Things to do in Manchester

Manchester Museum is more than 130 years old and welcomes all visitors. Millions of objects are housed in this impressive neo-Gothic building, with the collections focusing on archaeology, anthropology, and natural history. Explore the galleries and temporary exhibitions to check out what's here, plus you can visit the café and shop.

Part of the University of Manchester, John Rylands Research Institute and Library is located in a Grade I-listed and purpose-built neo-Gothic building. Visitors are welcome to explore the fascinating architecture or to study in impressive surroundings. The library houses one of the world's leading collections of rare books, archives, and manuscripts.

Based in a historic market hall, Mackie Mayor is a modern street food market that's great fun for browsing and getting something tasty to eat. This trendy food hall houses a diverse array of vendors, from gourmet street eats to artisan produce. This effortlessly cool destination is located in the Northern Quarter.

Urban Playground brings the cutting-edge of competitive socialising to Manchester. This sleek entertainment complex uses impressive decor and advanced technology to create your experience. Take on a live version of hit show The Cube or enjoy mini-golf here. The venue also has bars and an on-site restaurant – ideal for making a day of it.

Old Trafford is an iconic football stadium and a must-visit destination for any Manchester United fan. It's the largest club football stadium in the UK and has been the scene for many historic football moments. Stadium and museum tours are available, plus on-site there's the ultimate Man United souvenir shop and a relaxed café.

Get your culture fix at The Lowry in Salford. This modern creative hub has a lot going on, including showing the world's largest collection of artworks by L.S. Lowry. Added to that, you can see temporary exhibitions, a wide range of theatre productions and dance and music performances, plus you can join a host of different on-site activities.

Visit Chorlton Water Park to relax surrounded by nature. Built on reclaimed parkland, this outdoor space features a lake, woodland, and grasslands, picnic benches with gorgeous views, and a play area for the kids. There are plenty of paths to wander if you fancy a stroll, or you can just admire the vistas. Coarse fishing is available here.

Manchester Cathedral has stood for centuries in the heart of the city. Religious services and activities take place here every day, but visitors are welcome to explore the building. The cathedral is also a popular venue for events in Manchester. Marvel at the intricate Gothic architecture and discover more about the cathedral's history during a visit.

The National Football Museum is a must-visit for any football fan in Manchester. This family-friendly and affordable museum is home to exciting exhibits like the oldest surviving FA Cup trophy and the world's first international football shirt. You can also see temporary exhibitions on various themes and join in with tours and activities.

Art lovers should check out Manchester Art Gallery, which believes creativity is a positive force. Everyone is welcome here. This publicly-owned city centre gallery has thousands of pieces of art and costume in its collection and stages a variety of thought-provoking shows. Visitors can also join tours and creative workshops.

Indieflicks takes place once a month at Ducie Street Warehouse, and is dedicated to showing festival-quality short films. It's a budget-friendly activity in Manchester, showing a varied range of films produced all around the world. The audience votes for their favourite at the end. Refreshments are available and there are filmmakers and special guests to answer questions.

Manchester is home to a couple of NQ64 locations. These black-lit spots are decked out in neon and dedicated to retro gaming, packed with old-school consoles and games. Whilst you play, sample games-themed cocktails, beer, wine, and outrageous pizza from Crazy Pedro's. Alcohol-free drinks are available and there are indoor and outdoor seats.

Home is a vibrant cultural hub with a gallery, two theatres, and five cinemas. Visit this dynamic and bustling space to see a varied range of films, check out stage productions from family-friendly theatre to powerful dramas, or see exhibitions by British and international artists. The venue also houses a cultural bookshop, a restaurant, and two bars.

At Manchester Craft and Design Centre, you can discover more than 40 talented local makers and shop for unique products too. The centre promotes all forms of craft; it's renowned for jewellery but you'll also find homewares, ceramics, glassware, furniture, and fashion. There's also an exhibition space, an on-site café, and a series of creative workshops.

The People's History Museum tells the story of British democracy, showcasing historical and modern artefacts like trade union materials, political posters, cartoons, ceramics, and personal objects. The museum also puts on a range of activities like tours. This is a family-friendly destination based in a Grade II-listed former hydraulic pumping station.

In Deansgate, Lane7 serves food, drinks, and activities in a distinctive setting decorated with neon and graffiti. Try your hand at bowling, darts, pool, arcade games, or karaoke – the venue offers a wide array of activities. Plus, you can grab a burger and sample a varied range of drinks from hard shakes and cocktails to beer.

Afflecks is one of Manchester's must-visit shopping destinations. This bohemian spot has been around since 1982 and houses over 60 diverse indie traders. From original art to alternative fashion, trading cards, collectibles, and vinyl, there's sure to be something to interest you. There are services like a tattoo shop and Thai massage, plus food and drinks vendors.

Point Blank, the UK's first simulation shooting range, is located in Deansgate. This cool spot lets you compete with your friends on your own simulation range, with the help of a dedicated host. As well as testing out your aim, you can try out creative cocktails and bar snacks like nachos, wings, and hot dogs.

Frog and Bucket Comedy Club is an award-winning spot to see some live comedy in Manchester. New and established talent take to the stage here, with the budget-friendly Beat the Frog nights being particularly sought-after. Food and drinks, including cocktails, are available to order whilst you're enjoying a show here.

