If you love art, then a visit to the excellent and free Manchester Art Gallery should definitely be on your list of things to do in Manchester.

With a collection of over 25,000 objects which includes everything from oil paintings to sculpture to ceramics. It also covers art from around the world and across the years, with items including a 3,000 year old Egyptian jar as well as a strong collection of Victorian-era artworks.

Suffice it to say, we think that whatever art you are into, this museum should cover it. Don’t forget to admire the buildings when you visit as well. The museum is spread across three buildings, two of which are listed.

Manchester Art Gallery is free to visit although donations are very much appreciated, and you can see opening times and what’s on on the official website here .

National Museum of Football

Fans of football will definitely want to visit the National Museum of Football which is found in central Manchester just by Manchester Cathedral (also worth popping into).

This museum tells the story of the sport of football from its beginnings right up to the present day. Being a national museum, it isn’t focused on a specific club, meaning it’s a great location to visit regardless of which team you support.

Inside you’ll find all sorts of things, from football memorabilia to interactive screens detailing the history of every club in the country. There are also a number of interactive football games where you can test your skill.

This is definitely a worthwhile visit for anyone with even a passing interest in football. You can book tickets online in advance here .

Admire the old Architecture & Historical Buildings

With the rise in industrialization in Manchester came a rise in wealth, and this led to the creation of some rather spectacular buildings. Most notably, many of the 18th and 19th century mills, warehouses, canals, and other structures still exist doing in “warehouse city” which is a square mile of mainly Victorian commerial buildings dating back to when Manchester was called Cottonpolis . There have also been some more recent interesting additions to the city as it has continued to grow.

Overall, Manchester has quite a few really lovely buildings that are well worth having a look at. Some we recommend checking out include:

• John Ryland’s Library . This was built as a library in 1888 and is a truly incredible bit of Gothic architecture. It looks far more like a Cathedral than a library, and the main reading room really is a sight to behold. It’s free to visit.
• Kimpton Clocktower Hotel . This was built in the 1890s as the headquarters of The Refuge Assurance Company, and had space for around 2,000 staff! Today it’s a luxury hotel, but many of the original features remain, as does the gorgeous exterior.
• Royal Exchange Theatre . Originally built as an exchange for cotton traders in the 1860s, this building was home to the largest trading hall in England. Today the hall is home to a theatre which takes the from of a giant pod sitting in the middle of the hall. It’s a very cool design and worth popping in to see.
• Co-operative Group Building . If you prefer your buildings of the more modern type, then you should schedule a visit to One Angel Square, head office of the Co-operative group and completed in 2013. It’s one of the most sustainable buildings in Europe and looks quite spectacular.
• Manchester Cathedral . Dating from 1421 this beautiful cathedral is constructed from three types of stone and is well worth popping into as it’s beautiful inside
• Chetham’s Library . Opened in 1653 and in continuous use since then, this is the oldest free public library in the English-speaking world. It’s also remarkably pretty inside, and tours are available.
• Free Trade Hall. This Italian Palazzo style hall was built on Peter Street in the 1850s on what was then St. Peter’s Fields, where the Peterloo Massacre took place. Orators from Churchill to Disraeli to Dickens have spoken here.

Of course, there are many more impressive buildings in Manchester which you will see as you walk around, but we think the above should definitely be included in your list of sights to see when you visit the city.

Police Museum

One of my personal favourite musuems in Manchester is the Police Museum , which is unfortunately only open for one day a week.

However, if your visit to Manchester does happen to fall on a day when it’s open, I highly recommend visiting. The museum, which is found in a former police museum, tells the story of the Manchester Police force from its beginnings.

As well as lots of informative panels and memorabilia, there are some really knowledable volunteers on hand, many of whom are former police officers, who are well worth chatting to as they have lots of stories to share.

The other highlight is the set of Victorian jail cells and charge office. Here you can see how inmates were kept, and the sort of crimes they were arrested for. It’s a fascinating insight into policing over the years. It’s also free.

Evening Entertainment

Manchester is a fantastic place for a night out. From theatre performances to live music to bars catering to all tastes and nightclubs, there really is something for everyone.

All you have to do is decide what kind of night out you want. The Gay Village is a popular area of Manchester for a night out for example, found around Canal Street, and has a range of cafes, bars and dining options.

If you’d prefer an evening of theatre, there are some excellent options, including the Royal Exchange Theatre , Palace Theatre and The Lowry Theatre .

For live music, there’s a massive range, from the Bridgewater Hall to indie venues like The Castle Hotel . Manchester is the home of bands from Oasis to Take That and Joy Division, and we are sure you’ll find a venue that plays music to your taste.

Imperial War Museum North

Found to the south of the city centre in Salford Quays, the Imperial War Museum North is an excellent free museum which covers the history of conflict from the First World War to the present day.

The museum is found in a stunning building which is actually designed to disorient the visitor, in a similar way to how war can be very disorienting.

The exhibits include a range of permanent displays, with objects, videos and sound relaying the various conflicts that Britain and the commonwealth have been involved in over the last century or so. We found it to be a very immersive and, yes, quite a disorienting experience. Definitely recommended for those with an interest in military history and conflicts.

If you visit Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, then it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Imperial War Museum. Otherwise, you can easily get to this area by tram.

You can find out more about the museum and check its opening hours and dates on the museum website here . Entry is free.

Visit a Garden or Park

If you’re looking for some green space to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a bit (perhaps with a picnic), then there are a few options in the city centre.

Some central options to consider include Saint John’s Gardens, Hulme Park, Parsonage Gardens and Cotton Field Park.

We can also recommend Sackville Garden, near Canal Street. This is home to a statue of Alan Turing, the British mathematician who helped advance computer science so much.

If you’d prefer a more formal garden experience, then the beautiful Royal Horticultural Society Garden in Bridgewater is worth checking out. It’s a little outside the city centre, but the entry ticket includes free return shuttle transfer.

Spot the Bees

As you walk around Manchester, you are going to quickly notice that the city appears to be obsessed with bees. You’ll find representations of bees all over the city.

The worker bee has been a symbol of the city since 1842, when the city adopted it to show to the world how industrious Manchester is. Since then the bee logo has flourished, and you’ll find it everywhere from the side of buses to the city coats of arms to statues in public spaces.

As you walk around the city, it can be fun for you (and your family!) to see how many places you can spot a Manchester bee.

Other Attractions & Museums in Manchester

We have covered a number of Manchester’s museums, however there are more to choose from depending on your interests. There are also several family friendly attraction options that we haven’t mentioned. Here are a few more to consider.

• Jewish Museum . Found in a former synagogue, this museum covers the history of Jewish migration and settlement in Manchester
• Museum of Transport . This focuses on the history of Manchester’s public transport system from horse-drawn buses to the present-day tram system.
• The Whitworth . Art gallery which focuses on more modern art pieces, with artists including Van Gogh, Picasso and Hockney.
• Elizabeth Gaskell’s House . This Victorian era house museum which tells the story of the writer Elizabeth Gaskell, who lived here for over thirty years. She is best known for her books Cranford , North and South , and Wives and Daughters .
• SEA LIFE . With over 2,000 creatures to meet, Manchester’s SEA LIFE is the perfect family attraction for everyone with an interest in the sea
• LegoLand Discover Centre . A popular option for families, the LegoLand Discover Centre is basically a huge Lego playground. Ideal for a rainy day or for burning off some youthful energy
• Coronation Street tour . Fans of Coronation Street won’t want to miss this behind-the-scenes tour of the show!

As you can see, there’s no shortage of excellent museums and attractions in Manchester, covering all sorts of topics and interests!

Take a Day Trip out of Manchester

Whilst there’s plenty to do in Manchester itself, the city also makes for a great base for exploring. These include everything from national parks to seaside resorts to England’s biggest theme park. Here are some suggestions for some great day trips from Manchester.

• Chester . This beautiful old city was founded by the Romans in the 1st century, and is only an hour from Manchester by car or public transport. Lots to see and do here, you can either visit yourself or as part of a day tour like this .
• North Wales . The northern coastline of Wales is home to spectacular hillwalking as well as a great many beautiful castles. The easiest way to visit will be with your own car or on a day trip like this , although it is possible by public transport.
• The Lake District . England’s largest National Park, the Lake District is a lovely place for walking and just getting out into nature. It’s just over an hours drive from Manchester and is best visited with your own transport or on a day tour like this
• The Peak District . Another beautiful national park, the Peak District has cute villages and plentiful walking opportunities. It’s around an hours drive from Manchester and there are also some public transport options. Another option would be to take a day trip like this
• Blackpool . One of the UK’s most well-known Victorian-era seaside resorts, Blackpool is the place to come for walks on the promenade, sea-side amusements, and fun shows. Don’t forget to head up the Tower ! It’s a family friendly spot, and can be easily reached by train or car from Manchester in under 90 minutes.
• Liverpool . This famous port city is well-known for being the home of the Beatles. It also has a rich maritime history. There’s lots to see and do here, and you could easily fill a day visiting. It’s easy to visit by public transport, with direct train connections taking less than an hour.
• Alton Towers . If your idea of a fun day out is rollercoasters and thrills, then you’ll want to head to Alton Towers. It’s about a ninety-minute drive from Manchester, and you can book your tickets online here .

As you can see, there are plenty of options for day trips from Manchester!

Where to Stay in Manchester

Manchester has a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget and taste, from hostels and guesthouses to high-end hotels and apartments. Below are some of our suggestions for where to stay in Manchster, which are approximately ordered by price from low to high.

Pricing does vary of course, so you’ll need to click through and compare prices for when you plan to visit.

• ibis Manchester Centre – this budget option in the centre of Manchester offers comfortable en-suite rooms. Breakfast is available, and there’s an on-site restaurant.
• Motel One Manchester Royal Exchange – this is a good value and well reviewed 3* hotel in a good central location. Rooms are en-suite and air-conditioned. Breakfast is available.
• Moxy Manchester City – a well rated centrally located 4* hotel. Offers air-conditioned rooms with tea/coffee facilities and and an on-site nightclub. Breakfast also available.
• StayCity Aparthotels Manchester Piccadilly . Just moments’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station, this aparthotel offers comfortable apartments with kitchens and washing machines. We stayed here on a recent longer trip to Manchester and it made for a great base to explore.
• Leven Manchester – a well-reviewed boutique hotel found in a former cotton warehouse on Canal Street which has both rooms and apartments.
• Stock Exchange Hotel – centrally located very well reviewed 5* hotel offering air-conditioned rooms, some with balconies. There’s a hotel bar and breakfast is available.
• Dakota Manchester – a very well reviewed 4* hotel in central Manchester, just 3 minutes walk from Manchester Picadilly. Offers air-conditioned en-suite rooms as well as an on-site restaurant, with breakfast available.
• Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – found in a gorgeous old building, this centrally located 4* hotel offers elegant air-conditioned rooms. There’s a restaurant and fitness center on-site.
• The Midland – a beautiful historic 4* hotel in the heart of Manchester with air-conditioned rooms and on-site restaurants. We had a lovely afternoon tea here.

Of course, there are many more options across Manchester. When we travel we nearly always use booking.com to book accommodation, they have everything from hostels to apartments to hotels, and we love how easy it is to filter by the amenities we need, whether that’s free parking or included breakfast.

You can see their listings for Manchester here .

How to Get Around Manchester

Manchester is very easy to get around. First, the majority of the sights are in the city centre, which is very walkable. If you like to walk, then you’ll be able to reach most of the attractions in our guide within about a 20-minute walk of any city centre accommodation.

Manchester also has an excellent public transport system, which is handy for reaching the more distant attractions, like the football stadiums or Imperial War Museum. There’s an excellent tram system, as well as a comprehensive bus network. You can find out more about the public transport network in Manchester here .

Speaking of the bus, Manchester also has a number of entirely free bus routes that will shuttle you around much of the city center. There are stops around the city centre, including at Manchester Picadilly train station, and the free buses are clearly marked. You can see the routes and stops here .

If you’d prefer a hop on hop off bus with commentary, then Manchester has a sightseeing bus you might consider. This covers many of the major highlights and the commentary will provide background and information on the history of the city. You can book tickets for this online here.

If you are arriving or leaving via Manchester Airport , there is an easy train connection to and from the airport. You can book your ticket in advance here .

Further Reading and Resources

That’s it for our guide to our favourite things to do in Manchester. We hope you found it useful.

Before you go, we wanted to share a few of our other guides to help you plan your trip to Manchester as well as the rest of the UK, as well as some third-party resources we think you’ll find useful.

• For wider UK trip planning, we have suggested  one week  and  two week UK itineraries
• If you’re driving in the UK for the first time, check out my  tips for driving in the UK  for some advice. We also have a  guide to how much it costs to travel in the UK .
• We have guides to many other cities in England. See our guide to  things to do in Stratford upon Avon ,   things to do in Bristol ,   things to do in Portsmouth , ttips on a weekend in York , tips on Visiting Oxford on a Day Trip , and  things to do in Cambridge
• Manchester is not too far from Alton Towers, see our guide to visiting Alton Towers for more information
• If you’re heading to Scotland, check out our  2 day Edinburgh itinerary , our  Glasgow and Loch Lomond itinerary , our guide to the  best day trips from Glasgow , our guide to  things to do in Edinburgh , our  itinerary for Skye and the Highlands , our guide to the  best day trips from Aberdeen , and our guide to the best  day trips from Edinburgh  to get you started. We also have a guide to getting from  London to Edinburgh .
• We have a guide to  10 of the best Stately Homes in England

And that’s it! Have you ever visited Manchester? Do you have anything you’d add to the above? Just let us know in the comments below!

