Itineraries for Your Trip to Manchester
2 Days in Manchester for First Timers
As a kid growing up in the East Midlands, my weekend visits to Manchester were reserved for special occasions and family visits. Traveling up from our hometown of Nottingham only took two hours, yet Manchester felt a world away, complete with different accents, distinct fashion trends, and the coolest bands of the ‘90s.
As the de facto capital of the North, Manchester is as cool today as it’s always been. Two days is the ideal amount of time to get your fix of culture, music, and football fever (just don’t call it soccer!). This itinerary includes all the must-sees, along with some local favorites.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a football match or stadium tour.
Manchester weather is mild but changeable, so layers are your friend.
Manchester’s central sights are compact enough to take in on a walking tour, and you can always hop on the Metrolink tram if you get tired. Stop to admire Manchester Town Hall and Manchester Cathedral, stroll around Chinatown, and see landmarks, including John Rylands Library and the Trafford Centre.
Football is akin to religion in Manchester, but you’ll have to pick your side—the rivalry between Manchester United (Old Trafford stadium) and Manchester City (Etihad Stadium) is notorious. Take a stadium tour, visit the National Football Museum, or, if you’re lucky enough to be in town on a match day, experience it by getting tickets.
Manchester’s nightlife is almost as legendary as its footballers. Make like a local and kick off the evening with dinner along the Curry Mile (Wilmslow Road), go bar-hopping around Deansgate or Spinningfields, or check out the Gay Village on Canal Street, renowned as one of the UK’s most thriving LGBTQ+ scenes.
After lunch, spend time strolling around Manchester’s museums. The Manchester Museum covers everything from local history to Egyptian artifacts, while the Science and Industry Museum is home to the oldest surviving passenger railway station in the world. The Whitworth Art Gallery is an architectural marvel overlooking Whitworth Park.
Next, digest on a relaxed museum stroll. Manchester is home to numerous top-notch institutions, from the Manchester Museum and Whitworth Art Gallery to the Science and Industry Museum. For younger visitors, SEA Life offers an entertaining way to learn about undersea creatures.
Along with football, music is the lifeblood of Manchester, and it’s little surprise that the hometown of Oasis, The Smiths, and Joy Division knows a thing or two about music. Learn about “Madchester” and the city’s musical heyday on a music-focused city tour, or head out to a show to watch up-and-coming acts.
