The best attractions in Manchester for young adults

Get competitive with your pals at Urban Playground, a modern competitive socialising venue with a real buzz around it. Advanced technology and inspiring decor add to the sense of excitement here. Tackle a live version of gameshow The Cube, play mini-golf, sip on drinks at the bar, or grab a gourmet burger at the venue's on-site restaurant.

Lane7 is an attraction that offers multiple ways to have fun with friends. Bowling, darts, pool, arcade gaming, and karaoke are just some of the ways to have fun here. Guests can also sample a wide array of drinks from the bar. It all happens in a distinctive space clad in graffiti and neon.

People's History Museum tells the story of working people and how democracy has developed over time in Britain. This leading collection of historical and contemporary artefacts includes political posters, trade union material, satirical cartoons, and personal items. The museum is based in a listed former hydraulic pumping station. It organises tours and has a café and bar on-site.

An interesting site for any football fan, Old Trafford is home to Manchester United and has hosted numerous historic football moments, including World Cup matches. With a capacity of over 74,000, it's the UK's largest club football stadium. You can visit for matches or a stadium tour. There's a museum and a café as well.

One of Manchester's top attractions is Printworks, a bustling complex that offers loads of entertainment and leisure options under one roof. There's something for everyone here including a wide variety of bars and eateries, a cinema with one of Europe's largest IMAX screens, mini-golf, bowling, karaoke, and a gym. There are digital projections on the ceilings too.

Discover independent boutiques and unique style when you visit Afflecks in the Northern Quarter. This bohemian and maze-like shopping centre houses more than 60 indie retailers covering vintage and alternative fashion, jewellery and accessories, posters, books, collectibles, and much more. This place also has eateries and services like a tattoo shop and barbers.

A fantastic destination for anyone who loves to shop, Manchester Arndale is a huge shopping centre with more than 200 stores on the premises. Stores here range from high street giants to local independents. This vast place also includes drinking and dining options, as well as activities such as bowling or VR gaming.

A top Manchester attraction for foodies, Mackie Mayor is housed in a historic market hall. Today it's an on-trend food hall that brings together leading local vendors offering delicious street food and gourmet treats to take home like cheeses and bottles of wine. It's a laid-back and bustling spot with an industrial style.

Home is a big attraction for culture lovers, housing gallery space, five cinemas, and two theatres in a bustling and modern complex. You can see a diverse range of films and theatre productions here as well as check out exhibitions from British and international artists. This venue also has a cultural bookshop, a restaurant, and two bars.

Independent food traders come together at Altrincham Market, which has won multiple awards. It's a lively food court with plenty of seating, based in a local market hall steeped in history. A broad selection of street food and drinks are on offer here, with options like tacos, pizza, coffee, wine, and sweet treats.

You can hit the Alps without leaving Manchester by visiting Chill Factore. Home to the longest indoor snow slope in the country, this is a great destination for all ages. Kids and adults can have skiing or snowboarding lessons, but you can also visit just for fun on the slopes. There's an Alpine-themed lounge for afterwards too.

Being centred on booze and ball games, Roxy Ball Room is a fun attraction for young adults. You can try various activities here like bowling, basketball, pool, and shuffleboard. Food and drinks are on offer from the bar too. This lively venue has a moody low-lit look and lots going on.

Visit The Pankhurst Centre to learn about the fight for women's right to vote. This building was once the home of suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters. Here you can find out more about their lives and how they started the suffragette movement. The building is also a women's centre and the HQ of Manchester Women's Aid.

Manchester is the ideal base for the National Football Museum, which is located in the city centre. A must-visit for any football fan, it houses the largest public collection of football objects and archives in the entire world. You'll see inspiring artefacts like the oldest surviving FA Cup trophy and the world's first international football shirt here.

The Crystal Maze Live Experience brings Manchester a thrilling team challenge based on the hit 90s gameshow. Just like on TV, you'll journey through different zones and take on an array of puzzles and challenges before you reach the finale – the crystal dome. This is ideal as a fun day out for groups of friends.

Cathedral Gardens is a public space near Victoria station, constructed from natural stone and granite alongside lawns and trees. It's a peaceful place to visit but is also host to an exciting range of different events throughout the year such as food festivals and markets. It's close to many of Manchester's other top attractions too.

New Century is a modern food hall with a difference. Based in what was formerly one of Manchester's leading music venues, it now combines an on-trend food market with a hall staging live gigs from a wide array of acts. The spacious venue has plenty of seating, with bars and a diverse range of international street food to try.

Test out some of the most outrageous mini golf courses when you play at Junkyard Golf Club. The venue offers a choice of three nine-hole courses that are loaded with tricks and surprises. As well as playing fun games in this vibrant and modern space, guests can relax with creative cocktails and tempting snacks.

Mario Kart comes to life at Chaos Karts. This fun activity combines go-karting with digital projections that immerse you in places like Nevada, London, and even outer space. Not only that, but you get access to power-ups and weapons like speed boosts and laser guns that really turn the race on its head.

Young people who want to try something new should check out iFly, an indoor skydiving centre that offers a number of different flight packages. This modern facility is equipped with a unique wind tunnel to give you an exhilarating experience. All ages and abilities are welcome and the activity is wheelchair-accessible. There's a spectator area too.

Take on a thrilling escape room at Breakout Manchester, which has a couple of sites around the city. An ideal activity for a group, there are a range of immersive scenarios to choose from that suit all levels of experience. Choose your mystery then solve puzzles and clues to help you escape during the allotted time frame.

All ages can discover the unique world of immersive gaming at Immersive Gamebox. A range of different immersive games are on offer here, using projection mapping, motion tracking, and surround sound to really bring the experience to life. There are options here for all ages and for groups of up to six participants.

Founded in 1984, Castlefield Gallery is a hotspot for contemporary art in Manchester. The gallery is also a significant resource for local artists working to develop their careers. Visitors are welcome to see exhibitions here, which cover a diverse range of themes. Other events like student takeovers, artist development events, and curator tours also take place.

Point Blank is the first simulation shooting range in the UK, making it a unique destination for young adults. This venue in Deansgate has a cool atmosphere, giving you your own shooting range and a dedicated host. As well as competing at shooting games, tasty drinks and food including cocktails, hot dogs, and wings are served here.