3 days in Manchester

Day one

Morning

Re-acquaint yourself with the city by taking a Discover Manchester walking tour, starting at Central Library in St Peter’s Square daily, the tour explores Manchester’s past, present and future, whilst taking in some amazing architecture and astonishing interiors. Just before lunch you should arrive at the Royal Exchange Theatre, why not pick up some tickets for a performance from the box office, or simply peruse the surrounding shops, including Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Marks & Spencer and the 200+ stores on offer at Manchester Arndale.

Lunch

There is no shortage of places to rest your feet and fill your belly in Manchester city centre. Corn Exchange in Exchange Square presents cuisines from around the world with an abundance of restaurants to choose from. For football fanatics Café Football at the National Football Museum is the ideal choice, serving up honest food that brings people together. The newly opened Manchester Arndale’s Halle Place dining quarter is ideal for all day dining with popular brands providing the ideal resting place for weary shoppers.

Afternoon

Take the afternoon to rediscover the trials and triumphs of the beautiful game at the National Football Museum, test your skills in the penalty shootout or delve into the social history and culture of one of the world’s most popular sports. If sport isn’t really your thing then why not step back in time at Chethams Library. Just next door to the National Football Museum sits the oldest public library in the English-speaking world, take a look around for free or join onto one of the regular guided tours.

Evening

Take a stroll around the city’s creative urban heart and rediscover the nightlife of the Northern Quarter, where come dusk patrons are spilling out onto the streets between the independent pubs, bars and eateries creating an atmosphere not found anywhere else. Stop for a bite to eat at Mackie Mayor, a glass-roofed marketplace, packed with the city’s finest food and drink merchants, with room enough for hundreds of diners and drinkers. If you’re looking for live music, Matt and Phred’s is a world landmark Jazz Club, and is a cornerstone of the UK touring scene. 

Day two

Morning

Hop on a tram from the city centre towards Ashton-Under-Lyne and you will come across the Etihad Stadium, here you can go behind the scenes at one of the world’s best football clubs, Manchester City Football Club, on a Stadium & Club Tour or book onto one of the First Team Experience Tours for a more in-depth look at the inner workings of the world-renowned club.  

Alternatively stay within a 20-minute walk of the city centre by strolling down Oxford Road towards The Whitworth, a gallery in the park, home to works by some of the world’s leading artists and one of Manchester’s must-see cultural destinations. Just a five-minute walk away sits The Pankhurst Centre, the birthplace of the suffragette movement and a volunteer-run museum detailing the story of women’s suffrage. Then delve into the stories of the author of tales such as North and South at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, just a short walk from the Pankhurst Centre.

Lunch

Back in the city centre taste the flavours of the far-east in Chinatown, with an array of restaurants offering Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Thai cuisine. For something a little more traditional why not visit one of the independent cafes and coffee shops which are dotted around the Northern Quarter.

Afternoon

Stay in the Northern Quarter to rediscover Manchester’s unique side, and stumble upon some hidden gems. Take a Skyliner Street Art Tour to take in some of the most famous works in the city’s ever-changing street art scene. Wander down to Oak Street and you will find Manchester Craft and Design Centre, housed in a 18th century fish market building, where goods are hand-crafted and sold on the premises. The centre is at the heart of Manchester’s growing innovative and artistic community.

Evening

Spend the evening in the sleek bars and restaurants of Spinningfields, some of which are favourite celebrity hangouts. For meat lovers Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill is the ideal dining destination, serving Gaucho-style traditional Brazilian food. Scene Indian Street Kitchen offers a high-end and authentic taste of India and is a dining experience using all five senses.

Day three

Morning

Start the day by hopping on Manchester’s hop-on hop-off bus tour, Sightseeing Manchester, to take in some of the city’s history narrated by Lost and Lord of the Rings actor, Dominic Monaghan. The tour will take you out to The Quays, Greater Manchester’s unique waterfront destination, where you can take in some art at The Lowry, home to the largest collection of works by L.S.Lowry in the UK. Just a short walk away sits IWM North, a museum dedicated to giving a voice to the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people forced to live their lives in a world torn apart by conflict. For something a little different why not join a BBC MediaCity UK Tour to take a behind the scenes look at the world of broadcasting.

Lunch

Stay by the waterfront at The Quays for lunch, you can find a good selection of well-known restaurants at the Lowry Outlet Mall or at MediaCity UK. The Lowry’s very own restaurant Pier Eight is a stylish restaurant and bar, overlooking the stunning waterside setting, serving up traditional British food with a unique twist. Or why not hop back onto the Sightseeing Manchester bus to Manchester United Football Club for a bite to eat at The Red Café, a celebration of all things United.

Afternoon

Continue your tour with Sightseeing Manchester and you will come to Old Trafford where you can hop off for a behind the scenes look at Manchester United Football Club on a Museum & Stadium Tour. After your tour of Old Trafford, and an obligatory peruse of the Megastore, hop back on to the Sightseeing Manchester bus and continue the journey towards the city centre, where you will come across the Science and Industry Museum, housed in the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station, discover how the revolutionary railroad changed the face of Manchester, and the world, forever. Finally, finish up the Sightseeing Manchester tour in Albert Square.

Evening

This evening why not explore the city centre’s waterside destination, Castlefield, with a large selection of pubs, bars and restaurants where patrons make good use of the outdoor seating and the unique setting. Extend the evening by wandering down to Deansgate Locks to discover some of Manchester’s most loved nightclubs and bars.