Top 25 Tourist Attractions to See and Cool Things to Do in Manchester, England

October 18, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 2894 Views

Manchester is a city in England in the UK. It is known for its rich industrial history and football heritage. Consequently, some of the best things to do in Manchester, England revolve around these two aspects. Alongside, you will also find numerous art galleries that celebrate classical, modern, and contemporary works. In this article, we look at the best places to visit in Manchester and near it for each of these aspects.

First, let’s talk football. The city has become synonymous with its football clubs Manchester United and recently Manchester City. These are major Manchester attractions by themselves. Many people embark on Manchester travel just to these teams play a game on their home grounds. The atmosphere is especially electric when these city rivals are facing one another.

It is one of the best things to see in Manchester. People can also tour the stadiums and the clubs’ museums. Here you will get to know about the accolades of these clubs and their heroes at these Manchester tourist spots.

You will also get a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes workings of a football club. These clubs often host fun activities to do in Manchester. You might get to try your skills at a penalty kick against a professional keeper.

The other aspect of Manchester sightseeing revolves around the city’s history. It began as a settlement around a Roman Fort built in 79 AD. You can still some remnants of the ancient Roman structure among Manchester tourist attractions. The museums will tell you a story of the city’s evolution over the ages.

The city rose to prominence in the 19th century during the Industrial Revolution. The majority of historical places to go in Manchester tell you about the glory of the city during this period. Manchester was the birthplace of several inventions, companies, and products. The old factories, warehouses, trade houses, and museums are interesting places to see in Manchester as they contributed much to the modern world.

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Table of Contents

Top 25 Tourist Places to Visit in Manchester, England

1. Manchester Art Gallery

The history of this gallery dates back to 1823. The gallery mostly focuses on rotating exhibits. These focus on modern and contemporary creations from various artists around the world.

It is one of the top things to do in Manchester city centre if you are looking for a cultural experience. You should check out the calendar and ongoing events or exhibits on the museum’s website before you visit Manchester Art Gallery. You will need about an hour to explore this place.

I suggest you should go for a Walking Tour of Manchester to See Multiple Manchester Sights in a Day.

2. Manchester Town Hall

This historic monument dates back to 1877 and is renowned for its neo-gothic architecture. It is one of the most imposing things to see in Manchester city centre. The interiors of the Town Hall are even more impressive.

The architecture is so designed that the interiors look even more massive than the interiors. You will also see wonderful works of art in decor, paintings, sculptures, and carvings. You will need about an hour or so to explore the building.

3. Albert Square

This public square is considered the historic heart of the city. The square is lined with several statues and memorials. It is one of the best places to visit in Manchester city centre for people-watching.

The square is also surrounded by several historical attractions, shops, and dining spots. You can easily spend a few minutes enjoying the place when you visit Manchester.

4. St Mary’s Catholic Church (The Hidden Gem)

The history of this church dates back to the 1700s and is the oldest church in the city. It was built with plain red brick and was designed with Victorian architecture. This historical Manchester tourist attraction is known for its ornate designs. You will need about 30 to 45 minutes to explore this church.

5. John Rylands Library

Built during the late 1800s, this neo-gothic Victorian building is renowned for its architecture and collection. It is also decorated with incredible decor. It looks very ornate and opulent.

It is one of the most beautiful Manchester attractions. The library is also home to some rare books and historical artifacts. It is also a museum in a sense. It is one of the top free things to do in Manchester, England for bibliophiles and history lovers. You will need about an hour to explore the library.

6. People’s History Museum

This museum specifically focuses on the history of the Industrial Revolution and the role of Manchester in it. The collection was built by activists in the 1960s and developed further when it became a museum. You will see how the Industrial Revolution began and the impact it had on society.

It is also among the best places to go in Manchester to learn about the city’s history. As Manchester rose to prominence as a major industrial centre of England. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.

7. Manchester Cathedral

This Anglican Diocese Cathedral was built during the 1800s. It is a grand cathedral is one of the top places to see in Manchester for its architecture and history. The cathedral has a mysterious and spiritual vibe. The statues and stained-glass windows of the cathedral are truly fascinating. You need about 30 to 45 minutes to tour this cathedral.

8. Chetham’s Library

This is the oldest public library in the UK and is known to house a collection of more than 100,000 volumes of books. The majority of books housed in this library hail from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. These are historical artifacts in their own right.

