35 Best Things to Do in Manchester You Don't Want to Miss

Manchester was the birthplace of many important discoveries and inventions, many of which are documented at the Science and Industry Museum. Wander through the power hall, marvel at the collection of steam trains and early aircraft and take the time to work through the experiments upstairs.

After an extensive renovation project, the Whitworth is the best place in the city to view a collection of exciting contemporary art. Keep your eyes peeled on their exciting events calendar, pay a visit to their fabulous restaurant with sweeping views of the surrounding park and pick up a picnic basket of art supplies to spark your own creativity.

The city centre’s free-entry gallery often plays host to exciting exhibitions from world-renowned artists such as Joana Vasconcelos. Its permanent collections include an impressive array of costume, oil paintings and decorative arts, making this the perfect destination for whiling away several hours and getting inspired.

Lovers of both books and architecture will delight in one of Manchester’s most beloved buildings. This neogothic structure is filled with one of the most extensive collections of literature in the entire country, but it’s not just for academics. Spend a few hours getting lost in its many rooms, staircases and corridors to fully appreciate the attention to detail of the building.

Anyone with an interest in football should make a beeline to the National Football Museum, situated inside the dramatic glass building previously known as Urbis. Find out more about your favourite sport, including an extensive look at the last time England won the World Cup, and take the chance to refine your own football skills.

Another impressive example of neogothic architecture. If you only have time to admire one building in the city, make it Manchester Town Hall. The ornate ceilings, mural paintings, famous bee mosaics and instantly recognisable clock tower make this one of the best examples of architecture from this time period in the whole of the UK.

Whether you’re a fan of Manchester United or you just want to visit one of the most famous football stadiums in the world, it’s always worth hopping on a tram to visit Old Trafford. Take a tour of the stadium, pop into the gift shop to buy a memento of your visit or simply admire the Theatre of Dreams from the outside.

Learn more about the history of democracy and how every person won the right to vote in one of the city’s most interesting museums. Keep your eyes peeled for revolving exhibitions that seek to inform in exciting ways, such as Never Going Underground, which demonstrates the history of LGBT+ rights.

Manchester’s new centre of culture, HOME, is the place to head to if you’re interested in cinema, theatre or art. As well as a variety of independent films, performances and exhibitions, you’ll find an impressive restaurant and cocktail bar.

In the heart of the Northern Quarter, you’ll find this hub of creativity inside a former Victorian fish market. Local artists and creatives have set up studios inside, creating and selling art, prints, sculptures, jewellery and ceramics from their own unique spaces. There’s also a cute little cafe and occasional musical performances and exhibitions.

You can’t visit Manchester without spending at least a couple of hours exploring the Northern Quarter. Pop into some of the independent shops that line the neighbourhood’s street, sample the best coffee in the city from its many cafes, admire the eclectic street art or discover a seemingly never-ending array of bars, restaurants and eateries.

There are plenty of bars in the Northern Quarter, but few of them are as legendary as the Night and Day Café. A long and narrow space, its tiny stage has hosted a wide variety of bands and artists at various stages of their careers. It’s also played an integral role in introducing audiences to the much-loved bands of tomorrow. Gigs are an almost daily occurrence here – so drop by, grab a pint and hang out. You never know who you might see. Recommended by Stephanie Andrews

A local institution, Affleck’s is a hub for Manchester’s alternative crowd, containing an impressive array of stalls selling everything from fetish gear to DIY jewellery. Pop inside to discover an eclectic array of clothing, jewellery, memorabilia and gifts before sneaking upstairs for a luxury ice cream at Ginger’s Comfort Emporium.

Attached to the University, Manchester Museum houses an impressive collection focused around natural history. You’ll find everything from Egyptian mummies to dinosaur skeletons and unusual beetles inside. Ensure that you take time to explore the vivarium and visit the collection of rare frogs and reptiles.

One of Manchester’s oldest buildings, the cathedral is a must-see for anyone with an interest in architecture. Wander around at your own pace, book onto a tour to find out more about the building’s history or keep your eyes peeled for news of one of the occasional gigs hosted inside the cathedral.

This Edwardian swimming bath is currently undergoing a slow renovation, which aims to get at least one of the Turkish baths or pools eventually reopened. In the meantime, it frequently opens for guided tours and special events such as gin and beer festivals, wedding fairs and theatrical performances.

It may be located right on the outskirts of the city, but this recently restored market is more than worth the tram fare. Having been named the best market in the UK by Observer Food Monthly, Altrincham Market certainly stands up to its accolades with its impressive selection of food and market stalls. You’ll have to fight for a seat, but once you sit down you won’t want to leave.

This ancient building attached to the music school is rumored to be haunted, a fact that you’ll easily believe when you step into its stalls. Literature, music and architecture lovers will delight in a visit to this prestigious library, which is actually the oldest of its kind in the English-speaking world.

Located by Shudehill Bus Station, you’ll likely hear the classical music blaring from its outdoor speaker before you actually see Paramount Bookshop. Inside, this haphazard second-hand store in a melting pot of literature with a particular focus on comics and sci-fi. If you see something you like, settle down on one of the sofas and get stuck into a good book.

Soak in the best views of the city from the 23rd floor of the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate. The floor-to-ceiling windows of the city’s most luxurious bar aren’t the only pull. The inventive cocktails here are exceptional and you may even catch a glimpse of a local celebrity or footballer.

