Listed in Lonely Planet’s top 10 destinations for 2023, Manchester is a city not to be missed. A mecca of culture, history, sport, shopping, and partying, Manchester has everything but a beach.

Liam from TravelsAroundSpain grew up in the city and has watched it evolve and grow over the years.

Listed in Lonely Planet’s top 10 destinations for 2023, Manchester is a city not to be missed. A mecca of culture, history, sport, shopping, and partying, Manchester has everything but a beach. Sure, the weather leaves much to be desired, but no one leaves this city disappointed (albeit a little wet!)

With so much to see, do and experience, what really are the best things to do in Manchester? As a Mancunian who grew up here and continues to live, work and breathe the city, here are my top 15 things to do in Manchester. So book your flights and come experience a city that moves to its own beat.

 

15 Best Things To Do In Manchester

Manchester has something to fit every interest, need, and occasion. Whether you like museums, art, sports, shopping, or just having a good time, these are the 15 best things to do in Manchester.

1. Manchester Museum

The newly-refurbished Manchester Museum reopened its doors in February 2023 after a major £13.5 million reconstruction programme. Located down Oxford Road in the heart of Manchester’s university area, the Manchester Museum is a great place to go as a family and marvel at the many exhibits. It is free to enter but you should book a time slot for some of the more popular exhibits.

Manchester Museum is home to around 4.5 million different objects and covers a wide range of different artifacts from across the world. Following the refurbishment, there is now a new Exhibition Hall, Belonging Gallery, Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery, and South Asia Gallery, a British Museum partnership. The first opening exhibition for the museum since the refurbishment is the impressive ‘Golden Mummies of Egypt’ found in the Exhibition Hall.

Entry is free, but booking a time slot for the popular ‘Golden Mummies of Egypt’ exhibition is highly recommended.

2. The John Rylands Library

The John Rylands Library is located on Deansgate in the heart of the city. Dating back to the 1800s, the library was commissioned by Enriqueta Rylands, in memory of her husband, John Rylands. The library was opened in 1900 and has remained open to the public ever since.

Housed in a stunning neo-Gothic building, the library is a fantastic place to spend an hour or two. Those fans of Harry Potter will love the stone statues, big staircases and traditional reading rooms. Owned by The University of Manchester, the library forms part of the wider university library network and is still a working library, open to academics and students.

The library is also home to numerous exhibits, usually linked to the city’s history, recently featuring an exhibit on the music of the ‘Madchester’ scene of the late 80s and early 90s. Entry to the library is free and you do not need to reserve a ticket in advance. The library is open 10 am to 5 pm Wednesday to Saturday with the last entry being 20 minutes before closing.

 

3. The Northern Quarter

Manchester’s alternative Northern Quarter has radically transformed over the past 30 years. Overlooked by the city’s council after the decline of the cotton industry for many years, the area began to attract businesses looking for low rent and an alternative to the nearby Arndale Centre. Soon, many independent businesses were set up including in the famous Afflecks (originally known as Affleck’s Palace) and the Northern Quarter underwent a period of gentrification and modernisation, transforming it into one of the most popular areas in the city.

The area is popular today for its vast selection of cafés, restaurants and bars. There are also numerous clothing shops, including various vintage and retro clothing stores; music shops including the famous Piccadilly Records and Vinyl Exchange; plant shops such as Northern Flower and Nice Things; and comic book stores such as Forbidden Planet. Whatever your interests, you are sure to have a great time in the Northern Quarter.

  

4. The Gay Village

Based around Canal Street, Manchester’s legendary Gay Village rivals the very best in the world. Here you will find numerous bars, clubs and places to eat with the nightlife being amongst the best in the city. The area became a safe haven for the city’s LGBTQ+ population who took over the abandoned and windowless warehouses before homosexuality was legalized and has developed into one of the most vibrant and friendly scenes in the world.

