A Weekend Guide to Manchester, UK | Top attractions, places to eat, where to stay

Manchester, a vibrant city just two hours north of London, offers a unique blend of culture, history, and modern charm. Easily accessible via a quick train ride from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly and a 10 minute walk to the city centre, Manchester makes a great weekend trip from London.

While searching for authentic experiences and things to do in Manchester’s city centre, I discovered some hidden gems with the help of some locals I met when I was completing a professional teaching course over the weekend.

Here’s my guide to the best things to see and do in Manchester over a weekend.

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Best 10 things to do in Manchester over a weekend

Explore the Northern Quarter

One of my favourite, must-see spots in Manchester was the Northern Quarter as it’s full of trendy bars, vintage shops and restaurants & cafes.

As Manchester's trendy, bohemian hub, you can explore street art, indie boutiques and vintage shops, and quirky bars & cafes that create an electric, creative vibe.

If you head to Thomas Street you’ll also find lots of bars with alfresco seating.

Go shopping at Afflecks

Afflecks is in the Northern Quarter but it deserves a special mention. This vibrant and eclectic market is packed full of independent traders from tattoo artists to fashion boutiques - a hive of creativity and a safe space for entrepreneurs, artists, creators and makers to start out, experiment and grow.

We also stopped at Make Up or Break Up! (where 15% of their profits go towards LGBTQ+ charities!) for glitter, festival gems and Gay Pride items.

Visit a pub for a beer and some pub grub (food)

Experience the quintessential British pub culture with a visit to one of Manchester's many historic pubs, where you can savour local ales and hearty pub grub.

We went to Wetherspoons in the Piccadilly area and ordered Bangers and Mash and a Steak and Kidney Pudding (aka pie) with mushy peas. Can’t say I’m a fan of mushy peas but everything else was good!

Visit a bar or two in the Gay Village

Another great area to explore is the Gay Village along Canal Street, which is vibrant and welcoming, packed with lively bars and clubs that offer a fantastic night out in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.

You can also stop by the park next door to visit the Alan Turing Memorial statue.

Visit Manchester Library & the John Rylands Research Institute and Library

You can step into the past at the John Rylands Library, a neo-Gothic building with stunning architecture, rare books and manuscripts, or explore the modern Manchester Central Library and head into the central main library which has a beautiful dome.

Visit 20 Stories for panoramic views of Manchester

You can’t miss this trendy spot for views of Manchester city. At 20 Stories, you can head upstairs via the lifts and exit left to see panoramic views of Manchester’s skyline.

It was nice to watch the trams go by and observe the city, and you can stop here for a drink or two as well.

Stop at ManCoCo Coffee Bar

ManCoCo Coffee Bar is worth a visit for some of the best coffee in Manchester - they also have a roastery so you can also pick up some coffee beans here!

Visit the Glade of Light

The Glade of Light memorial offers a serene spot for reflection, honouring those affected by the 2017 Manchester Arena attack with beautiful, thoughtful design.

There are also lots of iconic pubs and a pedestrian shopping area nearby if you’re looking for something else to do in the area.

Take a tram out to Salford Quays to get beautiful views across the water near MediaCityUK

You can hop on a tram to Salford Quays for lovely waterfront views, cutting-edge art at The Lowry, and a glimpse into the future at MediaCityUK.

Take a day trip to Blackpool to see the iconic ballroom inside The Blackpool Tower

This top attraction is not in Manchester but worth going to if you have time!

Blackpool is an hour’s drive or 1hr 20 min train ride from Manchester and is home to the stunning Blackpool Tower Ballroom (the home of the British TV show Strictly Come Dancing) - so for dancing nerds like me it’s a must.

I was fortunate enough that there was a salsa/bachata/kiz social at Blackpool Tower Ballroom that weekend so I was able to social dance in the stunning ballroom that’s been around since the 1900s! The social is run by 4 The Love of Dance every few months.

For those visiting on other weekends or during the week, you can purchase a ticket to enter the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for £12.5, with options to add afternoon tea as part of your experience.

Where to stay

Manchester’s city centre is walkable and compact, so depending on your budget I would suggest staying somewhere central so you can walk everywhere.

I stayed in the trendy Northern Quarter at Britannia Sachas Hotel Manchester in a twin room with a friend for AU$130/night, as the hotel’s location was both walking distance to where I was doing my course and the centre of Manchester (Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester Piccadilly Station, Gay Village etc).

Other options include Airbnbs and plenty of other hotels in the area.

Final travel tips for your weekend in Manchester

For an enjoyable time in Manchester, you can easily visit in a weekend - two days is enough to explore all the areas in the main city and visit the places you’re interested in, go shopping and try a couple of different cafes, bars and restaurants.

If you have more time, it’s worth extending to visit other cities nearby, or take things slower and enjoy all that Manchester has to offer.

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