8 Things To Do In Manchester City Centre

If you haven’t visited Manchester yet then what are you waiting for?! Manchester is one of the most vibrant and energetic cities in the United Kingdom, packed full of culture, sporting history, endless shops, and amazing dining experiences.

With such a large area to explore, it can be hard to know where to begin. Even for those who are experienced Mancurians, there is so much to do and see in Manchester, that it can be hard to know where to start. Well, it doesn’t get any better than Manchester City Centre; the beating heart of this wonderful location.

We have put together this guide to run you through the best 8 things to do in Manchester City Centre, carefully curated from our 15 years of experience in living and breathing this city's culture. Whether you are a local resident or a first-time visitor, we have you covered. Get ready to plan your next day out and discover the best experiences that Manchester City Centre has to offer.

List Of The 8 Best Things To Do In Manchester City Centre

Before we take a closer look at each experience in more detail, here are our favourite 8 things to do in Manchester City Centre:

• Mayfield Park
• Science And Industry Museum
• Palace Theatre Manchester
• National Football Museum
• Manchester Art Gallery
• O2 Ritz Manchester
• Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre
• Enjoy Delicious Food At Zouk Tea Bar & Grill

We’ve curated a varied but fun list of experiences and activities to try in Manchester City Centre. Let’s take a closer look at each one in more detail.

1. Mayfield Park

Kicking things off with a beautiful green open space, Mayfield Park is a must-visit if you are a fan of natural beauty. This expansive green area is a staggering 6.5 acres big, featuring the beautiful River Medlock running through the park. This is the newest park in Manchester City Centre, opening on the 22nd of September 2022 and a lot of care and attention has gone into the planning of the Mayfield Park. There is genuinely so much to do here including:

• One of Manchester's largest play parks for kids & families to enjoy, including a pulsating 18-metre-long slide
• Urban square for a variety of different activities
• Large green expanses for casual sports activities
• Quieter secluded areas for relaxation and privacy
• Incredible biodiversity with floodable meadows, 142 trees and 120,000 shrubs

Although less famed than Piccadilly Gardens, Mayfield Park is undoubtedly more beautiful. There really is something for everybody here - certainly worth checking out if you are in the Manchester area.

Location

Mayfield Park can be found in the southeast region of Manchester City Centre, just off of Fairfield Street. It is just a short 6-minute walk from Piccadilly Station.

2. Science And Industry Museum

As one of Manchester’s more well-known attractions, the Science And Industry Museum is a fun experience for all ages. Open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, there are so many unique attractions to enjoy here, as you explore the history of science and industry innovation. It truly is a unique experience with how the heritage buildings are juxtaposed with modern, contemporary and hands-on science experiences that the Science And Industry Museum offers. Here are a few highlights that are unmissable as part of your visit:

• Experiment - an interactive science gallery that is designed for people of all ages
• Revolution Manchester - this attraction shows off the history of engineering and innovation in Manchester; a personal preference of ours
• Textiles Gallery - educates visitors about Manchester’s juggernaut role in the cotton and textiles industry, shaping the industry as it is today

The museum offers free admission, although donations will be very appreciated when you make your booking.

Location

The Science And Industry Museum is conveniently located at Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP. It's a short 7-minute walk from Deansgate Station, making it easily accessible by train.

3. Palace Theatre Manchester

Nothing beats going to the theatre, and if you are a fan of musicals and shows, then you have to visit the Palace Theatre Manchester. As one of our first-choice places to visit in Manchester, treat yourself to a special night at one of the city’s premier venues. The Palace Theatre first opened in 1891 so the venue has a magical historical atmosphere about it, although it underwent major renovations before reopening in 1981. With a capacity of 1,955, the venue has a unique feeling of being grand yet intimate at the same time and is the perfect place to enjoy theatre shows. With family favourites such as Disney's Aladdin and 101 Dalmatians to enjoy, as well as classics such as Hairspray The Musical and Grease, it is the perfect night out for couples and families alike.

The best part is that Zouk Tea Bar & Grill is just a 5-minute walk from the venue and we offer a specialised menu for pre-theatre dining to get your night off on the best possible foot. After the show has finished, we serve drinks and food until 11:45 pm, meaning Zouk is ideally located for an after-show cocktail or snack.

Location

The Palace Theatre Manchester is situated in the heart of Manchester City Centre on Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6FT. It is just a two-minute walk from Oxford Road Station - a very easy commute by train.

4. National Football Museum

It may come as no surprise, but Manchester is steeped in football history, with two of the world's biggest teams being from the city - Salford & Stockport of course! If you are visiting Manchester as a football or general sports fan, you have to check out the National Football Museum. Between their Manchester and Preston locations, the National Football Museum boasts over 40,000 football items in total - the largest public collection in the world.