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There are 2 comments on this post

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Barry Almond says

17th August 2023 at 3:08 pm

I recommend eating at Mackie Mayor if you have the time. An old market hall from Victorian times, refurbished with a host of chic eateries and strong beers. Worth a visit and is just out of the centre. Don’t be shy as you’ll often be sharing a bench with total strangers but Northerners are very friendly as you will find out.

Laurence Norah says

17th August 2023 at 3:24 pm

Thank you for sharing this tip Barry, appreciated! And yes, we agree that it’s a great recommendation for a place to try in Manchester.

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The 15 Best Things to do in Manchester, UK

Manchester is one of the best city break destinations in the United Kingdom. Located in Lancashire, in northern England, this is a city decked out with industrial history, buoyed by its revolutionary spirit, and fueled by its sporting prowess. 

Step off the train at Manchester Piccadilly Station, and you’ll be immersed in the city’s post-industrial landscapes. Red brick chimneys, a remnant of Manchester’s role in the Industrial Revolution, rise high above the repurposed warehouses and mercantile buildings that line the streets. Take a walking tour to learn more about the city’s working-class history, or join a black cab taxi tour to explore Manchester in style. 

From the People’s History Museum to the Manchester Museum, museums abound in Manchester. Learn about democracy and archeology, or pop into the National Football Museum to marvel at the legendary footballing memorabilia on display. Sports fans will never be disappointed in Manchester because you’ve got top Premier League football matches to watch at both Manchester United and Manchester City’s stadiums. 

And after a day of sightseeing, head to the Northern Quarter in search of Manchester’s best live music venues. This is the city that gave the world bands like Oasis, the Stone Roses, and Joy Division, and this musical legacy very much lives on.

With so many great things to see and do, you might not know where to begin. That’s why we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Manchester for you. Keep to these fun and unique Manchester bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time exploring this wonderful English city!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Manchester

1. start by joining a free walking tour of manchester.

A walking tour is one of the best things to do in Manchester, but it’s even better when that walking tour is free! 

Okay, so it’s not entirely “free,” but you can tip your local guide as much or as little as you’d like depending on how much you enjoy the experience, love their guiding style, or how much you learn about the city. 

Free walking tours are always led by local Mancunians, many of whom are knowledgeable history graduates and all of whom know their city inside and out. Tours depart every day at 11 am from the Alan Turing Memorial Statue in Sackville Gardens, and all you need to do is turn up (no booking required!).

The three-hour-long walking tour is a great introduction to the city, as you’ll be taken to many of the city’s major Manchester sightseeing attractions. You’ll visit Manchester Town Hall, stroll past the National Museum of Football , explore Chinatown, enjoy a jaunt along the Rochdale Canal, and much more.

At the same time, you’ll learn all about the people who made Manchester the city it is today. You’ll hear about the humble origins of the city, its population explosion during the Industrial Revolution, and what the future holds for England’s northern powerhouse. 

Book your Manchester Private Tour

2. Explore Manchester in the back of a black cab taxi

If you prefer to be chauffeured around your destination, then don’t fear because Manchester is home to a seriously unique tour opportunity. 

For 30 years, local Mancunian John Consterdine worked as a taxi driver in the city, driving locals and travelers alike to their destinations. Then he decided to turn his passion for guiding into a business, as he started the one-of-a-kind “ Manchester Taxi Tour .”

Easily one of the most unique things to do in Manchester, you’ll be picked up in one of the tour company’s signature black cabs (all are electric and wheelchair accessible) before embarking on a bespoke, two, three, or four-hour tour of Manchester. No two journeys are ever the same, and your trip can be tailored to include any of the Manchester attractions you’ve been waiting to see.

You’ll have detailed commentary from your driver, who’ll explain the history, culture, and local politics as you explore the city in comfort. You can even pick one of the tour company’s specialty tours, including a Manchester United-themed tour of the city or afternoon tea in the back of the black cab!

3. Love the ‘Beautiful Game’ with a visit to the National Football Museum

A trip to the National Football Museum is one of the top things to do in Manchester. The city is famous for its football history, and sports fans will love delving into the museum’s unique collection of football memorabilia!

The National Football Museum first opened in Manchester in 2012, after moving to the city from the nearby northern city of Preston, where it was founded in 2001. Manchester, home to Manchester United and Manchester City (two of football’s most successful teams), was the perfect home ground for a national museum dedicated to the “Beautiful Game.”

The museum is overseen by footballing legends like Sir Alex Ferguson (former manager of Manchester United) and Sir Bobby Charlton (a World Cup-winning player), so you know the exhibitions are in safe hands. Inside the National Football Museum, you’ll find thousands of exhibits charting the course of the sport’s often dramatic professional development from the 19th century onwards.

The list of notable items you’ll find on display includes Brazilian football hero Pele’s passport, the shirt worn by Sir Geoff Hurst in England’s 1966 World Cup final game against West Germany, and the football boots worn by Northern Ireland international and Manchester United player George Best. The National Football Museum hosts a multitude of events and temporary exhibitions, too, including World Cup displays, football debates (who’s the best player of all time?), and regular free tours with footballing historians. 

Get your Football Museum Admission Ticket

4. Watch a Premier League match in Manchester

Watching a Premier League match is one of the most fun things to do in Manchester, England. Even if you don’t follow football, then you’ll likely know that the city is home to two of the most successful and well-supported teams in the world: Manchester United and Manchester City.

The rivalry is fierce between these two top teams, who both play in the Premier League (the top tier of English football) and regularly compete on the European stage for titles and glory. The best players in the world aspire to play for either of the Manchester-based teams, so any game you see here in the city is guaranteed to be top quality.

Manchester United play their games at Old Trafford, a classic football ground where countless trophies have been won. Getting tickets will be difficult, but you can always take a guided tour of the stadium and the Manchester United Museum to learn more about the club. 

The same can be said for Manchester City, who play their home games in the new Etihad Stadium. Matchday tickets will be hard to find, but you can still take a stadium tour and visit the Manchester City FC Museum to find out about the city’s fierce football rivalry. 

5. Learn how ideas change the world at the Science and Industry Museum

One of the best things to see in Manchester is the Science and Industry Museum , a fun and fascinating museum that shows how ideas can change the world. 

This inspirational museum charts the sometimes steady and oftentimes abrupt pace of change that’s shaken Manchester over the last 250 years. The museum starts by exploring the origins of the Industrial Revolution before delving into the multitude of scientific and industrial advances that have been developed in Manchester since. 

The museum portrays this history through wide-ranging exhibits, many of which offer hands-on opportunities to delve into science and machinery. In the Textiles Gallery, for example, you’ll learn how new technologies allowed Manchester to become the center of a cotton weaving industry in the Victorian era, while in the Power of Music section, you can try out the instruments that made Manchester a musical powerhouse in the modern era.

The museum itself is located in historic surroundings. You’ll find it inside the old Grade I listed Liverpool Road Station, a Victorian-built railway station that connected Manchester’s industries to the rest of the country and the rest of the world. The museum hosts a packed calendar of events, including the popular Manchester Science Festival, which aims to promote the city’s scientific heritage to both locals and visitors alike.

6. Step back in time with a visit to the Manchester Museum

One of the most popular Manchester attractions is the Manchester Museum , which has just undergone a multi-million pound, multi-year renovation that’s slated to bring this Mancunian institution flying into the 21st century.

The Manchester Museum first opened in 1867, and its collection has since grown into the millions. Rather uniquely, it’s the largest university-run museum anywhere in the world, which is more than appropriate for a city that prides itself on putting its people’s education first.

The museum was intended to emulate the wonders of the Natural History Museum in London (the same architect designed both), and it quickly became home to Manchester University’s ever-expanding collection of fossils and ancient relics collected from across the world. 

In the Ancient Worlds section, you can see Egyptian and Sudanese mummies preserved in the flesh. In the Living Worlds gallery, you can explore the human relationship with our planet, while in the Living Cultures exhibition, you can delve into anthropology. There are dinosaur skeletons, ancient corals, mollusks, and birds, and an exciting trove of other exhibits awaiting you in the Manchester Museum. 

7. Enjoy Mancunian art and culture at The Lowry

You’ll find The Lowry in the Salford Quays area, overlooking a repurposed and redefined area of Manchester that’s become a symbol of the city’s contemporary status as a cultural hub. Opened in 2000, The Lowry is an art gallery and theater complex that showcases the city’s most exciting cultural talents, past and present.

The Lowry is named for Lancashire painter L. S. Lowry, who was famed for creating visually striking scenes of industrial life in the 19th and 20th centuries. His “working class” paintings portray the industrial world in unique detail, and many are now on display at the permanent Lowry Exhibition.

The center also hosts other art exhibitions and a packed calendar of theater performances throughout the year, making this one of the best places to visit in Manchester. 

8. Learn all about democracy at the People’s History Museum

During the 19th century, Manchester’s working-class population boomed. But despite providing the labor for Britain’s Industrial Revolution, the working class found they had to fight for their right to vote (it wasn’t until 1918 that all men aged 21 or older were allowed to vote, and women weren’t allowed to vote until 1928!).

Manchester was always a center for working-class activism in the United Kingdom, and the city is now proud to host the People’s History Museum , which is also known as The National Museum of Democracy. Step inside, and you’ll find thousands of democracy-related objects on display (there are 60,000 in the entire collection), telling the story of the development of democracy across Britain and what the future holds for this unique form of government. 

The museum focuses on sharing the stories of activists and revolutionaries who fought for the rights that we so often take for granted. There are trade union banners carried during marches, political posters stickered across the city during elections, and the personal items of many leading politicians who stuck up for Mancunian workers’ rights.  

9. Cruise along the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Irwell

Manchester is built along the River Irwell, a waterway that flows toward the Irish Sea some 30 miles away from the city. 

During the Industrial Revolution, the River Irwell cemented Manchester’s place in history by enabling the flow of goods from the city to ports in Liverpool, where they were shipped across the globe. The waterway was altered forever, too, when large stretches were transformed into the Manchester Ship Canal.

Today, there’s little in the way of industrial traffic along the River Irwell, but there are sightseeing tours. Cruises regularly depart from the revitalized Salford Quays, providing tourists with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the city’s waterside skyline from a unique angle. The classic cruising option is just under an hour long and takes you past the most important sights along the River Irwell and among the Salford Quays.

Intrepid travelers might wish to join the much longer “Ellesmere Port Expedition” in the summer months. This 4.5-hour-long journey takes you from Salford Quays and along the entire length of the Manchester Ship Canal to Ellesmere Port on the River Mersey, where you can then visit the National Waterways Museum.

Experience a Manchester City Center Canal Cruise

10. Delve into Britain’s military history at the Imperial War Museum North

A trip to the Imperial War Museum North is one of the most fascinating things to do in Manchester. This unique museum is the northern branch of the Imperial War Museum, a national museum that aims to preserve military history across the United Kingdom. 

The Imperial War Museum North has hundreds of thousands of military history objects within its collection, and you can spend hours just browsing through weapons, uniforms, vehicles, and photographs focused on 20th-century history. You start by exploring the timeline of the First World War (1914-1918) before learning about the many conflicts Britain has been involved in up to the present day.

But the goal of the museum isn’t simply to regurgitate historical facts and figures. The Imperial War Museum North is so interesting because the exhibitions tell the real-life stories of locals who fought in the wars, with tales of the First World War being particularly moving. The museum also has a temporary exhibition showcasing the war in Ukraine and highlighting the stories of those fighting in the conflict.

11. Take a stroll through Chinatown

Did you know that Manchester is home to the second-largest Chinatown in the United Kingdom? You’ll soon realize that Manchester’s diversity is staggering, and there’s no better way to discover more than by taking a stroll through Chinatown. 

Start at Faulkner Street, where a traditional Chinese archway (built in 1987) marks the unmistakable entrance to this colorful part of Manchester. The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Manchester at the start of the 20th century, and immigration continued for decades while Hong Kong remained a British colony.

Today, Chinatown is packed with authentic Chinese restaurants and shops selling Chinese food, produce, and specialties, while the area hosts one of the best Chinese New Year celebrations in the country. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Manchester, Chinatown is always a good idea.

12. Escape the city by exploring the RHS Bridgewater Gardens

One of the best sights in Manchester is the RHS Bridgewater Gardens , where you’ll find beautifully landscaped public gardens in a majestic setting. 

The gardens are meticulously cared for by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society), and given their location on the edge of the city, they make for a great escape from the industrial scenery of Manchester.

The gardens are on the site of the Duke of Bridgewater’s 16th-century estate. The RHS recently transformed the dilapidated estate into a modern garden, utilizing the area’s history and the existing flora, but embellishing them through contemporary conservation and restoration techniques to create a unique mix of the horticultural old and new.

Get your RHS Garden Bridgewater Entry Ticket

13. Embrace diversity at Manchester Pride Festival

Manchester has always been known for its forward-thinking views, and the city embraces its LQBTQ+ history and contemporary culture by hosting one of the world’s largest Pride Festivals every year.

Manchester Pride Festival has taken place since the 1980s. It started as a form of protest in Manchester’s “Gay Village,” a vibrant city center district that’s the focus of the LGBTQ+ community, and has since grown to encompass three days of music, parades, and educational events every August. 

The highlight of the event is, of course, the carnival, when Mancunians come out in force to celebrate the diversity of their city’s community. There’s a moving tribute at the Alan Turing Memorial Statue (Alan Turning, the famed mathematician, was prosecuted for being gay in the 1950s), a Candlelit Vigil is held in honor of those members of the community who’ve suffered from discrimination, and then in the evenings, the party-goers emerge and take over the bars.

14. Join the festivities at Manchester’s Christmas Market

Manchester loves throwing festive parties throughout the Christmas season. Starting in November, over 200 different market stalls and pop-up shops take over the city center, where revelers drink mulled wine in the street while listening to impromptu carol singers!

