14 things to see and do in Manchester 2024
The UK’s second city often jostles with that moniker. There are sassy street art walking tours, a storied industrial past, incredible state-of-the-art galleries, museums, and libraries. Then there's its epic musical history and live music venues, food-focused markets, hot tables and hip hybrid hotels, a burgeoning arts and crafts community and plenty of green spaces. And nobody even mentioned football yet. Read on for our pick of the best 14 things to do in Manchester…
Raz McNulty Photography / Alamy Stock Photo1. Head to the library
Manchester is a UNESCO City of Literature, so it’s jam-packed with libraries, galleries and museums for a cultural hit – best of all, they’re often free or cheap days out. Manchester’s Central Library is a must-see, then John Ryland’s Library, with its impressive reading room. Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery, and the National Football Museum should all be high on the agenda, plus the Science and Industry Museum – give the kids a history lesson on how Manchester got on the global map and about its prolific cotton industry.
Website: visitmanchester.com/central-library
Bjanka Kadic / Alamy Stock Photo2. Do a free walking tour
To get acquainted with a new city, a free walking tour is always a winner. Manchester’s plethora of tours makes for a dizzying array of themes: famous music locations, most beautiful buildings, the city's street art, or the suffragette movement. The free tours run every morning (by locals), and take in a summary of Manchester’s past and present – guests uncover all the major sights and historical facts plus some extra little nuggets.
National Trust Images/Paul Harris3. Parks and gardens: go to the industrial ‘sky park’
Manchester has many green spaces and places. The latest opening is the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct – a park set in the sky on a Victorian-era steel viaduct and part of Manchester’s industrial legacy circa 1892 – launched to the public in July 2022. Manchester’s first sky park has enviable views, plenty of history, and horticultural workshops and events. It has a real community vibe: four local partners have committed to designing their gardens on the viaduct. Locals can also contribute their thoughts on how they’d like the viaduct space to be used. Give your vote for this great local initiative – it’s open for an initial 12-month period.
Address: Catalan Square, Duke St, Manchester M3 4PU
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk/castlefield-viaduct
Bailey-Cooper Photography / Alamy Stock Photo4. Party (or don’t) at Canal Street
Alongside its prolific live music scene and epic musical heritage, Manchester’s Canal Street or Gay Village is a testament that Manchester is one of the world’s leading LGBTQ+ villages. Apart from being the party place – get yourself to G-A-Y, pop music and party central – there are also heaps of other things to do for a less raucous time. Try out some traditional pubs such as butterscotch-bricked Molly House. Wander the rainbow-bright streets or go to Sackville Gardens to spy the Beacon of Hope – an important part of history.
Address: Canal Street, Manchester, M13HE
Website: canal-st.co.uk
Getty Images5. See Manchester’s landmark gothic town hall
Go goth at Manchester’s Town Hall. The Victorian, neo-Gothic municipal building in Albert Square is a definite landmark in the city, and the Grade I Listed town hall is undergoing a 320m restoration upgrade to boot, due to be fully upscaled in 2024. Originally launched in 1877 and designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the hall itself includes pre-Raphaelite murals by Ford Madox Brown – it’s also been a film set location for its Houses of Parliament-type interiors such as in The Iron Lady. To learn its enduring history, take a tour from an experienced guide and dig deeper.
Address: Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester M2 5DB
Website: manchestercentral.co.uk/town-hall-manchester
Richard R Handley / Alamy Stock Photo6. Day trip to bohemian Hebden Bridge
Just 30 minutes by train from the city, the boho enclave of Hebden Bridge awaits. For a short trip outside the city’s main sights, it offers a glimpse into this creative pocket: a popular home for writers and artists in the 1970s and 1980s. With the bridge at its heart, Hebden is a handsome, little market town in Calder Valley – it’s speckled with independent boutiques and restaurants with an energetic, hip vibe from the young, creative crowd that now resides there.
