The best indoor activities in Manchester

Entertainment complex Urban Playground brings the cutting-edge of competitive socialising to the city. This modern and buzzy venue is great for families or groups of friends, offering mini-golf as well as a thrilling live version of TV hit The Cube. Food and drinks are on offer too – there are stylish bars, plus a restaurant serving gourmet burgers.

Taking place monthly at Ducie Street Warehouse, Indieflicks is a unique short film festival. Each edition sees a selection of festival-quality short films from around the world being screened, and the audience get to vote for their favourite at the end of the night. Food and drinks are available, plus film experts are on hand to answer questions.

One of the city's most famous museums is the Science and Industry Museum, which focuses on innovations and ideas that have changed our world. History and contemporary science come together here and there are exhibitions and events suitable for all ages. Added to that, the museum is free to visit.

John Rylands Research Institute and Library is based in an impressive neo-Gothic building and is part of the University of Manchester. It's free to visit the library to study or simply to marvel at its ornate architecture and interiors. The library houses one of the world's leading collections of rare books, manuscripts, and archives.

An impressive landmark in the heart of the city, Manchester Cathedral showcases striking Gothic architecture. Religious services take place here every day but visitors are also welcome just to explore the building and its lengthy history. Various other events take place too, from concerts and theological discussions to vintage sales.

Creativity is seen as a force for good at Manchester Art Gallery. This gallery is free and publicly-owned, housing over 46,000 pieces of art and costume. The collection is constantly growing. Visit to explore a diverse programme of thought-provoking exhibitions, join a gallery tour, or check out the gallery's creative activities.

Manchester is home to a couple of branches of NQ64, where you can enjoy retro gaming alongside food and drinks. There are a big choice of games and consoles, plus gaming-themed cocktails, wine, beer, and snacks. These lively venues have a distinctive black-lit look, covered all over in neon and graffiti.

Salford's The Lowry is one of the city's top creative hotspots. It's housed in an impressive modern building with dramatic architecture. Inside, you'll find the world's largest collection of works by L.S. Lowry, plus temporary exhibitions, theatres staging a broad range of productions, and a variety of creative initiatives from family-friendly workshops to artist development programmes.

Ideal for team-building and friendship groups, The Crystal Maze Live Experience lets you take on an active challenge inspired by the hit 90s TV show. You'll move through a series of themed zones and tackle exciting puzzles and challenges before making your way to the infamous Crystal Dome itself.

The Whitworth in Oxford Road is a major art gallery that was established in 1889. Exhibitions of historical and contemporary art are shown here, with both temporary shows and permanent displays to see. The gallery also hosts a variety of events like tours, concerts, reading and writing groups, and activities for families.

Manchester is home to Nerf Action Xperience, the UK's first official Nerf-branded attraction. Great for both children and adults, there are five exciting zones where you can battle against others, plus seven games to tackle alone or in a group. The venue is located at Trafford Palazzo, so there's lots more to explore after you've played.

You can have a fun and free day out at Salford Museum & Art Gallery. This space is particularly well-known for Lark Hill Place, a reconstruction of a 19th century Salford street. Added to that, there are four galleries of diverse art and objects, a local history library, and a wide variety of enjoyable events going on here.

Enjoy street food in a covered setting at Mackie Mayor. This food hall is based in a historic market hall in the Northern Quarter, offering a wide array of street eats and artisan products from local businesses. It's an on-trend and buzzy venue with industrial-chic decor and a cool atmosphere.

A must-visit for Manchester's film fans, Cultplex is a cinema that screens cult classic films in a down-to-earth and bustling environment. Lots of other on-theme fun takes place here too, like a cult film pub quiz, music events that celebrate classic film scores, and a market for film and pop culture fanatics.

You can go on an immersive adventure at Treetop Golf, which features two jungle-themed 18-hole courses to tackle. These tropical trails are packed with interactive elements and there are also themed eateries on-site to relax at before or after you play. You'll find a pizza shack, a coffee shop, and a bar for cocktails here.

