Discover Exciting Things to Do in Manchester

Manchester is a fantastic place to both visit and live. With so many opportunities to work, rest, play and explore, there are loads of ways to get the blood pumping, learn something new and have fun.

Whether you’re visiting Manchester for the first time or you’re looking to move into this amazing city, you’ll be on the lookout for things to do. Below, we’ll explore some of the best things to do in Manchester to make sure you have an enjoyable and even exhilarating time.

7 exciting things to do in Manchester

When you’re in Manchester and in the mood for something exciting, there are plenty of things to see and do. Here are our picks to make sure you have a fantastic time while you’re here in the city.

1. Explore Manchesters’ rich history

Manchester has more than 2,000 years of history, and there are plenty of ways to explore its exciting and varied past.

Manchester Cathedral is a wonderful example of 15th Century Gothic architecture, with intricate woodwork and beautiful stained glass windows. Or you could check out Castlefield Urban Heritage Park, which is the heart of the city’s Roman industrial heritage, complete with a reconstructed Roman fort. There’s also the Victorian baths, a once-used community bathhouse with superbly restored stained glass and mosaics.

These are just a few examples of the many pockets of the thousands of years of history you’ll find around Manchester. 

2. Get immersed in the arts and culture

Manchester is famous for being a city steeped in creativity and artistic expression, and there are plenty of places to immerse yourself in the imagination of Mancunian talent, as well as those from further afield.

Manchester Art Gallery has a wonderful collection of fine art, including Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces and modern art. It’s also home to guest exhibitions, offering the chance to always see something new. The stunning Royal Exchange Theatre is a Grade-II listed building and regularly hosts plays from modern dramas to classic Shakespearean tragedies. And to see some art filled with passion, the Northern Quarter’s street art scene is unique and vibrant, with plenty of murals and installations to find.

3. Taste some culinary delights

One of the easiest ways to enjoy yourself in London is by exciting your tastebuds. And believe us when we say you’re spoilt for choice – you could choose somewhere new to eat in Manchester for every meal of the year and you’d still not run out of incredible places to try.

If you love Indian and Pakistani food, a portion of Wilmslow Road is known as the Curry Mile, with a huge selection of restaurants to choose from. Manchester’s Chinatown is home to plenty of East Asian flavours and the Northern Quarter is a haven for trendy cafes and quirky eateries with so much choice, the hardest thing will be deciding where to go first.

And they’re just the tip of the culinary iceberg. From stunning street food to great gastropubs to magnificent Michelin restaurants, Manchester is the place to be if you’re excited about your next meal.

4. Get lost at the Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre might be a fantastic place to shop, with literally hundreds of retailers to choose from, but there’s so much more to it than that.

There are also fantastic cafes and restaurants, a cinema, a LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, a SEA LIFE aquarium, laser quest, a video game arcade, an indoor snow centre, escape rooms and more. You could easily spend days exploring the Trafford Centre and still not run out of exciting and interesting things to do.

5. Enjoy some of the best sports in the world

If you’re a big sports fan, then the name Manchester is probably synonymous with some of the biggest names in sports. When it comes to football, there’s a red and blue side of Manchester which has sparked excitement throughout the city for over a hundred years. There’s also the famous Old Trafford cricket stadium which regularly hosts England games.

Manchester is also home to two rugby teams, a velodrome and the national football museum, giving you plenty of ways to watch something exciting!

6. Enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife

If you’re in the mood for a great night out, Manchester is definitely the place to be. There are loads of traditional British boozers, nightclubs, trendy bars, live music venues and theatres. The Gay Village is also a brilliant place to head for a memorable night out, and there are even plenty of themed bars if you fancy something different. No two nights out are alike in Manchester and you’re sure to have an exciting, fun-filled night on the town.

7. Shop ‘til you drop

We’ve already covered how the Trafford Centre is home to hundreds of shops, but that’s just the start of what Manchester has to offer shopaholics. The city has a huge variety of retailers, from luxury shopping outlets to unique boutiques – and, of course, all your high-street favourites.

Altrincham and Levenshulme markets are also great if you need to grab a bargain, find some treasures or browse for a unique gift. Shopping isn’t exactly exciting for some people, but for others, a bit of retail therapy is a must!

Find your perfect property in Manchester with UNCLE

Manchester has it all, making it the perfect city to call home if you enjoy having a little excitement in your life.

If you’d like to see what thrills Manchester has to offer, UNCLE has a range of fully serviced flats to help you feel at home right away. Learn more about our flats in central Manchester.