Things to Do
For a full selection of things to do in Manchester go to
www.visitmanchester.com. Here
is a selection of some of the best.
Northern Quarter
Colloquially known as Manchester’s creative quarter due to it
concentration of designers, artist and musicians, it may not be the
ritziest part of the city centre but it’s certainly one of the most
interesting. A stroll around the quirky streets will reward you
with eclectic record shops, vintage and specialist clothes stores,
bohemian bars and eateries. N4 is also home to the Manchester Craft
and Design Centre, the Manchester Buddhist Centre and the
Manchester institution that is Affleck’s Palace (see below).
Definitely not mainstream.
Exchange Square
A shoppers’ haven with Harvey Nichols and Selfridges within
spitting distance of each other. Harvey Nicks’ 2nd floor
brasserie and bar is a favourite cocktail spot and the quirky
Future System’s design of Selfridge’s food hall houses a number of
counter-based eateries.
King Street
Elegant pedestrian shopping street stretching from Joseph, Agent
Provocateur and Armani at one end to Monsoon, Hobbs and Hermes at
the other.
The Quays
Hop on one of Manchester’s distinctive trams for a trundle
through the city centre and out to The Quays – just 15 minutes
outside the city centre and you’re in a whole different landscape
of big water, big skies and big buildings, including The Lowry and
Imperial War Museum North.
www.thequays.org.uk
Guided walks
T: 0871 222 8223
Discover the city’s secret corners with a range of guided walks
that take you everywhere from up the Town Hall bell tower to down
below the city streets tracing the history of the Rochdale canal.
There’s topic-driven options too, including a tour devoted to
Mancunian inventions and one to the history of the city’s radical
politics.