Manchester’s Christmas Market has been running since 1998, and they’ve taken inspiration from the German-style Christmas markets that are so popular in Europe. The main event takes place at Piccadilly Gardens, which are transformed into the “Winter Gardens” for the holidays.

You can take part in the holiday season fun by tracing the Manchester Christmas Lights Trail through the city, as festive lighting keeps the darkness at bay during winter. There are Christmas trees and light shows, and in Cathedral Gardens, you’ll even find a pop-up ice skating rink. 

15. Brave a wild night out in the Northern Quarter

Manchester is one of the UK’s most vibrant cities, and if you love a good night out on the town, then you won’t be disappointed by a visit to the Northern Quarter.

The Northern Quarter is well known for its bars, late-night clubs, and fantastic music venues. The area offers a real mix of traditional English pubs alongside quirky speakeasy-style cocktail bars, retro gaming bars (where you can play old-school video games), and fun drinking venues packed with ping pong and snooker tables.

Many of the pubs and bars also host live music events throughout the week. A few local favorites, where you can catch everything from jazz to rock, include the Band on the Wall , Matt & Phreds , and Night and Day Cafe . 

The Northern Quarter is also home to great cafes and restaurants –  including Liquor and Burn , Street Urchin , and TNQ: The Northern Quarter Restaurant & Bar – where you can fuel up in the day for your sightseeing tours or prepare yourself in the afternoon and evenings for a wild night out in Manchester!

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Manchester. What’s your favorite thing to do in Manchester?

Planning a trip to England? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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About the Author:

Richard is an award-winning travel writer based in Southwest England who’s addicted to traveling off the beaten track. He’s traveled to 75 countries and counting in search of intriguing stories, unusual destinations, and cultural curiosities. Richard loves traveling the long way round over land and sea, and you’ll find him visiting quirky micronations and breakaway territories as often as he’s found lounging on a beach (which is a lot). When he’s not writing for BBC Travel, National Geographic, or Lonely Planet, you can find Richard writing for the Wandering Wheatleys or updating his off-beat travel blog, Travel Tramp.

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The Essential English City to Visit—and the Best Things to Do There

Manchester has always been radical, so it’s no surprise that the northern english city is pushing the country’s arts and culture scenes into new territory as well..

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Photo by Billie Cohen

Manchester, England, is gorgeous. It’s a fairy-tale city of spires, red-brick Victorian buildings, squares lined with restaurants and pubs, and old universities accented with pops of modern architecture . A canal runs through most of it, with restored tow-paths alongside. Despite this, the northern England city is mostly associated with a limited range of things: rain, its Manchester United and Manchester City football teams, its industrial economy, Oasis, and rain. And if that’s all you know, you’re missing out. For decades, the university city (it has five!) has been deliberately, intentionally, slowly expanding and elevating its cultural cred—and making a huge effort to support arts and culture. Now, that work is coming to fruition, and there’s never been a better time to visit. That’s one of the main reasons we chose it as one of AFAR’s picks for Where to Go in 2024 . Here are eight more reasons to venture north on the train from London.

Manchester has long been a rich, edgy, history-making music city. In the 1960s, Bob Dylan busted out his electric guitar here; in the 1970s, the Sex Pistols played their first gig outside of London; in the 1980s, the city’s Factory Records label and Haçienda nightclub sparked a massive musical vibe shift as hometown bands New Order, the Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, and the Smiths played all-night dance parties and created the “Madchester” era. And in the ’90s, Oasis and the Britpop wave pulled the music world’s attention back to Manchester once again.

Today, the city’s music scene is still rich and thriving. (Even though the Haçienda is now an apartment building, if you walk around the back of the building, you’ll see an art installation: a metalwork timeline of its biggest moments.) Small bands still rock small venues all over the place, and there’s a bigger, more expansive music push, too. The United Kingdom’s largest indoor concert venue, Co-op Live , is set to open in Manchester in 2024. Backed in part by Harry Styles, the arena will fit more than 23,000 people and is being acoustically constructed for music performances specifically (though it’ll also host other types of events). Highlights of the 2024 lineup already include Eric Clapton, Olivia Rodrigo, Britpop darlings James, Jonas Brothers, and Styles’s old bandmate Niall Horan.

“From the minute you walk through the door it will feel different than other spaces,” says Ben Tipple, the head of digital and communications for Co-Op Live. “We have deliberately counteracted the long corridors, the empty spaces, the bad seats. What makes it special is that it’s purpose built for music . . . to provide the backdrop and opportunity for the artist to sound their best.”

Inside the geometric Aviva Studios at Factory International, multiple theater spaces are moveable and configurable for various events.

Photo by Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of OMA and Factory International

Performing arts and theater

Since 2007, the arts organization Factory International (named in honor of the record label of decades past) has been hosting the Manchester International Festival , a biennial, 18-day festival of new works known for pulling artists and ideas from seemingly different worlds into unexpected collaborations, as well as for performances and events that defy easy genre labels. (e.g., Massive Attack once teamed up with documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis). The next festival will be in 2025 and is definitely worth planning a trip around; the big news is that you don’t have to wait that long anymore. At the end of 2023, the organization unveiled a permanent home, not only for the biannual event but also for year-round programming: Aviva Studios at Factory International . In 2024, its usual mix of unusual commissions continues with City of Floating Sounds , composer Huang Ruo’s interactive symphony project (June) and a new multimedia work by Laurie Anderson called ARK .

To find out more about Manchester’s cultural calendar, follow Secret Manchester and Visit Manchester.

The Manchester Craft and Design Centre is a collection of studios and shops by ceramists, printmakers, silversmiths, glass artists, and fiber artists, such as Jane Blease whose wood-and-thread medallions are pictured.

From indie boutiques to great record stores to vintage to high-street staples, Manchester has it all. Some of my favorites: Vintage clothes, posters, and even old-style ice cream fill the floors of the former department store Afflecks ; and modern makers line the late-1800s fishmonger stalls of the Manchester Craft and Design Center . Keep room in your luggage for a visit to Piccadilly Records, which has been independent since it opened in 1978 (and continues to earn a spot on “best” lists). And between shopping trips, sample the indie food scene via a few food halls, such as Mackie Mayor , a collection of nine varied cuisines in the grand—and fully intact—1858 Smithfield market building.

Museums and galleries

In 2023, the 135-year-old Manchester Museum , part of Manchester University, reopened following a $18.4 million “hello future” renovation project with a mission to reevaluate Britain’s colonial past and its own role in displaying historical objects and artworks. The new permanent South Asia Gallery is a colorful, invigorating, and at times heart-wrenching example: Cocurated with a group of South Asian community leaders, artists, historians, musicians, scientists, and students, it talks as openly and honestly about partition and South Asian residents’ experiences in Manchester as it does about the joy of Bollywood soundtracks. An exhibit of Egyptian mummies (through April 2024) overtly discusses eugenics and grave robbing, along with the usual, fascinating dose of ancient history. Oh, and the whole museum is free.

The edgy People’s History Museum uses art to talk about democracy, rebellion, and inclusion—a good fit for Manchester. After all, the city has a history of radicalism: this is where Emmeline Pankhurst launched the British Suffragette movement, where mill workers voted to stop using cotton picked by U.S. slaves (prompting a thank-you letter from Abraham Lincoln). The Manchester Jewish Museum just got an expansion, including a renovation of the adjacent Spanish and Portuguese synagogue; browse the exhibits, listen to oral histories of Jewish Mancunians past and present, and talk to the Jewish residents who are docents here—they were wonderful and happy to share. In terms of art, you’ve got the gorgeous Whitworth Art Gallery (on the Manchester University campus) and the Manchester Art Gallery (in a beautiful 200-year-old building). If you’re not into art, there’s always the National Football Museum (pubs on a game day are also something of a cultural experience, especially when Manchester United or Manchester City is playing).

Chetham’s Library is the oldest surviving public library in the English-speaking world. It’s also where Marx and Engels worked on their Communist Manifesto —in the center alcove in this room.

I look for libraries whenever I travel. In my humble opinion, a public library says a lot about a city, its people, its past, and its present. (Plus, they usually have cool architecture and free Wi-Fi.) Now I recognize that not everyone is as into libraries as I am, but, trust me, Manchester has several that even non-nerds will find intriguing. For starters, the oldest surviving public library in the English-speaking world is here: It’s called Chetham’s , it was founded in 1653, it’s located in a former monastery that dates back to 1421, and it’s open for tours.

The neo-Gothic John Rylands Library looks like something out of Harry Potter (and it was founded by a woman in 1900—how boss is that?); stop by for rotating exhibits and to wander through its cathedral-like rooms. The main Manchester Central Library —the city’s plain old regular circulating library—is a site to see, too. It opened in 1930 and was modeled after the Pantheon. It’s not stuck in the past though: Music, art, and literature events are scheduled regularly (the 2024 calendar is not online yet); I passed a foosball table on one floor and a sign for a vinyl listening club on another.

Affectionately known as Gay Village, Manchester’s LGBTQ neighborhood is centered around Canal Street.

LGBTQ+ pride

Manchester’s LGBTQ neighborhood along Canal Street, affectionately dubbed Gay Village, is home to one of the oldest openly gay venues in the city: New Union dates to the 1860s and is now a bar and hotel. Canal Street is also lined with festive-feeling restaurants and bars and wallpapered with posters for drag brunches and shows. In August, the neighborhood is the epicenter for Manchester Pride , and in July it hosts Sparkle, the national transgender celebration.

Check out the Visit Manchester website for a downloadable LGBTQ self-guided tour , which includes a stop at the Alan Turing memorial. The genius who invented the computer moved here after his code-breaking success in World War II to work at the University of Manchester (the alma mater of Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Turing in the 2014 movie The Imitation Game ). Sadly, Manchester is also where Turing was arrested for being gay and sentenced to chemical castration. He was found dead of cyanide poisoning in his home in 1954, at the age of 41. The Queen pardoned him posthumously in 2013. If you’re in the city on any June 23, stop by his statue in Sackville Gardens; people place flowers there every year for his birthday.

Peveril of the Peak is a small pub that’s been run by the same landlady for 50 years.

This is England, and this is an old university town, so of course there are many, many pubs. The total number varies depending on the source, but it seems to be somewhere around 650 , which is way more than plenty. They range from cozy neighborhood establishments to modern see-and-be-seen perches, and include a bunch of quirky spots like one that’s more than 500 years old (the Old Wellington ), one in a converted public bathroom ( the Temple ), and my favorite: the tiny, green-and-yellow-tiled Peveril of the Peak , a 19th-century relic with a curved wooden bar, stained-glass detailing, and chatty customers.

Abraham Lincoln sent the cotton mill workers of Manchester a thank-you letter in 1863, praising them for their vote to stop using cotton from slave plantations in the American South.

Historical surprises

In a city as old as Manchester, there’s technically “history” everywhere you look, but it’s the stories that make it all come alive. If you want a guided time-travel experience, I recommend Free Manchester Walking Tours . Our tour leader Megan rocked us through centuries of pop culture, history, and entertaining anecdotes, and even managed to get us all dancing and singing a few times. By the end of the afternoon, you’ll have the lay of the land and you’ll better understand the city and its significance. If you want to wander on your own, don’t miss these three spots that span the breadth of Manchester’s existence:

• Mamucium fort: Romans basically founded Manchester in 79 C.E. when they built this fort. Today you can visit a re-creation of the fort on its original site, in a small park in the Castlefield neighborhood near the city center.
• Abraham Lincoln statue : Manchester calls itself the first industrial city, because back in the 1800s, it manufactured 80 percent of all the world’s cotton goods and textiles. I’ll say that again: 80 percent. In fact, Manchester was so successful and influential that it was nicknamed Cottonopolis. When the U.S. Civil War broke out, Manchester and other manufacturing cities in Northern England had a choice to make: continue to use cotton grown on plantations that supported slavery, or cut off those ties and risk imploding their economy. Manchester chose the right side of history, standing by the Union army in the North, when a lot of other industrial U.K. cities sided with the South for economic purposes. In answer, then-president Abraham Lincoln wrote the city a letter of thanks—and that’s why there’s a statue of Abraham Lincoln in Manchester , England, today.
• Red mailbox: In 1996, an IRA bombing destroyed a large swath of downtown. Amazingly, the authorities found the bomb early enough to evacuate the area, and no one died. But the explosion caused a lot of damage—so much that the destruction is actually credited with influencing the revival and renovation of the city center. A red post office box still stands on the spot of the explosion—the only thing unharmed. Look for it by the Marks & Spencer department store on Corporation Street .

Read more about Manchester, one of AFAR’s picks for Where to Go in 2024: This Northern English City Has Been Nurturing Its Arts Scene for Years—and It’s Paying Off .

Read the full list of Where to Go in 2024.

Home » Travel Guides » 25 Best Things To Do In Manchester (England)

25 Best Things To Do In Manchester (England)

Manchester is England’s second biggest city, having been settled since 79 AD by the Romans. Manchester is a vibrant urban hotspot with excellent nightlife, arts and culture. The city is surrounded by countryside and the gorgeous Pennine mountains, making it a great base for exploring wilder regions of the country. Manchester has an extensive history and is important in many fields, including music, science and transport. It is home to the world’s first inter-city passenger railway station and a thriving culture scene, making it one of England’s most exciting cities. Here are 25 of the best things to do in this buzzing city.

1. Manchester Museum

The Manchester Museum is the country’s biggest university museum with a collection of 4,500,000 items from all around the world. The museum is housed within a striking gothic-style building and showcases the best in archaeology and natural history. The museum features a number of galleries focusing on diverse topics such as fossils, the ancient world, and world culture.