Manchester may be currently lacking a Michelin-star eatery, but Manchester House certainly comes close with its impressive surroundings and delectable tasting menu. After dinner, take a gin and tonic out onto the glamorous balcony to admire the views of the city.

Although not a permanent feature in the city, the Warehouse Project is one of the must-visit events in Manchester. Running every year from September through to New Years, this series of seasonal club nights are some of the most popular in the country and are a sure hit for those seeking a legendary night out. Dance all night long to techno, drum and bass, dubstep or grime and witness some of the biggest DJs in the world performing. The events are usually held in Store Street.

An important chapter in our shared history, the Pankhurst Centre is the only museum in the country to highlight the struggle for the women’s vote. Housed in the ancestral home of the Pankhurst Family, the museum has a number of exhibits showcasing the fight for the right to vote and holds a number of fascinating workshops throughout the year.

Part of the regeneration of the old Salford Quay in the early 2000s, the Lowry has become a cultural hotspot in Manchester. Named after the famed painter, L S Lowry, the gallery features a huge collection of his works as well as a number of great temporary exhibitions. The theatre has two auditoriums and is home to a number of touring plays, operas and ballets throughout the year.

The third-largest Chinatowns in Europe, Chinatown in Manchester is a collection of wonderful restaurants, delectable bakeries and delightful craft shops. Perfect for an afternoon stroll or as a destination for an evening meal. Be sure to check out the Chinese New Year festival in February, which features an incredible parade through the neighbourhood.

Part theme park, part massive shopping centre, the Trafford Centre is a see-it-to-believe-it kind of deal. With every shop you can think of under one roof, you’ll be sure to find something that catches your eye. If you’re looking for a little entertainment though, the centre has a fully functioning bowling alley, laser quest, Sea Life Centre and even an IMAX cinema.

If you’ve ever had a tough time deciding which wine to drink, then Sip Wine Bar is the place for you. Grab a glass and choose from more than 30 different bottles from its self-service machine. Pour as little or as much as you want, and try a mix of different wines to pair with the delicious charcuterie boards and small plates. It’s the perfect spot for a boozy brunch or an evening of wine and tapas. Recommended by local insider Natalie Hetherington

If you are a professed chocoholic, feed your sweet tooth at Cocoa Tree, an independent, ethical chocolatier in the Manchester neighbourhood of Chorlton. Mancunians deem it the best hot chocolate in the city (made from Belgian chocolate), and it also serves biscuits and cakes, as well as a wide variety of handcrafted truffles and sweets. Start the morning off right with coffee and something sweet, or enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up with a hot chocolate and slice of cake. Recommended by local insider Natalie Hetherington

If you consider yourself a gamer, then the perfect evening awaits you at Virtual Hideout, a virtual reality and gaming hub in the Great Northern. This gaming hotspot can accommodate groups up to 25, and it offers more than 100 different VR experiences, with HTC Vive and Oculus Rift headsets that fall under nine different categories, including horror, fantasy, family and kids. Virtual Hideout is a great way to spend an evening with the entire family. Recommended by local insider Natalie Hetherington

These days, it might be a city centre flat block, but back in its ’90s heyday, the Haçienda was a cultural melting pot that helped define the Mad-chester scene. You’ll find it by Deansgate train station in the centre of town – and getting a photo outside is easy enough. However, venture down the canal path below the building, and you’ll discover a wall art installation chronicling the venue’s legendary life story. Recommended by Stephanie Andrews

Okay, okay, it’s not technically in Manchester – but no trip to the city is complete without venturing out to Salford Lads’ Club for a selfie at the same spot featured on the sleeve of the Smiths’ iconic 1986 record The Queen is Dead. After more Morrissey and co? Head inside and you can explore the Smiths Room – a space jam-packed with music history surrounding the band. Recommended by Stephanie Andrews

Beyond Manchester’s many mainstream bars and hipster pubs lies a thriving street food and drink scene showcasing produce from local caterers and breweries. Many of these converge at GRUB, the city’s popular street food and drink fair based at the Redbank Project over in the Green Quarter. With their support-local ethos and independent vibes, this pop-up style venue is a great place to sample something new. You might even find your new favourite beer. Recommended by Stephanie Andrews

The green and leafy Timperley is just a short tram ride away from the city centre and the birthplace of Mr Frank Sidebottom. Unfamiliar with Frank? Created by local artist and enigma Chris Sievey, this odd-ball character was known for his giant, papier-mâché head and shot to cult-fame in the early ’90s thanks to his artwork, live shows and short-lived TV series. Sievey sadly passed away in 2010, but a statue in his hometown of Timperley keeps Frank’s spirit alive. Recommended by Stephanie Andrews

You may recognise the name Sifters from Oasis track “Shakermaker”, which featured on the band’s game-changing 1994 album Definitely Maybe. Not content with just singing about his old record store haunt, outspoken frontman Liam Gallagher also used it as photoshoot backdrop for his Pretty Green fashion line in 2014 – cementing its status as part of Manchester music and cultural history. Travel out to Didsbury, and you can find out what all the fuss is about – and maybe bag a new record for your collection. Recommended by Stephanie Andrews

Taking place in various spots around town on various days (check their official website for listings), Manchester’s Maker’s Market features a series of pop-up gazebo stalls selling freshly prepared food, locally created gifts, artwork and souvenirs, and homeware items like candles, ornaments and furniture. If you’re in the centre of town, you’ll find them taking over the Northern Quarter’s Stevenson Square on the second Sunday of each month. Recommended by Stephanie Andrews