Top 25 Must-Do Activities in Manchester, England

Manchester, the second largest city in England, has been inhabited since 79 AD by the Romans. This bustling urban center features a lively nightlife and vibrant arts and culture. Surrounded by picturesque countryside and the stunning Pennine mountains, Manchester serves as an ideal base for discovering the more rugged regions of the country. The city has a rich historical significance across various fields such as music, science, and transportation. It is the birthplace of the world’s first inter-city passenger railway station and boasts a flourishing cultural scene, positioning it among England’s most engaging cities. Below are 25 notable attractions in this dynamic city.

1. Manchester Museum

The Manchester Museum stands as the largest university museum in the country, featuring a collection of over 4,500,000 items from across the globe. Housed in a remarkable gothic-style building, the museum presents exceptional exhibitions in archaeology and natural history. It includes several galleries dedicated to a range of topics such as fossils, ancient civilizations, and global cultures.

A special exhibition illustrates the natural history of Manchester, examining the city’s evolution from an underwater environment to a swamp. Visitors can also explore the museum’s vivarium, which contains live reptiles and amphibians, including some of the rarest frog species in the world.

Additionally, do not overlook Stan the T.Rex, a remarkably preserved skeleton of a renowned dinosaur, showcasing the finest tyrannosaurus rex skull in existence. A café is available on-site for those looking to take a break after exploring this outstanding museum.

2. John Rylands Library

John Rylands Library is perhaps the most renowned of Manchester’s libraries. Established in 1900, its exterior displays exquisite gothic-style architecture, reflecting the aesthetic prevalent among university buildings. A visit is worthwhile for the architectural beauty alone, featuring stunning vaulted ceilings, soft lighting, and intricate archways.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, John Rylands Library is recognized as one of the premier academic libraries in the UK, hosting numerous special collections. Visitors can explore medieval manuscripts, early printed texts, and personal letters from various notable individuals. This tranquil haven is suited for lifelong learners, students, academics, and architecture enthusiasts alike, located in the heart of the vibrant city.

3. Manchester Art Gallery

Situated in the city center, Manchester Art Gallery has resided in its present location since 1823. The gallery showcases local and international works with a comprehensive collection that spans several centuries. Visitors can find masterpieces by artists such as Gainsborough, Turner, and Pissarro. There are also collections of crafts, including ceramics, metalwork, home items, and clothing and accessories dating from the 1600s to the present day.

Consider taking a guided tour to enhance your experience, and don’t forget to visit the café for an afternoon tea or a slice of cake. Be sure to check the gallery’s event listings for unique temporary exhibitions, workshops, and tours. Manchester Art Gallery is one of the prime destinations for art and culture in the city.

4. Manchester Town Hall

As a prominent feature of Manchester’s skyline, Manchester Town Hall represents the city’s cultural essence. The building, characterized by dramatic gothic-style architecture that dates back to 1877, warrants time for admiration, particularly from picturesque Albert Square. The clock tower stands at an impressive 85 meters, overlooking the cityscape. Tours are available to explore the stunning interior, which features tall arched ceilings and exquisite spiral staircases gilded in gold.

Visitors can explore the Sculpture Hall, which showcases various statues and busts honoring significant individuals in Manchester’s history. Furthermore, the Town Hall has served as a filming location for several major films including The Iron Lady, Sherlock Holmes, and Victor Frankenstein. This historically significant site is an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into the city’s narrative while appreciating remarkable architecture.

5. Museum of Science and Industry

Throughout its history, Manchester has been a pivotal player in the realms of science and technology. The Museum of Science and Industry commemorates this legacy through an assortment of displays and exhibitions covering transport, power, and computing. Visitors can witness Manchester’s contributions to the transport sector through rides on trains from the year 1830 and demonstrations of original machinery used over the past 300 years.

This museum is an excellent family-friendly destination, offering hands-on activities suitable for both children and adults, including scientific experiments, virtual reality experiences, and interactive games. It presents an enjoyable and informative approach to learning about the city’s industrial heritage and contemporary significance in the field of science.

