Manchester Attractions & Activities
Manchester has some fantastic museums. Its rich industrial heritage is explored by the Museum of Science and Industry and the People’s History Museum while Urbis, one of the city’s most striking buildings, offers an insight into cities and how they work.
Venture west across the River Irwell and you’ll find the Quays, one of the UK’s finest examples of urban regeneration, and home to the Lowry and Imperial War Museum.
For many a visit to Manchester United will be the highlight and sole purpose of a trip to the city, although ABUs (Anyone But United) can tour the impressive stadium of their underachieving City rivals.
Manchester offers more theatres and live venues than any English city outside London. Both the Lowry and Bridgewater Hall host a diverse range of performances and events, while the MEN Arena is the major venue for rock and pop concerts.
| Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Academy | Oxford Road | Concert venue at the University of Manchester. |
| AMC Cinema | Great Northern, Conference Quarter | 16-screen multiplex cinema. |
| Apollo | Ardwick | Major concert venue. |
| Bridgewater Hall | Conference Quarter | Modern, international concert venue. |
| Cineworld | Ashton-under-Lyne | 14-screen multiplex cinema. |
| Chill Factore | Trafford | Indoor ski slope. Opening November 2007. |
| Comedy Store | Conference Quarter | Comedy shows. |
| Eurocultured | Oxford Road | Free festival held every May bank holiday weekend. |
| Great Northern | Conference Quarter | Leisure and entertainment complex. |
| Hollywood Bowl | Ashton-under-Lyne | Modern 10 pin bowling alley. |
| Imperial War Museum | Quays | Museum focusing on experiences of war. |
| Lowry | Quays | Home to a variety of performing and visual arts. |
| Manchester Art Gallery | Chinatown | Features numerous collections and galleries. |
| Manchester City Museum and Tour | Sportcity | Visit the magnificent City of Manchester Stadium. |
| Manchester United Museum and Tour | Quays | Visit famous Old Trafford. |
| MEN Arena | Millennium Quarter | Europe’s largest indoor arena. |
| Museum of Science and Industry | Castlefield | The city's largest museum. |
| Odeon Printworks | Millennium Quarter | 23-screen multiplex cinema. |
| Odeon Trafford Centre | Trafford Centre, Trafford | 20-screen multiplex cinema. |
| Opera House | Castlefield | Show and concert venue. |
| Palace Theatre | Conference Quarter | West End shows and musicals. |
| Royal Exchange Theatre | St. Ann's Square | The city’s leading theatre company. |
| People's History Museum | Castlefield | Tells the extraordinary story of ordinary people and how they changed the world. |
| Printworks | Millennium Quarter | State-of-the-art entertainment complex. Cinema, bars, restaurants and more. |
| Salford Watersports Centre | Quays | Kayaking, canoeing, sailing and more. |
| Urbis | Millennium Quarter | Museum that explores cities and the people that live in them. |
| Vue Cinema | Quays | Cinema at the Lowry Outlet Mall. |
| Whitworth Art Gallery | Oxford Road | Gallery at the University of Manchester. |