Everyone is welcome and there really is something for everyone. Enjoy show tunes? Go to Oscar’s bar. Enjoy cocktails? Head to Brewers for their 2 4 1 deals on cocktails. Enjoy a good craft ale? Check out the Molly House with its chilled lounge vibes. Enjoy an afternoon tea? Head to Richmond Tea Rooms with their Alice in Wonderland-themed tearoom. And fancy some great drag? Then head to Via which hosts drag cabaret almost every night of the week.

Make sure you check out the rainbow bee and the statue of Alan Turing located in Sackville Street Park, opposite Canal Street. Both the bee and Turing are closely associated with the city and provide a great photo reminder of your visit to Manchester’s gay village. Manchester Pride is a four-day extravaganza on the final weekend in August that ranks amongst the best in the world!

Looking for more LGBTQ+-friendly destinations in Europe (but with sunnier climes), read my post on 11 best gay-friendly places to visit in Spain for travel inspiration.

 

5. Afflecks

The legendary Afflecks was first opened in 1982, offering a safe environment for new entrepreneurs to start out with no long-term contracts. The indoor market set out over three levels has endured to this very day and is one of the best ways to spend a rainy day in Manchester.

Located in the city’s trendy Northern Quarter, not far from Piccadilly Gardens, Afflecks is an absolute treasure trove of all things alternative. The maze-like building invites you to explore at your own pace and discover everything it has to offer. It has everything from clothing to artwork to cafés to music. Make sure you dedicate enough time to appreciate all the various stores.

Check out my personal favourites below:

Pop Boutique: A Manchester staple where you will find all the best retro and vintage clothing.

Muobu, Gay Pride Shop and LGBTQ+ Bookshop: Located on the 2nd floor, these neighbouring stores cater to all your queer needs. There are flags, cards, fans, badges, glitter and so much more in the Gay Pride Shop, whilst the LGBTQ+ Bookshop has a fantastic range of queer literature and friendly staff who will recommend you the perfect read.

The Manchester Shop: Located on Oldham Street at the entrance to Afflecks, this store has all your cool Manchester souvenirs, many of which are focussed around the city’s emblematic bee.

Vinyl Resting Place: Located on the 3rd floor, this record store has tonnes of vinyl catering to every taste and genre. Make sure you check out the store’s wide range of records and see if you can find a hidden gem.

 

 

6. Old Trafford/Etihad Stadium

One of the first questions Mancunians ask each other is “Red or Blue?” (I’m a Red!). The city is obsessed with football and is firmly split between City and United (as well as the other seven professional football teams in Greater Manchester). Football just runs in the blood with Manchester being the home city of England’s two treble-winning teams.

No trip to Manchester would be complete without visiting Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United. Home to England’s most successful club, the stadium is a short tram ride from the city centre. The tour is a fantastic way to learn about the club and although slightly pricey, is well worth the money.

On the other side of town is Etihad Stadium, home to United’s great rivals Manchester City. Once long-suffering and living in United’s shadow, Manchester City has established itself as the dominant force in English football. Etihad Stadium was originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games which Manchester hosted, and there are regular tours of the stadium. 

 

7. National Football Museum 

If you haven’t got your fill of football with United and City, head over to the National Football Museum. Housed in the former URBIS building (a big glass building with a ski-slope roof) close to Exchange Square, the museum is home to some of football’s most interesting memorabilia. 

Set across four floors, the museum provides photo opportunities with replicas of the Premier League and Women’s Super League trophies and contains interactive exhibits across the museum. The museum also contains some fascinating pieces including the oldest surviving FA Cup trophy, the 1966 Jule Rimet Trophy replica and match ball and the original ‘Laws of the Game’ as well as many more exhibits on all aspects of the beautiful game.

Tickets for adults are £14 on the day or £13 online. Entry for children is priced at £8 on the day and £7 online.

A football fan and thirsty for more? Spain is only a short flight away. Check out how Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium compares with Old Trafford and the Etihad by following my 2 Days In Madrid itinerary .