Hyde Leisure Pool offers fun for all ages. Visitors can splash about and enjoy wave machines, bubble beds, and a thrilling slide full of twists and turns. Other activities take place here too like lane swimming, aquatic workouts, and swimming lessons for adults. There's also an on-site gym and a café.

Visit Dog Bowl for food, drinks, and indoor activities in Manchester. This large venue is full of colour and has a cavernous feel. These are five bowling lanes available as well as an arcade full of retro gaming consoles. Craft beer and cocktails are served, plus there's satisfying food like pizza, burgers, and sandwiches.

Visit Afflecks to explore over 60 local independent traders, all put together in a bohemian and maze-like building. This place has been open since 1982 and is a great place to browse for alternative fashion, jewellery, crystals, collectibles, records, and artwork. There are food and drinks vendors plus services like barbers and a tattoo shop.

Lose yourself in another world at Immersive Gamebox. This gaming centres offers a variety of immersive games to try, using motion tracking, projection mapping, and surround sound to create a seamless experience. There are games for all ages and abilities, and it's ideal for groups of between two and six people.

There's loads happening under one roof at Manchester Arndale, a popular shopping centre built in the 1970s. This large venue has more than 200 stores, including high street favourites and local retailers. There are also plenty of drinking and dining options and entertainment like events, bowling, and gaming venues.

Discover some local history at Stockport Air Raid Shelters. This museum consists of an underground network of shelters spanning almost a mile, and shows what life was really like during 1940s Britain. Displays and audio guides bring history to life, plus there's a gift shop selling 1940s souvenirs. Museum tours are also available.

Enjoy skiing and snowboarding without facing the weather conditions at Chill Factore. This venue is home to the UK's longest indoor snow slope. You can ski, snowboard, or use sledges, downhill donuts, and ice slides here, plus lessons are available for kids and adults. The venue also has an Alpine-themed lounge serving food and drinks.

Located right in the middle of Oldham, Gallery Oldham is a free museum and art gallery. There are four big gallery spaces that showcase work by local artists, plus there are displays from the museum's large permanent collection. Inspiring events like life drawing, talks, and kids' activities take place here as well.

Inflata Nation offers a fun day out for families. This inflatable theme park has lots of activities to enjoy like a ball park, slides, an obstacle course, and a space for kids aged under four. The venue also runs children's birthday parties, adults-only sessions, and SEN-friendly sessions so everyone gets a chance to join in.

It's all about ping pong and fun at Twenty Twenty Two. This spacious venue is fuss-free and decorated with colourful art. There are plenty of ping pong tables dotted around so you can enjoy a game, plus drinks are served at the bar. The venue also hosts events like tournaments, darts nights, and DJ sets.

Unleash your inner child at Bingo Balls, Manchester's top destination for care-free indoor fun. This affordable activity gives you a huge ball pit to frolic in, along with food, drinks, and local entertainers and DJs. Every Friday is bingo night for added enjoyment. The venue is on-trend and contemporary with a lively atmosphere.

Discover the work of local makers at Manchester Craft & Design Centre. The venue promotes craft in all its forms and houses studios for around 40 craftspeople. It's well-known as a destination for jewellery but you'll also find ceramics, glassware, and furniture here. There's an exhibition space and a café too, plus regular creative workshops.

You'll easily pass the time at DNA VR. This cutting-edge venue has a huge library of VR games for single or multiple players. The diverse options range from VR escape rooms and zombie shoot-outs to musical instruments and job simulators for major workaholics. Book your own booth or go for the free-roaming experience that lets you explore freely.

A classic destination in Marple, Regent Cinema is a historic cinema with an old-school style. Expect traditional service, a retro appearance, and the latest film releases, with films to suit all ages. You can also hire out this local landmark for special events. It's a popular destination with a cosy feel to it.

Get creative in Chorlton at Pottery Corner. This venue is cute, quirky, and homey. Visit to paint a ceramic piece and express your personality. A variety of finished pieces are available to decorate before they're fired professionally. The venue also offers painting parties and kits to help you get creative at home.