Best Things To Do in Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant and historic city that combines a rich industrial heritage with a dynamic contemporary culture. Known for its influence in music, sport and art, this northwest English destination offers a variety of attractions that will allow you to discover it in all its splendor.

Some of the best things to do in Manchester include exploring the Northern Quarter, full of street murals and independent stores, visiting the Museum of Science and Industry or enjoying a day at Heaton Park, which is an oasis of tranquility where you can relax between excursions.

Manchester Cathedral marks mile zero of the historic center of the city and is one of the most emblematic and representative monuments of the cultural heritage of the region. Built in the 7th century, this Gothic cathedral is characterized by its architecture, its colorful stained glass windows and its central nave, considered one of the widest in England and decorated with sculptures and frescoes.

Although it is one of the places that you cannot miss in the city and that you can visit on your own, one of the best ways to get to know it is to book a private tour of Manchester, where you can choose your own itinerary and a local professional will take you through the most important and fascinating corners of this building. You can also explore the crypt and archive, where valuable historical documents and relics of the cathedral are kept.

In addition, the strategic location of this temple makes it an excellent starting point to explore other nearby attractions. Just a few minutes' walk away is the Museum of Manchester, where you can discover exhibitions on natural history and archaeology, and Exchange Square, a multicultural area where you will find stores, libraries and bookstores.

The Etihad Stadium is home to one of England's most popular clubs, Manchester City, but also one of the most modern sports facilities in the world. With a capacity for more than 53,000 spectators, this stadium stands out not only for its contemporary design, but also for the atmosphere it generates during matches. Its avant-garde structure, with a transparent roof, makes it an architectural jewel.

One of the most outstanding alternatives to get to know this site is to book a guided tour of the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. These tours will allow you to explore exclusive areas normally restricted to the public, such as the team's dressing rooms, the press room, the players' tunnel and the pitch itself. You can also enjoy the Manchester City Museum, which features antique cups and jerseys.

If you are a soccer fan, you should note that Manchester is also home to another legendary stadium that you can also visit: Old Trafford, better known as the Theater of Dreams. It is the home of Manchester United and is considered one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. It reflects the rich history of the Red Devils and is a fundamental part of English soccer.

Booking a sightseeing cruise on the Manchester canal is one of the most interesting ways to enjoy the panoramic views and discover the city from a different perspective. These cruises will allow you to cruise the waterways that were once vital to the Industrial Revolution, providing a relaxing experience while immersing yourself in the local history and cityscape.

During a cruise tour you can visit the canals that contributed to Manchester's development as an industrial center and see from the water the old warehouses and factories that line the bay as well as the engineering structures that span the canals, such as the Barton Swing Aqueduct, a 19th century masterpiece.

One of the highlights of the canal tour is in Salford Quays, one of the most dynamic and renovated areas of Manchester. There you will find attractions such as The Lowry, an arts center that also houses a theater, and the Imperial War Museum North, with its contemporary architecture and exhibitions on the world wars.

Discovering the local cuisine is an essential part of the experience in this northwestern English city. Manchester is known for its culinary diversity, with cuisine ranging from traditional British dishes to versions of dishes from around the world. The city has reinvented itself and its dining scene reflects the mix of tradition and modernity that characterizes this destination.

Among the local specialties, one of the most emblematic dishes is the Lancashire hotpot, a stew made with lamb, onions and potatoes, which is cooked slowly until the meat falls apart when consumed. This traditional dish is perfect for cold days and offers an authentic taste of inland English cuisine. Another classic is black pudding, a black pudding often served as part of a traditional English breakfast.

Manchester is also known for its vibrant pub scene. Here you can enjoy traditional British dishes such as fish and chips or meat pies, which are often accompanied by mashed potatoes and gravy. Many pubs also offer local beers, such as Manchester craft pale ales, which pair perfectly with traditional food.

If you want to know the true artistic profile of this destination, you can't miss the street murals of Manchester. Over the last few years, urban art has flourished in the city, turning its streets into an open-air gallery that attracts both locals and tourists. In various neighborhoods throughout the city, murals, graffiti and other forms of street art speak to Manchester's history, culture and identity.

One of the most popular places to explore this art is the Northern Quarter, a neighborhood known for its alternative and bohemian atmosphere. There you will find streets filled with colorful artwork adorning walls, street corners and alleyways. Local and international artists have left their mark on this district, creating iconic murals that reflect everything from Manchester's musical history to a look back at the Irish independence struggles.