 

8. Royal Exchange Theatre

The Royal Exchange Theatre is one of the best things to do in Manchester and one of my favourite places. Located in a grade II listed building off St Ann’s Square, the building was originally used as a place to conduct business when Manchester was at the heart of the cotton industry. Nowadays, it has been converted into a theatre and café, offering some of the best cultural experiences in the city.

The Royal Exchange offers one of the best theatre experiences in the city. Small and intimate, the theatre is a pure theatre in the round with all sides of the stage area being surrounded by spectators. The performances are always high quality and are often original pieces that premiere at the theatre. The unique setting of the theatre means that actors and audience members enter and leave via the same doors, creating a camaraderie between performers and the audience. 

As well as being a theatre, the building has a café where you can enjoy a drink in some incredible surroundings. There is no fee to enter the building and staff are always willing to explain a little of the building’s history.

 

9. Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral is a grade I listed building that can trace its origins back to the 1400s. The cathedral is situated in the city centre and is used as a dual place of worship and an events space. The cathedral is Gothic-revival in style and is free to visit.

The cathedral has a rich history of witnessing the Industrial Revolution, surviving wars and bombings and playing a vital role in the birth of the world’s anti-slavery movement. It has undergone extensive restoration over the years as events outside the cathedral have damaged it but remains in place to this day.

The cathedral contains some impressive stained glass windows which are unfortunately not originals. Damaged first of all in the Blitz of 1940 and then destroyed again in the 1996 IRA bombing, the windows have been lovingly restored and remain one of the highlights of the cathedral. 

Check out the cathedral’s Fire Window in the Regiment Chapel, a piece to commemorate the cathedral’s rebuilding after the Blitz as well as the Healing Window, which was installed in 2004 to commemorate the restoration of the cathedral following the IRA bomb in 1996. Also when visiting the cathedral, look carefully at the seats in the central nave. Each seat has an individual wood carving that many visitors miss on their way through.

 

10. Manchester Art Gallery

 

When trying to escape the Manchester rain, Manchester Art Gallery offers visitors a great experience showcasing some fantastic artwork. The gallery is located a few minutes walk from Piccadilly Gardens and is free to visitors, making it a cost-friendly activity for an afternoon in the city. The building itself is stunning and has stood in the city centre for nearly 200 years.

The gallery’s collection spans centuries and genres, encompassing fine art, decorative art, and design, showcasing everything from Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces to contemporary installations. Its vibrant and ever-evolving exhibition program ensures that visitors are treated to a dynamic range of artistic experiences, encouraging thought-provoking conversations and connections with art. 

In addition to its permanent collections, the gallery also houses temporary exhibitions. Current exhibitions to the end of 2024 include Climate Justice, Trading Station: How Hot Drinks Shape Our Lives and Rethinking the Grand Tour amongst others.

 

11. Science and Industry Museum

The Science and Industry Museum is one of the best things to do in Manchester if you have children (and even for adults!). The museum is located close to the town hall and is a celebration of Manchester’s industrial past. It offers visitors a journey through the development of science, technology and industry and Manchester’s role in these fields.

Visitors can explore exhibits spanning from the birth of the Industrial Revolution to modern innovations, including historic machinery, locomotives, textiles, computing equipment, and interactive displays that provide insights into the scientific and industrial progress that shaped the world. There are also interactive sections focusing on modern advancements in technology and engineering.

The museum is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm and is free to enter but tickets do need to be reserved ahead of time.

Make sure you check out the blue post-box around the corner from the museum. This was painted blue in the 1930s and was used for special airmail before airmail became the norm. Apparently, it is only one of two in the country, with the other one outside Windsor Castle!

    

 

12. The Pankhurst Centre

Birthplace to the suffragette movement, a visit to The Pankhurst Centre is one of the best things to do in Manchester. The centre is in the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst and her family and the first meeting of the suffragette movement took place in this very building! The centre gives visitors a fantastic insight into the fight for women’s right to vote and Manchester’s role in it.

