Our time in Manchester lasted merely 48 hours, yet we were utterly captivated by its charm. Our UK adventure began in London, but after a brief two-hour train journey, we found ourselves in the heart of Manchester.
As the second-largest city in the country, Manchester possesses a distinct atmosphere compared to London. There’s a certain enchantment in how the city seamlessly blends historic and contemporary elements. You might stand beside a centuries-old structure with a sleek new skyscraper rising behind it. We were especially drawn to seeing beautiful heritage buildings repurposed for modern use while retaining their original character.
A special thanks to Visit Manchester for hosting our #workerbeeweekender trip. As always, all opinions remain our own. We appreciate the support from brands that make Local Adventurer possible.
15 Must-See Attractions in Manchester, England
1. The John Rylands Library
Whether you’re an avid reader or not, the John Rylands Library is a must-visit. Manchester boasts some of the world’s most stunning libraries, and this one left us speechless, resembling something straight out of Harry Potter.
150 Deansgate, map
Other Libraries Worth Visiting:
- Chetham’s Library – the oldest surviving public library in the English-speaking world: Long Millgate, map
- Portico Library, designed in Greek Revival style: 57 Mosley Street, map
- Manchester Central Public Library, located right in the city centre: St Peter’s Square, map
2. Castlefield Urban Heritage Park
Wander through the Castlefield district to see the site and reconstructed gateway of an ancient Roman fort. Stroll along the canals, spot beautiful bridges, and admire the restored Victorian homes.
Duke St & Beaufort St, map
3. Black Cab Tour
One of the finest ways to explore the city is with a local guide! We managed to pack so much into our brief stay thanks to John from Manchester Taxi Tours. He turned out to be one of the trip’s highlights. He drove us around while sharing fascinating historical insights about each area. We could hop in and out whenever we liked, and he tailors every tour to your personal interests.
Book Here
4. Salford Lads Club
During our tour, John asked if we were fans of The Smiths. Esther nodded without hesitation, so he took us to Salford Lads Club, where the band shot one of their most iconic photos. We even got to go inside and see the Smiths Room! Any Smiths enthusiast should stop by to snap a picture in front of the green door.
Saint Ignatius Walk, map
5. Catch a Show in the UK’s Music Capital
Beyond The Smiths, Manchester has produced a vast array of bands, singers, musicians, and producers. Consequently, its live music scene is absolutely brilliant!
Venues to explore:
- Large Venue – Manchester Arena
- Mid-Size – The Lowry and Alber Hall
- Intimate Shows – Gorilla, Deaf Institute
If you’re after a free performance, head to Albert’s Schloss, a local beer garden that hosts various shows and cabarets throughout the week.
Albert’s Schloss: 27 Peter St, map
6. Shop for Vinyl
Keeping with the music theme, visit one of the city’s long-standing record stores. We stopped by Piccadilly Records, which first opened in 1978 and has been supplying locals with vinyl ever since. It’s a favourite among DJs, and the friendly staff can recommend albums if you’re unsure where to start.
Piccadilly Records: 53 Oldham St, map
Other Record Shops to Visit:
- Vinyl Exchange: 18 Oldham St, map
- Vinyl Revival: 5 Hilton St, map
- Eastern Bloc Records: 5a Stevenson Square, map
7. Museum of Science and Industry
Set on the site of the world’s oldest railway station, the Museum of Science and Industry features 12 galleries covering everything from textiles to cars. It’s a gorgeous space with plenty of rotating exhibits. During our visit, we saw both ancient and modern robots. Best of all, entry is free, though some activities and special exhibitions have a fee.
Museum of Science and Industry Liverpool Road, map
8. Manchester Town Hall
As we walked into the city centre, we couldn’t help but pause in admiration at Manchester Town Hall. This neo-Gothic masterpiece is best viewed from Albert Square or from the hotel where we stayed (see below), but you can also catch different perspectives from the rear. In the past, visitors could explore the interior, but it is now closed indefinitely for renovations.
Albert Square, map
9. Imperial War Museum North
The UK has a series of Imperial War Museums across the country, each covering conflicts from 1914 to the present day. World War I enthusiasts can see the gun that fired the first British shell. There are also 1,400 historic documents and objects. Don’t forget to admire the museum’s stunning architecture itself!
