Things to do in Manchester
The city centre is dotted with attractions like Manchester Art Gallery. Enjoy city views from the Wheel of Manchester or walk around Castlefield and the city canals. The Lowry cultural complex around Salford Quays is a Manchester must. South of the centre, the university district is home to Manchester Museum and its award-winning Vivarium. Experience Old Trafford with Manchester United Museum and Stadium Tour. Many museums are free.
Manchester Museum
Fossils and native art
Ancient history and world cultures are explored in the university-owned
Manchester Museum's galleries in the city centre. Displays include
dinosaurs, Egyptology and Mediterranean archaeology. Discover monitor
lizards and Amazonian habitats in the award-winning Vivarium.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun & Mon 11am-4pm
Address
University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 275 2634
Manchester Art Gallery
Renowned Pre-Raphaelite collection
The refurbished city centre Manchester Art Gallery houses thousands of
exhibits from 17th-century European art and Pre-Raphaelite paintings to
Victorian dolls' houses and a Levi jeans chair. Enjoy the special
exhibitions or take a break in the café.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 10am-5pm
Address
Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 235 8888
Whitworth Art Gallery
Watercolours to rare wallpapers
Renowned for its British watercolours and JMW Turner works, the Whitworth Art
Gallery, in the central university district, houses themed exhibitions,
modern and historic fine art prints, sculpture, textiles and rare
wallpapers. Don't forget to try the gallery's award-winning café.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 12-4pm
Address
University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 275 7450
Museum of Science & Industry
Past and future explored
The Air & Space Centre and Electricity Gallery are among the
entertaining galleries at the Museum of Science & Industry, in the
world's oldest railway station in Manchester's regenerated canal district.
Get hands-on in Xperiment or crawl through Underground Manchester.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4FP
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 832 2244
The John Rylands Library Deansgate
Architecture meets literature
A beautiful 1890s Victorian, neo-Gothic building with a vaulted roof, the
refurbished John Rylands Library on central Deansgate houses the
oldest-known New Testament piece and an early edition of Chaucer's
Canterbury Tales.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun-Mon 12pm-5pm
Address
150, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 275 3764
Chill Factore
Indoor ski slope
Chill Factore at Trafford Quays Leisure Village has a 180-metre real snow
indoor ski slope. Ski equipment is available for hire and qualified
instructors offer lessons. A special play area, inflatable tube rides and a
luge slide cater to non-skiers.
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Cost
1-hour lift pass £15-£25; lessons from £22; fun activities £13-£16
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-10pm (from 7.30am Wed)
Address
Trafford Way, Trafford Quays Leisure Village, Manchester M41 7JA
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 749 2222
Manchester United Museum and Stadium Tour
World-class football history
The Manchester United Museum and Stadium Tour goes behind the scenes of the
world-famous Old Trafford football club. Stops include the Hall of Fame,
Trophy Room, player's tunnel and even manager Alex Ferguson's spot in the
dug-out. Pre-booking is recommended.
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Cost
£12.50; concessions £8.50
Opening Hours
Daily 9.40am-4.30pm (not match days or days before Champions League home games)
Address
Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RA
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 868 8000
The Lowry
Waterside art and culture
On Salford Quays in revamped docklands, The Lowry's glass-and-metallic
structure houses an eclectic blend of galleries and visual art including LS
Lowry's urban cityscapes. The complex offers waterside dining, gift shops
and theatres; opposite is the Imperial War Museum North.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Sun-Fri 11am-5pm; Sat 10am-5pm
Address
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford M50 3AZ
Telephone
0870 787 5780 (Box Office, from UK only)
Wheel of Manchester
Sky-high views
The 60-metre-high Wheel of Manchester in Exchange Square offers 360-degree
views of Manchester's ever-changing cityscape from its 42 pods, while
commentary highlights local landmarks. Enjoy the 13-minute ride in heated,
air-conditioned eight-seater capsules or sip champagne in the VIP
gondola.
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Cost
£6.50; 4-16 yrs £4.50; under-4s £1
Opening Hours
Sun-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri 10am-12am; Sat 9am-12am
Address
Exchange Square, Manchester M3 1BD
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 831 9918
