What to Do

There’s no shortage of things to do in Manchester, you might even struggle to fit everything in if you’re only staying a short while.

Above. The famous MEN Arena

If you’re a music lover, you’re in the right place, Mancunians really know how to party! The city has several concert venues, namely the MEN Arena, the Manchester Apollo, and the Manchester Academy, along with a vibrant nightlife that brings the city centre alive when the sun goes down. For dinner and a show, check out the Printworks entertainment complex, located at the heart of Manchester, enjoy a meal at any one of the restaurants, then prepare to have your mind blown by the eight storey IMAX screen, before chilling out at one of the local bars on the ground floor.

Manchester isn’t short of family entertainment either, it’s home to the world famous animal park Chester Zoo, which welcomes thousands of visitors every year. There’s also a wealth of beautiful countryside just outside of the urban areas, with several parks and country houses; perfect for a day out with the kids.

If heritage is your thing, Manchester’s go that covered too. It’s expansive city centre is dotted with museums and galleries, and the area enjoys a reputation for cultural excellence. Admire the displays at the Salford Museum and Art Gallery, and see the exhibits at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre. The children will also love the many artefacts, such as a T-Rex skeleton and a mummy, which can be found on the Oxford Road campus of The University of Manchester – they might even learn something too! You can also step back in time with a visit to the award-winning Imperial War Museum, where you can discover what it’s like to have lived in Britain during the two World Wars. Even further back is the Fairfield Moravian settlement, a unique model village that was built by the Moravian Church back in 1785. Football enthusiasts can learn a little about the history of one of the biggest teams in the world, at the Manchester United Museum, but you don’t have to be a fan of the red devils to take an interest in the history of the sport and how the team have grown to such global infamy.

If you’re not sure what you’d like to see, Manchester has such a varied urban lifestyle, that you’re free to just wander around the city centre and admire the historic architecture, such as the incredible medieval specimen that is Manchester Cathedral, or the many examples of Gothic design.