Out and About Manchester

If you are having a city break in Manchester there are a wide choice of things to see and do within the city and beyond. Whether you are interested in sport, shopping, art or culture, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the city of Manchester. Local transport can get you all across the region including buses, the metrolink and train stations within the city centre.

The Lowry

Places of Interest

• The Lowry - This consists of a very well known theatre, shopping mall and now a hotel and restaurant on the waters edge just outside the city centre.
• Media city - Home to ITV and BBC studios, it also has cafes and restaurants and is located next to the Lowry theatre.
• Manchester Cathedral- This grand and historic building is a fantastic place to visit on Deansgate and is often the set for films and TV shows.
• The Palace Theatre - You can see all manner of shows and productions at the city's most famous theatre, you might even spot a celebrity or two!
• Bridgewater Hall - If you want to see performances including opera, jazz and classical music this is a fantastic location to visit in the city centre and it is opposite Deansgate train and tram station.
• Heaton Park - A 20 minute tram journey away, Heaton Park is a great location to have a picnic, or a nice walk and it has a cafe, boating lake and farm.

Wine and Dine

Thaikhun Restaurant

There are restaurants, takeaways and cafés scattered all over the city and Manchester has a very diverse range of world cuisines including Korean, Thai, Spanish, Japanese, and American, to name but a few. There is also the famous Curry Mile in Rusholme, where you can get some delicious Indian cuisine and Chinatown in the heart of the city centre.

There are many restaurants in Piccadilly Gardens, on Deansgate and at Spinningfield’s, as well as an indoor eating area in the Arndale Centre and market selling all different cuisine such as Greek, Mexican and Sushi. If you are looking for a coffee shop, tearoom or diverse café/bar then you will find everything that you are looking for in the Northern Quarter. The choice is almost endless when it comes to top quality places to eat for all ends of the budget in the city of Manchester.

Some noteworthy restaurants and cafes in the areas are:

• Thaikhun, Spinningfields - Offers delicious Thai cuisine in this open kitchen and cute kitsch designed restaurant.
• Pieminister, Northern Quarter - Serves fresh pies, mash, peas and gravy, all washed down with a local beer in this friendly cafe.
• Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, Northern Quarter - Serves exactly what the name suggests in all manner of varieties.
• Almost Famous, Northern Quarter and The Great Northern –Infamous(!)mouth-watering burgers at two locations across the city.
• Dough, Northern Quarter - One of the best pizza restaurants in the City, Mama Mia!
• San Carlo, Kings Street - Italian restaurant with authentic and delicious pizza, pasta and fish dishes.
• Grand Pacific - You can find this classy restaurant and bar in Spinningfields and enjoy its glamourous beachside style restaurant and bar.
• Alabama’s All American Eatery - Located on Newton Street, this American diner is famous for its all American mouth-watering breakfasts.
• Home Sweet Home, Northern Quarter – This modern café sells Pinterest worthy cakes and hot and cold treats. They do a mean veggie cooked breakfast (including pretend black pudding!) and some of the best veggie burgers you will find in the city.

Museums and Art

Urbis Museum

Manchester is rich in art and culture and is well known for exhibiting historic and cultural events and exhibits across the city. We have two city centre hotels in Manchester in prime locations situated in the very heart of the city. Some of the best museums and galleries nearby include:

• The Manchester Museum - Located in the buildings of Manchester University, you can see Egyptian mummies, animals, fossils and more at this fantastic museum and it's free!
• People's History Museum - At the National Museum of Democracy you can learn all about the history of working people throughout the ages.
• Whitworth Art Gallery - This central museum features different exhibitions throughout the year and has a rather lovely cafe inside.
• Urbis Football Museum - The National Football Museum gives you the chance to see football throughout history and is a must for any football fans.
• The Museum of Science and Industry - This is a great museum to visit for the whole family to learn all about the North's history of science and industry.

Sport

Old Trafford Football Grounds

For sport’s fans there are some fantastic places to visit whether you are a football, cricket or bike enthusiast, there is something for you in the city of Manchester. If you are a fan of Manchester United or Manchester City you can tour either of their stadiums at Old Trafford and the Etihad stadium and both have metrolink stops.

Some local sporting venues include:

• Old Trafford -Manchester United FC Stadium/Cricket Grounds  - Visit the world famous Manchester United football ground and there are often big concerts taking place at the nearby cricket ground.
• Etihad Stadium – Manchester City FC Stadium - Home to the other famous football team in the city, the staduim offers tours and is located next to shops and eateries.
• Chill Factore - Indoor skiing and snowboarding - Located next to the Trafford Centre, this indoor skiing experince also has a cafe and Alpine restaurant.
• Velodrome –Indoor Cycling - Cycling fans and cyclists alike can enjoy this indoor cycling centre which regularly hosts world class events.
• National BMX Arena - Located next to Etihad, you can practice your BMX tricks or watch one of the regular events held here.

Shopping

Intu Trafford Centre

If you are looking to shop till you drop then Manchester is the destination for all your needs and wants. Browse in major department stores, designer boutiques, independent shops and shopping centres across the city centre.

• Arndale Centre - This big shopping centre is home to a large variety of high street stores and cafes in the city centre.
• Intu Trafford Centre- This large shopping mall is located just outside central Manchester and has many high street and designer stores as well as food eateries including Five Guy's American burger joint.
• King’s Street - This street has many high end designer stores in the city centre including Agent Provocateur and Vivianne Westwood.
• Market Street - You will find high street stores in the centre of Manchester as well as banks, supermarkets and more.
• Northern Quarter Including Affleck's Palace and independent boutiques you will find one of a kind cafes, shops and bars in this eclectic area of the city.
• Harvey Nichols - Located on Exchange Square, this famous department store offers food, gifts, designer wear and accessories all under one roof.
• Selfridges - Situated opposite Harvey Nichols, you can enjoy the food hall, beauty department and even sit back and relax and enjoy a bite to eat at the second floor cafe and restaurant.
• Spinningfields- This relatively new area off Deansgate has designer stores, restaurants and cafes and is home to the city's ice rink during the Christmas season.

Nearby

Chester 

Tatton Park- Situated in the Cheshire countryside, this park hosts regular events and festivals as well as having a deer park, stunning gardens, lakes and cafes.

Bury – A 30 minute tram ride away is the town of Bury, which has an outdoor shopping centre called The Rock, as well as restaurants and cafes if you want a change of scenery. The famous Bury Market also offers some local produce including black pudding, fish and chips and a variety of cheeses and pies.

Chester – It takes just over an hour to get from Manchester to the Roman walled city of Chester by train with its famous Tudor style half-timbre architecture, zoo, river, shops and wealth of history.