Manchester has been a city whose fame has come mostly from football and its legendary rock’ n’ roll. However, the changing landscape has seen Manchester add some cool attraction points including shops and cool bars that nestle side by side in the city suburbs. The liveliness and culture in Manchester makes visitors want to come over again and again for business, leisure, and other activities. The city dates way back from the Roman times where it was largely anonymous until the industrial revolution began in the 18th century which turned the city into a global textile centre. The Victorian buildings seen today in some parts of the city are the remaining evidence of this era.
Suburbs such as the Northern Quarter and Castlefield have seen luxurious flats coming up as well as innovative infrastructure projects including the historic waterways. Manchester consists of 10 borough towns ranging from Wigan to Bury. Each district has a unique identity which adds to the overall flavour of the city.
What to Do and See in Manchester
There are lots of things you can do and lost of places to visit in Manchester. The music connections including The Bee Gees, The Hollies, New Order, Baldy Drawn Boy, and many others make this city a popular music scene that won’t leave you disappointed. The presence of Manchester City, Manchester United, Wigan, and Bolton in the same city has sparked a bitter rivalry in football that makes it interesting to watch every game.
Chinatown
The Chinese district in Manchester is arguably one of the largest in Europe. You will find top of the range restaurants as well as Thai, Korean, and Indonesian restaurants and shops.
Castlefield
This suburb has a historic attraction including the Castlefield Conservation Area, The Museum of Science and Industry, The Roman Fort, and the Castlefield Gallery. You shouldn’t miss any of this.
Canal Cruise
Cruising along the Machester Canals will give you an exciting view of the city from the water. From this vantage point, you will see important sights of the city as you sip a drink or take your dinner.
Other places you may want to visit and see include the Heaton Park, the Lowry, Flecky Bennett’s Manchester Ghost Walk, and Imperial War Museum.
Dining in Manchester
There is literally a world of flavors in Manchester with excellent local cuisine, first class chefs, and exceptional customer service. Irrespective of your budget, you will get a place to dine. Some of the remarkable restaurants include Yang Sing which is one of the top Cantonese restaurants in Europe, the Market Restaurant which a 20 year old family owned restaurant located in the Northern Quarter, Umezushi which is a Japanese restaurant known for Sushi and other top dishes. Alexandros Greek Restaurant, Jack Spratt, Pacifica Cantonese, and 63 Degrees are other top of the range restaurants you can’t afford to leave without tasting their meals.
Bars and Nightlife
The party culture in Manchester is evident with the huge number of clubs and bars dotting suburbs such as Castlefield, Northern Quarter, and Gay Village. Some of the top bars and clubs worth visiting and sampling what they have include Dry Bar, Matt & Phred’s, Revolution, Bluu, The Marble Arch Inn, Sankeys, The Ritz, and The Comedy Store.
Shopping in Manchester
With lots of pedestrian streets and galleries, Central Manchester is one huge shopping precinct. The Arndale Centre, a massive building complex located at the heart of the city is one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. It sits on 30 hectares and has more than 200 shops under its roof. There are lots of premium brands including Deansgate, DKNY, Armani, St Ann’s Square, and King Street.
Accommodation
From luxury five star hotels to modest guesthouses, Manchester City has it all when it comes to accommodation. Among the prestigious hotels that offer exceptional accommodation include the Palace Hotel which also serves as one of the top landmarks in Manchester, Novotel Manchester Centre located in Chinatown, the Castlefield Hotel known for its canal basin, Mitre Hotel built in 1815, Malmaison, Britania Hotel plus many others.
Strategically located, Manchester City is served by the Manchester’s international airport which is located just 16 km to the south. There are also modern railway and bus transport systems that connects the city with the rest of the country and world.