Manchester

[badgerread]

I'm from the South East and am looking to take my two DS (14 & 9) up to Manchester for a couple of nights to do the Etihad Stadium tour amongst other things.

The eldest one is into clothes shopping but also into sport so I was thinking as well as the Etihad we could do the football museum. I'll be driving up so will have my car but I wanted to book a (reasonably priced) hotel for 2 nights with a pool preferably so we could have some downtime in the evenings.

I wondered if any locals had advice on things to do and also where to stay? I don't mind not staying in the City as long as we can get in either by public transport or driving?

[Ricekrispie22]

Park Inn Radison has both family rooms and interconnecting rooms. The latter may appeal to you if you’ve got two sons aged 14 and 9! It’s got an indoor heated pool. Children 16 and under stay for free when sharing their parent’s room, provided that the room type allows for the sufficient number of beds or sufficient space for a roll-in bed.
If your DS likes sport, he might enjoy Rock Over www.rockoverclimbing.co.uk and Chill Factore www.chillfactore.com
Your youngest might enjoy the Lego Discovery Centre manchester.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk
Dog Bowl bowling alley and American diner is a fun place to eat and spend the evening. blackdogballroom.co.uk/dog-bowl/and my Dc also enjoyed Treetop Adventure Golf adventuregolf.com/manchester/
You might also be interested in the self guided spy mission themed walking trail around the city. www.treasuretrails.co.uk/what-to-do/greater-manchester/manchester
My teen nephew would recommend Immotion VR immotionvr.com and as a family we enjoyed the Science and Industry Museum and the Greater Manchester Police Museum. Also check out the LomoWall art installation.

[Hoppinggreen]

I was going to say Park Sq Radisson, quite close to the football museum and the Deansgate area for the shops.
Not sure if there is parking there

[BikeRunSki]

I wouldn’t recommend the Lego Discovery Centre for anyone over about 6 or 7 tbh.

[Badgerama]

Don't go to the Lego discovery thing. It's crap unless you're 6.
Football museum is great though... and go to Afflecks for cool clothes shopping.

[Badgerama]

And without wishing to be rude, most of rice crispies ideas would not be great for you. They're a bit out of the city centre, expensive and gimmicky. I'd go to all star lanes rather than dog bowl. It's much nicer and they do burger and bowling offers. The tree top thing and chip factore are great but for kids parties not for what you'd want with the two kids.

[Badgerama]

Mosi is full of much younger kids and the police museum is boring!

[winterisstillcoming]

Chill factore is good, also the i-fly indoor skydiving next door. It's all on the Trafford centre complex so lots to do and eat.

Also have a look of there's anything on at the Lowry theatre.

[badgerread]

Thanks everyone! lots to think about

[EggysMom]

The OP will have a car and is already going to the Etihad, so I'm sure she's capable of driving to Rock Over climbing and/or Chill Factore.

[Meandyouandyouandme]

There’s a great pizza place called Rudy’s on Peter Street, lovely pizzas and good value. There’s always cool stuff at the art gallery on Moseley Street. Took my DC there when they were younger and currently there’s a Leonardo da Vinci exhibition, though I think you have to queue to get in, so maybe not good with DC. Also, there’s a small exhibition in the library of Frank Sidebottom memorabilia which is quite entertaining, and there’s no queue! I second Affkecks as a place for cool shopping.