The 'mancusians', the people of Manchester, are proud of their city. And rightly so, as this ever-growing metropolis boasts an incredible array of attractions to satisfy the most demanding visitors. And we are not just talking about football and music. Stunning art galleries, free museums and festivals of all kinds will compete for a place on your itinerary. Not sure where to start? What follows is a short summary of the best things to do in Manchester.
Manchester is famous for its LGBT+ culture especially in the areas around Canal Street © trabantos / Getty Images
1. An evening of music
The 'Madchester' years may be over and the glories of The Haçienda nightclub are long gone (or perhaps preparing to return in other forms), but Manchester's musical spirit is still very much alive. The city has seen the birth and growth of many bands over the years and is still home to countless live music venues.
Attending a gig or session is by far one of the best ways to spend an evening in Manchester. The Band of the Wall and the Deaf Institute offer an eclectic mix of up-and-coming artists, while the MEN Arena hosts world-class stars. You can also catch live jazz at Matt and Phreds, a bar with a friendly atmosphere that puts you at ease, while the Hallé Orchestra performs classical and symphonic repertoire at Bridgewater Hall.
A diversion:At the Science and Industry Museum there's Turn It Up: The power of music, an exhibition that allows visitors to practice music, with quirky and innovative installations and instruments and a space where everyone can try their hand at composing their own masterpiece.
2. Exploring the Northern Quarter
Manchester 's trendiest neighbourhood is a stone's throw from Piccadilly Gardens and offers several viable alternatives to the chain venues and shops of nearby Market Street.
Adorned with thought-provoking and provocative street art, the red-brick buildings of the Northern Quarter are home to a host of vintage clothing boutiques, indie music shops and quirky bars.
It is also home to some of the city's best restaurants. Aim for Northern Soul Grilled Cheese for a cheap and hearty lunch. You can also queue up for the Australian-style brunch served at Federal: great coffee, avocado pulp, grilled halloumi and sourdough toast.
Tip: With plenty of well-located boutique hotels, the Northern Quarter is a good place to stay in Manchester.
The National Football Museum © cowardlion / Shutterstock
3. Make room for the fan in you
There are two legendary clubs in Manchester. Whether you prefer City or United, you'll love the National Football Museum. Half hidden behind the cathedral, it is the main museum of its kind in the country and one of the city's most popular attractions.
Tip: Prefer to see the players in action? The Premier League starts in August. City plays at the Etihad Stadium, United at Old Trafford (the latter is open for visits when there are no matches). Tickets cost from £20.
4. A museum tour
Finding something to do in Manchester is never a problem. No less than ten museums will enable you to broaden your knowledge on a large number of topics.
The Pankhurst Centre is dedicated to the Suffragette movement, the Manchester Museum to natural history. TheImperial War Museum North, in Salford Quays, is as insightful and impressive as its London counterpart.
Looking for a museum suitable for children? The Science and Industry Museum is without doubt the most suitable for the whole family. It is located inside the station from which the world's first intercity railway line departed and offers wonderful interactive exhibits, including a virtual reality experience simulating astronaut activity, perfect for aspiring space explorers.
The John Rylands Library is more than just a colossal place to collect rare books ©Shutterstock / Garry Basnett
5. John Rylands Library
With its gothic façade and spectacular interior that wouldn't be out of place in a Sherlock Holmes story, the John Rylands Library is more than just a colossal place to collect rare books. It has been housed in the historic Deansgate location since the late 19th century and is one of the city's most valuable assets.
A visit to this library is a wonder even for those who are not particularly fond of books. Admission is free: one hour will be enough to admire the wood-panelled reading rooms, stone staircases and glass cases that hold ancient papyri with faded characters.
6. A city to savour
Take some good advice: Manchester is not the place to go on a diet. The city has a very interesting gastronomic scene, from starred restaurants to vegan fast food, not forgetting mouth-watering international cuisines.
Ancoats (adjacent to the Northern Quarter and just as cool) is home to many of Manchester's Italians. You can sample pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven and other carbohydrate-fuelled delights. For fragrant ramen noodles and delicious dim sum, head for the brightly decorated restaurants in Chinatown.
Tip: Looking for a good place for Sunday lunch? Make a reservation at Sam's Chop House: it's one of Manchester's best pubs and retains the Victorian feel it had when it opened in 1868.
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7. Discovering craft beers
Manchester is rapidly catching up with London when it comes to craft beers. Most of the breweries, many with an attached bar, are a stone's throw from Piccadilly station: note the trendy Cloudwater Brewing Co and the more rustic Alphabet Brewing Company.
A diversion: Prefer a gin and tonic? Manchester Gin distillery, behind the Odeon Great Northern, runs fantastic tasting tours.
8. Let's go to the market!
Are you crazy about markets? Manchester is full of them. Good eaters will love the delicacies at Altrincham Market and Mackie Mayor in the Northern Quarter. For a vintage treasure hunt, head to the kaleidoscopic Afflecks on Church Street. Didsbury Maker's Market has gifts and handicrafts: it's set up just across Burton Road on the last Sunday of every month.
Salford Quays is the modern district where you'll find MediaCityUK and the Lowry © alex_west / Getty Images
10. Manchester's festivals
Whatever the season, there's bound to be a festival to your liking. The people of Manchester love a big event, whether it's thronging Heaton Park for the Parklife Music Festival or roaming the streets of the Gay Village for the annual Pride parade.
Avant-garde film screenings and captivating performance art can be enjoyed at the biannual Manchester International Festival, and in early February, Chinatown is alive with Lunar New Year celebrations.
11. Bathing at the Victoria Baths
It's worth the trip up Oxford Street to this Edwardian-style pool complex, which is now a venue for cultural events. Opened in 1906, the Victoria Baths have retained their former glory. Original mosaics adorn the walls of the lobby; the changing rooms are powder blue, with red and white striped curtains closing off the women's ones from view.
The long-term goal is to return the complex to full functionality as a public swimming pool and Turkish bath. For now, the Victoria Baths are open for visits between March and September.
Tip: Various events take place here throughout the year. The Vintage Home Show is held in June, while a Christmas-themed film festival is organised in December.
Dive into the historic Victoria Baths © PA Images/Alamy
12. An art tour.
Art enthusiasts will fit right in in Manchester. The Whitworth Art Gallery 's rich collection boasts paintings by Renoir and Cezanne, while one room is entirely dedicated to colourful wallpapers.
In the city centre, the splendid Manchester Art Gallery hosts outstanding temporary exhibitions of modern art. The Castle Fine Art Gallery, in King Street, exhibits daring contemporary artworks.
Tip: An original idea for a date for two? Go in search of street art in the Northern Quarter and Ancoats, perhaps with a cup of coffee to sip while strolling.
