Hands down, there’s a whole heap of the best things to do in Manchester that’ll keep you busy from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. It’s easily one of the most fun cities to visit in England.
It’s one of those cities that has a little something for everyone. There’s just so much variety, culture and that warm ‘northern’ hospitality, that makes this city an incredible stop on your England road trip or when exploring more of the best places in Northern England.
Even if you happen to be visiting from larger cities like London, Manchester is without a doubt worth making that 2-hour train journey to experience. This all means it’s pretty easy for a day trip or a long weekend away.
With that in mind, I wanted to show you some of my very favourite and totally the best things to do in Manchester during your trip. It’s one of those cities where time will fly by. Trust me on that.
Take a look, below, at some of the best things to do in Manchester. Have the best time exploring.
1.) Old Trafford Museum and Football Club
Manchester is perhaps best known for Manchester United Football Club, and fans can get the full experience on a trip to the club’s training ground, Old Trafford. Also known as the Theatre of Dreams, the field itself dates back to 1910.
Now, make sure you plan and book these live football tickets to enter the ground and feel the atmosphere inside. The energy is electric! Though, like I said, you need to book these tickets in advance. Seats sell out fast for big games as they are super popular.
Alternatively, you can tour Old Trafford and visit the football club’s onsite museum. It’s a great way to learn more about Manchester United and see so many key pieces of memorabilia from the last century.
That being said, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I get it. Football is great, but only if you love it! You’ll probably find this to be quite drab and certainly not one of the best things to do in Manchester.
So, if footie is not your thing, take a trip to Chinatown (Google Maps pin) for a bite to eat at lunch. There are a good few restaurants like Teppanyaki Chinatown that have the best lobster tails and hot pots. It might be a small Chinatown, but it’s still worth a visit around lunchtime.
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2.) Manchester Cathedral
Dating back to 1215, Manchester Cathedral offers a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s really easy to see as you stroll through Manchester, and you can easily pop in for a 20-minute visit.
The official name is actually “The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George” and is one amazing sight that needs to be seen in the city. It’s well worth a wander around to see the gorgeous architecture, especially as it has been so well preserved.
Also, it’s right next to Manchester Victoria train station, making it a really easy spot to visit if you’re arriving (or departing) the city by train.
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3.) John Rylands Library
The John Rylands Library (Google Maps pin) is a bookworm’s dream! Particularly in its reading room, which is still in use today. To give you a bit of background, the library is dedicated to John Rylands.
He was a cotton merchant who was instrumental in Manchester’s early development. The building, named in his honour, is a truly stunning display of Gothic architecture and can’t be missed in Manchester.
Now, a visit here will take around 15 minutes. It’s a short and sweet place to visit in Manchester. But, oh so, worth it! Afterwards, stop by The Oast House for some proper pub grub. They do a yummy dirty chicken burger, and it’s a stone’s throw from the library.
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4.) Manchester Art Gallery
If you love art history, then you need to get yourself over to the Manchester Art Gallery. It’s conveniently nestled in the centre of the city, not too far from Manchester’s Central Library.
Once inside, you will find works that go back to the pre-Raphaelite period as well as works by famous local artists like Lowry (see more below). It’s most certainly one of the best things to do in Manchester if you love a big slice of culture. After all, Manchester is brimming with it.
Visits will take around 50-80 minutes, and it’s so worth visiting, especially for some of the contemporary pieces by Grayson Perry, too.
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5.) The National Football Museum
The National Football Museum is the place to come if you want to learn all about Manchester’s two football clubs, Manchester City and Manchester United. Inside, you’ll find a huge range of interactive exhibits. It’s great to visit with the whole family, especially with younger kids, as they have so much going on for them, too.
The National Football Museum is, without a doubt, an important pit stop for anyone even remotely interested in football. Though if you’re not into football, you’d be forgiven for skipping this one.
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6.) The Lowry
Lowry was Manchester’s most prominent artist, way back when. So, it’s no surprise that this theatre is dedicated to showcasing the culture of Manchester through live performances, exhibits, and so much more.
Today, you can see Lowry’s paintings in the main gallery at the Lowry Theatre, and there are also other shows, such as musical performances and theatrical pieces, held here from time to time. Also, make sure to check what performances are going on when you visit Manchester. It’s easily one of the best things to do in Manchester if you love plays, musicals and the like.
Oh, and don’t forget you can easily pair a show at The Lowry with a look around the Imperial War Museum North, which is just over the pedestrian bridge. I’ll mention more about IWM North, next.
7.) The Imperial War Museum
As the name suggests, the Imperial War Museum North (IWM North) documents political struggles, the effects of war and conflicts from around the world. As you can imagine, it can be harrowing to hear about the awful details of war, and it can be quite sobering.
Inside IWM North, you’ll get to wander through the military history exhibits and learn more about the range of efforts that are made to protect freedom, sovereignty, and so much more. There is also a range of interactive and static exhibits here, and the museum sits on The Quays, another iconic area of Manchester that’s been redeveloped over the last few decades.
Visits will take around 2 hours, and it’s totally worth going whilst you’re in the area. After all, entry is always free.
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8.) The Manchester Museum
The Manchester Museum is a great stop whilst visiting the city. It’s located within the complex around Manchester University and is home to a research institute and heaps of exhibits you can explore.
Once here, make sure to see the vivarium, see the heaps of fossil exhibits and spot the dinosaur skeletons that sit in pride of place within the museum. It’s easily one of the best things to do in Manchester, particularly if you’re interested in natural and geological history.
Afterwards, if you fancy a night on the town, head over to Manchester’s Gay Village – around Canal Street. This area is filled with bars and is a hive of activity on the weekends.
9.) Manchester City Stadium Tour
Manchester’s other football team is Manchester City, and you can tour their stadium and club by booking these very tickets.
Once inside, you’ll get to learn all about the team’s history, Manchester and the history of football in Northern England. This tour will take you behind the scenes, and you will even get the chance to see areas such as the players’ dressing rooms. It’s so interesting to visit. Again, this is another one for the football fans out there, so if you’re not into football, you’ll probably wanna skip this.
Just remember, book these tickets before arriving in Manchester. This way, you’ll be guaranteed a spot on the tour, which can sell out!
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10.) Albert Square
This square is home to the huge and rather impressive Manchester City Hall (Google Maps pin), which is almost reason in itself to pop by the area. The square is also home to a myriad of stunning buildings and is one place worth visiting to get a sense of Manchester’s architectural prowess and history.
Afterwards, pop over to the Ape & Apple (Google Maps pin), which is a traditional British pub and great for a pub lunch. They also have a range of cask ales and one of the city’s most famous brews, Boddington’s.
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11.) Heaton Park
Visiting Heaton Park is one of the best things to do in Manchester if you want a more chilled day in the city. It’s on the fringes of Manchester, so you can’t really walk to it from the city centre, but it’s so worth the trip on a warm sunny day.
Once here, and depending on when you visit, make sure to head to the Heaton Park Cherry Blossoms (Google Maps pin). They typically bloom at the start of Spring.
Also, you’ll be able to visit the Heaton Park Animal Centre and spot some of the resident peacocks that call this place home. Oh, and if you’re looking for something even more exhilarating, then book some time at Zip World Manchester. It’s right within Heaton Park, and the zip lines and assault-style course are so much fun for older children and adults.
Read more: Best things to do in northern England
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