6. Old Trafford

For enthusiasts of football, visiting Old Trafford stadium is an essential experience. Serving as the home to Manchester United FC since 1910, this stadium is the largest in the country and stands as one of its most iconic structures. A tour offers a unique opportunity to traverse the football grounds, discover backstage areas, and enter the on-site museum. Learn about the history of both the stadium and the football club while walking in the footsteps of legendary players like Bobby Charlton and George Best.

While at Old Trafford, don’t forget to visit the Manchester United store for official merchandise and demonstrate your team support, or enjoy a delicious meal at the Red Café. Old Trafford is a cultural landmark within English football and a fantastic venue for a day out.

7. Chinatown

Chinatown in Manchester is the second largest in the UK, offering a diverse range of restaurants, supermarkets, and shops, reflecting the city’s extensive East Asian community. The area is marked by a prominent paifang arch, erected in 1987. Chinatown is vibrant and diverse, featuring some of the finest ethnic restaurants in the city.

If you seek authentic Szechuan cuisine, Red Chilli is a top choice, located discreetly beneath a store basement. Spend some time exploring the various shops showcasing traditional items and lively toys or visit a local supermarket to prepare an Asian meal at home.

8. Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange stands as one of the city’s premier entertainment complexes, featuring a theatre and shopping center. Established in 1921, the building has endured historical upheavals, including damage during WWII. The Royal Exchange retains its beautiful architecture, with the theatre recognized as one of the city’s best venues. It offers hundreds of performances annually across diverse genres, ensuring something to suit every preference.

Visitors can also enjoy several cafés and restaurants within the complex, ideal for dining before or after performances. Additionally, the location is rumored to be haunted, offering a chance for the brave to search for spirits believed to include an apparition of actor James Maxwell.

9. Whitworth Art Gallery

Whitworth Art Gallery stands out with its striking architecture, hosting an impressive array of artworks. Following a recent renovation, the gallery now offers additional space and a captivating exterior. Inside, visitors can find works by renowned artists such as van Gogh, Picasso, Turner, Bacon, Hockney, and Lowry, making it a must-see for art enthusiasts.

The gallery frequently hosts regular events, including weekly talks on intriguing topics, late openings, and workshops designed to enhance visitors’ understanding of the displayed art. Conclude your visit with a light meal or a traditional Sunday roast in the stunning café, which features floor-to-ceiling windows providing remarkable views of Whitworth Park and the gallery’s art garden, an ideal spot to unwind after a day focused on internationally significant art.

10. People’s History Museum

The People’s History Museum is unique in the country, dedicated to collecting and celebrating the history of the working populace in the UK. Housed in a former industrial building, it provides an apt backdrop for exploring themes of democracy and the lives of ordinary individuals in Britain. The collections encompass domestic and workplace items, as well as entertainment and leisure artifacts.

At this museum, visitors can delve into significant British historical events, such as the suffrage movement, trade unionism, public welfare, and football culture. The museum also conducts a variety of events ranging from craft workshops to unique talks, providing an interactive approach to the exploration of British life. It offers a valuable and informative perspective on the experiences of everyday British citizens since the 1800s.

11. Chill Factore

For thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts, Chill Factore presents an unparalleled experience. As home to the UK’s longest indoor real-snow slope, extending over 180 meters, visitors can partake in various snow sports and activities, including skiing, snowboarding, an ice slide, and a snow play area catering to all ages.

The center provides lessons for beginners in snow sports and also features additional activities such as climbing, airboarding, and Snowscoot (an ice-based BMX experience). Moreover, there are several shops and restaurants on-site for those looking to recharge after an exhilarating day in the snow.

12. Heaton Park

Heaton Park, spanning an impressive 600 acres, is Europe’s largest public green space. The park provides an excellent venue for picnics, sunshine enjoyment, and nature exploration. It hosts numerous attractions, making it an ideal day out. Visitors can stop by the park’s Animal Centre, originally stables from 1789, which houses goats, donkeys, alpacas, pigs, and more. Discover the tranquil Hazlitt Wood Pond, nestled within Hazlitt Wood. Another highlight is the Heaton Park Tramway, which features a historic tram dating back to the early 20th century.