Escape Hunt at the Corn Exchange offers a choice of thrilling and immersive escape room games, as well as mystery-solving trails that take you on an adventure around Manchester. These games come with a range of themes from the Wild West to vikings. The themed rooms are purpose-built and there's an on-site bar.

At Immersive Gamebox, you get a choice of immersive games where you'll be totally lost in the moment. Projection mapping, motions sensors, surround sound, and touchscreens bring each of these games to life. There are options for all ages and abilities, with games suitable for groups of between two and six people.

Manchester has a unique attraction in Runway Visitor Park. Set alongside the runway at Manchester Airport, you can see planes take off and land up-close, with live commentary at the weekends. There's space for picnics and relaxing, a kids' play area, a café and shop, and special experiences like flight simulators and Concorde tours.

Find something to do in Didsbury at 1Up, a gaming bar that celebrates geek culture. The contemporary venue is easygoing and spacious, enhanced with gaming-themed murals and small touches. Play pinball, D&D, board games, and console games here. There's also a dedicated black-lit ping pong and beer pong room. Asian-inspired food and a diverse range of drinks are available.

Boom Battle Bar offers a choice of exciting activities in Manchester, whilst the venue is slick and modern. This buzzy bar has karaoke booths and also offers axe throwing, shuffleboard, darts, pool, and beer and prosecco pong, with some activities using augmented reality. Drinks and snacks are served from the bar.

Treetop Golf offers an immersive mini-golf experience, with two different 18-hole courses to tackle. Each course winds through a tropical jungle and is packed with interactive features. As well as the games, there are themed eateries for before or after you play - grab a pizza, relax with a coffee, or kick back with a cocktail.

Based at the Corn Exchange, Sixes Social Cricket reinvents the classic game into a contemporary social activity. This welcoming and casual bar offers exciting tech-enhanced cricket games, plus private karaoke booths and live sport showings. Enjoy some tasty street food and something from the comprehensive drinks list whilst you're here.

Visit Pottery Corner in Chorlton to unleash your inner artist and paint a ceramic piece of your choosing. A varied range of finished ceramics are available and you get to enhance them with your own artistic skills. Painting parties and kits to use at home are available too. The space is full of character, with a cute and quirky look.

Aviva Studios is a modern theatre in a waterside location. Lots of exciting activities and events take place such as performances, festivals, art exhibitions, workshops, and networking sessions. Many of the events here are free to join. There are shops and eateries on-site to make your visit more enjoyable.

Enjoy food, drinks, and darts games at Flight Club. This comfortable and cosy bar is fitted out with semi-private playing areas equipped with advanced technology. You can sample a wide range of drinks and food like pizza and burgers whilst you're playing. This place is also a popular venue for its bottomless pizza brunch.

The Garden House Marple is an ideal family-friendly activity. This attraction encourages wellbeing through being around nature. It's run by volunteers and features a calming space with an assortment of farmyard animals from pigs and goats to alpacas and ponies, a sensory garden, and plenty of space for walking. There's a café on-site as well.

The whole family can enjoy aquatic fun at Hyde Leisure Pool. This modern and enjoyable pool features bubble beds, wave machines, and an exhilarating slide. The venue is fun for all ages. You can also participate in lane swimming, adult lessons, aqua workouts, and fun sessions for children. There's a gym and café here too.

Castlefield Viaduct has been transformed from a Victorian viaduct to an attractive sky garden in central Manchester. This peaceful spot is well-designed and offers great views of the city. The National Trust does free guided tours of the space every morning, but you're also welcome to drop by and explore at your own leisure.

Unleash your inner child with a visit to Bingo Balls. At this fun and affordable venue at Printworks, you can frolic in the giant ball pit, enjoy music from local entertainers and DJs, and sample creative cocktails and delicious food. Every Friday it's bingo night, adding even more fun to the experience.

Try a variety of water-based activities with Salford Watersports Centre. There are plenty of things to try here like paddleboarding, kayaking, and open-water swimming. Coaching and introduction sessions are available too, helping you to develop your technique and confidence. The centre also runs special school holiday activities like canoeing and family watersports sessions.

Practice cycling in a safe environment or learn to ride a bike at Tameside Cycle Circuit. It's a fully-enclosed 1km circuit that's purpose-built and free from traffic. All ages and abilities are welcome for lessons or just to practice. Bikes and helmets are available for hire but you're also free to bring along your own.

Mayfield Park opened in 2022 and covers 6.5 acres in the city centre. This modern space is packed with more than 150 trees and thousands of plants, plus the River Medlock snakes through it. The park includes a number of landscaped spaces as well as a fun play zone with six slides for children.

Discover history in Salford at Ordsall Hall. This stately home has a history going back centuries. Today you can visit to discover more about Tudor times. Explore the house and gardens, enjoy the interactive elements, or take part in special activities, including ghost nights. The attraction also has a shop, a café, and a seasonal open-air theatre.

Have fun playing ping pong at Twenty Twenty Two. This spacious and straightforward spot has colourful art and plenty of tables where you can get competitive, plus it serves drinks and food. Extra events like DJ sets, tournaments, darts nights, and happy hours add to the sense of fun here.