The building was saved and rebuilt by women in the 1970s and 80s and remains run by women to this day. The parlour is presented as it was when the Pankhurst family lived there and the first WSPU meetings were held and the museum provides an exciting insight into the struggle for women’s right to vote at the turn of the last century.

The centre is located close to the Manchester Museum making it a great two-in-one option for a day. The centre is open only on Thursdays and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm and entry is by pre-booked ticket. Tickets are made available at the beginning of every month for the following month and there are a maximum of 10 places per timed entry slot.

After visiting the museum, make sure you head to St. Peter’s Square and have your photo taken at the Rise Up, Women sculpture depicting Emmeline Pankhurst speaking to a crowd.

13. Manchester Central Library

Situated close to the Town Hall with its main entrance on St Peter’s Square, Manchester Central Library is another one of the best things to do in Manchester. It’s a big, impressive building with a blend of historic and modern architecture. The library houses a vast collection of books, resources, and digital materials that cater to a wide range of interests and research needs.

Inside, you’ll find various sections like the reading rooms, computer areas, and exhibition spaces. They’ve got stuff not just for bookworms, but also for people looking to study, work, or just explore. Whether you’re into history, science, art, or just want a quiet place to read, the Manchester Central Library has got you covered. And the best part? It’s open to everyone, so you don’t need a special membership or anything to step in and soak up all that information.

 

14. Ancoats

Similar to the Northern Quarter, Ancoats previously had an undesirable reputation but has undergone a great amount of regeneration and modernisation. It is now potentially the most up-and-coming and trendy area of the city with a wealth of cafés and bars.

Given its close proximity to the city centre, Ancoats played its part in the Industrial Revolution. Dubbed the ‘world’s first industrial suburb’, the area became a thriving industrial district. With the decline of industry in Manchester combined with the slum clearances, the area fell on hard times before its regeneration started in the 1990s.

Cutting Room Square is the hub of activity with various restaurants lining the European-style square. Hallé St Peters anchors one end of the square and is an impressive venue used for concerts and other events. Personal favourites around the square include Rudy’s, a Neapolitan pizzeria; The Counter House, which is great for brunch; and The Jane Eyre which serves some of the city’s best cocktails.

After spending some time in the square, head to Anita Street. With its cute terraced houses, it has been described as the ‘most Instagramable street’ in Manchester. Then head over to New Islington Marina which has been transformed over the past few years. Finally, head on down to The Crown and Kettle. Built in 1736, the pub is one of the oldest in the city and serves a range of unique beers and ciders, being named one of the best pubs in the North West.

   

 

15. The Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre is a massive shopping complex located a short tram journey from Manchester city centre. It’s known for its grand architecture and vast selection of stores. With over 200 shops, ranging from high-street to luxury brands, it offers a wide variety of shopping options. The center also boasts numerous dining choices, a food court, and multiple entertainment facilities, including a cinema and mini golf.

The Trafford Centre’s unique design includes marble floors, ornate decorations, and themed areas. Its three main sections are known as the Peel Avenue, Regent Crescent, and The Dome, each with its distinct style. The centre attracts both locals and tourists due to its size and diversity of offerings. If you are a shopaholic, you could spend an entire day getting all your retail therapy at The Trafford Centre.

 

Final Thoughts: 15 Best Things To Do In Manchester in 2023

So there you have it, the 15 best things to do in Manchester, ready to explore. From catching a football match at Old Trafford and diving into history at the Manchester Museum to grabbing a bite at the Northern Quarter’s quirky cafes and partying in the Gay Village, this city’s a little something for everyone. You can shop till you drop at the Trafford Centre, get your culture fix at the Whitworth Art Gallery, and even see ancient Egyptians in the Manchester Museum. So, pack your bags, lace up your shoes, and get ready to soak in the lively vibes of Manchester!

 

Guest Author:

Liam Mulligan, Travels Around Spain

www.travelsaroundspain.com

On your first trip to Europe and wondering where to travel next? Check out Liam’s 20 best places to visit in Spain for first timers for inspiration for your next stop in Europe!