Arts & Culture
The Lowry
8 The QuaysNice place for theatre, shows and art
Great place to watch theatre-in-the-round in Manchester and beautiful architecture.
58 locals recommend
Royal Exchange Theatre
Old Bank StreetGreat place to watch theatre-in-the-round in Manchester and beautiful architecture.
Manchester Academy
Oxford RoadCool place for live music and events.
The Bridgewater Hall
Lower Mosley StreetLovely venue for live music, performance and events.
Manchester's central gallery. Check out their website for current exhibitions. Also, a convenient stop for a coffee and toilet break. Closed Mondays.
206 locals recommend
Manchester Art Gallery
Mosley StreetManchester's central gallery. Check out their website for current exhibitions. Also, a convenient stop for a coffee and toilet break. Closed Mondays.
Amazing historical library in the centre of Manchester. Go for architecture and old books, coffee or check out events and workshops on their website.
107 locals recommend
The John Rylands Library
150 DeansgateAmazing historical library in the centre of Manchester. Go for architecture and old books, coffee or check out events and workshops on their website.
Band on the Wall
25 Swan StA well established music venue in Manchester.
The Northern Quarter Restaurant and Bar
108 High StJazz! Pizza! Drinks!
Vue Cinema Manchester - Printworks
27 Withy GroveBig Cinema!
ODEON Manchester Great Northern
235 DeansgateBig Cinema!
Contact Theatre
Oxford RoadBrilliant theatre and arts space.
Brilliant city centre area full of independent shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, venues and nightlife.
223 locals recommend
Northern Quarter
Brilliant city centre area full of independent shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, venues and nightlife.
A great bar for live music or pub quizzes. Lovely veggie food also, try their breakfast burrito!
12 locals recommend
Fuel Cafe Bar
448 Wilmslow RdA great bar for live music or pub quizzes. Lovely veggie food also, try their breakfast burrito!
Fantastic local music college and venue, offering performances by students, local, national and international artists.
9 locals recommend
RNCM
124 Oxford RdFantastic local music college and venue, offering performances by students, local, national and international artists.
Home
2 Tony Wilson PlArt house cinema, theatre, events, food and drink.
Crazy old building used as a music venue. Almost feels derelict...great atmosphere!
22 locals recommend
Albert Hall
27 Peter StCrazy old building used as a music venue. Almost feels derelict...great atmosphere!
Sightseeing
MediaCityUK
101-110 BroadwayGreat location for bars, eating, drinking, arts and events.
Stretford Ees
Perfect place for an afternoon walk.
Amazing old swimming baths. The baths are still being restored but do offer tours and regularly host events. Check out their website for more info.
11 locals recommend
Victoria Baths
Hathersage RoadAmazing old swimming baths. The baths are still being restored but do offer tours and regularly host events. Check out their website for more info.
Do the Rail Ale Trail by traditional steam train - get a day pass and make your way through some Lancashire pubs...not forgetting the countryside!
Accesible by Metrolink from the city centre.
17 locals recommend
The East Lancashire Railway
23A Bolton StDo the Rail Ale Trail by traditional steam train - get a day pass and make your way through some Lancashire pubs...not forgetting the countryside!
Accesible by Metrolink from the city centre.
Lovely park and gardens for a day out of the city. Great for a weekend stroll and picnic and they sell their own venison, fowl and rare bread meats.
38 locals recommend
Tatton Park Gardens
Mereheath DriveLovely park and gardens for a day out of the city. Great for a weekend stroll and picnic and they sell their own venison, fowl and rare bread meats.
Ramble around the reservoir or up to Wimberry rocks. Wander back to the Railway Inn in Greenfield while you wait for your train home.
45 locals recommend
Dovestone Reservoir
Ramble around the reservoir or up to Wimberry rocks. Wander back to the Railway Inn in Greenfield while you wait for your train home.
Essentials
Brilliant place for buying asian food products, eating out and shopping.