There are always different exhibits featured here, with the most recent one being ‘A City United’ - a specialist gallery portraying fans attending Manchester derby games in the 1976 to 1977 season. Although this particular exhibit closed on the 31st of May 2024, there is always something new around the corner so it is worth checking out what will be on for your visit.

Location

The National Football Museum is located at the Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester M4 3BG. It is located just a 1 minute's walk from Manchester Victoria Station.

5. Manchester Art Gallery

For all art and culture enthusiasts, the Manchester Art Gallery will be the highlight of your visit. With a collection of over 46,000 (!!) art pieces to explore that have been curated for over 200 years, there truly are endless classic and contemporary collections for you to discover. The museum is free and open to all, with many of the specialist exhibitions also being free. There are so many exhibitions and projects running throughout the year, but we have selected a few of our favourites below which you should explore:

• Climate Justice - a collection featuring Manchester artists which shows how art can help others learn from history and build a better future - end date of December 21st 2024
• How Hot Drinks Shape Our Lives - as the exhibition name hints, this collection explores how the use of hot drinks and associated paraphernalia has changed throughout time - end date of January 31st 2025
• Out Of Crate - offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore stored and archived sculpture collections - end date of December 31st 2025

Location

The Manchester Art Gallery can be found at Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3JL. It is a 14-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly - the city’s most popular train station.

6. O2 Ritz Manchester

It wouldn’t be a true list of the best things to do in Manchester, without including a music venue. Manchester has long been revered for its musical heritage, with world-famous bands such as The Stone Rose, The Smiths and Oasis all originating from the city. There is no better place to take in some of this culture than the O2 Ritz; previously known as The Ritz. First built in 1927, it is now a Grade 2 listed building with much of the character and charm being retained as part of the £2 million renovation in 2015.

Anybody who has recently attended a performance at the O2 Ritz will agree that the sound quality, lighting and overall atmosphere are just superb. With an array of household names and rising stars taking the stage throughout the rest of the year, don’t miss out on the greatest music experience that Manchester has to offer.

Location

The O2 Ritz can is situated on Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 5NQ. It is directly opposite Manchester Oxford Road station, less than a minute walk away.

7. Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre

There is nothing like a spot of retail therapy, and there is no better place to indulge in a spot of shopping in the UK than the Manchester Arndale Centre. By area, Manchester Arndale is the 8th biggest shopping centre in the UK, at a massive 155,200 metres squared. It’s not just the size that makes this such a great shopping centre however, it’s the selection of shops. Whilst the food selection does leave a little to be desired, there is no doubt that the retail and fashion options are very strong, including the options below:

1. Footaslum
2. Hugo Boss
3. Levi’s
4. Michael Kors
5. Ralph Lauren
6. Zara
7. Urban Outfitters
8. French Connection

No matter your preference, there are countless fashion, homeware, jewellery and specialist stores in Manchester Arndale for you to enjoy.

Location

The Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre is well located on Market Street, M3 3AQ. It is an 8-minute walk away from Manchester Victoria, so you won’t have to carry your shopping bags too far back to the train!

8. Enjoy Delicious Food At Zouk Tea Bar & Grill

Last but certainly not least, Manchester is one of the best places in the UK to enjoy delicious and diverse cuisine from all corners of the world. There is genuinely no better place to indulge in the best in style and taste than Zouk Tea Bar & Grill. Either before or after completing one or several of the fantastic activities that Manchester has to offer, come and experience its most delicious food at our authentic Indian & Pakistani restaurant.

Whether you are after a tasty halal breakfast to get your day going, a delicious Sunday roast, or a spot of late-night dining, we have something for everybody's taste. Healthy tandoori Indian food, authentic Indian vegetarian dishes, rib-eye aged marble steaks and gourmet burgers - all of these mouthwatering dishes can be enjoyed at Zouk. Try it for yourself and book a table at our beautiful restaurant.

Location

We’re situated on Chester Street, just off Oxford Road in central Manchester. We’re roughly a two-minute walk from Oxford Road train station. Our outside terrace is covered in flowers that we update each season, so you can’t miss us!

Conclusion

To summarise, Manchester City Centre is a buzzing hub with something to offer for everyone. From beautiful green spaces to world-leading museums and theatres, there’s plenty to see and do. And if you need to fuel up before or after your adventures in Manchester begin, don’t forget to visit Zouk Tea Bar & Grill!

Science And Industry Museum images courtesy of: https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/