To get the most out of this street art, you can book a guided Manchester street art tour. These tours will take you to the most emblematic sites, while expert guides explain the background of the works and the artists who created them to generate a cultural impact on the city, which is reflected in the number of visitors who are amazed and photograph each of the walls.

The Museum of Science and Industry is one of the most fascinating destinations in Manchester for lovers of technology and history. This museum is notable for its connection to the industrial heritage of the city, which was one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution, and spans several historic buildings, including the world's first passenger railway station, where you'll find a collection of steam engines and locomotives.

One of the highlights of this museum is the interactive exhibit hall, which covers everything from modern science to emerging technology. You can learn about topics such as computing, energy, aviation and engineering through exhibits that invite visitors' active participation. You'll also find live demonstrations that explain scientific principles in a didactic and educational way.

In addition to the Museum of Science and Industry, the surrounding area offers other interesting options to explore. Within walking distance is Castlefield Urban Heritage Park, an outdoor space where you can stroll among the historic canals and old iron bridges that symbolize Manchester's industrial past, and the nearby People's Museum.

Heaton Park is one of the city's largest and most popular green spaces and offers an oasis of tranquility and nature amidst the urban hustle and bustle. With over 240 hectares of parks, lakes and wooded areas, it is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing around the city. Here you can stroll along the trails, enjoy a picnic in the meadows or simply walk along the lakeshore.

The park offers a variety of activities for all tastes. For example, you can visit the historic Heaton Hall, an 18th century neoclassical mansion surrounded by gardens that offers a glimpse of the region's aristocratic heritage. Also, if you are an animal lover, you will find a farm where you can interact with the species that inhabit this site and which is ideal to include in the list of activities to do with children in Manchester.

After a day of sightseeing around the museums, monuments and attractions of Manchester, Heaton Park is the ideal place to relax. The park has several seating areas with benches and shaded areas, perfect for reading a book, contemplating nature or simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Also, on sunny days you can rent a boat and paddle on the ornamental lake.

If you want to visit the surrounding area of the city during your trip, then you can opt to book a tour of the Lake District from Manchester. Located about two hours from the city center, the Lake District is one of the most visited national parks in the UK and is known for its lakes, mountains and picturesque villages.

In this district you will find yourself surrounded by landscapes that seem rescued from a postcard. Its main attractions are the lakes, such as Windermere, which is the largest in England, and where you can enjoy boat rides or simply relax on its shores while admiring the views of the surrounding mountains. There are also trails of varying levels of difficulty and you can explore Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain.

The Lake District is also famous for its villages, such as Ambleside and Grasmere, where you can stop to enjoy a meal in a local pub or visit Wordsworth House, home of the popular English poet. In addition, many of these villages are home to local stores, art galleries and small markets that reflect the culture and traditions of the region.

Manchester is not only a perfect city to discover for the number of attractions it has to offer, but it is also an ideal place to use as a base for exploring other nearby destinations, such as North Wales. On a tour of this type you will be able to explore a region full of unmissable landscapes, medieval castles and coastal villages.

Whether you visit these sites on your own or book a guided tour of North Wales from Manchester, one of the places you can't miss is the Snowdonia National Park, home to Wales' highest mountain, Snowdon. There you can find hiking trails, but you can also use the mountain train that offers views along the route and panoramic views from the summit.

North Wales is also famous for its medieval castles, which are part of the history and heritage of the region. One of the most visited is Conwy Castle, a 13th century fortress that still dominates the landscape with its well-preserved walls and towers. Conwy, the surrounding village, is also a picturesque place to explore, with narrow streets and historic houses, such as the smallest house in Britain.

In addition to its history, North Wales boasts an unmissable coastline. Coastal towns like Llandudno are perfect for strolling the promenade or taking the cable car up the Great Orme, a hill that offers panoramic views of the sea and surrounding mountains that dominate the landscape.

If you want to know one of the most striking places in Manchester you can not miss John Rylands Library, a Victorian library in neo-Gothic style that stands out for the exterior architecture but mainly for its internal structure, which many compare with the scenery of Harry Potter.

The library was opened in the late nineteenth century and contains several copies that make it world famous, as is the case of the Fragment of St. John, which is considered the oldest existing text of the New Testament. It also has several first editions of works by English authors, such as Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare.

Another good news about John Rylands Library is that admission is free and it can also be visited on Saturdays, so if you plan to visit Manchester during a weekend you can include it in your itinerary. Note that nearby you will also find several neoclassical buildings of the University of Manchester.