24 hours in Manchester – 11 Things to See and Do

The Best Things to do for 24 hours in Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant and exciting city and one we are lucky enough to call home. But what can you do in 24 hours in Manchester? 24 hours never seems enough time to spend anywhere new, especially in a city this enchanting. Manchester has everything you could possibly want and is the unofficial capital of the North. Where else will you be able to find Roman ruins, historic canals, football madness and a trendy music scene all within walking distance? 

Good to know: when you arrive, you’ll notice the symbol of the worker bee everywhere you look. This has been the emblem of the city for over 150 years and represents the hard working people that helped found Manchester. Also, it represents the unity of the people and the city centre as a buzzing ‘hive’.

When is the best time to visit Manchester?

There’s never a bad time to visit the city. Each holiday brings new attractions and things to see and do. However, it is always a good idea to bring an umbrella with you, you never know if there will be a downpour in Manchester. 

Also, if you’ve come to watch a football game, the season runs from late August to May and it’s a good idea to check when the teams are playing at home, or even better, playing each other? Now, that derby would be iconic. 

How to get to Manchester

With 4 train stations, it is easy to get to Manchester from anywhere in the UK.  What’s great is that the train is only 2 hours from London Euston station, which makes it easy to escape to. For a (usually) cheaper alternative you can catch the coach from London Victoria Coach Station that only takes 4 hours 40 minutes. 

If you are arriving from Manchester International Airport, you have different options to get into the city. The most convenient way is the train, which only takes around 20 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly Station and if you book in advance will likely be inexpensive. However, the cheapest option for a budget traveller is the tram but the downside is the journey is much longer.

There is also the option to get a transfer from Welcome Pickups which offers a wonderful experience and safety to its travellers, as well as using local drivers, free cancellation and flight monitoring.

How to get around Manchester

Luckily, the city is very compact, which means it is easy to walk around the city centre and you can access the main attractions on foot. Alternatively, the tram network is our favourite way to get around if we are leaving the city centre area or just want to get somewhere quickly. You can tap on and off with your card (like London) or if you download the Get Me There App you can buy tickets, look at the zone maps and get updates on the lines to check there are no delays. If you’re in Manchester at a weekend, it is sometimes cheaper to buy a weekend pass for £6.80, especially if you plan on heading to all 4 zones.

INSIDER TIP: it is good to know that there are a lot of ticket checks and you can get fined if you don’t have one. Better to be safe than sorry.

Another way to get around the city centre is on the yellow free city bus; you can hop on and off as you please. It’s easy to spot the bus stops as you wander around the city.

Top 11 things to do in 24 hours in Manchester

Use our list to create the ultimate itinerary for your 24 hours in Manchester. Whether you have visited the city before or you’re a complete newbie – you’ll always find something exciting around the next corner. 

Northern Quarter

The Northern Quarter is the hipster central of Manchester located between Piccadilly and Ancoats. On a first glance it may look a little dingy, but this quarter has a regenerated creative buzz. It’s home to independent cafes, bars and restaurants. As well as retro shops, Afflecks Palace and incredible street art that gives Melbourne a run for its money.  Honestly, this area is just cool and you will feel the quirkiness as you wander around and see the arty scene for yourself.

INSIDER TIP: check The Makers Market website as on the second Sunday of each month the Northern Quarter is filled with tasty food stalls and independent stalls in Stevenson Square. 

Museums and Galleries

There are so many museums that if you only have 24 hours in Manchester, you will have to choose between them. Here are some of the best on offer:

1. Manchester Art Gallery for international fine art and costume (free entry).
2. The National Football Museum for the biggest football museum in the world (£11 for a walk in adult ticket). 
3. The Science and Industry Museum for learning about Manchester’s industrial past and ideas that were born here (free entry).
4. Manchester Museum for exploring the world and seeing it come to life (free entry).
5. The Imperial War Museum North for stories of how war has impacted people’s lives (free entry). 

Football

Arguably, the legendary football teams helped put Manchester on the international stage. But the real question is: ‘Are you a red or blue?’ The rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City is unmatched and they are two of the most iconic teams in the Premier League. Whilst we do not support any of these teams, we’ve both been impressed with the stadiums and the excitement of the matches. After watching both teams play live, we can confirm that it’s definitely worth it. It can be difficult to get a ticket, but both clubs offer stadium tours if you’re unable to go to a live game.

Media City

Only a 15-minute tram journey out of the city lies Media City. It’s pleasant to walk around anytime of the year and in summer you’ll find open water swimmers and adventure enthusiasts in the quays. It’s home to the Imperial War Museum and the Lowry, as well as the BBC and ITV studios. Look out for live audience shows on the BBC, where you can enter a lottery to get a ticket. Alternatively, it is home to the Coronation Street tour (a popular British soap). What we enjoy the most is walking around this area at night, all the buildings and the bridges are lit up in an array of colours and there are lively bars by the peaceful water.