27 locals recommend
China Town
266 Barlow RdBrilliant place for buying asian food products, eating out and shopping.
Lovely co-operative grocery selling organic and whole food produce. Totally vegan, so don't go looking for cheese!
54 locals recommend
Unicorn Grocery
89 Albany RdLovely co-operative grocery selling organic and whole food produce. Totally vegan, so don't go looking for cheese!
Fantastic local bakers and deli. Fresh bread made on the premises as well as european and world foods - impossible to leave with just a loaf!
31 locals recommend
Barbakan Delicatessen Ltd
67-71 Manchester RdFantastic local bakers and deli. Fresh bread made on the premises as well as european and world foods - impossible to leave with just a loaf!
Tiny's Tipple
510 Wilbraham RdTry this place for an amazing selection of booze including local and world craft ales.
Chorlton Off Licence
520 Wilbraham RdFantastic selection of world craft beers and wines.
Shopping
Local fishmongers selling line caught and responsibly sourced seafood as well as local free-range chicken and eggs, veg and other delights for the pantry!
Out of the Blue
484 Wilbraham RdLocal fishmongers selling line caught and responsibly sourced seafood as well as local free-range chicken and eggs, veg and other delights for the pantry!
Big local superstore with everything under one roof. Easy to reach by bus and convenient for those rainy days.
43 locals recommend
Asda Hulme Superstore
100 Princess RdBig local superstore with everything under one roof. Easy to reach by bus and convenient for those rainy days.
Manchester Arndale
City centre shopping.
One of Manchester's main shopping areas with bars, cafes and restaurants a plenty.
19 locals recommend
Deansgate
DeansgateOne of Manchester's main shopping areas with bars, cafes and restaurants a plenty.
The Trafford Centre
Shopping, shopping, more shopping, dining out and cinemas!
Independent artists and makers with a great cafe in the centre.
27 locals recommend
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
17 Oak StIndependent artists and makers with a great cafe in the centre.
A treasure trove of antiques and curios in a super lovely old building.
14 locals recommend
Levenshulme Antiques Village
965 Stockport RdA treasure trove of antiques and curios in a super lovely old building.
Johnny Roadhouse Music
123 Oxford RdIconic Manchester instrument shop.
Entertainment & Activities
Excellent place for kids...if they're into dinosaurs and mummies!
143 locals recommend
The Manchester Museum
Oxford RoadExcellent place for kids...if they're into dinosaurs and mummies!
Fantastic museum for kids with plenty of interactive exhibitions and working steam engines, cotton mill machines and a full size replica of 'Baby' the world's first stored programme computer.
284 locals recommend
Science and Industry Museum
Liverpool RoadFantastic museum for kids with plenty of interactive exhibitions and working steam engines, cotton mill machines and a full size replica of 'Baby' the world's first stored programme computer.
The newly refurbished central library has interactive displays on the history, arts and culture of Manchester as well as internet (free public wifi) and reading facilities. Also has a cafe.
105 locals recommend
Manchester Central Library
Saint Peter's SquareThe newly refurbished central library has interactive displays on the history, arts and culture of Manchester as well as internet (free public wifi) and reading facilities. Also has a cafe.
Alexandra Park
180 Russell StNice park for a walk or to feed the ducks!
Working cotton mill that's great for kids and for a day out of the city. A good opportunity to learn a little about the region's industrious past...
6 locals recommend
Quarry Bank Mill
Styal RoadWorking cotton mill that's great for kids and for a day out of the city. A good opportunity to learn a little about the region's industrious past...
Everything Else
Friendly suburb of Manchester with pubs, restaurants, shops, grocery stores and nice walks.
41 locals recommend
Chorlton-cum-Hardy
Friendly suburb of Manchester with pubs, restaurants, shops, grocery stores and nice walks.
Piccadilly Gardens
Buses to and from Manchester and many other destinations.
Manchester Piccadilly Station
Manchester's main train station.
Has some lovely historical buildings as well as great entertainment at The Martin Harris Centre, Academy and Whitworth Art Gallery.