There is a special exhibition on the natural history of Manchester which looks at the city’s origins as an underwater world and then a swamp. Spend some time in the museum’s vivarium, a collection of live reptiles and amphibians and home to some of the rarest frogs in the world.

Don’t miss Stan the T.Rex, a well-preserved skeleton of an infamous dinosaur, boasting the world’s best tyrannosaurus rex skull. There is a café on-site to offer a break after a few hours exploring this wonderful museum.

2. John Rylands Library

John Rylands Library is perhaps the most well-known of Manchester’s famous libraries. Opened in 1900, the library exterior features beautiful gothic-style architecture popular amongst the university buildings. The library is worth a visit for the architecture alone, boasting gorgeous vaulted ceilings, soft illumination and ornate archways.

John Rylands Library is also one of the best academic libraries in the UK, featuring a number of special collections. The library houses medieval manuscripts, early printed texts, as well as personal letters from a number of notable figures. For lifelong learners, students, academics, and architecture-lovers, John Rylands Library is a peaceful haven set in the heart of the bustling city.

Need transport : 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

3. Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester Art Gallery is situated in the city centre, in a building that has stood on this space since 1823. The gallery celebrates local and international work with an extensive collection that spans centuries. Here you will find paintings by artists such as Gainsborough, Turner and Pissarro. The gallery also features collections of crafts, from ceramics to metalwork and home items, as well as clothing and accessories dating from 1600 to the modern day.

Take a guided tour to make the most of your visit, and stop by the café for an afternoon tea or a slice of cake. Be sure to check the gallery’s events listings for unique one-off and temporary exhibitions, workshops and tours. Manchester Art Gallery is one of the best places to go for art and culture in the city.

4. Manchester Town Hall

An iconic element of Manchester’s skyline, Manchester Town Hall is the unmissable heart of the city. Featuring dramatic gothic-style architecture that dates from 1877, spend some time admiring the Town Hall from picturesque Albert Square. The clock tower reaches 85 metres and looks out upon the city. Book a tour to explore the gorgeous interior, with tall arched ceilings and beautiful spiral staircases, gilded in gold.

Visit the Sculpture Hall, home to a number of statues and busts celebrating people of importance to Manchester. Manchester Town Hall has been used to film scenes in several big-budget movies, including The Iron Lady, Sherlock Holmes and Victor Frankenstein. This historically important location is a great way to learn more about the city and view some stunning architecture.

See Mancester from the water : 60-Minute River Cruise

5. Museum of Science and Industry

Manchester has played an important role in the fields of science and technology throughout its existence. The Museum of Science and Industry celebrates this contribution with a number of displays and exhibitions on areas such as transport, power and computing. Learn about Manchester’s role in the booming transport industry with a ride on a train from 1830, and demonstrations of original machines used over the last 300 years.

The museum is ideal for families, with a number of hands-on activities suitable for children and adults alike, including scientific experiments, virtual reality booths, and games. The museum offers a fun and entertaining way to learn about the city and industry, and how science is still an important part of Manchester’s heritage today.

6. Old Trafford

For football fans, a visit to Old Trafford football stadium is a must. Home to Manchester United FC since 1910, the stadium is the largest in the country and one of its most iconic. Book a tour for a unique experience through the football grounds, backstage, and into the on-site museum. Learn about the history of the stadium and football club, and walk in the footsteps of football legends like Bobby Charlton and George Best.

Stop by the Manchester United store for official merchandise to show your team allegiance, or grab something delicious to eat at the Red Café. Old Trafford is an important location for English culture and a great place to spend a day out.

Book online : Manchester United Museum and Stadium Tour

7. Chinatown

Manchester’s Chinatown is the second largest in the UK and features a variety of restaurants, supermarkets and shops. It is home to Manchester’s extensive East Asian community and marked by a large paifang arch, raised in 1987. Chinatown is colourful and diverse, with some of the best ethnic restaurants in the city.

For authentic Szechuan cuisine, try Red Chilli, one of the best eateries in the area, tucked away in a store basement. Spend some time browsing the many shops with their colourful traditional wares and bright toys, or visit a local supermarket to cook up an Asian meal in your own home.

8. Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange is one of the city’s most popular entertainment complexes, with a theatre and shopping centre on-site. The building was completed in 1921 and has survived historical damage in WWII and beyond. The Royal Exchange still features beautiful architecture but the highlight is the theatre, considered to be one of the best in the city. The theatre produces hundreds of shows every year across a range of genres so there is sure to be something on to suit every taste.

There are also a number of cafés and restaurants within the complex to visit before or after a show, making this an ideal way to experience some modern culture in a historic setting. If you’re feeling brave, try to seek out the ghosts that are rumoured to haunt the building, including an apparition of actor James Maxwell.

9. Whitworth Art Gallery

Whitworth Art Gallery is a beautiful, eye-catching building housing some spectacular pieces of art. The historic building was recently renovated to increase gallery space and provide a gorgeous and inviting exterior. Within the gallery, you will find work by legendary artists such as van Gogh, Picasso, Turner, Bacon, Hockney and Lowry, making it an absolute must-visit for art enthusiasts.

The gallery also hosts regular events, including weekly talks on fascinating topics, late-night openings each week, and workshops and tours that aim to teach visitors more about the art on show. Finish your visit with a light meal – or full Sunday roast at the weekends! – in the stunning café. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the café offers amazing views out onto Whitworth Park and the gallery’s art garden, the perfect place to rest after a day of experiencing internationally important art.

10. People’s History Museum

The People’s History Museum is the only one of its kind in the country, collecting and celebrating the history of working people in the UK. The museum resides in a former industrial building, the perfect setting for its exploration of democracy and ordinary people in Britain. The collections here feature items from around the home and workplace, as well as entertainment and recreational items of interest.

Here you can learn about important British historical events at home, including the suffrage movement, trade unionism, welfare and football culture. The museum also hosts a number of events from craft workshops to one-off talks, offering an interactive way to learn about British life. The People’s History Museum offers a unique and informative insight into the lives of everyday British citizens since the 1800s.

11. Chill Factore

For adventurers and thrill-seekers, a visit to Chill Factore is a must. Chill Factore is home to Britain’s longest indoor real-snow slope, boasting a staggering 180 metres! Here you can partake in a number of snow sports and activities, including ski-ing and snowboarding, an ice slide, and snow play park for all ages.

The centre offers lessons to those new to snow sports, and also offers other activities such as climbing, airboarding and Snowscoot (a BMX experience on ice!) There are also a number of shops and restaurants on-site so you can recharge after a few hours of fun in the snow.

12. Heaton Park

Heaton Park is Europe’s biggest public green space, spanning a massive 600 acres. The park is a great place to spend a day with a picnic, enjoying the sunshine, or exploring nature. There are also a number of attractions in the park making it a wonderful day out. Visit the park’s Animal Centre built around original stables from 1789. Here you can find goats, donkeys, alpacas, pigs and more. Find the picturesque Hazlitt Wood Pond, hidden away in Hazlitt Wood. Take a ride on the Heaton Park Tramway, featuring a historic tram from the early 20th century.

Don’t leave the park without a visit to Heaton Hall, a stately home that has stood on this site since the Middle Ages. Explore immaculately-restored period rooms, including the Cupola which features mirrored walls and a domed ceiling, and is only one of three of its kind in the country. The park also regularly hosts outdoor entertainment and events, so there is always something new to explore in this gorgeous getaway.

13. Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral has stood since 1421, featuring a gothic-style exterior that imposes and awes. The site of the church has been used for centuries, with evidence of an ancient church existing here in 700 AD. The cathedral boasts a lot of history, even in the stone used to build its floors which are full of small fossils. The cathedral is home to a number of excellently-preserved misericords, special shelves to reduce discomfort in standing for extended periods of time, featuring beautiful wood carvings.

Stop by the Visitor Centre to learn more about the cathedral’s history, and to view some special items including the Hanging Bridge. This bridge dates from the 15th century and originally provided the entrance to the church. Manchester Cathedral is a wonderful place to learn about the city’s history and to see some stunning architecture.

14. Manchester Jewish Museum

The Manchester Jewish Museum is housed in a former synagogue, built in 1874 with Moorish-style architecture. This building is the oldest-surviving synagogue in Manchester, and the museum is the only one of its kind outside of London. There are beautiful original stained glass windows and ornate ironwork on display. Inside, the museum explores and celebrates the lives and importance of Jewish people in Manchester, through a number of permanent collections and exciting events.

Learn about Jewish life in the city through items, documents, photographs and spoken stories, providing an immersive understanding of the role Manchester’s Jewish community played in the city’s growth. Attend an event such as a talk, cabaret evening, or a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter. This is an ideal place to learn about one of Manchester’s important local communities.

15. The Hidden Gem

The Hidden Gem is Manchester’s oldest Catholic church, built in 1794 on a quiet street in the city. The exterior of the church is unassuming. The only indication of the majestic interior is the doorway which features intricate carved designs. Inside, the church features a number of beautiful marble sculptures as well as eye-catching architecture.

Find the Adams Stations of the Cross, a number of paintings completed by commission in 1995 to celebrate Catholicism. These paintings draw a lot of visitor and scholarly attention in this true hidden gem of a landmark.

16. Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden

Opened in 1919, the Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden features a range of activities to make for a great day out amongst nature. The botanical garden features rockeries, ponds, ornamental gardens and groves of trees. The site is also home to a nature reserve, making it a lovely place to find some wildlife amongst beautiful plants.

The reserve is home to a number of birds including swifts, wrens and parakeets. The Botanical Garden host regular activities and events for those who are keen to get to grips with nature, including walks and nature trails. The site also houses sports grounds for tennis, rugby and more. The Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden is an ideal day out for anyone who loves the outdoors.

17. Stockport Viaduct

The Stockport Viaduct is the largest brick structure in the country, built in 1840 to provide passage for trains. The viaduct is an impressive 34m high and was the largest viaduct in the world when it was constructed. The viaduct represents an extraordinary feat in Victorian engineering, an example of Manchester’s important industrial history.

The viaduct has played a key role in local culture, appearing in many of Lowry’s paintings, as well as linking Stockport to London. The viaduct is a must-see in Manchester and one of the city’s greatest historical landmarks.

HOME is Manchester’s hub for contemporary art, film and media, featuring a theatre, cinema, gallery and studio space. HOME celebrates independent art and culture, promoting engagement and curiosity. There is always something new and exciting to experience at HOME, with an ever-changing roster of films, exhibitions, performances and events.

Attend a workshop or a tour of the stunning purpose-built building. Watch provocative indie films, participate in a poetry reading, or purchase a local zine from the bookshop. There is a restaurant and two bars offering great views and delicious food, allowing you to recharge. HOME is a buzzing cultural hotspot and the perfect place to learn something new.

19. Gorton Monastery

The Gorton Monastery was built in 1867 by Franciscan friars settling in Manchester. The monastery features amazing gothic-style architecture and is considered an important but endangered historical site worldwide. Today, constant conservation efforts are being made to ensure the monastery continues to serve its community for years to come. The interior features beautiful architecture, historic sculptures, and stained glass windows.

Book a tour or attend an open day to explore the cloisters, gardens and learn more about the history of this important monastery. Refresh yourself with a snack or tea at the café, and make the most of the monastery’s rich heritage.

20. Mamucium

Mamucium was a Roman fort founded in 79 AD, also known as Mancunium. Mamucium marked the first settlement of the Manchester area and was used in medieval times for farming purposes. During the Industrial Revolution, the fort was levelled in order to progress local industry.

Today, the ruins of the fort are still visible, and well worth a visit. Here you can see the layout of the civilian settlement that grew around the fort in Roman times. This is a fascinating look at the earliest incarnation of Manchester, and a great opportunity to learn more about Roman Britain.

21. Clayton Hall

Clayton Hall is a manor house dating from the 15th century, tucked away behind a little area of parkland. The house is surrounded by a moat and boasts traditional architecture and styling. Today, it is used as a living history museum, having been restored to represent life when the house was originally inhabited.

There are a number of rooms on show, with guided tours available, including a dining room, bedroom and wash house. There are hands-on activities for children to give them a taste of period life, and beautiful surroundings to explore.

22. Experience Manchester’s Craft Beer

Manchester is well-known for its craft beer scene which has sprung up over the past few years. There are many pubs and bars offering real ale and home-brewed craft beer, and even annual festivals celebrating the city’s beer. For an extensive collection of beers, try Port Street Beer House, widely considered to be the best place for ale enthusiasts.

Bar Fringe boasts eclectic décor and specialises in European imports, while Beermoth has regular tasting sessions for all of the beers on sale. Finally, The Hope has its very own microbrewery in the basement and offers beers and ales from around the world, making it an excellent location to end any craft beer crawl.

23. Northern Quarter

The Northern Quarter is Manchester’s alternative and bohemian capital, full of independent businesses, boutiques and cafés. The Northern Quarter is a shopping haven, home to Affleck’s Palace which was once a department store and used today as a bazaar for alternative clothing and trinkets. Check out the many boutiques and fashion designers hidden in the Quarter’s back streets, or pick up some art at one of the commercial art galleries dotted around the area.

After dark, the Northern Quarter boasts some of Manchester’s best nightlife scenes with jazz bars, music venues and secret speakeasies. For music lovers, visit the infamous Piccadilly Records for classic and contemporary vinyl. And for foodies, there are a number of small eateries producing organic and locally-sourced meals and snacks, perfect for recharging after a long day exploring the Northern Quarter.

24. Gay Village

Manchester is home to a thriving LGBTQ* scene, much of which is based in Canal Street – also called the Gay Village. The Gay Village hosts a number of annual events promoting LGBTQ* culture and issues, including Manchester Pride. In addition, the nightlife here is fantastic, with a wide variety of bars and restaurants lining the canal.