Castlefield and the Canals

Known as the historic centre of the city, it’s definitely worth wandering round this network of canals and the nearby Roman ruins. It boasts lively riverside bars alongside old mills and is extremely pleasant if the sun is shining. If you walk all the way down the canal towards Trafford, eventually you will get to Manchester United’s Old Trafford Football Stadium. 

Shopping

People travel all across the country to shop in Manchester, so it needed a space on this list. The city centre ‘Arndale Centre’ and the ‘Trafford Centre’ are the most famous. At both you will be able to find everything you need and more, including each boasting the remarkable Selfridges Department Store. There are independent shops dotted all over, especially in the Northern Quarter and the suburbs. Therefore, there is no denying there is something for everyone.

Chinatown

As it’s the second biggest Chinatown in the UK, there is an abundance of shops and restaurants in this area. It emerged in the 1970s and is known to be most alive during the Chinese New Year. Whilst you’re there, photograph the impressive archway, which was a gift from China in 1987. 

Canal Street

The popular Canal Street is the Gay Village of Manchester. Mancunians celebrate as one of the world’s most gay friendly cities. This area is lively at night and welcomes all looking to have a good time along the Rochdale Canal. There is also Manchester Pride which is one of the biggest Pride events in the UK, along with different festivities and celebrations throughout the year.

Appreciate the Architecture

With the city’s industrial past, you wouldn’t expect Manchester to be so bloody beautiful. One of our favourite things to do is walk around the city and take pictures of the grand buildings. A good place to start is in St Peter’s Square, where you can admire the Central Library and the Midland Hotel. Nearby is the famous John Rylands Library, which has become famous for it’s Hogwarts resemblance. 

Manchester Cathedral

Situated in the heart of the city is the 600-year-old Manchester Cathedral. It is free to enter and admire and definitely worth it. What’s more, the medieval Cathedral is home to many different events throughout the year. One not to be missed is the Gin Festival. It’s one of the best things we have done since we moved to Manchester. What’s better than tasting local and international gin in this glorious setting?

Explore a Suburb

To truly see what else this fabulous city has to offer, then you should visit a suburb. Our favourite places and two of the most famous suburbs are West Didsbury and Chorlton. In both of these, you will find welcoming pubs, cool bars, charity and independent shops. If you can’t decide, head to Beech Road in Chorlton, it’s on the prettiest little street bustling with life.

Top places to eat in Manchester

• Noi Quattro – If you’re wondering where to get the BEST pizza in Manchester this is your joint. We love the staff here, who are always super helpful and kind. So far this is the only place in Manchester where we can find the Sardinian Ichnusa Beer too. This independent pizzeria gets a yes from us. 

• Mackie Mayor – Dating back to 1857, the once meat market is the perfect place to grab something to eat or drink. It has independent food stalls from every cuisine you could imagine all in one place. It’s great if you can’t decide what you want or if you’re in a group and you all fancy something different. 

• Evelyn’s – You might recognise this café from Instagram. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner but be sure to book in advance on their website. We found the breakfast portions to be pretty big, so make sure you’re hungry. 

• 20 Stories – The most expensive of all the options here, but for good reason. Manchester’s answer to London’s Sky Garden offers panoramic views across the city. On a clear day, opt to sit outside when you arrive, and go to the bathroom for views on the other side of the city. If you’re on a budget but still want to see the views, go for breakfast.

• The Koffee Pot – A Northern Quarter classic, offering ‘proper’ British delicacies. This place screams hipster and you’ll find arty types in here sipping on their hot Vimto. Cheap and cheerful.

Where to stay in Manchester

Stay central or near a tram stop if you are only in Manchester for 24 hours. This way you will be able to get everywhere quickly. The most famous and some of the most expensive hotels are the Midland for its history and King Street Townhouse for its infinity pool. However, if you’re on a budget you can opt to stay in a budget hotel or apartments. There is also a YHA hostel in Castlefield which has a good reputation. Whatever your budget – you’ll find it in this welcoming city.

We plan to update this ‘24 hours in Manchester’ guide as we discover more of what this fabulous city we call home has to offer. In the meantime, have you been to Manchester? Let us know if you have any recommendations for where to go or things to do. There’s always something new to discover or a new trendy place that has just opened! 

If you’re in northern England, you should consider visiting other amazing cities. There’s definitely great places out of London – don’t miss them on your next trip! Read about free things you can do in York here and Leeds attractions and hidden gems here. 

Happy travels!

Photo Credit: Averagelives.com