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Manchester is filled with wonderful attractions for travelers to enjoy, which is why if you’re planning to travel through Great Britain, you should make it a point to stop in this city. Of course, if you’re a fan of Manchester United or Manchester City, you probably already have this city on your bucket list. However, if even you’ve never watched a single football match in your life, a vacation to Manchester is a must for travelers looking for experiences that they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives. Here are some of the top attractions in Manchester:
1. John Ryland’s Library
2. National Football Museum
3. Old Trafford
4. HOME
5. Manchester Craft and Design Centre
6. Northern Quarter
7. Manchester Museum
8. Victoria Baths
9. Cloud 23
10. Manchester Art Gallery
11. Affleck’s
12. Manchester Cathedral
If you’re an avid reader, you probably just cannot resist the lure of a great library. The John Ryland’s Library is a wonderful place to visit has it holds one of the most extensive collections of books in the whole country. You can easily spend a few hours just marveling at the Neo-Gothic structure of the library, walking from one section of the building to another, taking in the irreplaceable smell of books. Enjoy a quiet moment with your partner at this library as the two of you read old poetry and lovely prose.
Address: John Ryland’s Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester
The National Football Museum is a well-known landmark in Manchester and if you’re a fan of football in general, then you must visit this museum. The museum chronicles the history of football in England and even has an extensive exhibit that focuses entirely on the last time England won the World Cup. There is also a skill section in the museum that helps you learn more about improving your own game so, who knows, you might end up surprising your gang back home with a few extra tricks up your sleeve!
Address: National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, City Centre
Old Trafford is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, and it certainly warrants a visit if you’re in the city. Of course, if you’re a Manchester United fan, you’re going to want to visit this stadium. Apart from taking a tour of Old Trafford, you can also spend some time at the gift shop buying presents for your loved ones back home. You should also head down to the Red Café to enjoy a delicious meal while surrounded by different tidbits that chronicle the team’s journey.
Address: Old Trafford, Sir Matt Busby Way, Stratford.
HOME is one of Manchester’s most celebrated cultural zones, and it’s a great place to go to if you’re interested in arts and culture. HOME has a range of different experiences for you to enjoy, for instance, there are many great restaurants here that offer delectable meals. The venue hosts frequent plays, art exhibitions, periodic events based on themes, and even screenings of popular plays. A great way to make the most of visiting this place is by ensuring you can spend an entire day here so that you can enjoy different experiences.
Address: HOME, 2, Tony Wilson Place, First St, Manchester.
The Manchester Craft and Design Centre is located in the Victorian fish market of Manchester, and stands out from its surroundings as it’s a relatively contemporary building when compared to everything else around it. It’s a great place to head to if you want to buy interesting gifts for your loved ones, as many vendors set up their studios and sell ceramics, jewellery, prints, art, sculptures, and more. There’s also a really quaint café here for you to enjoy a great meal. Do keep in mind that the Manchester Craft and Design Centre hosts exhibitions and performances occasionally, so plan your trip in a way that lets you enjoy these things.
Address: Manchester Craft and Design Centre, 17 Oak St, Manchester,
The Northern Quarter is one of the most exciting places in Manchester as it is home to a range bustling pubs and restaurants, along with market places and arthouses. If you’re someone who enjoys night-outs, and heading to places that are filled with people, then the Northern Quarter might be the right place for you to explore. If possible, try to stay at a hotel that’s close to this area, because you’ll probably want to end each evening by walking to this area and exploring what it has to offer.
Address: Northern Quarter, Manchester
If you’re someone who loves to explore the world’s history, then you’ve got to add the Manchester Museum to your itinerary. The Manchester Museum’s collection mainly centers around natural history, with many exhibitions that focus on Egyptian mummies, unusual beetles, dinosaur skeletons, and more. One of the biggest highlights of this museum include an exhibit on rare reptiles and frogs, a creepy yet intriguing exhibit.
Address: Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, The University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester.
If you’ve always wanted to enjoy a great experience at a Turkish bath, you don’t necessarily have to travel all the way to Turkey! If you’re in Manchester, then you’ve got to head down to Victoria Baths, which is a well-known bathhouse. Apart from offering a great bathhouse experience, the Victoria Baths also host theatrical performances, gin and beer festivals, and even weddings. So, if you’re planning a trip to Manchester, do make a point to note whether there are special events that coincide with your trip so that you can make the most of it.
Address: Victoria Baths, Hathersage Rd, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.
Cloud 23 is a great restaurant for people who want to spend a romantic evening with their significant other, while enjoying a great meal. Located on the 23rd floor, the bar offers stunning panoramic views of Manchester. However, that’s not the only reason why you should visit this place. Cloud 23 offers a range of inventive cocktails that pack a punch. If you’re lucky, you might just run into a footballer or movie star – that’s how exclusive this place is!
Address: Cloud 23, Beetham Tower, 303 Deansgate, Manchester.
The Manchester Art Gallery is a free-entry gallery that hosts a lot of exciting exhibitions, and if you’ love exposing yourself to interesting works of art that challenge the way you think, then you certainly should include this place on your list of places to visit when in Manchester. The Manchester Art Gallery has beautiful oil paintings, costumes and decorative arts as a part of its permanent collection, so even if there isn’t an exhibition taking place when you visit, you’ll still have a lot to see!
Address: Manchester Art Gallery Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Affleck’s is one of the most popular spots in Manchester for the alternate crowd, and if you’re looking for interesting fetish gear or even tamer items like DIY jewellery, then you’ll find it with ease here. If you’re interested in an exciting culinary experience, then you should head down to Ginger’s Comfort Emporium for some luxury ice cream. The stores here offer an array of funky clothing, memorabilia and jewellery. Make sure that you do head down to this part of town if you are looking for an unforgettable experience.
Address: Affleck’s, 52 Church St, Manchester.
If you’d like to explore Victorian architecture, then you must visit the Manchester Cathedral, which is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The stunning interiors will take your breath away as you sit in the vast Cathedral, exploring your own spirituality. As this is one of the most beautiful areas in Manchester, it often hosts a ton of gigs. So, keep an eye out for the same and see what’s in store for you when you’re visiting the city. Do note that the cathedral shuts at 5:30 on Mondays and Fridays, and 6:30 on all other days.
Address: Victoria Street, Manchester, England, M3 1SX, United Kingdom
Manchester has a range of beautiful attractions for you to explore, so you should certainly ensure that you visit this city while travelling across Great Britain. From art galleries to football stadiums and museums, there is a lot for you to experience, no matter how you picture your perfect evening. Spend at least a few days in this city so that you can make the most of your time in this place, and do bookmark this page so that you can refer to it while planning your trip.