Address: King Sreet, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 6LU
Website: canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/hebden-bridge
7. Stay at a hybrid hotel: a reimagined 19th-century cotton factory at Whitworth Locke
In keeping with the city's cotton industry roots, stay in a 19th-century cotton factory – well, a luxuriously redesigned one. Whitworth Locke has a reputation for its carefully curated collection of apart-hotels: sharp design, great food, and upcoming locations near the city. Opposite Canal Street and a mere 10-minute walk to Piccadilly, the location is spot on. The factory building has maintained its little quirks and the rooms themselves offer luxury and comfort – and a stylish kitchen and lounge area. If you’re in a group, book the two-bedroom suite duplex.
Address: 74 Princess St, Manchester M1 6JD
Getty Images8. Experience Old Trafford
It would be wrong not to visit Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, when in Manchester. Go for a tour of the museum and stadium (£25) or – if you’re pushed for time – try the shorter guided tour of the Theatre of Dreams (£15) on various dates in October. A brilliant activity for the little ones at the Manchester City Football Academy is the (free) Man City Kids Fanzone. This free event runs before each home match: football-crazed kids can partake in skills sessions and games, book ahead.
Address: Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M16 0RA
Websites: manutd.com/visit-old-trafford; mancity.com/kids-fanzone
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9. Imbibe at an old Victorian pub
There are plenty of glorious old Victorian pubs in and around the city. Try Paul Heaton’s (from the Beautiful South and Housemartins) King’s Arms in Salford – the old-school pub has many beautiful Victorian elements and there’s a loft performance room at the very top. Others to look out for include The Crown and Kettle – a Grade II-listed wonder with a magical ceiling or The Beagle for 1970s nostalgia and gastropub eats.
10. Sample the city's best restaurants
Manchester’s culinary landscape is masterful – there’s every type of cuisine, for every budget. There is one Michelin-starred restaurant, more sensational eateries, food courts, markets and coffee shops. Areas to migrate to include Chinatown – the second largest in the UK – the outer-city food markets such as Altrincham Market and the independent coffee shops that fill the city and beyond. Dishoom is located in a spectacular 1920s Grade II-listed building, Manchester Hall, and serves up Indian street food and plates with heart – taking its cues from the cafes of Mumbai.
Cristina Pedreira / Alamy Stock Photo11. Wander the creative Northern Quarter
Grab an (indie) coffee and wander the wonderful Northern Quarter: boutiques, banter and bright splashes of street art await. Make sure to visit the Manchester Craft and Design Centre – home to the city's dynamic independent designers and makers. The 40-year-old centre has over 20 studios selling original ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles and homeware. The exhibition space celebrates regional and national craft talent – the centre is a part of a bigger creative clan. After, seek out the warren of cobbled alleyways in the quarter and the Out House project. It showcases brilliant public art: the striking pictures and murals are memorable.
Website: northernquartermanchester.com
12. Go to Manchester’s ‘water palace’, The Victoria Baths
Open on set dates from March to November, The Victoria Baths is Manchester’s water palace. Unveiled in 1906, the elegant public baths were created with many ornate period features: think mosaic floors and stained glass. Though there’s no swimming now, guests can take a guided tour of the incredible Victorian building and learn about its features and its past heritage, and it’s also home to coveted city events such as Manchester’s Night Market and the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.
Address: Hathersage Rd, Manchester M13 0FE
Website: victoriabaths.org.uk
Claire Harrison Photography13. Potter around the markets
Manchester’s markets should be on your radar. Not only are there incredible fashion, design, art, craft and street food markets – some of them offer an extensive day-to-night experience – shop and then drop, to eat and imbibe. So, where to go? In the city centre, Mackie Mayor is an essential stop in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and is food central – go for dinner or a pint. In the burbs, ‘Alty’ or Altrincham Market is a firm favourite for locals and positively buzzing, you can find everything – from books to crafts, to local produce and food. On the last Sunday of the month, check out the innovative bakers, makers and creators at Didsbury Makers Market.
14. Book tickets to The Lowry
When in Manchester, go to The Lowry; it’s an incredible cultural space that pays homage to the city’s famed LS Lowry. See the permanent Lowry exhibition, or book a show or film – past musical hits include SIX. Named after the Salford-based Mancunian legend, the fine art and performance venue is also a charity and has an extensive programme of events. It is magnificently eye-catching and the masterful building itself is extraordinary: with a mammoth steel and glass ship-like design set on Salford Quays.
Address: The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ
Website: thelowry.com