Where to Go and Top Things to Do in Manchester, England

The metropolitan region of Manchester is widely recognized as a prominent hub for the creative and media industries as well as higher education. In recent years, Manchester has had something of a rebirth, similar to what has occurred in its neighboring city of Liverpool.

The establishment of new projects in the city, which include the Castlefield project, which features a large number of canals and renovated warehouses, as well as the city’s bustling museum center on Liverpool Road, have been the driving forces behind the city’s change.

The expansion of the city’s leisure and sports venues has also significantly contributed to the city’s popularity among tourists. Here you can check out top things to do in Galveston, Texas.

It is one of the most exciting destinations for tourists in northern England because of the Chill Factore, which is Britain’s biggest and longest indoor ski slope. Other exciting things to do in the area include going to the superb Opera House, which features a schedule of musical and theatrical productions.

Because there is such a vast selection of places to purchase in Manchester, it has grown into a popular destination for shopping. The sophisticated stores on King Street, the Royal Exchange, and St. Anne’s Square, in addition to the expansive covered trade halls of Bolton Arcade, are among the most notable of the area’s shopping destinations.

Make sure you browse through our collection of top things to do in Manchester to find out more information.

Visit the Canals of Castlefield

Castlefield, which is located in Manchester and has been given the status of a City Heritage Park, is a great site to start exploring the city. It is time well spent to take a stroll along the historic canals or through the rebuilt Roman fort, both of which have beautifully preserved examples of Victorian architecture such as cottages, storehouses, and former factories.

Make it a point to investigate the Bridgewater Canal. In 1761, it was built in order to facilitate the transportation of coal from the mines in Worsley to Manchester.

The canal is lined with a large number of historic warehouses, many of which have been renovated and repurposed as offices, stores, hotels, and restaurants. It is highly advised that you take a cruise on a single of the Bridgewater tourist boats.

Other significant tourist sites include Bridgewater Hall, which is the headquarters of the Hallé Orchestra and often hosts concerts of the highest caliber, as well as the Castlefield Art Gallery, which features exhibitions of modern art. It is also worthwhile to pay a visit to the Castlefield Bowl, which plays host to frequent concerts of both pop and classical music.

Visit the Museum of Science and Industry

On the site of what is believed to be the earliest railroad stop in the world may be found the Museum of Science and Industry. Its 12 galleries consist of Power Hall, which features water along with steam-driven equipment from the golden period of the textile sector, as well as antique cars built in Manchester, including an extremely rare Rolls Royce from 1904.

The Station Building contains exhibits that detail the history of the city, beginning with Roman origins and continuing on through the rise of the Industrial Revolution and up to the present day. Another essential stop should be made at the Air as well as Space Gallery.

You will be able to see various historic aircraft here, including a reproduction of A. V. Roe’s Triplane 1, which was the first plane to fly safely in the United Kingdom.

Imperial War Museum North

It is highly recommended that you pay a visit to the Imperial War Museum North (IWM North), particularly if you’ve got a fascination with the history of warfare. This location of the Imperial War Museum initially opened in 2002 and quickly became a well-known tourist destination due to the museum’s impressive holdings of military aircraft and vehicles.

The video presentations and interactive displays on the evolution of warfare and the role that it played in the development of civilization are among the highlights of the tour.

There are also several static displays of huge machines which include tanks, airplanes, artillery, and portable armament. These displays are located throughout the museum. Both a store and a coffee shop can be found on the site.

Tour Manchester Cathedral

The majority of Manchester Cathedral’s construction took place between the years 1422 and 1506, and it was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1847. The cathedral may be found close to the city’s downtown and the River Irwell. It is formally known as the Cathedral as well as the Collegiate Church of St. George, St. Denys, and St. Mary. It is especially popular with tourists because of the lovely chapels that are located on both ends of the nave along with the choir.

Between the years 1486 and 1508, the construction of the cathedral took place. Subsequently, extensions and adjustments were made to the structure in virtually every succeeding century. Particularly noteworthy are the choir stands, which include some of the most elaborately decorated misericords to be found anywhere in the nation.

St. John’s Chapel represents the chapel that is used by the Manchester Regiment. Within the smaller Lady Chapel is a wooden screen that dates back to the year 1440. The octagonal chapterhouse, which was constructed in 1465, features murals, one of which depicts a depiction of Christ dressed in contemporary garb.

John Rylands and Manchester Central Libraries

When it comes to ancient libraries, there is a plethora of options available in Manchester, which is fantastic news for bookworms and people who appreciate the printed word.

