Here is a Scousers guide to Manchester

Why a visit to Manchester offers up the perfect alternative for well, just about anything really…

Our northern neighbours are a great shout for doing something different just down the road.

So if it’s been a while, you’re looking to try something new, or just fancy finding out what all the fuss is about, read on to make Manchester your next drop in, stop off or night out. <Cue colloquialism> Sweet…

1 - Palace Theatre

When was the last time you booked a show? A trip to the theatre is the perfect excuse to make a night of it in Manchester with pre-show dinner and drinks ahead of your choice of some of the world-class entertainment coming to Oxford Street’s Palace Theatre this year.

This month, West End hits arrive courtesy of Ben Elton’s We Will Rock featuring 24 of Queen’s adrenaline-fuelled anthems, you can relive Jacko’s heyday with the spectacular concert Thriller Live and the scene is set for 1930s Berlin with the iconic, Cabaret.

Fancy something lighter? Get the girls together for drinks and guaranteed laughs at Menopause the Musical 2.

Book your tickets here

2 - The Cuisine Scene

Liverpool takes some beating when it comes to great restaurants and Manchester’s dining scene is as impressive when it comes to creating exceptional dining experiences.

Spinningfields is an award-winning destination for shopping and dining with some of the city’s best restaurants including the stunning, Sunset by Australasia Restaurant offering Asian-fusion flavours. Dishoom is taking Indian cuisine to the next level, or how about booking a must-do lunch at The Ivy?

Michelin-starred Mana in Ancoats is one for serious foodies, along with celebrity chef Tom Kerridge’s The Bull & Bear inside the Stock Exchange Hotel on Norfolk Street. Heading off out for the day? Younger visitors will appreciate a visit to The Printworks where you’ll find the north west’s only Hard Rock Café with a menu as world famous as the merch and memorabilia.

Fancy a steak? The Hawksmoor in Deansgate gets rave reviews, and in the Northern Quarter, Noi Quattro is the place to go for authentic pizza, while Tariff & Dale serves beautiful British dishes you can order as main or small plates – handy if you’re on the go. Otherwise, for a quick bite in between shops Arndale Food Market has some great independent outlets who know how to keep us happy.

3 - So much in-store

Make a real deal out of your next wardrobe revamp with a great alternative shopping experience. Leading department stores gives us every reason for an all-day visit with incredible restaurant, bar and beauty departments to make your day into a complete makeover.

If you love the Beauty Bazaar at Liverpool ONE, explore Manchester’s Harvey Nichols on New Cathedral Street, home to brands including Fendi, Gucci, Valentino and Dries Van Noten. While Selfridges Exchange Square has new collections from ba&sh, Palm Angels and Agent Provocateur. In the Deansgate area? Visit the city’s oldest department store, House of Fraser with brands including Biba, Alaia and Lagerfeld.

For the best in Vintage and Indie fashion, get yourself to the Northern Quarter for a complete curio trail of unique stores including Oi Polloi for ultra stylish menswear brands. Rivet & Hide export the best Japanese denim and make all your jean dreams come true. While own the road, Nola Boutique has a range of sustainable womenswear with a social conscience.

4 - The Bars

The perfect change of scenery, you’ll find some great bars in Manchester.

Albert’s Schloss on Peter Street is a hotspot from morning ’til late with a great menu and laidback vibe which grows wild by night – just how we like it. The Jane Eyre Neighbourhood Bar at One Cutting Room Square should be on your To-Do list for inventive cocktails, craft beers, small plates and superb service.

Speak in Code on Jacksons Row is a real connoisseur of a cocktail bar which takes the over-used phrase ‘finest ingredients’ to the next level, and if you’re out for live entertainment get yourself to Charles Street’s YES with four floors and a full calendar of appearances as well as an Indie Flicks monthly film festival.

For a quick pint, The Waldorf in Gore Street is renowned for friendly service, The Liquor Store on Blackfriars Street in Deansgate will wow you with cocktails and Nº1 Canal Street has the most gorgeous window setting for an afternoon glass of wine.

5 - A-list arrivals at Manchester Arena

There’s another incredible year planned for Manchester Arena with The Jonas Brothers, James Blunt, The Script, Lana Del Ray, Michael Ball & Alfie Boe and The 1975 all appearing this month!

Meanwhile, whether you’re looking to treat someone to tickets or fancy catching some unforgettable live performances, you’ve got a great place to start with tours from James Arthur, Snoop Dogg, Pussycat Dolls, Craig David, Harry Styles, Gregory Porter, Pet Shop Boys, Dua Lipa, Alicia Keys, Queen + Adam Lambert, Diana Ross, Stormzy, Celine Dion, Elton John and Pete Tong Ibiza Classics all taking to the stage during 2020 in Manchester.

Book your next visit here

6 - Find new family favourites

If you’ve exhausted options closer to home, looking for something new to do at the weekend or planning how to entertain the troops over the next school holidays gets a little easier once you set-out for Manchester.

There’s plenty of great reasons to pack the kids up for a day out with Chill Factore

and iFly Indoor Skydiving at Trafford Quays Leisure Village in Trafford Way. Spend the day in a snow-filled landscape with slopes, sledges and snowboarding all day long and plenty of Apres Ski dining, and for another experience they’ll chat about all the way home, take the kids skydiving at IFly’s unique indoor activity centre.

Visit Chill Factore here

If your little ones love Lego, head off to Legoland Discovery Centre inside the Trafford Centre to tour the Lego Factory before hoping onboard for driving adventures in the Lego City Forest, while the Lego Fire Academy play-area has lots of climb-on, tunnel-through and crawl-under fun for smaller guests!

Visit Legoland Discovery Centre here

Also at the Trafford Centre Sea Life Manchester at Barton Square is an oceanic invitation to meet colourful, curious, majestic, mysterious sea creatures, where you can take behind-the-scenes tours, and even meet visiting mermaids.

Visit Sea Life Manchester here

The Crystal Maze Live Experience on Lower Byron Street presents the ultimate team challenge and makes an ideal experience for a group booking with kids aged 13 and older as they travel through four themed adventure zones and try out the challenges before stepping into the iconic Crystal Dome.

Visit Crystal Maze Live Experience here

Football fans in the family will love the National Football Museum in Cathedral Gardens for a unique insight into the history of the game with famous kits, trophies and fascinating football archives. The Hall of Fame showcases the sport’s greatest players and icons, and you can learn why football is part of England’s heritage.

Visit National Football Museum here

7 - Trafford Centre

Liverpool has been loving The Trafford Centre for years, and it keeps getting better will a non-stop assortment of leading stores, new names, innovative independents and favourite brands all under one roof, just outside Manchester.

It is of course also home to what was the first Selfridges outside London, which never fails to please from the phenomenally good food hall, to prestigious fashion outlets and beautiful homeware, but it’s not all about shopping at the Trafford Centre.

Take a trip to Trafford Centre Manchester to catch the latest movies or go for a meal with a whole world of international cuisine, pubs and bars.

There’s a play-area and créche for younger visitors, along with fun buggies available to hire at the Lower Peel Street customer service desk if they’re not quite as enthusiastic about shopping as you are!

Older kids will love the handy Belong by Game centre where they can find consoles and state-of-the-art gaming PC’s for the latest and greatest titles to play against friends or compete in online tournaments.

Meanwhile, until 13th July visit The Upside Down House where you’ll find a home of incredible illusions made for your latest family photo opportunities!

Visit Trafford Centre Manchester here