Heading into Manchester for the day and unsure of what you should be packing into your itinerary? Check our guide to the must-see things to see, eat and drink, much of which you should just about be able to squeeze into 24 hours in the city.
Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, the John Rylands Library provides one of the most magnificent examples of neo-Gothic architecture in the region. There is an array of special collections to browse and exhibitions on display, with the Historic Reading Room a particular highlight.
The John Rylands Library is open Wed – Sat, 10am – 5pm. Last entry is 4.40pm. Admission is free, and there is no need to book ahead.
Fittingly located on the site of the UK’s oldest surviving passenger railway station, the Science and Industry Museum celebrates Manchester’s industrial legacy through an exciting array of permanent and rotating galleries and interactive experiences.
The museum’s latest major exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, invites families on an intergalactic adventure guided by familiar characters from the BBC Horrible Science TV series, while Power Up, which is open at weekends and every day during the school holidays, offers the chance to play through five decades’ worth of gaming history, with more than 150 era-spanning consoles available to try.
Inspired by the traditional deli shops of New York and New Jersey, Bada Bing might well be behind some of the city’s best sandwiches. After building something of a cult following during the dark days of lockdown, the team now has their own bricks and mortar spot in a prime Northern Quarter location, where you can grab a ginormous hoagie to go, or bunker down with a Spicy Italian and a cold bottle of Birra Ichnusa.
Two bonafied icons of Manchester’s vinyl scene, Piccadilly Records and Vinyl Exchange, are absolute must-visits for any music fans heading into the city. Havens of new and pre-loved records, there’ll be very little you can’t find between the two stores, which sit conveniently across the road from one another.
Mackie Mayor is the perfect dinner destination for those after a more relaxed dining experience, and is particularly handy for groups who can’t settle on one single cuisine for the evening. A two-floor food hall set within a restored Victorian market hall, the gorgeous Grade II-listed building invites visitors to choose from an array of global kitchens covering ramen, pizza, tacos, fried chicken and steak. There’s no booking ahead, just find a spot and order directly to your table.
Hidden along the mews above the historic Great Northern Warehouse, Michelin-listed Another Hand is an independent, intimate bistro-style diner that takes sustainably sourced North West produce and meticulously crafts it into gorgeous-looking, supremely delicious dishes designed to be shared in a laid-back setting with friends and loved ones. Much of the menu is veggie-led, and responsible farming is central to all that is on offer. There’s also a stellar selection of natural wines to choose from, perhaps, one of the best in the city.
Just a short tram ride from the city centre over to Salford’s MediaCity, the iconic Lowry theatre plays host to everything from global smash hits and family favourites to comedy superstars and niche contemporary productions. Lowry also serves as a vital platform for up-and-coming writers and performers, regularly working with and staging works from local talent, meaning there’s every chance you could be stumbling upon the next big thing.
As a restored Grade II-listed Wesleyan chapel in the heart of Manchester, Albert Hall stands as one of the best-looking gig backdrops you’re likely to find. The eclectic calendar spans everything from huge international artists and electric club nights to celebrations of homegrown talent, so there’s something for any and all tastes.
For anyone looking to weave an evening of stirring classical music into their itinerary, the Bridgewater Hall is the place to be. Home to Manchester’s world-renowned Hallé Orchestra and regularly hosting the BBC Philharmonic, the venue’s classical music programme is as vast as it is varied.
Interestingly, the structure of the concert hall floats entirely free of the ground on almost three hundred earthquake-proof isolation bearings and giant springs, so there’s no rigid connection between the 22,500 tonne building and its foundations. This means the hall’s acoustics are protected from all outside noise and vibration…which is very cool.
Speak in Code’s brick-lined, hip-hop soundtracked venue is, without a doubt, one of Manchester’s coolest drinking dens. Here you’ll find genuinely world-class, award-winning cocktails prepared with elite precision and innovation. Despite the blinding quality of the drinks, there is no stuffiness about the place — it’s all very low-key, laid back and effortlessly stylish, and while the menu is certainly innovative, the team are always on-hand to guide you through anything that might be a little unfamiliar.
With rooms starting at around £80, and its location just a couple of minutes’ walk from St Peter’s Square tram stop, The Alan is a great base for a night in Manchester that pairs stripped-back style with reasonably priced beds. High ceilings and swathes of exposed brick come together tremendously in the hotel’s lobby, which doubles up as a buzzy co-working space during the day, before transforming into an open-plan bar and restaurant later on. Rooms are sleek and comfortable, marrying rustic floorboards, muted tones and contemporary furnishings.
- Words:
- Mia Hadjigeorgiou
- Published on:
- Thu 7 May 2026
Start your day off right in the Northern Quarter with breakfast and a brew (or Bloody Mary) at Manchester’s most famous breakfast spot. Established in 1978, The Koffee Pot prides itself on serving up ‘hearty no-nonsense breakfasts’ that range from mammoth fry-ups and Turkish eggs to stacks of fluffy buttermilk pancakes.