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What to do and see in Manchester 48 Hours in Manchester
Manchester offers a wealth of activities in a compact city centre. You can create your very own Manchester just by taking a walk round – but if you need a little help getting started, read on…
Friday - Afternoon
The Northern Quarter is a great place to start and a treasure trove of independent galleries, boutiques, shops, restaurants and bars. It’s the place for creative and artistic minds and unique places like Affleck’s Palace and Manchester Craft & Design Centre.
Friday - Night
If you’re feeling hungry, try modern British cuisine at homely Market Restaurant. The Northern Quarter also offers good food and drink with a bohemian feel in its many cafés and bars. It’s also a hub for musicians and live music with venues like Night & Day and Roadhouse. For a more relaxed atmosphere, Matt & Phred’s offers live jazz music until the early hours.
Saturday - Morning
Jump on a Metrolink to The Quays, Manchester’s unique waterfront destination. It is the home to the most famous football stadium in the world, Old Trafford. Visit this holy ground of football and re-live Manchester United’s triumphs at the museum and peep behind the scenes on the stadium tour. If football’s your thing, Manchester City welcome visitors to their museum and spectacular City of Manchester Stadium tour on the other side of town. Also part of The Quays and a short walk from Old Trafford, the fascinating Imperial War Museum North explores how lives are affected by conflict. Just over the footbridge, The Lowry brings together art, music and theatre with an extensive collection by renowned artist LS Lowry and award-winning theatre and arts programme. Across the plaza, The Lowry Outlet Mall stocks designer outlet bargains from the likes of Marks & Spencer, Nike, Molton Brown and Karen Millen. Back on the tram to the city centre, stop off at G-Mex for historic Castlefield. This is where the Museum of Science & Industry (MoSI) tells Manchester’s story from its Roman fort origins (literally across the road) to international pioneer as the world’s first industrial city. For lunch, why not try authentic Japanese food at Sapporo Teppanyaki or fish ‘n’ chips at The Fish Hut. Either way, it’s hard to miss Manchester’s most noticeable building, the tall, sleek and slender Beetham Tower.
Saturday - Afternoon
A walk north along Deansgate brings you to the magnificent John Rylands Library. Rylands is one of Manchester’s finest gothic buildings and now part of the new Spinningfields district. You’re also just round the corner from King Street and some of Manchester’s most exclusive shops. Vivienne Westwood, DKNY, Armani Collezioni/Emporio Armani and several other designer labels await to welcome you through their doors.
For high street brands like Marks & Spencer, Next, Topshop and H&M stroll over to Market Street and Manchester Arndale. Or try an alternative shopping experience and find fresh, local produce or continental deli treats at Manchester’s many permanent and temporary speciality markets. Manchester’s compact city centre means it’s easy to make the most what’s on offer. Old and new architecture sits side by side. For example, Manchester Cathedral is just round the corner from A-list celebrities Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. Iconic Urbis tells the story of modern urban life and sits next door to the former corn exchange, now the chic shopping centre, Triangle. If you need some cinematic relaxation after all this retail therapy, Cornerhouse is the place for independent film and world cinema– it’s also the perfect place to watch bustling Oxford Street go by. And just a few minutes away, Manchester Art Gallery boasts a world-class collection alongside prestigious international touring exhibitions. Saturday - Night
Eating out is a special occasion in itself and the food and drink scene in Manchester is constantly evolving. It has produced first-class dining experiences at places like Little Yang Sing, Panacea and the Northern Quarter Restaurant. Alongside these popular restaurants, you can also get superb value for money at Manchester favourites like Chinatown and the Curry Mile in Rusholme. Ballet, opera, drama, classical performances and musicals are all on offer throughout the city in some of Manchester’s grandest buildings. To name just a few, check what’s on at the Royal Exchange, the Library Theatre, the Bridgewater Hall, the Palace and the Opera House. Ready for Manchester’s legendary nightlife? Bars, café bars, traditional pubs and unforgettable clubs – Manchester provides for everyone. The Printworks is a 24 hour entertainment complex, Deansgate Locks offers some of Manchester’s most stylish socialising and gay or straight, Manchester’s Gay Village is one of the best nights out in the UK. The unique atmosphere and friendly crowd make a party atmosphere every night of the week.
Sunday - Morning
Manchester’s superb transport links make it perfect to explore the region. Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008, is less than an hour away with Albert Dock, Tate Liverpool and the unmissable Beatle Story. The walled Roman city of Chester draws visitors from around the world with its splendid Cathedral and trademark half timbered black and white buildings. Manchester is also close to some of the UK’s favourite stately homes and country parks – Chatsworth House, Tatton Hall and Lyme Park are all around an hour away.
Sunday - Afternoon
The Lake District is famous for its stunning scenery and beautiful countryside – all of which provided inspiration for William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. Discover quaint villages, antique shops and tea rooms or maybe try abseiling, windsurfing, fell walking or rock climbing. This breathtaking national park is less than two hours from Manchester and is not to be missedage Content
All information is courtesy of Marketing Manchester.
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