Manchester-UK- The Perfect City Getaway
Looking for the perfect UK city break? Manchester is a great place. In the past decade, the thriving city at the heart of Northern England has broken free from its gloomy industrial past and emerged a vibrant, confident and forward moving city with plenty to entice and fascinate any visitor. Well-known for its strong sporting culture and state of the art museums and art venues it also boasts fantastic shopping and a buzzing nightlife, the perfect ingredients for a fantastic city break. A good place to start your discovery of this great city is the cultural treasure trove of The Quays, a fifteen-minute tram ride from the city centre. You are sure to find something for everyone in this square mile of architecturally amazing waterfront attractions.
History buffs will enjoy wandering through the Imperial War Museum North. It houses memorabilia from both World Wars, multimedia exhibitions, interactive displays to delight the kids and a viewing platform with phenomenal views over the city and best of all, entry is free! Close by, The Lowry will keep culture enthusiasts entertained. This arts and theatre powerhouse is home to two main theatres staging a variety of productions including opera, drama, musicals, music concerts and comedy acts as well as art galleries, a restaurant, cafes and bars.
Sports fans are also catered for as The Quays are close to the homes of two of Britain’s most renowned sporting clubs, Manchester United and Lancashire Country Cricket Club. Football fans the world over will recognize the historic Old Trafford Stadium, one of Manchester’s most popular tourist attractions, found nearby. Catching a game at this grand complex is a once-in-a-lifetime experience but if you can’t get tickets, the Museum Tour is good for an insight into the magnitude and quality of the famous stadium.
Back in the city centre, the Manchester Art Gallery houses an impressive collection of works by British and European masters and kids will love the Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil on display at the Manchester Museum. If it’s retail therapy you are after, Manchester has one of the most diverse shopping districts in the UK. The Arndale Centre is Europe’s largest city centre shopping mall where serious shoppers could easily spend the whole day whilst St Ann’s Square, the Triangle and surrounding roads offer something for the more luxury shopper, as does the popular Deansgate and The Avenue.
When the sun goes down, Manchester’s eclectic, buzzing nightlife comes to life. The bohemian Northern Quarter is the liveliest hotspot, with an array of independent bars, traditional pubs and live music venues favoured by students, while the swanky bars in The Locks and Deansgate attract a more sophisticated, stylish crowd. Oxford Road and the colourful Gay Village around Canal Street are also nocturnal favourites with plenty of great bars, pubs and nightclubs to enjoy a great night out in.
To grab a bite to eat, the city has plenty of options to suit any budget. Head to bustling Chinatown or Rusholm’s Curry Mile for something cheap and cheerful or splurge in the boutique restaurants of Manchester’s top city centre hotels including several Michelin Starred outlets. With such a myriad of things to see and do, plus an international airport and good connections to the UK’s rail network, Manchester city breaks really are the perfect UK getaway.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.