The Quays Trafford Wharf Road, map
10 Northern Quarter Street Art Tour
Manchester’s Northern Quarter boasts incredible street art. Through the Cities of Hope initiative, artists from around the world are brought in to highlight the amazing work of non-profits. The artwork changes frequently, so keep your eyes peeled if you visit multiple times.
11. Greater Manchester Police Museum
While wandering around, we stumbled upon the Greater Manchester Police Museum. Unfortunately, it’s only open on Tuesdays from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM, but admission is free and visitors rave about the experience. There’s a replica courtroom where you can attend a mock trial, numerous artifacts to explore, and volunteer guides sharing stories of past crimes.
57A Newton St, map
12. Manchester United vs Manchester City
Which is better – Man City or Man United? Ask any local and you’ll get wildly different answers. No matter which team you support, Manchester is home to both top football clubs. Tour their stadiums, catch a match, or visit the National Football Museum to see memorabilia related to the sport.
Old Trafford: Sir Matt Busby Way, map || Etihad Stadium: Ashton New Rd, map
13. Chinatown
We had no idea that Manchester is home to the second-largest Chinatown in the UK and the third-largest in Europe. We only had time to stop by the main gate on our final morning, but the aroma of restaurants preparing for the day’s customers made us wish we could explore more.
Arch of Chinatown: 46 Faulkner St, map
14. Heaton Park
Spanning roughly 600 acres, Heaton Park is the largest park in the Manchester area. See Heaton Hall, built in 1772, enjoy the views from the vistas, or take advantage of the 18-hole golf course on site. There’s also a botanical garden, boating lake, animal farm, observatory, playground, and more.
Middleton Rd, map
15. Dining in Stunning Settings
Manchester is packed with fantastic food spots! And many of them are housed in beautiful spaces. We kicked off our trip at The Refuge, a massive venue. The sake-cured salmon, spiced lamb flatbread, and duck breast were our absolute favourites. We also visited Evelyn’s Cafe Bar and Mackie Mayor. From what we could tell, all three are very popular for Instagram.
- The Refuge By Volta: Oxford St, map
- Evelyn’s Cafe Bar: G18 Tib St, map
- Mackie Mayor: 1 Eagle St, map
WHERE TO STAY IN MANCHESTER
The King Street Townhouse served as our home base during our Manchester stay. It was comfortable and very close to the city centre. We even made time for afternoon tea there and enjoyed their award-winning rooftop pool! The pool alone is reason enough to book a room here. Don’t you agree?
Book here
Essential Travel Tips & Tricks
- The train from London takes only 2 hours, so you can either take a day trip or spend a few days. We travelled with Virgin Trains – find tickets here.
- You can get around the city on foot, by tram, or by taxi. There’s no need to rent a car.
- Taxis are hit or miss with credit cards, so have cash on hand. Fares within the city cost up to £16. Uber also operates here.
- An unlimited daily bus ticket costs £5.60.
- Locals are friendly! Don’t hesitate to ask for directions or recommendations.
- Bring a packable raincoat (HERS + HIS) to stay prepared for rain. Many hotels also provide umbrellas for guests.
- Stay connected with the Skyroam Solis. It’s especially handy if you need to connect multiple devices. We had excellent connectivity throughout our trip, and the device doubles as a phone charger! Use coupon code: LocalAdventurer for 10% off.
WHAT’S NEARBY
- Liverpool (34.6 mi / 50 min drive or 40 min train, map)
- Yorkshire (57.9 mi / 1 h 15 min drive, map)
- Llandudno, Wales (84 mi / 1 h 43 min drive, map)
- Birmingham (86.6 mi / 1 h 26 by train, map)
- Ullswater, Lake District (107 mi / 2 h 1 min drive, map)
- London (216.6 mi / 2 h by train, map)
MORE RESOURCES
- Manchester Mini Map
- Lonely Planet Great Britain
- Rick Steve’s Great Britain
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ESTHER + JACOB
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 25 travel blogs worldwide. They believe adventure can be found both near and far and aim to inspire others to explore locally. They move to a new city each year and are currently based in New York City.
This article originally appeared on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Portland + World Wide as '15 Incredible Things to Do in Manchester England That You Shouldn’t Miss'.
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