The Gay Village always offers a fun, safe and welcoming night out, or come along during the day for a pleasant stroll besides the canal. The Village is a key part of Manchester’s culture and offers entertainment for everyone.

25. Hollingworth Lake Country Park

Hollingworth Lake Country Park is a gateway to nature and wildlife just a short distance out of the city centre. The park spans a staggering 118 acres and offers a variety of activities for adventure seekers. Go boating on the beautiful lake, explore the nature reserve, or visit an art exhibition, all in one place.

There are trails for hiking and biking, and guided walks through the park. The park is bordered by hills for those who enjoy rugged countryside, and the lake also allows water activities such as windsurfing, swimming and fishing. The park is a wonderful day out and a great way to get away from the city and back to nature.

25 Best Things To Do In Manchester (England):

• Manchester Museum
• John Rylands Library
• Manchester Art Gallery
• Manchester Town Hall
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Old Trafford
• Royal Exchange
• Whitworth Art Gallery
• People’s History Museum
• Chill Factore
• Heaton Park
• Manchester Cathedral
• Manchester Jewish Museum
• The Hidden Gem
• Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden
• Stockport Viaduct
• Gorton Monastery
• Clayton Hall
• Experience Manchester’s Craft Beer
• Northern Quarter
• Gay Village
• Hollingworth Lake Country Park

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Places to Visit in Manchester

• Places To Visit

Top Tourist Places To Visit In Manchester

Here are some of the best places to visit in manchester:.

Manchester Museum

Ranked as one of the best tourist places to visit in Manchester, the Manchester Museum is also among the most popular university museums in the city. The origins of the museum lie in the vast collection of John Leigh Philips, who was a major manufacturer and collector in Manchester

The Whitworth Manchester

Having undergone a major renovation and redevelopment work, the Whitworth, also known as The Whitworth Art Gallery, ranks as one of the more quaint and offbeat tourist places to visit in Manchester.

Castlefield Urban Heritage Park

This urban heritage park is a first-of-its-kind conservation area that tops the list of famed places in Manchester. It is a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Do visit the fascinating pub “The Wharf” to treat yourself to some scrumptious food and a variety of beers and this is one of the best places to see in Manchester.

Originally, this place was the site of Mamucium, a Roman Fort which today works as a peaceful retreat for all. This 7 acre park is abode to the building of the Museum of Science and Industry, the Roman fort of Mamucium, outdoor terraces and many bars and restaurants where one can experience the true vibes of the city.

Location: Liverpool Rd, Manchester, Manchester M3 4FP, England

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Imperial War Museum

To get a taste of the history of warfare, plan a visit to the Imperial War Museum North, ranked amongst the best places to visit in Manchester. Opened in 2002, the museum is also popularly known as IWM North and boasts of an extensive collection of vehicles and aircrafts used for warfare.

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Peoples history museum.

This stunning museum hall houses the story behind Britain's struggle to democracy and showcases all the torment people went through its exhibits. It resides in a refurbished Edwardian Pumping Station and a loved spot in the list of Manchester Tourist attractions.

A stroll through the gallery resembles a 200 year old excursion meeting the reformers, progressives, electors, laborers and residents who battled to free England. There are various displays like the changing show exhibition, local area displays separated from the fundamental ones that catch the attention of the visitors.

Location: Left Bank, Manchester M3 3ER, United Kingdom

Timings: 10 AM-5 PM

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Manchester Art Gallery

The gallery houses the best craftsmanship collections in the country among all the places to see in Manchester. Dominant parts of the art exhibits date back to the Victorian and contemporary time. The features of the Manchester Art Gallery incorporate the pre Raphaelite canvases, plan and art just as the mid twentieth century British works of art.

Interesting shows are held in the exhibition and there is a wide scope of occasions occurring here. There are different intelligent exercises like the discussions and visits and different hands on exercises where you can feel the glass, earthenware, metal and wooden fine arts.

Location: Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL, United Kingdom

Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM

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National Football Museum

Paying homage to the most favourite sport in the country is the National Football Museum, one of the most popular places to visit in Manchester. Considered to be a shrine to this game, and celebrating the top football teams of Man City and Man United, the National Football Museum is one place where you can catch sights of numerous fascinating items and memorabilia related to football.

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One of the most appealing neighborhoods to explore and live in Manchester is Ancoats. In the 1800s, this place was the world’s first industrial suburb. It was once home to many mills that gave it the nickname ‘cottonopolis’. Machinery, newspapers and glassware are greatly manufactured in this area.

From popular bars and restaurants to eateries, every one of them is a great place to explore. For the shopaholics, Ancoats general store, The Vietnamese store and others are some of the great outlets to shop from.

Location: Greater Manchester

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Greater Manchester Police

This place was formerly a police station that was converted into a museum that details the history of policing in greater Manchester. When it was converted to a museum, its interiors were redesigned to showcase its past and act as a reminder of Victorian Policing. Catch a glance of the finished wood boards and finished glass in the Magistrates Courtroom and experience how prisoners would have felt standing in the dock!

See where Manchester's criminals were charged, fingerprinted and find the cells that were frequently loaded with twelve men on a bustling evening. Exhibits such as guns and police uniforms are also showcased here to know what were used in the old times. Why not sit down on the cell beds with their wooden cushions!

Location: 57A Newton St, Manchester M1 1ET, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:30 AM-3:30 PM

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Manchester Cathedral Museum

Manchester Cathedral is the pronounced mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Manchester. It was formerly known as the Cathedral and Collegiate church of St Denys, St. George, and St. Mary. It is additionally the seat of the Bishop of Manchester and the ward church of the city.

Manchester Cathedral is situated on Victoria Street in Manchester City Center. The primary structure of the Cathedral is inherent Perpendicular Gothic Style and it is truly rich in its design. The guest's focal point of the congregation was opened by Queen Elizabeth II. The middle has a shop just as a presentation room. The significant fascination is the fifteenth century Hanging Bridge.

Location: Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX, United Kingdom

Timings: 08.30 AM- 5.30 PM

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Pankhurst Centre

The Pankhurst Center houses a little gallery and legacy focus that stays as a heritage to the Pankhurst family and the Suffragette development, and furthermore fills in as a ladies' public venue. This generally critical structure was the home of Emmeline Pankhurst and her family who drove the Suffragette lobby for Votes for Women, and is where the main gathering of the Women's Social and Political Union was held.

As a ladies' public venue it gives and offers space to exercises and occasions run by ladies, for ladies. It offers a one of a kind spot where ladies can learn together, work on projects and mingle.

Location: 60-62 Nelson St, Manchester M13 9WP, United Kingdom

Timings: 10 AM-4 PM (Thursday)

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Etihad Stadium

Etihad Stadium or The Manchester city football club, is ideal to get acquainted with the history of the football club. Explore the major highlights of the stadium like the press conference room, manager’s dugout, changing rooms and more. These are tucked away from the reach of the public when a match is hosted at the stadium and are a top attraction among the many places in Manchester.

Set your eyes on the exquisite exhibits showcased here to gather more information about the northern football club. You can also choose to explore with a passionate Manchester city FC fan as a guide to get more acquainted about behind the scenes at the etihad stadium.

Location: Ashton New Rd, Manchester M11 3FF, United Kingdom

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Manchester Town Hall

A Victorian, Neo Gothic civil structure, the city center in Manchester is a truly excellent one and worth visiting among all the famed places to see in Manchester. It was designed by English architect Alfred Waterhouse. The city center in Manchester is viewed as probably the best milestone in the city. It is respected among the best instances of Neo Gothic design in the United Kingdom.

The structure was planned by modeler Alfred Waterhouse and it was finished in 1877. There are numerous immense stately rooms like the Great Hall. The Great Hall is improved with Ford Maddox Brown's overwhelming Manchester Murals. There are sculptures of Dalton, Barbirolli and Joule in the passageway and the design lobby.

Location: Town Hall Extension, Mount Street Entrance, Albert Square, Manchester M2 5DB, United Kingdom

Timings: Open 24 hours

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Museum Of Science & Industry

This gallery is seated amidst the remains of the world's most established traveler rail line station. It is a genuine gallery for each individual of all age groups as it has a ton of entrancing things to bring to the table.

One can find the rich tradition of various places in Manchester in the field of mechanical developments and logical creations at this historical center of science and industry. This gallery is for all, children, grown-ups and surprisingly old individuals couldn't imagine anything better than to have the hands on shows. There is a gigantic collection of vintage vehicles alongside recorded hardware at this Museum.

Location: Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4FP, United Kingdom

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Old Trafford

Seated south of Manchester City Center, Old Trafford is the largest club football stadium in the UK and one of the exotic Manchester Tourist attractions. Strive to get tickets for an exciting soccer match here or if you miss the same, visit the old museum at its place to check out its history from the stunning exhibits it resides in.

Many music concerts like the Move festival are often hosted here that are worth enjoying. The new parts after renovation have made it possible to accommodate more people so that the fans can truly enjoy the game.

Location: Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Talbot Road, Manchester, M16 0PX

Timings: Monday – Friday: 10AM - 10PM, Saturday: 10AM - 9PM and Sunday: 12PM - 6PM.

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St. Mary's Catholic Church

St Mary's Church was an Anglican ward church in Manchester, England. The exquisite Rhenish Romanesque style architecture perfectly captures the attention of each visitor here. The striking interiors of this church is abode to notable tall archades add on to other eye-catching relics inside the church.

With its marble special stepped area, Victorian time carvings and life size sculptures of a few principled figures, this church is one of Manchester's most exotic structures. Sanctified in 1794, the religious group or say congregation has been re-established on numerous occasions, most outstandingly in 1833 when the congregation rooftop fell not long after a community gathering.

Location: 210 W Main St, Manchester, MI 48158, United States

Timings: 10 AM - 6 PM

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Chetham's Library

Chetham's Library has been in nonstop use as a public library for more than 350 years. It is housed in an excellent sandstone building dating from 1421 which was worked to oblige the priest of Manchester's Collegiate Church. 

The whole collection at Chetham's Library has been assigned as one of public and worldwide significance.

You can get some answers concerning the collection here and in indexes. The collection contains a great many posters, programmes and photos, just as the monetary and business papers of the proprietor, John Jennison; enormous quantities of things in this collection are accessible in digitized structure on the internet.

Location: Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB, United Kingdom

Timings: Monday to Friday 9am-12.30pm and 1.30-4.30pm

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Heaton Park

Something beyond a stroll in the recreation center, Heaton Park is a noteworthy region among the other places in Manchester with every one of the attractions offering an entire outing for all ages. Visit the play regions, bistros, Animal Center, Tram Museum, bowling greens, green, drifting lake, and take a stop at horse riding.

Explore a pressed occasion’s program that happens every year including outside shows, dramatizations and plays. Likewise don't miss Heaton Hall's wonderfully re-established insides to experience the eighteenth century, with an extravagant collection of furniture, instruments and periodic exhibits in the Music Room. Other activities include guided tours, orienteering, paddling boats, cable car rides and beekeeping.

Location: St Margaret's Rd, Manchester M25 2GT, United Kingdom

Timings: 8 AM-4:30 PM

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16 Best places to visit within 2 hours of Manchester

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!

Are you looking for a great day trip from Manchester ? With so many amazing places to explore within two hours of Manchester, it can be hard to narrow down your choices.

Manchester is ideally located near some of the most beautiful national parks in the UK, gorgeous northern cities and of course, the seaside .

From historic castles and gardens to world-class museums and outdoor activities , there’s something for everyone!

Here are some of the best places to visit within 2 hours of Manchester that will make your day trip memorable.

Table of Contents

1. Liverpool

Located just an hour away by train, Liverpool is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK and well worth a visit.

Filled with grand architecture and plenty of culture, it’s the ideal destination for people who love museums, history and of course, music.

FUN FACT: The Beatles were from Liverpool so if you love music, you will be in for a treat! There are many activities you can do that are related to the Beatles and music in general.

🎟️ Things to do in Liverpool:

• Explore the historic Albert Dock
• Visit the Beatles Story and discover the Cavern
• Go to Tate Liverpool
• Go on a River Cruise on the Mersey River
• Visit the Anfield stadium and learn more about Liverpool FC
• Do a walking tour of Liverpool

HOW TO GET THERE: You can easily drive to Liverpool. It takes about 50 minutes from Manchester. You can also take a train from Piccadilly, Oxford Road or Piccadilly. Train journeys last between 35 and 60 minutes.

History buffs will love a trip to Chester. The city offers plenty of things to do from walking along its medieval walls to visiting the cathedral, museums and galleries.

It’s also home to some of the best shopping in the North West so bring your wallet!

🎟️ Things to do in Chester:

• Explore the spectacular Chester Cathedral
• Walk around the city walls
• Visit Grosvenor Park or The Groves for a lovely stroll by the river
• Visit Chester Zoo for a fun day out
• Do a cruise on the river Dee
• Check out the historic Eastgate Clock and Rows
• Take the hop-on hop-off bus

HOW TO GET THERE: It takes about 1 hour to get to Chester by car. Alternatively, you can take a train from Manchester Victoria and it will take around an hour.

You can also book a day tour from Manchester which includes both North Wales and Chester. Prices here.

3. Macclesfield

Macclesfield is a small market town located in Cheshire. It’s home to some beautiful landscapes, charming cobbled streets, quaint pubs and the beautiful Macclesfield Forest.

🎟️ Things to do in Macclesfield:

• Visit the historic Silk Museum
• Take a walk on the Macclesfield Canal Towpath
• Explore Macclesfield Forest and visit Tegg’s Nose Country Park
• Go shopping in the charming cobbled streets of Macclesfield town centre

HOW TO GET THERE: It takes roughly 30 minutes to drive to Macclesfield from Manchester. Alternatively, you can take a train from Piccadilly, it’s only 20 minutes!

