Fun things to do in Manchester

Spending a weekend in Manchester but not sure where to begin? Yeah, there's the amazing night life in the city but that's not all there is to Manchester! The city has rich culture and creativity everywhere, as well as amazing places to eat and shop. The choices canSo, here are some fun things to do in Manchester!

Manchester Museum

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When: Tuesday 10am - 5pm, Wednesday 10 am - 9pm,Thursday 10am - 5pm, Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 10am - 5pm 

Where: Oxford Road, M13 9PL

Starting with the Manchester Museum on Oxford Road, it may look small on the outside, but it's massive inside, with a whole load of exhibitions, events, and sights to see for free. It’s an ideal day out for families, history buffs or anyone interested in cultural artefacts and stories. From live reptiles and amphibians to dinosaur fossils and Egyptian artefacts, Manchester Museum has so much to explore.

They also have exhibitions like The Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery, which showcases traditional Chinese crafts and ‘contemporary links between Manchester and China’. There’s also the South Asia gallery and the Africa Hub, which is co-curated with the Igbo Community Greater Manchester (ICM).

It also doesn’t end there; they host events throughout the year such as spoken word events and book talks, as well as interactive sessions like their superbug trails. A lot of these events tend to be free, and you don’t need to book!

Northern Quarter

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If you’re exploring the city centre with your mates, the Northern Quarter is the perfect place to explore. For you creative types with eclectic tastes, this area is full of quirky and independent cafes, shops and bars. The way to approach it is to walk through the streets and see what you’re drawn to, but there are places you definitely don’t want to miss. 

Afflecks is a must-go. It’s a multi-storey building with a load of independent and vintage shops inside. With piercing shops, cool trinkets, record shops and vintage thrift shops, you can pretty much spend hours there. Band on the Wall is a really cool music venue that hosts all kinds of talented musicians. When it comes to food, you'll find pretty much everything: street food, coffee shops, and tapas bars. 

China Town

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If you’re looking for a bite to eat and love East Asian food, then Manchester’s Chinatown is the place to go! Explore some of Manchester’s best food across China and Hong Kong, but also Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and more. Popular and well-loved spots are the family-run Happy Seasons, the cosy I am Pho and Noodle Alley, and if you love a traditional Asian bakery, Lottie’s Bakehouse and Wong Wong Bakery are the places to go. 

Yeah, they have some of the best restaurants, but there’s also plenty more to explore. Stretching between Oxford Street, Charlotte Street, Portland Street and Mosley Street, there’s so much to eat, explore and shop, from karaoke bars to international supermarkets and Chinese medicine shops.

Also, if you’re around Manchester during Chinese New Year, then Chinatown is not to be missed. With colourful annual celebrations, there’ll be street food stalls, parades, dances and so much more.

Trafford Centre

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When: Monday to Friday 10am - 10pm, Saturday 10am - 9m, Sunday 12pm - 6pm

Where: Trafford Park, Stratford, M17 8AA

For the shopping and food addicts! If you’re in need of a serious shopping spree, then you need to spend a day at the famous Trafford Centre. With bougie water features and marble sculptures, they have every designer store in this shopping centre. From shoes and clothes to makeup and fragrances, the options are endless. 

Not only that, it’s a great place for a fun family day out. Choose from bowling, Legoland, Sea Life, mini-golf, laser quest, or an arcade with over 100 games to have fun in. You can finish the day off with their endless food options. If you’re looking for the perfect small bite, sweet treat or dine-in meal, there’s something for everyone. Everything you’re pretty much looking for is under one roof!

Alexandra Park

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Where: 180 Russel Street, M16 7JL

Rainy and grey days in Manchester are too common. So if the sun’s shining up here in the North, going out to a beautiful park is probably one of the most fun things to do in Manchester. Between Moss Side and Whalley Range, Alexandra Park is a park with stunning views of green landscapes, pathways and lakes with geese and swans. Perfect for a sunny, picturesque walk, the park also hosts regular community events and sports days.

Spanning 60 acres, it’s the perfect way to get your steps in while walking through the park's history and walking up hills. There’s also a play area for children and cafes with tea, coffee and pastries to indulge in while you relax. 

HOME

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When: Monday to Thursday 10am - 11pm, Friday to Saturday 10am - 12am, Sunday 11am - 10:30pm 

Where: 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN

For the art lovers! If you still haven’t been to Manchester’s HOME, what are you doing? An arts centre with five cinema rooms, theatre space and art exhibitions from local and international artists; there’s always something new to explore here. An inclusive creative space in the heart of the city, they also regularly host a range of creative events that people can get involved in. 

Aviva Studios

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When: Tuesday to Thursday 9:45am - 6pm, Friday to Sunday 10am - 11pm

Where: Water Street, M3 4JQ

This city is full of art and creativity, and how can it not be? Aviva Studios is another cultural and creative hub for emerging and established artists and communities. They regularly work with communities and creative people in Manchester to build skills, connections, and creativity by offering free training programmes. You can also watch live performances, choreography, immersive art and theatre shows. 

There's plenty more exciting and fun things to do in Manchester. Never ending, really. So if you're spending a few nights in the city, here's best clubs, roof-top bars and pubs too!

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