10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Manchester That You Shouldn't Miss

April 7, 2022 Merry Kessler

Famed for its soccer team and music scene, which has produced the likes of the Smiths and Oasis, this center for sports and the arts is a down-to-earth and friendly city. The so-called Capital of the North has overcome industrial decline, bombing (in WWII and by the IRA) to become a confident and cosmopolitan city of well over two million. It is well served by a bus and light rail network. Top attractions include the Lowry art complex, arcade Affleck's Palace and Canal Street gay village.
Restaurants in Manchester

1. Parthian Climbing Manchester

Bennett Street St.Benedict's Church, Manchester M12 5ND England +44 161 230 7006 [email protected] http://www.manchesterclimbingcentre.com/
Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 424 reviews

Parthian Climbing Manchester

We are Parthian Climbing Manchester | Harrogate | Reading | Southampton Drop us a call or visit us online to book your first climbing experience.

Reviewed By LittleMissStargazer - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Our kids (8 and 10) have been coming here for over a year. The staff are great with them, they give lots of encouragement, work to each child’s strengths, and the teaching is really good. The facilities are excellent - the height & size of the old church building means it’s a great & varied challenge for climbers of all ages & experience. Coffee is great too! Highly recommend.

2. Clayton Hall Museum

Clayton Old Hall Ashton New Road, Manchester M11 4RU England [email protected] http://www.claytonhall.org/
Excellent
95%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 124 reviews

Clayton Hall Museum

Clayton Hall is Manchester's only moated manor house. The later part of the hall has been dressed to show the hall in Victorian times. Children are encouraged to touch and have a go at various household activities. They can also get dressed as Victorians. Afterward there is a separate cafe and shop where you can buy very reasonably priced home made refreshments. With bacon baps, home-made cakes and home-made soup usually available.

Reviewed By janet_davenport - Manchester, United Kingdom

Wow I never knew this beautiful place is right on my door step. Amazing lots of interesting things to see. All very hands on, kids able to touch what ever they wanted to see how things work. Beautiful cafe all at reasonable prices. We stayed for ages and the kids still didnt want to go home. The staff so friendly and all volunteers. Very helpful, have lots of information and stories to tell. Free entry as well. Fantastic place, we loved it and will definitely be going back for further visits. Thanks for making our visit enjoyable.

3. People's History Museum

New Ct St Leftbank, Manchester M3 3ER England +44 161 838 9190 [email protected] http://phm.org.uk/
Excellent
56%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,058 reviews

People's History Museum

The People's History Museum (PHM) is the national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present and future. The museum provides opportunities for people of all ages to learn about, be inspired by and get involved in ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all. PHM offers a powerful annual programme exploring the past, present and future.

Reviewed By 569rebeccad - Sydney, Australia

This is a wonderful place and gives a great insight into politics over the past few centuries. The permanent collection includes wonderful banners from trade unions as well as artefacts covering a range of political issues. And the special exhibition on the Peterloo Massacre really opened my eyes to this event.

4. The John Rylands Library

150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH England +44 161 306 0555 https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,486 reviews

The John Rylands Library

Welcome to The John Rylands Library, one of the world's finest collections of rare books and manuscripts. The John Rylands Library is part of The University of Manchester. Please note that we open at 12noon on Mondays and Sundays

Reviewed By bjchampness - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

This Gothic library was designed by Basin Champneys. The reading room is full of Victorian splender with large wooden bookcases rising to the ceiling, oak desks and tables It is a superb place to read a vast collection of books and manuscripts Originally access was via a grand staircase from the front doors on Deansgate. However a modern extension access to a gift shop and cafe. The modern reading room has modern facilities for the researcher

5. Manchester Cathedral

Of Deansgate Victoria Street Off Deansgate, Manchester M3 1SX England +44 161 833 2220 [email protected] http://manchestercathedral.org/
Excellent
46%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,384 reviews

Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral has been centre stage in its city’s history for nearly 600 years. In 1421 Henry V signed a royal charter granting permission for a collegiate church to be built. In 1847 a new Manchester diocese was created and this historic church became a Cathedral. The doors are open 7 days a week and the admission is free. Do not miss one of the most interesting churches in the land at the heart of one of the most exciting cities on Earth.

Reviewed By KeithP221 - The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom

Very interesting, impressive building. Worth a visit to immerse yourself in the quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

6. Royal Exchange Theatre

St. Anns Square, Manchester M2 7DH England +44 161 833 9833 [email protected] http://www.royalexchange.co.uk
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,089 reviews

Royal Exchange Theatre

We believe theatre is for everyone, and we're passionate about proving it. For almost forty years the Royal Exchange Theatre has been a hub of superb storytelling for Manchester and the UK, and there are even more exciting times ahead! We are an award-winning producing house, commissioning, creating and supporting work that is ambitious in ideas, form and scale. We sit at the centre of a fast-paced, expanding global city with audiences and communities placed firmly at the heart of everything we do. Our “brave and bold” programming, both on and off our stages, has been critically acclaimed and celebrated for its originality, relevance and artistic risk. From our iconic theatre-in-the-round we have established an international reputation for bringing the most powerful stories to life, resulting in multiple awards for new writing with 125 world premieres.

