Skip to content

What to do during the day in Manchester

Areas in the city to explore

  • MediaCity and The Quays (link on VisitManchester) Home to the Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry. But also the decor of Coronation Street.

  • Spinningfields in the north-west of the city centre (link on VisitManchester) with the British Pop Archive and the Jonh Rylands Research Institute and Library.

  • The Village: The gay area. (link on VisitManchester) There is an LGBTQ+ Walking Trail but this is more like a number of places without fixed route between them.

Museums

  • British Pop Archive at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library (Spinningfields area) but this doesn't seem to be something you can just visit.

  • Imperial War Museum North (MediaCity/Quays area) Open daily 10am-5pm, free entrance and no need to book.

  • The Lowry (MediaCity/Quays area): Interesting building with 3 theatres but also some galleries showcasing art. Galleries are free to enter but a donation is welcome. Closed on Monday. Weekend 10am-5pm, week 11am-5pm.

  • Manchester Art Gallery. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, free admission.

  • Manchester Museum: Yet another museum associated with the University of Manchester. Closed on Mondays. Other days 10am-5pm, Wednesday till 9pm, Saturday from8 am. Free admission.

  • Salford Museum & Art Gallery: Open Tuesday-Sunday 11:30am-4pm, free admission.

  • Science and Industry Museum. Open daily 10am-5pm. Free but advance booking advised (which stongly encourages a donation).

  • Museum of Transport Greater Manchester: Very limited opening times: Wednesday 10am-4:30pm, Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays 10am-4:30pm. GBP 7.50 admission.

  • The Whitworth Art Gallery: Another museum linked to the University of Manchester. Tuessday-Sunday 10m-5pm, Thursday even till 8pm. Free admission.

Museums further away

  • Fireground Musuem in Rochdale

  • Bury Transport Museum

  • Lancashire Mining Museum in Astley

  • Stockport Museum

  • Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery

  • Portland Basin Museum

  • Northwest Computer Museum in Leigh

Other indoor attractions

  • The John Rylands Library from the University of Manchester. The building is in neo-gothic architecture. Open Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, admission free and no booking required but queues are possible.

  • Manchester Town Hall

  • The Monastery

Further out:

  • Stockport Air Raid Shelters

Manors etc.: often both indoor part and outdoor part

  • Elizabeth Gaskell's House.

    Can be combined with the Manchester Museum and The Whitworth as all are on or close to the University of Manchester grounds just South of the centre.

  • Ordsall Hall

  • Trafford Park Heritage Centre

  • Clayton Hall Living History Museum

Further out:

  • Bramall Hall neat Stockport

  • Chadderton Town Hall in Oldham

  • Smithills Hall.

    This would be a nice target for a walk North of Bolton.

  • Hall i' th' Wood Museum, in Bolton

  • Rock Hall

    Again close to Bolton and in a nice park area, but now Southeast of Bolton.

  • Haigh Hall in Wigan

    In a nice part area so could be part of a walk in that area.

  • Dunham Massey National Trust

    Again in a nice park area but likely harder to reach.

  • Gamsworth Hall

    Also harder to reach it seems to build a walk around it.

  • Wythenshawe Hall

  • Tatton Park and Hall