46 locals recommend
The University of Manchester
Oxford RoadHas some lovely historical buildings as well as great entertainment at The Martin Harris Centre, Academy and Whitworth Art Gallery.
Withington
Lovely suburb for local shopping, drinking or live music.
Alliance Manchester Business School
Booth Street WestInteresting conferences and events.
Try for the Capital Theatre, art, design and craft degree shows and other events.
15 locals recommend
Manchester Metropolitan University
Try for the Capital Theatre, art, design and craft degree shows and other events.
The Deaf Institute
135 Grosvenor StGood gigs, good food, good beer.
Well stocked veggie, whole food and natural health store close to the Universities with a decent cafe downstairs.
14 locals recommend
The Eighth Day Cafe
111 Oxford RdWell stocked veggie, whole food and natural health store close to the Universities with a decent cafe downstairs.
Levenshulme Market
Stockport RoadLocal produce, craft and artisan market open most Saturdays.
Otherwise known as Afflecks Palace to the locals. Iconic hangout of lots of independent shops selling vintage, fashion handmade, merchandise and memorabilia.
17 locals recommend
Afflecks Arcade
Oldham StreetOtherwise known as Afflecks Palace to the locals. Iconic hangout of lots of independent shops selling vintage, fashion handmade, merchandise and memorabilia.
The food market (not food court) has a wonderful choice of takeaway food for lunch: Italian, Greek, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Polish, British and much more. Try the pub for a local real ale!
14 locals recommend
Arndale Market
49 High StThe food market (not food court) has a wonderful choice of takeaway food for lunch: Italian, Greek, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Polish, British and much more. Try the pub for a local real ale!
People's History Museum
Left BankDelve into the working history of Britain...
A great place to check out the Manchester Camerata or other live event from time to time. Offers a peaceful break from the city, with stunning architecture.
86 locals recommend
Manchester Cathedral
Victoria StreetA great place to check out the Manchester Camerata or other live event from time to time. Offers a peaceful break from the city, with stunning architecture.
National Football Museum
Todd StreetRecommended by football fans, local and not so local.
Food Scene
Spinningfields
Relatively new area of restaurants, bars and designer shops.
Great place for dining out on a sunny afternoon or for a few drinks in the evening.
89 locals recommend
Gay Village
Great place for dining out on a sunny afternoon or for a few drinks in the evening.
West Didsbury
Lovely suburb for dining, drinks or boutique shopping.
Lovely homemade Tibetan food at reasonable prices. Eat in or take away. Really friendly staff and a welcoming environment.
Open 5pm-10pm Wednesday to Sunday.
11 locals recommend
The Tibetan Kitchen
254 Upper Chorlton RdLovely homemade Tibetan food at reasonable prices. Eat in or take away. Really friendly staff and a welcoming environment.
Open 5pm-10pm Wednesday to Sunday.
Jam Street Cafe
209 Upper Chorlton RdFood, drink and often have DJ sets till the early hours.
This & That
3 Soap StProper Indian food!!! Try 3 curries and rice for £3.99
B-Lounge, Piccadilly
3 Newton StFantastic city centre falafel, a chain but really good
A favourite of the curry mile because their food is generally better than any curry house in this part of town.
A falafel sandwich each and salad to share will leave you stuffed!
Falafel
26 Wilmslow RdA favourite of the curry mile because their food is generally better than any curry house in this part of town.
A falafel sandwich each and salad to share will leave you stuffed!
Authentic tapas and really, really good! Pimiento padron = amazing. Gambas pil-pil = amazing. Calamares = amazing. All i oil = AMAZING! They don't take table bookings so arrive early.
35 locals recommend
Bar San Juan
56 Beech RdAuthentic tapas and really, really good! Pimiento padron = amazing. Gambas pil-pil = amazing. Calamares = amazing. All i oil = AMAZING! They don't take table bookings so arrive early.
Siam Smiles Thai Restaurant
DeansgateThai supermarket...also containing a cafe. Do it!