Top 10 tips to Visit Manchester Well

With our walkable city, extensive public transport network, farm to table eating, city parks, easy access to beautiful countryside, accredited accommodation, and brilliant local businesses and attractions, it’s easy to make your stay in Manchester a sustainable one.  Here are our top 10 tips for a sustainable visit to the city: 

1. Explore by bike & foot – Manchester is a walkable city, with all the major attractions, hotels and restaurants within 30 minutes’ walk of the centre. Or hop on one of the 1500 Starling bikes and e-bikes available for hire and explore the region’s 199km of cycle lanes.
2. Use public transport – Manchester has the most extensive light railway in the UK in the Metrolink which can get you around the city centre and beyond. Free buses loop around the city centre, and our train and bus network can take you further afield. There really is no need to step into a car!
3. Stay longer – why not stay in Manchester for a few days longer – that way not only will you get to know our great city and its people better, you’ll also have time to explore the wider Greater Manchester region and beyond.
4. Visit wider - Manchester is the Gateway to the North! Not only can you explore all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, but you can easily reach cities like Liverpool, Sheffield and Leeds on the train or be even more adventurous in the nearby Lake District and Peak District.
5. Eat local – eating local produce is not only delicious, but it helps to save on food miles and the environmental impact of your meals. Check out some of our brilliant local restaurants during your stay.
6. Refill water – did you know, we use around 150 plastic bottles a year, so using a refillable water bottle can help reduce the amount of plastic going to landfill and prevent it from damaging the environment, as well as saving you money. Find refill stations around Greater Manchester.
7. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – help us lower our impact on the environment by doing things such as avoiding using any kind of single use plastic, using hotel towels more than once, reading maps on your phone instead of printing them out, and making sure any paper, plastic, or cans are put in recycling bins during your stay.
8. Shop local and circular – Manchester has many brilliant shops with local produce, and loads of great second hand, preloved, and vintage clothes shops – get something unique and give some clothing a second life!
9. Visit us at any time of year – Manchester is a great time to visit all year round, not just during peak seasons. Book a new year break, or come and explore in Autumn when the cosy season starts to kick in.
10. Visit community projects – Manchester has many great projects that support the local community, which you can also contribute by visiting, grabbing a drink in their café, or even volunteering some time!