No visit to the park is complete without exploring Heaton Hall, a stately home that has been present on this site since the Middle Ages. Tour the beautifully restored period rooms, including the exquisite Cupola with its mirrored walls and domed ceiling, one of only three such structures in the country. The park also regularly hosts outdoor entertainment and events, ensuring continuous new experiences to uncover in this picturesque locale.

13. Manchester Cathedral

Established in 1421, Manchester Cathedral features an impressive gothic-style exterior that evokes wonder and awe. Evidence suggests that the location has hosted religious buildings since 700 AD. The cathedral is rich in history, with the flooring stones containing small fossils. Visitors can appreciate several well-preserved misericords—shelves designed for support during long periods of standing—adorned with intricate wood carvings.

Guests are encouraged to visit the Visitor Centre to learn more about the cathedral’s history and its significant artifacts, including the Hanging Bridge, which dates to the 15th century and originally formed the church’s entrance. Manchester Cathedral is a remarkable site to discover the city’s heritage and admire its stunning architecture.

14. Manchester Jewish Museum

The Manchester Jewish Museum is located within a former synagogue, constructed in 1874 with distinctive Moorish-style architecture. This building is the oldest surviving synagogue in Manchester and hosts the only Jewish museum of its kind outside London. It features exquisite original stained glass windows and ornate ironwork. The museum highlights and celebrates the contributions of Jewish individuals in Manchester, through various permanent collections and engaging events.

Visitors can gain insights into Jewish life in the city through artifacts, documents, photographs, and oral histories, providing a comprehensive understanding of the impact of Manchester’s Jewish community on the city’s development. Attend events such as talks, cabaret evenings, or guided tours of the Jewish Quarter for a deeper appreciation of this vital local community.

15. The Hidden Gem

The Hidden Gem stands as Manchester’s oldest Catholic church, established in 1794 along a quiet street in the city. Its exterior is modest, with the only hint of the magnificent interior visible at the intricately carved doorway. Inside, visitors are greeted by beautiful marble sculptures and captivating architectural details.

Among its treasures, the church features the Adams Stations of the Cross, a series of paintings commissioned in 1995 to celebrate Catholicism, which draw considerable attention from both visitors and scholars alike.

16. Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden

Established in 1919, Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden offers a variety of activities for a delightful day spent in nature. The botanical garden is home to rockeries, ponds, ornamental landscapes, and groves of trees. It is also adjacent to a nature reserve, providing a tranquil setting to encounter wildlife amidst stunning flora.

The reserve hosts a diverse array of birds, including swifts, wrens, and parakeets. Regular activities and events for nature enthusiasts take place, including walks and nature trails. The site also accommodates sports activities such as tennis and rugby. Ultimately, Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden is a perfect destination for anyone who cherishes the outdoors.

17. Stockport Viaduct

The Stockport Viaduct holds the title of the largest brick structure in the UK, constructed in 1840 to facilitate train passage. Towering at an impressive height of 34 meters, it was the largest viaduct in the world at the time of its completion. This engineering marvel exemplifies Manchester’s remarkable industrial history.

The viaduct has significantly impacted local culture, featuring prominently in many of Lowry’s paintings and linking Stockport to London. It is a must-visit landmark showcasing Manchester’s rich historical narrative.

18. HOME

HOME serves as Manchester’s center for contemporary art, film, and media, encompassing a theatre, cinema, gallery, and studio spaces. It embodies independent art and culture, fostering engagement and curiosity. The venue consistently presents new and intriguing experiences through its rotating schedule of films, exhibitions, performances, and events.

Visitors can participate in a workshop or tour of the architect-designed facilities, watch thought-provoking indie films, engage in poetry readings, or purchase local zines from the bookshop. Complement this experience at one of the two on-site bars or the restaurant, which offer delightful cuisine and scenic views. HOME is a lively cultural hub—an ideal space for learning and discovery.

