Top 20 Best Things to Do in Manchester
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Top 20 Best Things to Do in Manchester

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Etihad Stadiumtop_1
    󰺂7.7
    3125.1
    Manchester3.2 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊Bowl-shaped stadium seats 54,000
    󱓊Bowl design & great viewing
    󱨠Saved by 174 users󱨠120 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    It was nice very experinces. İt was exciting throughout the entire tour. It's just that the story is spoken very guikly. Therefore alterbative translations into different languages should be considered .

  • Chinatowntop_2
    󰺂6.4
    Manchester.City Centre521m from downtown
    Highlights:
    Authentic Chinese restaurants
    󰀆Chinese New Year lion dance
    󱨠Saved by 203 users󱨠29% positive reviews
    4.5/5
    苏河家园苏河家园

    Stepping into Manchester China City, it seems to be through a time-space tunnel, and instantly enter a place full of Oriental charm. Traditional archway, porch of dragons and phoenixes, full of strong oriental charm. Chinatown is a great place to experience diverse Asian cultures, with restaurants, shops, supermarkets and more.

  • John Rylands Research Institute and Librarytop_3
    󰺂5.7
    Manchester.City Centre110m from downtown
    Highlights:
    Early printed books & manuscripts
    󱓊Victorian Gothic architectural masterpiece
    󱨠Saved by 192 users󱨠33% positive reviews
    4.5/5
    没有蜡olling没有蜡olling

    The John Rylands Library in Manchester, England, known as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, gives you the illusion of studying in a church. You want to cherish every second and study hard... Mr. Rylands' widow used this unique way to commemorate her husband, John Rylands, which is the highest level of intellectual romance. It really amazed the time, moved the years, and was at peace in the elegance.

  • The University of Manchester
    4
    󰺂5.4
    Manchester1.8 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊25 Nobel laureates from this university
    󱨜Top red brick university in UK
    󱨠Saved by 132 users󱨠51% positive reviews
    4.7/5
    EN the travellerEN the traveller

    The University is located not too far from Chinatown, making this a nice day trip for those looking to checkout a UK university and have a nice meal after.

  • National Football Museum
    5
    󰺂5.2
    Manchester.City Centre846m from downtown
    Highlights:
    Test speed & reaction, commentary fun
    󱓊140,000 football memorabilia items
    󱨠Saved by 137 users
    4.4/5
    Jmstrvling2001Jmstrvling2001

    I really enjoyed the interactive football games they had and there weee many floors filled with things to do. one bonus was that when you buy a ticket you get emailed a barcode and you can come back anytime within 1 year

  • Manchester City Council
    6
    󰺂5.0
    Manchester.City Centre299m from downtown
    Highlights:
    Dalton & Joule statues in the hall
    󱓊1877 Gothic landmark clock tower
    󱨠33% positive reviews
    4.3/5
    放飞自我去游玩放飞自我去游玩

    The Town Hall on the east side of Albert Square is one of Manchester's landmark buildings. It was built in 1877 and expanded in 1938. The majestic Gothic clock tower often becomes the focus of tourists' photo taking, and even the torchbearers of the 2012 London Olympics are no exception. Manchester Town Hall can be divided into two parts, the old and the new. The popular clock tower belongs to the old town hall.

  • Manchester Cathedral
    7
    󰺂4.9
    Manchester.City Centre704m from downtown
    Highlights:
    Stained glass windows with light
    󱓊15th-century vertical Gothic building
    󱨠Saved by 142 users
    4.0/5
    Gibral embulGibral embul

    Visited the cathedral with my partner for an ibiza classical evening. We both thoroughly enjoyed it! The lighting and sound system were amazing.The only faults I had with the place was that the toilets had no lighting around them ,but there were plenty of them though, so I wasn't queuing for long.

  • Manchester Museum
    8
    󰺂4.7
    Manchester1.7 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoManchester Museum reopens | Feb 18, 2023
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Manchester
    Highlights:
    Animal specimens, skeletons & artifacts
    󱓊Victorian-style museum building
    󱨠Saved by 120 users󱨠52% positive reviews
    4.6/5
    SummerTSummerT

    沿著Manchester Oxfords Road走到博物館,一旁樹葉已變成紅葉,非常美麗,博物館內的動物種類繁多,好可愛,關於木乃伊相對較為少,但喜歡動物的你,值得參觀曼城博物館。

  • Science and Industry Museum
    9
    󰺂4.6
    Manchester.City Centre471m from downtown
    Highlights:
    1830s steam engines & machines
    󱓊Tech temple on Roman fort ruins
    󱨠Saved by 103 users󱨠31% positive reviews
    4.3/5
    Gibral embulGibral embul

    The museum is free to enter and I used to love coming here as a child. I came back with my own children today. What we saw today was quite a disappointment.I booked easily online and with a minor wait at the doors we got in very smoothly. As we had also wanted to visit the Operation Ouch later. And thinking we would need time to explore the whole museum we booked it for mid afternoon.

  • Albert Square
    10
    󰺂4.5
    Manchester.City Centre197m from downtown
    Highlights:
    Square with cultural buildings
    󱓊Gothic Town Hall by Waterhouse
    󱨠Saved by 113 users
    4.3/5
    没有蜡olling没有蜡olling

    Albert Square, named after Queen Victoria's husband, has a Gothic-style town hall built in 1877, which tells the glory and suffering of the city. This is a pioneer of the modern industrial revolution and was bombed and destroyed by the German army during World War II. Today, the city has stood up again, far away from the days of steam and sweat, and has become a diversified international bustling city that never sleeps. ​

Best things to do in Manchester (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Manchester? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Manchester offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Manchester

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Manchester experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Etihad Stadium

• Manchester | 3.2 km from downtown

• : Bowl-shaped stadium seats 54,000,Bowl design & great viewing

Chinatown

• Manchester.City Centre | 521m from downtown

• : Authentic Chinese restaurants,Chinese New Year lion dance

John Rylands Research Institute and Library

• Manchester.City Centre | 110m from downtown

• : Early printed books & manuscripts,Victorian Gothic architectural masterpiece

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Manchester

If you want to explore attractions just outside Manchester, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Manchester, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Manchester special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Manchester

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Manchester

Ready to explore the best of Manchester? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Manchester?
These are all Best Things to Do in Manchester:Etihad Stadium, Chinatown, John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester, National Football Museum
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Manchester?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Manchester include:Etihad Stadium:4.6, Chinatown:4.5, John Rylands Research Institute and Library:4.5, The University of Manchester:4.7, National Football Museum:4.4
At what locations in Manchester can Best Things to Do in Manchester be found?
The Best Things to Do in Manchester are mainly located in:Etihad Stadium:Manchester, Chinatown:Manchester, John Rylands Research Institute and Library:Manchester, The University of Manchester:Manchester, National Football Museum:Manchester
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