20 of the Best Places to Visit in Manchester
Last updated Feb 04, 2025
Manchester is an incredible city that is constantly evolving and becoming ever more vibrant. A recent renaissance of sorts added even more attractions in Manchester City. There are new initiatives such as the Castlefield project and its museum complex on Liverpool Road. There was an extension of the city's entertainment and sports facilities; and major investment into Manchester City Football Club.
No matter where your interests lie, be they in sports, arts and culture, shopping, nightlife or food and drink, Manchester has something for everyone. I think it’s one of the best UK city breaks, but maybe I'm biased.
Here are just 20 of my top attractions in Manchester City
Shopping in Manchester
Shopping may not be the first thing you think of when you’re planning to visit some of the Manchester Tourist Attractions. However, the city is home to the 3rd largest shopping centre in the UK. You can quite literally find everything you need under one roof.
Manchester Arndale
Manchester Arndale lies in the heart of Manchester city centre. It is home to a whole range of popular high street brands and department stores including Selfridges, Debenhams and House of Fraser.
Market Street also has one of the UK’s biggest Primark stores. Might be best to bring an empty suitcase if this place is on your agenda!
Intu Trafford centre
Along with a huge selection of brands and retailers, Intu Trafford Centre is also home to LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre, Sea Life, ODEON Cinema and many more family-friendly activities.
The centre has the largest food court in Europe, and even boasts an arcade for when you need that break!
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Restaurants and bars in Manchester
Manchester has a thriving food and drink scene. Here are a few of my favourite spots, as with most restaurants worth a visit, a booking is highly recommended. If you love to dine outdoors, then you’re sure to love Manny.
Spinningfields
Hit the trendy Spinningfields and enjoy one of their upmarket and luxurious restaurants. The iconic Australasia is a popular choice serving modern Australian cuisine in a beautiful setting.
In all, there are over 45 restaurants and bars in the district, so you’re sure to find a unique experience like dining at 20 Stories, pairing great food with one of the top Manchester sightseeing places. As you dine, you look out over the city and its famous buildings.
The Printworks
For a range of popular restaurant chains, a visit to the The Printworks is a must, as it has the likes of Wagamama, Nando’s and Hard Rock Cafe under its roof. There's also an ODEON cinema there if you fancy dinner and a movie.
The print works opens each day from 6:30am and stays buzzing until 4am most nights. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Tea sorted!
The Corn Exchange
Just across the road is The Corn Exchange. This stunning Edwardian building houses a range of international restaurants.
To mention a few of the cuisines on offer, you can enjoy the spice and flavour of India at Mowglis, authentic Mexican street food at Wahaca, or fun and vibrant Brazilian at Cabana.
The Northern Quarter
For something a little different, head over to The Northern Quarter. Colourful street art really brings this part of Manchester to life.
You'll find cool cafés, bars and restaurants lining the streets, and all sorts of hidden gems around every corner. Popular spots include Evelyn's, Federal café and Home Sweet Home.
I’ve put together an unmissable guide to spending 24 hours in the Northern Quarter.
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Theatre and music in Manchester
Enjoy a night at the theatre? If so, you'll be spoilt for choice in Manchester. What to see in Manchester you may ask, well you can check out the Manchester theatres run down of the best shows this season.
The Palace Theatre
This is one of Manchester's premier venues. Located in the heart of the city, its stage has played host to the likes of Covent Garden Opera and the Kirov Ballet.
AO arena
This is the largest indoor arena in Europe. Some of the biggest names in music have played here, including U2, The Rolling Stones, Madonna and Pavarotti. It also stages major sporting events such as international boxing bouts.
The Lowry
This is a registered charity that aims to use visual and performing arts to enrich people's lives. And that it does with great aplomb. They also have a lovely bar and restaurant, so you can make quite the evening there.
The Bridgewater Hall
This impressive building is home to three resident orchestras and runs its own classical music season. In addition, it hosts over 250 performances of various musical genres every year.
The Crystal Maze
The Crytsal Maze is one of the newest additions to Manchester. What was once a popular UK television show has been turned into a fun but challenging activity and is a great family day out.
You must be 13 or older to enter, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. If you’ve got younger kids in tow, read our guide on A Weekend Away with the Kids in Manchester.
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Museums, galleries and history in Manchester
If you’re here to see the sights and learn about Manchester’s interesting heritage, there are many great spots. I’m a firm believer that a museum is a must visit when you’re exploring a new city.
Museum of Science and Industry
There is lots to discover here, and you can learn about all sorts of different interesting facts about the Industrial Revolution, an important part of Manchester’s identity.
Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery is home to a vast amount of world-class art. You'll also find an interactive space known as Clore Art Studio.
Here, visitors can really immerse themselves in the art, an experience that is particularly enjoyable for kids.
The Whitworth Gallery
The Whitworth Gallery on Oxford Road is another place to sample great art. Staying at Staycity, just jump on public transport and have one of the best day trips of your vacation.
Manchester Town Hall
The Manchester Town Hall is a beautiful building and a must-see when you come to Manchester. During December, it overlooks the popular Manchester Christmas Markets and really is an iconic building in the city.
Chetham's Library
Chetham's Library is a stunning historic building and one for the photo album.
Victoria Baths
The Victoria Baths has a fascinating history. This brilliant heritage visitor attraction is open for tours on selected dates if you want to discover their history.
This is not an exhaustive list of Manchester museums, there are some other greats like John Ryland’s library or the Imperial war museum north to check out.
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Sport in Manchester
Manchester is home to some very well known sporting clubs. People generally say their prayers at Manchester Cathedral, but often tourists who are visiting for sport say them before a game!
Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium
Old Trafford is home to Manchester United and is the UK’s biggest club football stadium. Meanwhile, Manchester City's state-of-the-art Etihad Stadium is also a must-see. Take your time to plan a stadium tour on one of your days in the city.
The National Football Museum
The National Football Museum, centrally located next to the Corn Exchange, is filled with interesting facts on every single aspect of the game and is a great visit for any football enthusiast.
The Snow Centre
If you are keen to get in on the action, a visit to The Snow Centre is a must. You’ll find the longest indoor ski and snowboarding slope in the UK here, making for a very action-packed day for the family.
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Looking for the best place to stay while exploring Manchester? Book a Manchester aparthotel perfectly located in the city centre.