The library is also known among Manchester tourist spots owing to its opulent interiors. You will see artwork, ornate wood carvings, lush antique furniture, photographs, statues, and more. You need about an hour from Manchester travel to explore the library.

9. National Football Museum

This museum is dedicated to the most popular sport in the world: Football. If you are a fan of the beautiful game, this is one of the most fun things to do in Manchester, England. You will get to know about the evolution of the sport over the years.

The museum talks about almost everything football – the teams, players, games, tournaments, rules, equipments, and more. It is a major highlight of Manchester sightseeing. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket to The National Football Museum in advance.

10. Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden

This nature reserve is spread over 10 acres and is home to a variety of plant species. The gardens have beautiful trails that take you through different recreated environments.

The garden also has a few purely nature trails through forests as well as facilities for sports and outdoor activities to do in Manchester. You need about an hour to explore the gardens.

11. Imperial War Museum North (IWM North)

This area is dedicated to history and artifacts from WWI and WWII. The museum has weapons, documents, uniforms, equipments, and so on. You will get to know stories of missions, campaigns, and soldiers.

It is one of the most fun places to go in Manchester, UK for history lovers. The museum also has a life-size tank. The museum also focuses on the Manchester bombings during the world wars. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

12. Old Trafford

This is the ground walked by giants. This grass has been touched by some of the greatest football players like Roy Keana, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, and many more. It is the home ground of perhaps the most well-known football club in the world. This is Old Trafford, home to Manchester United.

You come here if you are looking for cool things to do in Manchester, UK. The stadium is also known as the Theatre of Dreams. You can tour the old Trafford and its museum. You explore the history of the greatest football clubs, their managers, and their players. You need at least 2 hours to explore the place.

However, the best way to truly experience Old Trafford is to enjoy a match here. Especially if they are playing against one of their rivals. You will find loads of fun stuff to do in Manchester when such a match is on.

I suggest you should book a Guided Tour of the Manchester United Museum and Stadium in advance.

13. Whitworth Art Gallery

This gallery is home to more than 55,000 pieces of international artwork. You will see works by renowned modern and contemporary artists such as Rosetti and William Blake.

You will also get to admire works of art by greats like Van Gogh and Picasso. The gallery is home to some of the most beautiful things to see in Manchester. You will need an hour to explore this gallery.

14. Manchester Museum

This museum has a mix of exhibitions from history, geology, archeology, botany, and so on. You will see artifacts brought from different places, cultures, and periods. The museum has exhibits concerning the history of Egypt, Sudan, and the UK. At the same place, you will see artifacts concerning money, archery, and animal kingdom.

If you enjoy history, this is among the best places to visit in Manchester city centre. You will need at least an hour to tour this museum.

15. Castlefield

The history of this former Roman Fort dates back to 79 A.D. It originated as a defence structure built by Roman soldiers who were advancing on North England. As the ages passed, the fort was built larger by subsequent rulers. It is one of the oldest Manchester tourist attractions. A tour of the fort will give you insight into the political history before the establishment of the UK. You will need about an hour to tour this fort when you visit Manchester.

16. Heaton Park

This is the biggest park in the city. The park began its life as an 18th-century country house. It is spread over more than 600 acres and is known for fun things to do near Manchester for families.

You can enjoy boating and swimming in the lake. Or you can relax on the beaches and play games. The park also has an open theatre, golf courses, an arts centre, horse riding tracks, hiking trails, and more. It is one of the top Manchester attractions for leisure, activities, and entertainment. You can easily spend a couple of hours here.

17. Museum of Transport

This museum focuses on the history of public transport in Manchester and the UK. You will see the evolution of cabs, buses, trams, trains, and more. It is among fun places to go in Manchester for families with children.

The museum has a few interactive exhibits that children would love. You will need about an hour from Manchester travel to tour this museum.

18. Manchester Jewish Museum

This museum is built in an old synagogue that dates back to 1874. It focuses on the history and settlement of the Jewish Community in the city and UK. Overall the museum covers about 200 years of history.

It is also among the interesting places to go to learn about the city’s history. Alongside the Jewish community, you will also get to know a lot about the evolution of the city during this period. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to tour this museum.

19. Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (esea contemporary)

This art gallery and museum was established by Chinese artists living in Manchester. The exhibits include historical and contemporary works of art. You will see paintings, textile art, photographs, calligraphy, carvings, statues, and more. The gallery also exhibits interesting historical artifacts.

