Manchester Beyond Football: The Top Attractions

A city exuding zeal for football, Manchester is that and way beyond! Cherishing the joys of life through a mélange of musical notes and impeccable art, Manchester pulls travelers from all over the world. Various buildings along the lively avenues and the bustling city squares narrate a story of the city’s impact on Industrial Revolution, and stand witness to the renaissance that Manchester has undergone. The commercial and cultural capital of Lancashire, Manchester is known to be the home of various ethnicities that add to the city’s blooming culture.

So if you happen to be searching for an enthralling destination for a vacation, Manchester plays the ideal host with its museums, libraries and animated nightclubs for a party that never ends!

Read along for all the #BucketListExperiences that you can tick-off in Manchester.

Get the ‘Harry Potter’ Feels at John Rylands Library​

Who hasn’t been waiting for their Hogwarts letter! Pretend that you got yours and head to the John Rylands Library for the absolute feels. Flaunting the finest Gothic architecture with its arched alcoves and long subtly-lit halls, the library is a part of the University of Manchester and is open to public seven days a week! Witness immaculate stone-work in the Entrance hall and take a flight up the magnificent staircase that leads to the Historic Reading Room and the display galleries. Don’t miss the ‘St John Fragment’ here, which is believed to be the earliest part of any New Testament.

That’s not all! The library also houses a small store for you to buy souvenirs in the form of unusual and bespoke merchandise, along with a café named after the founder, Enriqueta Rylands, serving delicious cakes with authentic coffee.

Greet History at the Manchester Museum

A visit to Manchester is quite incomplete without discovering the rich treasures housed within its museums. One such museum that deserves your attention and is absolutely worth a visit, is the Manchester Museum. Holding within its walls the works of archaeology, anthropology and natural history, the museum is the perfect place to learn about the culture and heritage of the city. Make way through its many pavilions and come face to face with animal specimens, fossils of elephants and dinosaurs. What’s more? The museum also allows you to see mummies and ancient relics regarded in high historical prominence.

Keep yourself updated with the many events that the museum hosts and make sure to be a part of one. Once you’re done exploring the galleries, do visit the in-house store for some cool gift items. And, don’t forget to taste some really great coffee and sandwiches at the food bar newly opened on the third floor of the museum.

Explore the Treasures of the Northern Quarter​

Welcome to the hip hot-spot, the bohemian area of the city center ⁠— Northern Quarter. Bustling with places to eat and attractions to see, the Northern Quarter is definitely the place to stroll down for an authentic experience of the local city life. You may opt for the many walking tours alongside guides or choose to discover the hidden secrets by yourself.

Be seated at the cute cafes that line the streets for some of the finest coffee that you’ll get to taste in your life, and try the restaurants flaunting delicious menus suitable for vegetarians, non-vegetarians and vegans too! Keep your cameras ready to capture the stunning art that graces the street-walls, and to record performances by the local artists. Step inside the Manchester Craft and Design Center, housed inside an erstwhile Victorian Fish Market, to encounter local art, ceramics, jewelry and sculptures. Guess the best part? You can even shop them right here! Don’t forget to feast on some cheesy pizzas and head for a party at voguish bars and clubs such as ‘Common’ and ‘Twenty Twenty Two’.

Head to the Ethnic Enclave of Chinatown​

Brimming with restaurants flaunting accents of regional colours and flavors, Chinatown is your place to encounter tastes you’re unlikely to experience anywhere else in the whole city. With dishes offering the ultimate #FoodComa, make sure you visit the market with an empty stomach. Chinatown is sandwiched between the Mosley and Portland streets and houses restaurants serving a kaleidoscope of cuisines. You’ll find amazing Chinese, Japanese, Nepalese, Vietnamese and Thai food here.

Try fiery Sichuan food at Red Chilli and if you’re searching for the best Japanese food, make sure you visit Yuzu for home-style rice & noodle dishes and for the city’s best sake bar. Your exploration wouldn’t be halfway complete if you miss to feast on pillow-soft buns at the Chinese Ho’s Bakery and the dim sums served on the terrace at Wings.

#MMTTip: Plan your visit in January to come across UK’s brightest celebration of the Chinese New Year at Chinatown. You’ll definitely fall in love with the craft fairs and the iconic #DragonParade.

Party like a Rockstar at ‘Impossible’ and ‘The Warehouse Project’

If you haven’t roamed around empty streets in the night and explored the clubs of Manchester, you are abstaining yourself from an experience that must not be missed! Regarded as the Musical City of UK by many, Manchester holds a high reputation when it comes to happening nightlife and bars. Some of the local favorites are ‘Impossible’ and ‘The Warehouse Project’.

If an animated club with a gin bar and innovative cocktails is what you’re searching for, Impossible has to be your venue. To add further to the place, Impossible even hosts catwalk and theatre performances! Explore the club to find the hidden gin bar that serves more than 84 variations in its menu, and the molecular cocktail lab with a lickable champagne machine.

If you manage to squeeze some time from your enthralling visit to Impossible, head a bit south to The Warehouse Project for the best DJs and concerts. Every night is a night in paradise if you’re at The Warehouse Project, which has gained the reputation of being one of the finest in the whole country with its diverse menu featuring an assortment of cuisines and impeccable music.

Can’t wait? Pack your bags to experience Manchester for #TravelMemories that last a lifetime!

Book Your Manchester Holiday Now!