19. Gorton Monastery

The Gorton Monastery, founded by Franciscan friars in 1867, showcases magnificent gothic-style architecture and is recognized as an endangered yet vital historical site worldwide. Today, numerous conservation initiatives are underway to ensure that the monastery continues to serve the community for years to come. Inside, visitors will find impressive architecture, historic sculptures, and enchanting stained glass windows.

Consider taking a tour or joining an open day to explore the cloisters and gardens, as well as to learn more about this significant monastery’s history. Visitors can also enjoy refreshments at the café while soaking in the monastery’s rich heritage.

20. Mamucium

Mamucium, established as a Roman fort in 79 AD, also referred to as Mancunium, represents the first inhabited settlement in the Manchester area and was subsequently utilized for agricultural purposes during medieval times. The fort was demolished during the Industrial Revolution to facilitate local industrial progress.

Currently, the remnants of the fort remain visible and are well worth a visit. Visitors can observe the layout of the civilian settlement that flourished around the fort during the Roman era. This offers an intriguing glimpse into the earliest version of Manchester and a valuable opportunity to delve into the history of Roman Britain.

21. Clayton Hall

Clayton Hall is a 15th-century manor house located behind a small area of parkland. Surrounded by a moat, the house features traditional architectural styles and aesthetics. Currently, it serves as a living history museum, restored to reflect life during its original inhabitation.

Visitors can explore various rooms with guided tours available, including a dining room, a bedroom, and a wash house. There are interactive activities for children to experience period life firsthand, along with beautiful grounds to explore.

22. Experience Manchester’s Craft Beer

Manchester is renowned for its flourishing craft beer scene that has gained momentum in recent years. Numerous pubs and bars offer real ale and locally brewed craft beer, complemented by annual festivals celebrating the city’s brewing culture. For an extensive selection of beers, consider visiting Port Street Beer House, widely regarded as the premier destination for ale aficionados.

Bar Fringe features eclectic decor and specializes in European brews, while Beermoth regularly hosts tasting events for its wide array of beers. Lastly, The Hope houses its own microbrewery in the basement and features an international selection of beers and ales, making it an ideal spot to conclude any craft beer exploration.

23. Northern Quarter

The Northern Quarter serves as Manchester’s alternative and bohemian epicenter, filled with independent shops, boutiques, and cafés. It constitutes a shopper’s paradise, featuring Affleck’s Palace, once a prominent department store that currently operates as a bazaar for alternative fashion and trinkets. Visitors should explore the many hidden boutiques and fashion designers scattered throughout the Quarter or purchase art from various commercial galleries in the area.

When night falls, the Northern Quarter transforms into one of Manchester’s premier nightlife venues, with jazz bars, music venues, and clandestine speakeasies. Music enthusiasts should not miss Piccadilly Records, renowned for its classic and contemporary vinyl offerings. For food lovers, a variety of small eateries present options for organic and locally-sourced meals, perfect for recharging after a day immersed in the Northern Quarter’s unique offerings.

24. Gay Village

Manchester boasts a vibrant LGBTQ* community, predominantly centered in Canal Street—known as the Gay Village. The Gay Village hosts a variety of annual events celebrating LGBTQ* culture and issues, including Manchester Pride. Furthermore, it features a lively nightlife scene with a wide array of bars and restaurants lining the canal.

The Gay Village guarantees a fun, safe, and welcoming atmosphere for nights out, or visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the canal during the day. This area is integral to Manchester’s cultural identity and provides entertainment for everyone.

25. Hollingworth Lake Country Park

Hollingworth Lake Country Park serves as a natural oasis just a short distance from the city center. Spanning an impressive 118 acres, the park provides a range of activities for adventure enthusiasts. Visitors can engage in boating on the scenic lake, explore the nature reserve, or attend art exhibitions.

For those who enjoy hiking and biking, numerous trails run throughout the park, along with guided walks available for deeper exploration. The park is surrounded by hills, ideal for visitors who appreciate rugged landscapes, while the lake offers opportunities for water activities such as windsurfing, swimming, and fishing. Ultimately, Hollingworth Lake Country Park is a delightful retreat, providing an excellent escape from urban life and an introduction back to nature.