4. Peak District National Park

The Peak District National Park is England’s first national park and one of the most beautiful. With its rolling hills, picturesque villages and vast moorland, it’s a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature.

There are many hiking opportunities as well as caves to discover.

🎟️ Things to do in The Peak District:

• Visit Chatsworth House and Gardens
• Hike up Mam Tor and stroll around Castleton
• Check out some of the caves like Poole’s Cavern or Speedwell Cavern
• Hike up Kinder Scout
• Discover the beautiful Ladybower reservoir and enjoy the views from Bamford Edge

HOW TO GET THERE: The Peak District is about 1 hour from Manchester by car. Alternatively, you can take the train to Edale and enjoy some of the beautiful walks there.

You can also book a day trip from Manchester to Derbyshire and Peak District. See prices here.

5. Forest of Bowland

The Forest of Bowland is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty located in Lancashire. With its stunning landscapes, rolling hills and vast moorlands, it’s a great escape from city life.

🎟️ Things to do in the Forest of Bowland:

• Go hiking on one of the many trails such as the Jubilee Tower Trail or Pendle Hill
• Visit one of the many charming villages such as Slaidburn or Chipping
• Explore the ruins of Whalley Abbey
• Take a drive on some of the scenic roads such as the Trough of Bowland road
• Visit Browsholme Hall

HOW TO GET THERE: The Forest of Bowland is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Manchester by car.

Leeds is a vibrant city located in West Yorkshire. It’s packed with things to do from shopping to dining and exploring the historic sites.

If you want to discover another Northern city less than 2 hours away from Manchester, Leeds will be an excellent option.

🎟️ Things to do in Leeds:

• Visit the Royal Armouries Museum
• Take a walking tour of Leeds
• Explore the historic buildings such as Leeds Town Hall or Kirkstall Abbey
• Take a walk along the canal or have a picnic Roundhay Park
• Discover the beautiful Leeds Corn Exchange
• Take a shopping trip to the Victoria Quarter, Trinity Shopping Centre or Leeds Kirkgate Market

HOW TO GET THERE: It takes approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to get to Leeds by car. Alternatively, you can take the train from Manchester Piccadilly which takes 55 minutes.

7. Lake District National Park

The Lake District National Park is located in Cumbria and it’s one of the most popular places to visit within 2 hours of Manchester.

It’s known for its beautiful lakes, watersport activities, hiking trails but also for the culture and food.

The Lake District is also famous for its connections with the author Beatrix Potter who spent a considerable amount of time in the Lakes.

🎟️ Things to do in the Lake District:

• Go kayaking or windsurfing on one of the lakes
• Explore the beautiful town of Windermere
• Visit Beatrix Potter’s home
• Take a boat cruise along Windermere lake
• Hike up Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England
• Go to the Castlerigg Stone Circle

HOW TO GET THERE: The Lake District is located a 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Manchester. This is the best way to get there since public transport is limited once you get there. Alternatively, you can take the train to Windermere (2 hours).

If you want to make the best of your day, you can also book a day trip from Manchester. See prices here.

READ MORE: 4 Best Lake District Tours from Manchester

8. Llandudno

Llandudno is one of the most popular seaside resort towns near Manchester. It’s located in Conwy, North Wales. It’s known for its beautiful beaches and stunning views of the Great Orme.

If you’re looking to escape from city life and relax on the beach, Llandudno is the perfect destination.

🎟️ Things to do in Llandudno:

• Explore the Victorian promenade and Llandudno pier
• Discover the Alice in Wonderland Trail
• Enjoy a beach day on North Shore Beach
• Take the Great Orme tramway and enjoy the views from the summit
• Take a boat ride around Llandudno Bay
• Go to Conwy Castle

HOW TO GET THERE: Llandudno is located 1 hour 50 minutes away from Manchester by car.

Calling all the history buffs and Harry Potter fans for this one! If you are looking for a beautiful city to explore, York will be the perfect destination.

York has a strong history. It was founded by the Romans and features one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the United Kingdom, the stunning Minster.

It’s also famous for its connections with York, even though this was actually not a main filming location.

The most famous street in York is the Shambles. It’s located in the historic centre and features beautiful medieval houses.

It’s very narrow and looks like Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, which is why you will find loads of Hogwarts-themed shops here.

🎟️ Things to do in York:

• Take a Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour
• Take a cruise on the River Ouse
• Walk along the city walls
• Take a walking tour of York
• Visit The York Dungeon

HOW TO GET THERE: York is located 1 hour 15 minutes away from Manchester by car. Alternatively, you can take the train from Manchester Piccadilly which takes only 1 hour and 15 minutes.

10. Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales is another beautiful place to visit within 2 hours of Manchester. It’s a National Park located in the North of England and it’s famous for its stunning landscapes, villages and wildflower meadows.

It’s a paradise for hikers, outdoor swimmers but also Harry Potter fans since it’s home to one of the Harry Potter filming locations, Malham Cove.

🎟️ Things to do in the Yorkshire Dales:

• Explore the Malham Cove limestone pavement
• Discover the stunning cliff of Kilnsey Crag
• Go to Bolton Abbey
• Discover White Scar Cave

HOW TO GET THERE: The Yorkshire Dales is located 1 hour 30 minutes away from Manchester by car. The roads are tiny and it can get a bit busy so it’s better to head there early.

You can also opt for a day trip from Manchester. See prices here.

11. Sheffield

Sheffield is the perfect destination for a day trip from Manchester. Located in South Yorkshire, it’s known for its beautiful parks and gardens as well as its vibrant culture and music scene.

🎟️ Things to do in Sheffield:

• Visit Sheffield Botanical Gardens
• Take a walk around Graves Park
• Explore the beautiful Sheffield Winter Garden
• Take a tour of Meadowhall Shopping Centre

HOW TO GET THERE: It takes 1 hour 30 to get to Sheffield from Manchester. You can also get there by public transport. It takes 55 minutes on the train.

12. Alton Towers

Alton Towers is a theme park located just 1 hour 30 minutes away from Manchester.

It’s the perfect destination for those looking to have some fun with their family or friends. The theme park features exciting roller coasters, themed lands, gardens and restaurants.

It’s a popular attraction during the school holidays since it’s a great thing to do with kids, especially the CBeebies land!

But it’s also just as fun for adults. If you love roller coasters, make sure to try the Smiler, the Nemesis and the Rita.

There are also 3 water rides you can do (which is always nice in summer)

You can easily spend the entire day in Alton Towers. We recommend you go there as early as possible (for the opening if you can), that way you will avoid the crowds and will be able to go on a few rides without having to wait much.

🎟️ You can book your ticket online here . The park is open every day from 10AM to 6PM.

HOW TO GET THERE: The easiest way to get to Alton Towers is by car. It’s about 60 miles south on the M6 which will take you around 90 minutes from Manchester City Centre.

13. Llangollen

Llangollen is a small town located in Wales. It’s known for its beautiful river valley, canals and the stunning Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

It’s an excellent destination for a day trip from Manchester on a nice and sunny day.

The town has some great shops and restaurants where you can enjoy lunch but if you are visiting on a sunny day, a take away or picnic will be a great option.

Things to do in Llangollen:

• Go on a boat trip on the canal (you can hire a boat or opt for a horse-drawn boat ride along Llangollen Canal)
• Walk along the canal
• Take a ride on a steam train at the Llangollen Heritage Railway
• Visit Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
• Enjoy a scenic stroll around Horseshoe Falls (which is also a nice place for a picnic)
• Rafting on the river Dee

HOW TO GET THERE: The easiest way to get to Llangollen from Manchester is by car since there are no direct trains. If you are driving, it will only take you an hour and a half to get there. You can park at the carpark near the waterfall and start your walk from there.

14. Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury is a beautiful city located 2 hours away from Manchester. It’s a small Shropshire town known for its Tudor architecture and riverside walks.

This could be the perfect destination for a day trip if you are looking for something different to do outside of Manchester and want to discover a traditional English town.

It was founded in the 8th century by Saxon rulers and there are a lot of historical landmarks in the town centre.

It’s also famous for being the birthplace of Charles Darwin, father of the theory of evolution.

Things to do in Shrewsbury:

• Visit the Shrewsbury Castle
• Take a walk along the River Severn
• Explore St. Mary’s Church
• Go to the Quarry Park for a walk
• Visit the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery
• Roam around the town centre and discover all the half-timbered houses

HOW TO GET THERE : You can drive to Shrewsbury via the M56. It will take about 1 hour and 50 minutes. You can also take the train from Piccadilly station. It’s direct and only take 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Buxton is a lovely market town located at the limit with the Peak District.

It’s England’s highest market town and it’s full of character, with its cobbled streets and Georgian architecture.

It’s an excellent place for a day trip or to visit on the way back from the Peak District.

The town centre is super cute with loads of local shops and cafes for lunch or afternoon tea.

Things to do in Buxton:

• Going to see a gig at Buxton Opera House
• Visiting the Botanical Garden at the Pavilion Gardens
• Visiting Buxton Museum and Art Gallery
• Going to Poole’s Cavern
• Try GoApe in Buxton

HOW TO GET THERE: Buxton is 1 hour away from Manchester. You can easily reach it by car or you can take the direct train to Buxton station from Piccadilly station.

Chirk is a cute town located between Wrexham and Oswestry, in North Wales. It’s small with only around 5,000 people but it’s famous for its castle, Chirk Castle.

It’s a national trust property, which means you can get in for free if you are a member of the National Trust.

The castle dates from the 13th century so you can get a glimpse of how people used to live back then.

There is also a big estate where you can go for a walk and discover the nature around Chirk Castle.

You can also take a stroll along the canal and enjoy breathtaking views of Chirk Aqueduct.

HOW TO GET THERE: The best way to get to Chirk from Manchester is by car. It’s only 1 hour and 20 minutes away via the M56. You can also take the train but you will have to change at Chester which could make it a bit longer.

These are some of the great places you can visit within 2 hours of Manchester.

From historic castles and gardens to world-class museums and outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone! Check out our other blog posts for more ideas on the best places to visit near Manchester.

Happy travelling!

You may also be interested in:

• 22 Best Villages Near Manchester You Must Visit 
• 10+ Best Places to visit within 1 hour of Manchester
• 11 Best Places for Pumpkin Picking in Manchester (and around)
• 11 Best Peak District Walks near Manchester

Founder of Manchester Pocket Guide. Pauline has been living in Manchester for 6 years and loves exploring the city. As a travel writer, she always had passion for discovering cities but Manchester is the place she truly fell in love with. From cute food spots to famous landmarks, she knows Manchester like the back of her hand.

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Activities and Experiences | Manchester Guides | Travel

15 great places for a day trip from Manchester

Here we have a selection of some of the best places to take a day trip from the city – places not too far away so you can get enough time there.

By Emma Davidson | Last updated 21 December 2022

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As much as we love residing in one of the best cities in the world, nothing beats a weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of Manchester city life and we’re very lucky to have so many picturesque retreats pretty much on our doorstep. 

From secluded spots less than an hour’s drive away, to safari parks and award-winning theme parks, it’s the time of the season for a winter staycation and we’ve rounded up our top picks for varying itineraries. 

If booze is top of your agenda, there’s some great crawls and cocktail bars that are serving up drinks difficult to contend with and there’s also a plenty places to take the kiddies, too, as we’re aware that you’re probably panicking trying to fill the next few days with worthwhile fun.

There’s no way we were starting this list with anywhere else. Blackpool holds a special place in the heart of many a working class Brit that, over the years, has gained fond memories of long, illuminated tram trips, cruel donkey rides and soggy sandy chips atop the pier. It’s the epitome of British summer time, and is very easy to get to from Manchester for a nostalgic day out.

There wasn’t a year that passed by without us making the hour round trip to the seaside destination, and Blackpool’s famous pleasure beach was always at the top of our list. The theme park attracts thousands of visitors each year seeking thrills on the iconic The Big One, Grand National, or steel shuttle coaster, Revolution, or if you don’t class yourself as a daredevil, you can always opt to hold everyone’s bags. 

The seaside town is also complete with a myriad of cracking pubs, which you’ll often catch a drag act or karaoke session in at whatever time of day – and the town’s Latin America Las Iguanas restaurant sits directly below Blackpool Tower, so drink enough Pina Coladas and you could be in Paris. 

One of the UK’s most quaint and historic cities, Chester makes for an informative but very enjoyable trip out of Manchester. Complete with city walls and the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, there’s plenty to see and do, as you’ll find yourself standing exactly where Roman legionaries once marched to war. 

Its rows, which now house an abundance of independent and more recognised stores, also make for a unique shopping experience as the district is distinguished by 2-level covered arcades, and Tudor-style half timber buildings. There’s also an amazing range of pubs, loads of traditional boozers and some mint places to grab a bit of grub, including Shrub and Telford’s Warehouse . 

Marsden is truly one of West Yorkshire’s hidden gems. With peaks, canals, valleys and reservoirs, as well as a burgeoning, up and coming food scene, the village has become a must-visit for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, lace up the walking boots and try some award-winning grub. 

The Yorkshire village is also home to BBC’s timeless ‘ Last Of The Summer Wine ’ series, and, more recently, the BBC Three zombie drama ‘ In The Flesh ’. Namely for its picturesque setting, the inspiring endless landscape makes it a great popular with filmmakers, artists and creatives alike as its a total retreat from reality that’s complete with a rich, cultural heritage.