The gallery is among a few cultural Manchester tourist spots that give you insight into cultural other than Britain. You should check out the gallery’s website to see the events and exhibitions. The tour would take about an hour or so.

20. Greater Manchester Police Museum

This museum gives you behind the scenes of law enforcement in the city. You will get to see how law enforcement and their equipments evolved over the years. The museum also gives you insight into the criminal history of the city and the struggle of law enforcement to curb it.

However, it is included among interesting places to see in Manchester for the various artifacts. You will see uniforms, weapons, vehicles, photographs, manuals, and so on. The museum also has recreated courtrooms and jail cells. You will need about an hour from Manchester sightseeing to tour this museum.

21. Piccadilly Gardens

This garden is a great place to spend some leisurely time watching people and buildings. There is not much to the garden except a few benches, fountains, statues, and a memorial. But, it is surrounded by many historical Manchester attractions.

People also like to visit here at night when the fountains and monuments are beautifully lit up. You can spend a few minutes during the day or in the evening admiring this view.

22. Science and Industry Museum

Manchester has been home to several innovations that propelled the industrial revolution. This museum focuses on the contribution of science and engineering in the modernization of the industrial world.

It is one of the most fun things to do in Manchester for families as you get to learn about history, science, invention, inventors, pioneers, businessmen, companies, and more with interactive exhibits.

The museum is also home to some interesting things to see in Manchester. You will see steam engines, mill machines, and microcomputers. Alongside, you will also see some quirky inventions that never made it to the mainstream. It takes about 2 hours to tour this museum.

23. Etihad Stadium

This stadium is home to Manchester City, the rivals of Manchester United. The team has risen to great heights in only a few decades. They even won a historic treble recently. It is one of the best things to do in Manchester, UK for football fans.

The club has been dominating the Premiere league for many years now and has been home to contemporary giants of the game like Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haalnd, Ederson, and more.

You can tour the stadium, explore their trophy cabinet, and enjoy the stories of players and the team. Here again, you should join the ranks of the fans for a game to truly enjoy the place. You need at least an hour to tour the stadium, 4 if you are there for a game.

I suggest you should book your Guided Tour of Etihad Museum in advance.

24. River Cruise

This is one of the best ways to begin Manchester sightseeing. The cruise takes you on a calm journey with a guide telling stories and the history of the city. You will need about an hour and a half for this tour.

I suggest you should book your Tour of River Cruise in advance.

25. Peak District National Park

This national park is one of the best places to visit near Manchester if you want to escape the concrete jungle to explore the actual jungle. Well not actually a jungle, it is mostly grasslands.

The national park is known for fun things to do around Manchester. This includes hiking, cycling, rock climbing, helicopter tours, kayaking, and more. You can also find nature retreats in the park for indoor activities to do in Manchester including handicraft workshops and farmland experiences. You need at least a day to explore this place.

I suggest you should book a Full-Day Trip to Peak District National Park in advance.

If you are looking for more places and tourist attractions in Manchester, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of attractions and activities you can enjoy in Manchester and around it.

Things to do in Manchester, England

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Manchester, England

Science and Industry Museum
Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Museum
National Football Museum
IWM North
Manchester Cathedral
John Rylands Research Institute & Library
People’s History Museum
Manchester City Council
Bury Bolton Street Station
Chetham’s Library
Great Manchester Museum of Transport
Manchester Royal Exchange
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives
Manchester United Museum
Manchester Jewish Museum
Elizabeth Gaskell House Museum
Castlefield Gallery
The Pankhurst Centre
Esea Contemporary
Oldham Gallery
The Portico Library
Heaton Hall
Portland Basin Museum
Bury Art Museum & Sculpture Centre
Stockport Air Raid Shelters
The Fusilier Museum
Bury Transport Museum
St. John the Evanglist Cathedral Church

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Manchester, England

Chorlton Water Park
Daisy Nook Country Park
Tandle Hill
Reddish Vale Country Park
Clifton Country Park
Farnworth Country Park