Reviewed By rolandd682 - London, United Kingdom

I was lucky to have caught a preview of The Royal Exchange's latest production and, I understand, the last of its current Artistic Director, Sarah Frankom. She has excelled, with a lively show that is beautifully sung and skilfully choreographed for such a small space. The dance routines are particularly impressive as, having seen the show in a proscenium arch theatre where the gang members seemed rather effete, in this production even the ballet moves look natural. Performed in the round, the action is more immediate and you are transported to 1950s New York. My only quibble is that some of the accents were a bit tortured... However, the actors who play Tony and Maria, Andy Coxon and Gabriel Garcia, are excellent, both with wonderful voices that carry a song soaring into the rafters. Jocasta Almgill, who plays Anita, and Michael Lin, who is one of the Jets, also have superb stage presence and voices. The show has so many excellent, and well known, songs, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. I am still humming, Tonight, America and Maria. It was a most enjoyable night and an evening to remember. I paid £21.50 for a seat on the first gallery and had a wonderful view although, for an older person, I found it slightly difficult to slot myself into place!

7. Fletcher Moss Park & Botanical Gardens

Millgate Lane Didsbury, Manchester M20 2SW England +44 161 434 1877 http://www.fletchermossgardens.org.uk
Excellent
62%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 342 reviews

Fletcher Moss Park & Botanical Gardens

Reviewed By Ihatethatduck - Manchester, United Kingdom

I’ve never been here before but went today as part of my daily exercise and what a stunning place. There’s so much to see from the woodland walk, the River Mersey to the amazing rock garden which has to be seen. I will definitely be visiting again when the lockdown is over with friends.

8. Science and Industry Museum

Liverpool Road Castlefield, Manchester M3 4FP England +44 161 832 2244 [email protected] http://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk
Excellent
60%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,047 reviews

Science and Industry Museum

The Science and Industry Museum sits in the heart of Manchester, the world's first industrial city. It houses the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station and the world's first railway warehouse from 1830, which are located at the end of the museum site. On a visit to the museum, you will see amazing objects and learn about the men and women whose ideas changed the world forever. Daily demonstrations bring the museum's world class collection of textile and industrial machinery to life. There are interactive exhibits to explore and a regular programme of changing exhibitions to enjoy.

Reviewed By laineyw999 - Lancashire, United Kingdom

Great shows and interesting exhibits for all ages Definitely think everyone should go to see this fabulous and fantastic place The thought that’s been put into it all is just amazing and will definitely come back soon Fabulous food too in the restaurant and coffee was greatly needed!

9. Manchester Town Hall

Lloyd Street Albert Square, Manchester City Council, Manchester M60 2LA England +44 161 234 5000 [email protected] http://www.manchester.gov.uk/townhall
Excellent
54%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,520 reviews

Manchester Town Hall

This place is temporarily closed. This neo-Gothic masterpiece was designed by Alfred Waterhouse and completed in 1887. At the front main entrance sits a statue of the Roman Governor, Agricola, founder of the original fort of Mamuciam, from which the city began. The building dominates Albert Square.

Reviewed By NB1957

A magnificent building from a time when civic buildings made a statement and architecture from a time when elegance was the driving factor. This impressive building, dominates the attractive Albert Square. Unfortunately due to renovation it will be a while before the main hall is open again to the public. I am told it is not to be miseed.

Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3JL England +44 161 235 8888 [email protected] http://www.manchesterartgallery.org/
Excellent
57%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,099 reviews

Manchester Art Gallery

From our historical collections to international contemporary art, we aim to bring fresh perspectives, encourage conversation and spark debate. Explore our collections of fine art, spanning six centuries and including many major modern and contemporary pieces. We are famous for 19th century British paintings, particularly our outstanding collection of Pre-Raphaelite works. Our decorative arts collections showcase the artistry, tastes and techniques of every era and culture, from ancient civilizations to today’s designer makers. Our collections of ceramics, silver, glass, furniture and costume are especially fine. We constantly renew and update our collections displays so you should discover something new every time you visit. And, we're free to visit!

Reviewed By mosephuk

I love visiting the manchester art gallery when I have a few hours spare in manchester, the changing exhibitions always bring something new and each visit you tend to pick up on things you didnt already. The cafe is lovely, although a little loud at times, Highly recommend.

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