Best things to do in Manchester
A city famed for its football, music, and world-class museums and galleries, Manchester offers any number of fantastic experiences that cater to all tastes and interests.
Viewpoints and panoramas
Cloud 23: With its brilliantly designed twenty-third-floor glass overhang, Manchester’s highest and most popular cocktail bar affords superlative views of the city skyline and the Pennines beyond – yes, you really can almost touch the clouds…
Imperial War Museum: An unlikely spot, perhaps, from which to expect great views, but surprisingly, the vast windows here offer a wonderful panorama of the cityscape.
The best districts
Northern Quarter: Hipster-rich (and thoroughly uncommercial) neighbourhood boasting slick shops, indie café-bars and banging music venues.
Spinningfields: Manchester’s glitzy, upscale district that’s home to law courts, financial HQs, designer shops and a crop of see-and-be-seen bars and restaurants.
Ancoats: Once the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, now an area of conservation filled with innovative eateries and cool, independent coffee shops.
Parks and gardens
Heaton Park: A large municipal park north of the city centre, perfect for picnics, sports and walks, with a historic hall, animal farm, and a volunteer-run tramway and museum.
Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden: This botanical garden and park in Didsbury offers tranquillity and scenic beauty, ideal for a relaxing day out.
Historical monuments
Manchester Town Hall: Alfred Waterhouse’s magnificent neo-Gothic landmark, whose mighty clocktower pokes a sturdy finger into the sky, soaring high above beautifully arcaded windows.
John Rylands Library: Resembling a cathedral, this neo-Gothic beauty sports a gorgeous grand-domed rotunda redolent of the Pantheon in Rome, sort of; oh, and it also houses one of the world’s richest academic collections.
Chetham’s Library: Founded in 1653, this stunning, Oxbridge-aping institution is the world’s oldest free public library.
Day trips in the area
Liverpool: From the artistic hub of the Baltic Triangle to Antony Gormley’s Crosby Beach statues, this dynamic city pulses with creative energy. Not forgetting the Beatles of course. Discover our great offers on cheap hotels in Liverpool.
Peak District: Accessible by train or a short drive, offering stunning landscapes, comely villages, and innumerable walking and cycling trails.
Chester: A handsome city known above all for its extensive Roman walls hewn from local red sandstone. Check the best prices on cheap hotels in Chester to extend your getaway.
Activities for families in Manchester
A city rich with interactive attractions and family-friendly activities, Manchester holidays offers a plethora of options to keep the little ones (and adults) happy.
Interactive museums: The Science and Industry Museum is a standout, featuring exhibits that showcase Manchester's role in the Industrial Revolution with many hands-on activities that engage young minds. For football nuts, the National Football Museum offers interactive games and fascinating displays including the 1966 World Cup final ball; you can even take a penalty.
Playgrounds and parks: Heaton Park, the city's largest park, not only has a sizeable playground but also offers animal encounters at the farm centre. Platt Fields Park provides a boating lake and several play areas, making it perfect for a family picnic and some fun in the sun.
Aquariums and zoos: SEA LIFE Manchester brings the underwater world to life with its dazzling array of sea creatures, including sharks, giant turtles, jellyfish and rays. Better still, handle starfish and shrimps in the interactive rockpool experience.
Swimming pools and water parks: Despite its inland location, Manchester rates several water-based experiences, notably the spectacular (almost) newly built Therme Waterpark, boasting, count ’em, 25 pools and 30 water slides.
Free things to do in Manchester
Manchester, celebrated for its rich industrial heritage and vibrant cultural scene, offers a wealth of activities that don't cost a penny.
Free museums: Manchester's museum scene is impressively accessible. Salford Quays, a 40- to 50-minute walk west of the city core, is the go-to spot, home to the Lowry complex where there are free exhibitions and talks, and Daniel Libeskind’s superb 2002 Imperial War Museum North, whose angular lines serve as a dramatic backdrop to the displays.
Free festivals: Among the city’s most enticing free festivals are the South Manchester Food Festival (albeit you’ll be very tempted to spend a little money on some grub), and Manchester Pride, a joyous celebration of diversity and inclusivity. The city also celebrates annual events like Halloween, Bonfire Night and the Chinese New Year with free, public festivities.
Free guided tours: Free Manchester Walking Tours offer guided strolls through the city, exploring its history, architecture and culture on a tips-only basis. The best of these is a 3-hour walking tour at 11 am every day starting at the Alan Turing Memorial.
Parks and outdoor spaces: Take a leisurely walk through the Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden, a hidden green haven where you can enjoy gorgeous flower displays without spending a dime. A little known gem is Haigh Woodland Park in nearby Wigan, featuring a free adventure playground, though you may be tempted to splash a little cash in the ace ice cream kiosk here.
Plane spotting: For something a little out of the ordinary, pay a visit to Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park, a raised viewing area where you’ll be sitting just metres away from planes taking off and landing. Bring a picnic – and some ear muffs – and you’re all set for a rip-roaring afternoon.