Manchester is not just the location of Britain’s oldest public library, but also of two of the country’s other most notable libraries: the Manchester Central Library and the John Rylands Library. In addition, Manchester is the location of Britain’s first public library.

The John Rylands Study Institute and Library was formed in 1888 with the intention of advancing the cause of study in the humanities. It did so by utilizing as its basis the extensive collections of documents and archive material that were housed in the Manchester University Library at the time.

A trip to this magnificent neo-Gothic structure, which is also one of the best free activities to experience in Manchester, is something that you should really consider doing.

Although it did not open until 1934, the Manchester Central Library remains every bit as appealing to the eye in terms of its architecture. It is said that the design of this remarkable domed edifice, which overlooks St. Peter’s Square, was modeled upon the Pantheon in Rome.

The construction is comprised of a number of huge columns. Take some pictures of the building’s surroundings before going inside to take a look around. The intricate roof of the dome, a number of fascinating statues, and a number of stained-glass windows are among the highlights of this structure.

Explore National Football Museum

Manchester, which is the home of two of the best football teams in Europe – Man City along with Man United – is an excellent venue to pay tribute to football, which is the most popular sport in the United Kingdom. The National Football Museum ought to be your first destination of the day.

This football shrine is filled with amazing artifacts relating to the sport, such as the initial rulebook, in addition to historical trophies and apparel items.

Children will find lots of additional amusement in the form of engaging hands-on (and, in some cases, feet-on) displays, in addition to seeing a number of excellent short films that document the evolution of the sport.

You may get more information about upcoming events and programs by looking at their website. It is highly recommended that you pay a visit to the home stadiums of one or both of the Manchester teams.

The Etihad Stadium, which is home to Manchester City, provides visitors with a selection of entertaining tour options, including some that take them behind the scenes and to luxurious dinners. The stadium that is host to Manchester United, Old Trafford, offers tours with guides that give visitors the opportunity to walk on the field as well as access to private boxes.

Manchester Museum: Step Back in Time

You should also make time to visit the Manchester Museum, which is yet another one of the city’s outstanding university museums. The museum was founded in 1888 and is renowned for its exhibits relating to the natural world, archaeology, as well as anthropology. The museum’s oldest collections date back to 1821.

The University of Cambridge Museum and Art Gallery is notable for being the biggest university museum in the United Kingdom. Its massive collection comprising more than 4.5 million objects contains specimens from every region of the world.

Additionally, it is well-known for the extensive Chinese cultural collections that it houses. Note from the editor: The Manchester Museum will not reopen following its extensive repairs until February 2023.

Visit St. Mary’s Catholic Church

St. Mary’s Catholic Church remains another place of worship in Manchester that is worth visiting, despite the fact that it is somewhat of a well-kept secret. It was constructed in 1794, and despite its proximity to the ancient Market Hall, the neighborhood refers to it as “The Hidden Gem.”

However, despite the building’s unremarkable façade, you shouldn’t be dissuaded from going inside to take a look around.

The interior of one of the city’s more recent churches, St. Mary’s, which was constructed during the height of the Industrial Revolution, is filled with a wide variety of exquisite Victorian carvings. The marble upper altar, the sculptures of saints, and the one-of-a-kind stations that comprise the cross done in an expressionist manner are some of the highlights. There is the option of guided tours.

Chetham’s Library, Britain’s Earliest Public Library

Located directly to the northwest of Manchester Cathedral, Chetham’s Hospital has roots that go back to the year 1422. It was a home for priests in the past, but today it houses a music school as well as the Chetham Library, which is the earliest public library in all of England.

The library first opened its doors in 1653 and currently houses more than 100,000 volumes, of which more than half were published prior to 1850. In addition, Chetham’s is well-known for being the location where Karl Marx, as well as Friedrich Engels, had their meeting while Marx was in Manchester. There is the option of guided tours.

Other noteworthy libraries include the Manchester Central Library, which is situated right next to the Town Hall, as well as the Portico Library, which is known for housing the literary holdings of Dalton as well as Joule, who were the pioneers of the Manchester Literary along with Philosophical Society. Both of these libraries can be found in Manchester.

It is highly recommended that you check out the Historic John Rylands Library, which is now an element of Manchester University. Medieval literature, a Bible printed on the Gutenberg press, and the earliest printing collection compiled by William Caxton are just a few of the many significant collections it houses.

Manchester Art Gallery’s Paintings

Apart from London, one of the most impressive art collections in the United Kingdom can be seen in the Manchester Art Gallery. Works by pre-Raphaelites, Flemish painters from the 17th century, French impressionists including Monet, Manet, and Gauguin, as well as German artists like as Max Ernst may be found in the gallery.