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Manchester, England

Old Trafford
The Lowry
The Whitworth
Heaton Park
Etihad Stadium
Chill Factore
The Quays
Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens
Piccadilly Gardens
SEA Life Manchester
Legoland Discovery Centre
Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Printworks
Wythenshawe Park & Gardens
Platt Fields Park
Alexandra Park
Sale Water Park
The Crystal Maze
Bramall Hall
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Whitworth Park
Sackville Gardens
Cathedral Gardens
Peel Park
Bruntwood Park
Salford Lads Club
Bramhall Park
Castlefield Urban Heritage Park
Longford Park
Play Factore
Debdale Park
Stamford Park
Mayfield Park
Cockfields Farm Park

Shopping in Manchester, England

Manchester Arndale
Deansgate
Bury Park
Altrincham Market
Market Street
Exchange Square Central
Urban Exchange
The Royal Exchange
Selfridges
The Trafford Centre
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Northern Quarter
Barton Arcade
New Cathedral Street
MediaCity UK
The Jewellery Quarter
The Great Northern

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Manchester, England

Hiking
Biking
River Cruise
Kayaking
Canoeing
Horse Riding

Sightseeing in Manchester, England

Victoria Baths
National Trust Quarry Bank
Beetham Tower
Ordsall Hall
Albert Square
Manchester Corn Exchange
Rochdale Canal
St. Peter’s Square
Canal Street
Huddersfield Narrow Canal
Alan Turing Memorial
Oxford Street
Urbis Building
Barton Swing Bridge Aquaduct
King Street
Brdigewater Canal
Exchange Square
Free Trade Hall

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Manchester, England

Tattu Manchester
Pollen Bakery
Where the Light Gets In
Bundobust
The Sparrows
Climat
10 Tib Lane
Tast
Erst
Refuge
Higher Ground
Osma
Another Hand
Mana
Dishoom
63 Degrees
Baratxuri
Hispi
The Black Frair
Kala
Maray
Lily’s Indian Vegetarian Cuisine
Bundobust
Honest Crust Pizza
Habesha
I am Pho
This & That

Where to Stay in Manchester?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Manchester. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Manchester.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Manchester

How to Reach Manchester, England?

By Air

The Manchester Airport receives direct flights from several cities around the world. You can visit Manchester from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Some of the popular destinations connecting to the city include Athens, Belfast, Dublin, New York, Orlando, Toronto, Paris, Vienna, Burgas, Brussels, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Antalya, Berlin, Copenhagen, Geneva, Isle of Man, Prague, Pisa, Porto, Rome, Tel Aviv, Reykjavik, Naples, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Dusseldorf, Helsinki, Bahrain, Madrid, Kuwait City, Doha, Jeddah, and several others.

You can get cabs and buses to get to the city from the airport.

By Road

Manchester is incredibly well connected with several cities and towns in the UK. You can get direct trains for Manchester travel from Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham, London, New Castle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and so on. You can also get buses from all around the UK to reach Manchester.

If you are planning to get to Manchester by road, you should head for routes A616, M62, M60, and M56.

By Water

There are no direct water routes to reach Manchester.

Image Reference

Manchester Art Gallery – Scott Edmunds / Flickr
Manchester Town Hall – Richard Hopkins / Flickr
Albert Square – musaraja92 / PixaBay
St Mary’s Catholic Church (The Hidden Gem) – Christine McIntosh / Flickr
John Rylands Library – Robert Cutts / Flickr
People’s History Museum – Megan Eaves / Flickr
Manchester Cathedral – Dimitris Vetsikas / PixaBay
Chetham’s Library – Sam Hancock / Flickr
National Football Museum – Dimitris Vetsikas / PixaBay
Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden – Andrew Bowden / Flickr
Imperial War Museum North (IWM North) – Andrea Vail / Flickr
Old Trafford – nmoodley / PixaBay
Whitworth Art Gallery – Pit-yacker / Wikimedia Commons
Manchester Museum – Neil Turner / Flickr
Castlefield – Jeremy Segrott / Flickr
Heaton Park – Harplessmonkey / Flickr
Museum of Transport – Pimlico Badger / Flickr
Manchester Jewish Museum – Nick Harrison / Flickr
Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (esea contemporary) – Greg Myers / Flickr
Greater Manchester Police Museum – David Edgar / Wikimedia Commons
Piccadilly Gardens – Chris Skoyles / Flickr
Science and Industry Museum – R~P~M / Flickr
Etihad Stadium – Daniel / Flickr
River Cruise – Smabs Sputzer (1956-2017) / Flickr
Peak District National Park – Phil Riley / PixaBay