Manchester city guides

What to do in Manchester: The ultimate Manchester travel guide.

09-02-2023

Dylan Mitchell

Manchester skyline

Wondering what to do in Manchester for a weekend? Then ‘stop crying your heart out,’ because this Manchester travel guide hopes to make a busy bee out of you whilst you visit the ‘Capital of the North’. Manchester is a bustling metropolis of a city, with around 119 million people visiting Manchester annually! With so many exciting and interesting attractions, there is seriously something for everyone in this city.

Things to do in Manchester.

Manchester has so many activities and amazing places to visit for people of all ages and backgrounds. If you like football then you’re in for a treat, with two of the biggest clubs in the world. There are also plenty of exciting museums if you’re looking to treat the kids to an intriguing day of learning. Plus, there are many Manchester dining out deals to be had in the city by signing up for tastecard.

  • Manchester United stadium tour

  • National Football Museum

  • Science and Industry Museum

  • LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

  • Manchester Art Gallery

Old Trafford

Manchester United Stadium Tour.

This suggestion may not be the ideal day out for any Man City fans out there but if you’re generally a fan of football, you should definitely find this one interesting. As 20-time English league champions and three-time European champions, Manchester United have one of the biggest and best stadium and museum tours in the UK. So get ready to take in Old Trafford and all of its silverware on this must-do activity for sports enthusiasts.

National Football Museum

National Football Museum.

Man City fans, we hear you and we’re sorry! This one might be a bit more your cup of tea. The National Football Museum packs so much diverse football history into one place. Learn about the history of the sport’s most iconic moments with a guided tour through room after room of historic memorabilia.  So hop on the tram and get kitted up for an afternoon at one of the UK’s most fascinating sports museums.

Science and Industry Museum.

Manchester was one of the world’s first industrial cities, so what better place to find out about the history of industry and science than in the Northern Capital? When visiting The Manchester Science and Industry Museum, you can uncover just how the city's heritage is interwoven with the cotton industry and even see science brought to life in the interactive, child-friendly gallery, ‘Experiment’. So why not inspire your kids with intrigue and curiosity by taking them to understand the wonders of the scientific world next time you’re wondering what to do in Manchester?

Family at LegoLand discovery centre

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.

Now this is a really special one for the big kids-at-heart, with kids! LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester! Enjoy one of the most exciting adventure fairgrounds in the country, packed with excitement for children of all ages. One brick at a time, Lego have built one of the most ideal days out for the entire family, so release your inner child when you pay this unbeatable attraction a visit.

The Palace Theatre Manchester

Theatre Tickets.

If you’re a keen lover of the arts, get ready to immerse yourself in the dramatic and musical world of theatre. As one of the most artistic cities in the North, Manchester is home to an amazing selection of theatres, showcasing the UK’s most vibrant performances. With our LoveTheatre ticket offers, you can see some of the most marvelous shows for amazing prices next time you’re wondering what to do in Manchester.

Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester Art Gallery.

Revel in a stunning day of culture and the arts when you head over to the Manchester Art Gallery. Spend a pleasant afternoon exploring the incredible displays in this wonderful gallery – it’s the perfect Sunday activity whether you’re out with the kids, or looking for a romantic activity to enjoy before a candlelit dinner.

Cibo Manchester Spaghetti Bolognese

Where to eat in Manchester.

All of that tourism and walking around will be enough to make anybody peckish, so you’re probably going to need to find somewhere to eat. Fortunately, Manchester has a wealth of food spots for all types of diets and cultures. And luckily for you, tastecard has compiled plenty of lists of the best places to eat in Manchester, because what would a Manchester travel guide be without some delicious restaurant recommendations?

Don’t forget, when you dine out with tastecard, you can save an average of £23 per meal! What’s not to love?

 

Manchester Castlefield

Where to stay in Manchester.

With Manchester being home to so many tourist attractions, it’s bound to have plenty of places to stay. Thanks to the awesome public transport on offer in the city, with buses, trams and taxis available on almost every street corner, you’ll easily be able to find your way around the city.

You could stay in the Northern Quarter near Piccadilly Gardens, or you could stay in Deansgate near the Science and Industry Museum. Right at the heart of the city is the Crown Plaza if you really want to push the boat out.

Images sourced directly from partners and/or their Instagram accounts. All restaurants available on tastecard at the time of publishing.

Save on your trip to Manchester.

Now that you know what to do in Manchester for a day, why not join tastecard today and enjoy a whole range of benefits including 2 for 1 dining and up to 25% off  food and drink, depending upon where you choose to visit? That’s not all though, we also offer cinema tickets and discounted days out across the entirety of the UK!

tastecard is simply the perfect idea for the foodie looking to explore a variety of restaurants for as much as half the price, so what are you waiting for?​​