There are also works by renowned English artists such as Turner, Constable, and Stubbs among the exhibit’s offerings. Jacob Epstein, Maillol, Rodin, as well as Henry Moore, are just a few of the sculptors whose works are featured in the remarkable collection at the gallery.

Try out HOME, Greater Manchester’s international hub for contemporary art along with independent film, if you’re looking for additional places to see that are related to arts and culture. The theater, which can be found at number 70 Oxford Street, is famous for hosting regular productions of a wide variety of shows, including comedies and musicals.

The Whitworth Art Gallery

The Whitworth Art Gallery recently underwent a significant renovation, and the expansive collection that it houses now numbers more than 55,000 pieces. The extremely modern facilities of the gallery are housed in a mixture of old along with new buildings that look out over a very lovely green space.

The gallery got its name from the park that is immediately adjacent to it.

The earliest collections go back to 1889 and the museum is known for having outstanding exhibits of sculptures and largely modern artworks. As a result, it is routinely ranked highly on lists of the best attractions in Manchester.

There are also noteworthy collections of watercolors, textiles, as well as wallpaper at the museum. You may take in works by artists such as Francis Bacon, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso, in addition to a sizeable collection of works created specifically for the outdoors.

There is a coffee shop and a retail store on the premises, in addition to a selection of entertaining events and activities that are open to adults as well as families.

Wander through Chinatown

Chinatown, the vibrant and colorful residence of one of the biggest Chinese populations in Britain, is only a few blocks away in the direction of the Manchester Art Gallery as well as is enjoyable to explore on foot. Chinatown is located in Manchester. Particularly eye-catching is the elaborately embellished archway gateway that leads into the neighborhood.

There is a diverse selection of mouthwatering culinary specialties from Hong Kong along with Beijing available at the areas numerous shops and restaurants. Do you have any interest in shopping? The Centre for Contemporary Chinese Art (CFCCA) is home to a variety of one-of-a-kind handicrafts and works of art produced in China.

St. Peter’s Square and Manchester Town Hall

The tower of the towering neo-Gothic Town Hall, which was built in 1877, offers superb panoramic panoramas of the city, and Albert Square has been pedestrianized so that visitors can enjoy the square.

Within, the Council Chamber deserves special notice, as does the cycle of murals painted by Ford Madox Brown that chronicle the past of the city. Both of these features may be found on the second floor.

Visit the National Free Trade Hall, which first opened its doors in 1951, while you are there. Note from the editor The Manchester Town Hall is now undergoing extensive repairs to both the interior and outside, which are expected to be finished in 2024.

Make sure to set aside some time to investigate St. Peter’s Square as well. The Manchester Cenotaph, which is a memorial to the city’s war dead, can be found in this enormous public area, which also provides plenty of excellent possibilities for people-watching.

Many musical events take place at the Manchester Central Conference Complex, which is located in the city’s center and is one of the largest venues of its kind in England. This complex is well worth a visit. The structure is one of a kind due to the fact that it was built on the site of the old Victorian railroad station that was located on Windmill Street.

People’s History Museum

The People’s Heritage Museum remains the national center that handles the collection, interpretation, conservation, and research of material relevant to the history of laborers in Britain, and it is also known simply as the “People’s History Museum.”

The museum, which is housed in a building that was formerly used as a pumping station, provides an overview of the development of democracy in Britain and the effects it has had on the local community.

The huge collections of items that pertain to trade unions as well as women’s suffrage are very interesting to look at and learn more about.

The Jewish Museum of Manchester is another museum that is convenient to the area and is well worth a visit. This fascinating destination is home to a one-of-a-kind collection that focuses on the Jewish community of the city.

Visit the Quays in Salford

If you’re short on time but still want to make the most of your trip to Salford, your best bet is to focus on seeing just one or two of the city’s many charming attractions. Salford is home to a number of exciting activities that are perfect for day trips. The Salford Quays, which are more commonly referred to as “The Quays,” must most certainly be at the top of your list.

This substantially restored neighborhood borders the shores of the city’s shipping canal and is a treat to discover on foot. It is easily accessible from the central business district of Manchester through public transit and can be reached in 25 minutes covering a distance of five kilometers.

In addition to well-known places to visit like the Imperial War Museum North along with Old Trafford, where Manchester United plays their home games, you’ll discover the Lowry Arts Centre. It is devoted to the existence and artistic endeavors of regional artist L.S. Lowry and features an extensive collection of one-of-a-kind pieces in addition to a performing arts complex.