A destination that may not automatically spring to mind when planning your next day trip, Buxton is a town full of character that sits right on the edge of the Peak District. Known for being a ‘thermal spa town’ and housing the UK’s oldest National Park which spans stunning ornamental gardens and some incredible Georgian and Victorian architecture, you should book a relaxing getaway to the town as soon as possible!

The Pavilion Gardens are great for a romantic stroll, and the Opera House hosts a programme of one-off, world-class performances from a range of established artists, comedians and theatre companies. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, though, Buxton also has Go Ape! which will have you wading through the trees like a true wild beast (complete with a rather unsightly harness-induced camel toe).

The Pennines

There’s nowhere quite like rolling Northern hills of The Pennines, and, lucky for us, the destination is only a short journey away from Manchester. Get the train from Victoria to Greenfield and you’ll find yourself in a lovely area of the world, with stunning views, loads of greenery and plenty of sheep. 

There’s Uppermill , Delph , Denshaw and Dobcross in the area, too, where you’ll be greeted with some cracking old school boozers, some great walks and the odd fantastic restaurant.

We’re pretty big fans of The Old Bell Inn in Delph, which is a hotel, brasserie and bar with an insane collection of over 600 gins! It’s absolutely perfect for a winter walk, but make sure you also check out the The Bank’s award-winning Sunday Roast and endless list of cocktails. 

Hebden Bridge

Somewhere you’d expect to be overrun with pensioners, ancient butchers, one post office and a catholic church is actually one of the best day trips to book yourself out of Manchester. Hebden Bridge is great for walkers, and one of the town’s most exciting trails will take you past Stoodley Pike, ending up at one of the UK’s highest beaches in Todmorden, Gaddings Dam . Providing gorgeous 360º views and one of the best wild swimming spots you’ll find, Gaddings Dam has continued to become hugely popular, especially in the summer months. Back on dry land, though, there’s plenty of arts and crafts shops in the heart of the town, as well as a mint veggie brunch spot, Leila’s Kitchen and award-winning Greek and Mediterranean retreat, Aya Sophia where you’ll find traditional cuisine and some of the best cocktails in town.  

Jodrell Bank & Tatton Park

We’ve combined these two together as they aren’t too far from each other and, when paired, make for a cracking day out. Home of music, science and innovation, Jodrell Bank is a great place for an educational jaunt, especially if you have kids in tow as there’s plenty to keep them occupied, including the Lovell Telescope and the Pavilions which offer state-of-the-art exhibitions for all the family. Once you’re finished there, ​​ head on over to Tatton Park , which is home to a massive Neo-Classical stately home, award-winning gardens, a deer park with real deer and an actual working farm. You can also pre-ordered picnics full of homemade sandwiches and cakes to enjoy out on the grass during the warmer months.

Delamere Forest

Located over in Cheshire, Delamere Forest gives you a chance to be at one with nature without having to spend your evening in a cramped pop-up tent complete with she-wee. The landscape is truly breathtaking with plenty of activities to keep you busy during a full day of exploring. The forest sits very close to the town of Frodsham, which is great to stop off for some lunch and a couple of bevs after exhausting yourself with a lengthy walk. Make sure you factor Kash 22 into your day, a pub full of character that often hosts a regular calendar of live music and karaoke. The stage is yours!

Blasphemy, I hear you cry. But Liverpool is mint, and I’m happy to challenge anyone who doesn’t agree with me on that one. There’s absolutely loads to do here, from the coveted Magical Mystery Tour to the British Music Experience Museum that’s complete with Marc Bolan’s outlandish outfits and even Cilla Black’s frocks, you won’t be bored. If the sun’s out in the city, Liverpool has loads of incredible beer gardens and terraces, head on over to Bold Street and take a waltz around there, or get your drinking hat on and head to Mathew Street for a pretty enjoyable session. There’s loads more places, but I just don’t have the space. However, if the heavens have opened, get yourself to Baltic Market – a huge street food and drink venue that sees burgers, vietnamese cuisine, greek dishes and everything in between make up its menu. 

Hollingworth Lake

If water sports are your thing, Hollingworth Lake is the place to be. Many Mancs might already be familiar with the school trip destination, which allows visitors to partake in windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and rowing. There’s a couple of decent pubs on the shoreline of the lake, with plenty cosy seating, too. There’s a bike trail that runs past the lake, which will no doubt get you a few chipper ‘hellos’ from those cycling through the area, but if you’re also a keen rider yourself, pop your bike in the car before you head down. Don’t forget your picnic either, as there’s loads of beauty spots to enjoy a disappointing ham and cheese butty.

Knowsley Safari Park

Everyone loves a zoo, especially one that allows you to drive through the enclosures and get up close and personal with a load of monkeys. Apart from your Dad, though, who won’t stop going on about the scratches on the paintwork of his precious Corsa for months after. Knowsley Safari Park also offers a trail on foot, where you’ll get a glimpse into the lives of sea lions, meerkats, giraffes, and the incredible tiger trail and a huge amusement park for kids with a carousel, roundabout and all the fun of the fair! There’s places to fuel your fun as well, with an outdoor food court and a restaurant and grill also making up the diverse offerings.

Home of the Brontë sisters, anyone with a love for the bleak landscapes and cruel beauty of Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre should definitely give this place a try. At the top of the hill is the Brontë Parsonage Museum , where the brilliant staff will take pleasure in showing you around their house and giving you all the information you could ever need on these literary legends.

On top of that, there’s some corking pubs and food establishments, of which we found that some sort of elaborate ‘crawl’ is the best way to get the most out of the town. There’s also some great little antique shops too, which sell some random goodies – perfect for an afternoon mooch.

The Lake District

A little further out of Manchester, The Lake District is one of those places you could never get bored of. Complete with beautiful landscapes, cosy pubs, quaint little shops and some incredibly fancy hotels if you really want to treat yourself. Its a vast part of the world, so personally we would recommend heading on over to Bowness-on-Windermere, right on the banks of the lake where you can get a lovely little boat which will take you on the water and over to other imaginatively named towns such as Ambleside or Lakeside. In Bowness itself, there is a stunning Garden Terrace at The Belsfield Hotel which overlooks the lake, perfect for a few drinks and some excellent food in the sun. I would also highly recommend The Albert Pub , run by Stockport’s Robinsons Brewery – top boozer and they sell Ginger Tom which is amazing.

Macclesfield

Another destination not too far at all from Manchester city centre, Macclesfied will take you around 20 minutes to get to and, once you’re there, you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do. Once home to Joy Division frontman, Ian Curtis, you can visit where he lived on 77 Barton Street or marvel at the new mural that was erected in the town centre this year. Aside from this, Macclesfield is home to its very own Mackie Mayor-style food hub, Picturedrome Macclesfield and loads of mint bars, which range from traditional inns to more upmarket cocktail bars. If you’re staying over, get up to Tegg’s Nose Country Park the next day for a well-needed detox. 

Finally, another beach to round off the list, Southport is only an hours train journey away from Manchester and is great for a short break or staycation. With 22 miles of coastline to explore, you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty and the charm of a traditional seaside town with a number of award-winning restaurants and bars to choose from, too. Southport Market is also an incredible space, complete with Greek, Canadian, Mexican, Italian and more from ten local, independent traders who cover a variety of cuisines from around the world, and are joined by a stunning feature bar.

COMING SOON: Kong’s Chicken Shop’s New Northern Quarter Mexican Quesadilla & Taco Kitchen

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A musical tour of Manchester: from the Hallé to the Happy Mondays

Every genre of music has made its mark on Manchester, including dialect ballads, classical, TV theme tunes and all the strands of post-punk. Welcome to the north-west sound

M yth distorts any city’s musical history, and in Manchester myth looms as large as the new Co-op Live , a £365m, 23,500-capacity mega-venue that opens today and will soon be staging big-name acts, including Take That. So, for every occasion a music fan mentions the hit-making boy band or, for that matter, 10cc or the Hollies, a thousand more bark back: Joy Division, the Fall, Happy Mondays. Not that 10cc were a small Manc band, but they peaked before punk and a wall went up at the end of the 1970s that relegated all that had passed prior to 4 June 1976 – the night the Sex Pistols performed at the Lesser Free Trade Hall – to prehistory, as in dinosaurs, fossils, folk musicians. New hagiographies about music impresario Tony Wilson (1950-2007) are no doubt at the printers as I write. But how about we spend half an hour mooching round the Rainy City aboard the free buses and trams in search of the underplayed, surprising and tangential – with a few Gen X/6 Music standards for when we’re stuck at the lights.

You might not think Coronation Street a promising departure point, but it gives us an in to Bowton’s Yard. It’s one of those ditties that may prompt unpleasant memories of the BBC TV series Sit Thi Deawn, but listen carefully and you’ll hear it is in fact a Victorian reality show made song. Written by Marsden-born, Stalybridge-based Samuel Laycock, it inspired Tony Warren when he was devising the characters for his Weatherfield/Salford-set soap opera. Granada Studios on Quay Street also played a leading role in disseminating the north-western sound, from regional accents to theme tunes to the Beatles’ first TV appearance , in October 1962.

Dialect ballads spoke truth to power after Peterloo – memorialised in 2019 by Jeremy Deller’s burial mound-like stone tump – and during the cotton famine . To spread the word, broadsides were run off at printers around the Oldham Street-Swan Street junction. Lancashire songs were central to the folk revival of the 1960s. Harry Boardman, a singer and collector from Failsworth, unearthed many anonymous songs of protest and historical record. Edward II has recorded a reggae version of the Great Flood, about the time the Medlock burst its banks in 1872. Jennifer Reid , from Middleton, performs The New Poor Law Bill a cappella on her album Gradely Manchester.

The most famous folk number, Ewan MacColl’s Dirty Old Town , alludes to a “gasworks wall” or “gasworks croft”, depending on the version. The works were in Ordsall, bounded by West Egerton Street, Liverpool Street and Regent Road. Prior to their demolition in 2019, a prosaic infographic (not quite a “ muriel ”) was placed on the West Egerton Street wall. The Working Class Movement Library is a repository of MacColl’s work and life and has significant holdings of sheet music and song lyrics.

The Hallé Orchestra was founded by Sir Charles Hallé, who was conductor for the first concert at the Free Trade Hall on 30 January 1858. The Hallé premiered Elgar’s Symphony No 1 and Vaughan Williams’s Symphony No 8. The latter, dedicated to the orchestra’s celebrated conductor John Barbirolli, took place at the Kings Hall , a converted tea house at Belle Vue (demolished to make way for a car auction centre) on 2 May 1956. The BBC recorded it a few days later. The third movement, a cavatina, is a swirl of lark-like ascents and descents.

Since 1996, the orchestra’s HQ has been the purpose-built, vibration-proof Bridgewater Hall , with former St Peter’s church in Ancoats, a hulking redbrick Romanesque building, used for rehearsals, recordings and intimate shows. Manchester has an opera house , originally known as the New theatre. Recent shows include The Full Monty and Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out, but it may get weightier fare as the ENO relocates to Manchester over the next five years. The region’s greatest opera singer was, like so much Manchester talent, from way outside town. Tom Burke, a miner from Leigh, was known as the “ Lancashire Caruso ”. What used to be the city’s Hippodrome is now a Wetherspoons named after him.

The Manchester School includes Accrington-born Harrison Birtwistle, Salford’s Peter Maxwell Davies and German immigrant Alexander Goehr, who met at the Royal Manchester College of Music in the 1950s. They founded the New Music Manchester group with pianist John Ogdon, who had attended Manchester Grammar School, and trumpeter Elgar Howarth. Exponents of avant-garde experimentation, they shunned cotton-themed concertos and any kind of parochialism.

If Unesco dispensed rosettes for demolition, Manchester would have many. Most of the old taverns that hosted turns, popular dance salons and music hall venues have been razed, together with mills, warehouses and factories. Concert halls and fun palaces were removed to make way for multistorey car parks and office blocks. The Free Trade Hall , where locals including Gracie Fields, Van der Graaf Generator and James played, as well as Dylan (AKA “ Judas ” as he was called at a gig there in 1966 ), Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Genesis, is now a hotel . Does a ribald, rollicking spirit live on from the boozy days of industrial Manchester? Certainly the refurbished Band on the Wall – which reopened in March – celebrates its location on the foundations of the George & Dragon and nearby Rising Sun pubs.

Every genre of popular music surfaced in Manchester between 1950 and the present, including big band, beat, rhythm and blues, soul, chart-oriented pop, punk, goth and all the strands of post-punk. There are not as many landmarks as songs, partly because, as mentioned, the wrecking ball is unsentimental and also, because pop stars have generally used their art to get away – lyrically first, and then physically. The Bee Gees, who claimed to have practised harmonising at their childhood home at 51 Keppel Road , Chorlton-cum-Hardy, never knowingly screamed a word about the town.

Northern soul, which arrived via Liverpool docks and Burtonwood airbase, drew large followings in Stoke, Wigan, Blackpool and, before any of those , Manchester. The Twisted Wheel on Brazennose Street and, later, Whitworth Street, had gigs by the Hollies and Freddie and the Dreamers, and less well-known bands such as Powerhouse 6 , but is best known for its legendary northern soul nights. The building has gone but Twisted Wheel “lives on”, according to a members-only Facebook page , at Area, 50 Sackville Street. The Ritz, on Whitworth St, survives as an O2 franchise. Originally opened as a dance hall (with a sprung floor) in 1927, it hosted a Dancing in the Dark evening in the 50s and 60s, fronted by Crumpsall’s Phil “King of the Ritz” Moss and his Band (which later became a stalwart on TV’s Come Dancing), and went on to transition through beat, northern soul, disco and mainstream rock scenes. The mobile phone firm also owns the famous art deco-style Apollo , long a fixture for bands on tour. Stockport’s MoR hitmakers 10cc were a classic art school, let’s-go-to-London-asap outfit, but they played here when they came home, as did Sad Café.

The Pistols concert in 1976 made the Lesser Free Trade Hall a holy-of-holies in Manc muso circles, but the Electric Circus , in Collyhurst (birthplace of pianist and crooner Les Dawson), earned its credentials through many seminal punk performances, including the first gig by Warsaw (Joy Division’s first name), and shows by Buzzcocks, John Cooper Clarke, the Fall, the Nosebleeds and Slaughter and the Dogs, among others. The fact it had previously been a cinema, Bernard Manning’s Top Hat club and a bingo hall should surely have made it one for the heritage buffs to list.

Richard Boon and Howard Devoto launched the New Hormones label in 1977 at a then ramshackle, now listed former hat merchants’ warehouse at 50 Newton Street . The first release, the Spiral Scratch EP , was a punk watershed and a declaration that bands needed neither London nor major labels. In 1980, Boon and others started up The Beach Club (a reference to the Situationist slogan “Under the pavement, the beach!”) at Oozits on Newgate Street. In 1978, Factory Records began as a WFH DIY disruptive startup at Alan Erasmus’s first-floor flat at 86 Palatine Road (now blue plaqued), only moving to a proper HQ on Charles Street in 1990 – where it was officially incorporated with the catalogue number FAC 251 (the name of a venue for cover bands on the site, part owned by Peter Hook). The Factory was the name of a night at the Russell Club on Royce Road in Hulme that ran from 1978-80; two years later the Haçienda (FAC 51) opened in a former yacht builders’ shop and warehouse on Whitworth Street West, beside the Rochdale Canal. The site is now occupied by “ iconic ” apartments.

The last Factory catalogue number, FAC 501, was used for the plaque on Wilson’s coffin, and no number adorns designer Peter Saville’s headstone for his business partner in Southern Cemetery . Fabled producer Martin Hannett is also buried at the necropolis – said to be entered via the Smiths’ Cemetry Gates.

There’s no better terminus than a musical graveyard. Inevitably, dozens of Manchester music sites are missing from this hop, skip and jump, including Rochdale’s recording studios, Festival of the Tenth Summer venues and countless bedrooms, garages and rave locations. But most tell versions of the same story, just as some songs seem like Venn diagrams of influence; Oasis by Happy Mondays sounds like New Order with lyrics by Morrissey or Ian Curtis, on a bad day (“You went too far, and it’s gone all the wrong way”). If you want to aurally vacuum up every Manc motif in a single song, steam on in to Mike Garry and Joe Duddell’s St Anthony: An Ode to Anthony H Wilson (Andrew Weatherall Remix; lyrics here ), perhaps while walking from the thrusting Aviva Studios/Factory International behemoth to the Epping Walk Bridge to search hopelessly – à la 80s – for Hulme Crescents and the dead souls of yesteryear.

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Manchester United survive huge scare to beat Coventry City on penalties in dramatic FA Cup semi-final

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Manchester United survived a huge scare to beat Championship side Coventry City on penalties after throwing away a three-goal lead in an incredible FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes put Erik ten Hag ’s side in complete control but United’s problems were exposed yet again as Coventry mounted an incredible fightback.

Ellis Simms reduced the deficit and Coventry, FA Cup winners in 1987, scored again through Callum O’Hare to set up a tense final ten minutes.

Momentum was with the Sky Blues and they stunned Manchester United with a last-minute goal, Haji Wright converting a late penalty to take the semi-final to extra-time.

Both teams has chances in extra-time and Coventry thought they had snatched a late winner through Victor Torp, but his goal was disallowed by VAR for an incredible tight offside in the build up.

United looked shell-shocked during Coventry’s comeback but held their nerve during the penalty shootout and will now meet local rivals City in a repeat of the 2023 final.

Even in the shootout Coventry found themselves on the verge of the FA Cup final after Casemiro’s tame effort was saved, but Callum O’Hare’s effort was well saved and then Ben Sheaf blazed over before Rasmus Hojlund scored to take United through.

Mark Robins’ Sky Blues enjoyed a brilliant FA Cup run – scoring a 100th-minute winner to beat Wolves in the quarter-finals – and produced more epic scenes at Wembley after being outplayed for an hour.

Coventry beat United on the way to lifting the FA Cup in 1987 but the Old Trafford club avoided an embarrassing defeat this time around as they chase a 13th FA Cup trophy.

Ten Hag has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks – his United team are just seventh in the Premier League and may miss out on European football – but winning the FA Cup would at least ensure a positive end to the campaign.

Standing in Manchester United’s way is Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who beat Chelsea 1-0 in the first semi-final as they bid to win a domestic double.

As expected, United dominated the early stages, Alejandro Garnacho fluffing his side’s first chance inside five minutes before Marcus Rashford prodded wide after latching onto a pinpoint ball from makeshift centre-back Casemiro.

McTominay gave United a deserved lead midway through the first half, tapping in after Diogo Dalot’s inviting cross bisected Coventry’s defence and goalkeeper.

Coventry, sitting eighth in the Championship, created their best chance of the first half through Josh Eccles, who burst into the box before a tempting cross was intercepted superbly by Dalot before Simms could poke home.

England defender Maguire delivered a hammer blow to Coventry’s dreams of a second FA Cup final on the stroke of half-time, placing a powerful header past Bradley Collins after the Sky Blues keeper tipped over Rashford’s effort.

Fernandes bent an effort just wide shortly after the break and appeared to put the game to bed on the hour mark, taking advantage of a defensive blunder to scored United’s third courtesy of a deflection.

Maguire almost scored a second when firing over from close-range before O’Hare sent a diving header over with a rare Coventry chance.

From almost nowhere Robins’ side got a goal back with 20 minutes remaining, Simms swivelling to convert a cross from Fabio Tavares and give the Coventry fans, audible throughout, hope.

Coventry were right back in the game eight minutes later courtesy of O’Hare’s strike that deflected off Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s back and looped over a helpless Andre Onana.

Wan-Bissaka also inadvertently played a role in Coventry’s stunning equaliser, conceding a penalty for handball in the 95th minute that was calmy converted by Wright.

Manchester United were inches away from restoring their lead early into extra-time, Fernandes striking the underside of the bar with a strike that had Collins beaten.

The intensity naturally dropped as a long match and season began to take its toll but both sides were still creating chances, Sheaf firing wide and youngster Omari Forson forcing a save from Collins.

Coventry’s keeper was required again to keep out Maguire’s whipped shot but the underdogs twice came agonisingly close to a winner, first when Wright dragged a great chance wide and then as Simms hit the underside of the bar.

Even in the dying seconds this incredible match kept providing drama and Coventry thought they had nicked a winner through Torp only to see his goal ruled out for offside.

Penalties were required to separate the sides sitting 21 places apart in the English football pyramid and Manchester United emerged triumphant to reach the FA Cup final.

Coventry led early in the shootout after Casemiro’s tame effort was saved but Onana kept out O’Hare before Sheaf’s penalty sailed over the bar.

Hojlund’s penalty sent United through but there were no wild celebrations from the Premier League players who three away a three-goal lead and were almost embarrassed by Coventry.

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MORE : Man Utd ‘make contact’ with Thomas Tuchel over replacing Erik ten Hag

MORE : Ian Wright ‘confused’ at Erik ten Hag decision in Man Utd v Coventry

MORE : Erik ten Hag responds to Antony taunting Coventry after Man Utd win

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Speedway Grand Prix 2024: Tai Woffinden names Manchester United's Old Trafford as dream venue - 'It would be incredible'

Published 23/04/2024 at 20:02 GMT

Three-time Speedway world champion Tai Woffinden has said he would 'love' to see a Speedway meeting take place at a full Old Trafford. The British star was discussing his favourite venues ahead of the 2024 Speedway Grand Prix season and picked out Manchester United's home ground as a place he'd like to see racing one day. Watch the 2024 Speedway Grand Prix live and ad-free on discovery+.

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• Speedway GP 2024: How to watch, race calendar, which riders are competing?

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A general view of Old Trafford ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on April 07, 2024.

Image credit: Getty Images

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10/11/2023 at 17:18

'What a move!' - Watch the best overtakes from the 2023 Speedway GP season

Best of 2023 speedway gp: top five battles including zmarzlik v lindgren.

How to track London Marathon 2024 runners and check live results and finish times

Ar 50,000 people will be taking part in the TCS London Marathon on Sunday

• 08:00, 21 APR 2024
• Updated 13:02, 21 APR 2024

After months of training tens of thousands of people will take to the streets of the nation's capital to take parts in the famous TCS London Marathon . Sunday's huge race, which is in its 44th year, will see a record 50,000 athletes - from elite runners to charity fundraisers - take on the iconic 26.2-mile route.

The marathon will start at 9.05am with the elite wheelchair race. The elite women will then follow at 9.25am, followed by the elite men and the mass start at 10am.

Among those taking part will be 20 MPs and peers, the most in the event’s history, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. There will also be a host of celebrities including EastEnders cast members Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick who will run as part of a storyline in the soap.

READ MORE: First look inside £365m Co-op Live - Europe's biggest indoor arena

Other famous faces taking part include comedian and TV presenter Romesh Ranganathan, former Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston, McFly drummer and former Strictly Come Dancing champion Harry Judd, Comedian and TV presenter Joel Dommett and Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The race is expected to raise tens of millions of pounds for charity with last years total generating £63 million for thousands of charities.

If you have a friend or loved one taking part then you can follow the action from the sidelines - or the comfort of your own home - and track their live splits and finishing time.

The best way to track someone in the race is to download and use the official London Marathon 2024 app, which is available to download on Android here and Apple here .

As well as tracking their progress live you can use the app to make a donation and send a motivational message that will appear on the big screen at the halfway point.

If you are a participant you can also use the app to take selfies, record the race, and listen to an inspiring soundtrack.

As well as using the app to track runners, you can visit the results page on the 2024 London Marathon website here and type in their first name, last name or bib number.

The website will be updated live so you can find out where participants are likely to be on the course, and which mile markers they have passed.

The course starts at Greenwich Park, circling around Charlton before passing the Cutty Sark and heading through Deptford and Rotherhithe. After crossing the Thames over Tower Bridge, the course turns east through Canary Wharf, then shoots back towards Embankment and the London Eye, before a long approach to Buckingham Palace leads to the finish line on the Mall.

Viewers at home can watch the marathon on BBC One from 8.30am to 2pm and on BBC Two from 2pm to 3pm. It will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 11.30am to 6pm.

The 2025 TCS London Marathon will be held on Sunday April 27. The ballot will close on Friday April 26. To enter, visit tcslondonmarathon.com

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FIVE Things you can do in Greater Manchester this week (22 - 28 April)

1. be one of the first to step inside co-op live.

The Ultimate Guide to Attending Events at Co-op Live

It’s opening week for the UK’s biggest new music arena, and you won’t want to miss the first-ever act to take to the stage. This Saturday, American rock-band The Black Keys will kick off a phenomenal year for Co-op Live that includes world-renowned acts such as Olivia Rodrigo, Liam Gallagher and Stevie Nicks. You can see more of what’s coming up at the venue here . 

2. Immerse yourself in the artistic work of David Hoyle

David Hoyle: Please Feel Free To Ignore My Work

Step inside Aviva Studios and discover the spectacular work of English performance artist David Hoyle. Now in the last week of its residency Please Feel Free to Ignore my Work is an opportunity to dive into rarely seen paintings, slogan works, new commissions and the artist’s TV appearances and films. The exhibition comes to an end with all-variety show in Still Got It? on Saturday, 27 April. The main exhibition is free to attend, with standard tickets for the finale starting at £20. 

An adaptation of a beloved children’s novella is taking the stage at Waterside Arts, in Sale, on Sunday 28 April. Stunning puppetry techniques bring to life The Little Prince , a story teaching grown-ups and children alike about love, life and happiness in a collaboration between Lyngo Theatre and Norwich Puppet Theatre. The performance starts at 2.30PM and tickets are available from £7.50 for children and £90.50 for adults. 

4. Dive into Manchester’s water palace

Welcome Wednesdays

This Wednesday, 24 April, visit the iconic Victoria Baths and take in the history of the striking Grade II* listed building, once dubbed Manchester’s “water Palace”. During their Welcome Wednesday s you can admire the beautiful stained-glass windows and intricate mosaic flooring and wall tiles during a free visit, or join a guided tour led by an experienced volunteer that will uncover the heritage of Victoria Baths. Guided tour tickets can be booked in advance from £9. 

5. Take part in the Great British Dog Walk

Great British Dog Walk

Bring your four-legged furry friends to Lyme Park in Stockport this Sunday, 28 April, and join hundreds of people on a sponsored walk raising funds to create more hearing dog partnerships. The 4km or 8km Great British Dog Walk will have you explore the grounds of Lyme Park while taking part on fun activities along the route. Tickets for the walk are free for children under 16 and £12 for adults if booked in advance. 

New Opening: That Burger Place, Salford

That Burger Place

Hailing from Walkden in 2017, this popular burger spot was named in the National Burger Awards and has now opened its second location. Recently opened in Bolton Road, Salford, the new venture for That Burger Place has also launched a new menu and are serving up their California inspired Smashburgers, chicken sandwiches, and their popular Kevin Bacon Fries. 

Book Now: FA Youth Cup Final at Etihad Stadium

FA Youth Cup Final Manchester City v Leeds United U18

Manchester City under-18's will be playing an exciting game against Leeds United on Friday, 10 May. Hosted this year at Etihad Stadium, this will be Manchester City FC’s first appearance in the FA Youth Cup Final since they won it in 2020 and is set to draw in thousands of fans to the iconic grounds. Starting from £5, tickets are available to book now . 

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