Mancunians - I need your expertise!

[LarryVeest]

We're having a short break in Manchester (Sunday and Monday of next week) and I have no idea what to see/do. I'm going to go and have a browse on TripAdvisor, but wondering if anyone can give me any pointers. We've got older kids (12-16). Don't really want to spend a fortune. Some of us like walking/outdoorsy stuff, some of us prefer shopping/movies etc. I've seen that Grease is on, so I might book that (although that would be a hefty chunk out of our not-very-defined budget). We're also all vegetarian/vegan, and will be visiting Doner Summer at some point.

Get a take out from Vegan Junkies in the Arndale market.
There’s lots of walking tours.
Football museum near Victoria station, or Old Trafford / Ethiad tour

Afflecks palace and the bubble tea shop in the northern quarter, perfect for teens.

Definitely Afflecks and go to Escape to Freight Island (it's ace and that age range of kids will think it's the coolest thing ever)
Northern Quarter has loads going on (lovely hidden gem craft centre behind where Oi Polloi is)

The John Rylands Library on Deansgate is like something out of a Harry Potter film and is free. It is amazing. Don't miss it.
images.app.goo.gl/ftXS7dhKR76CjDq6A

If you like the outdoors you can take the tram to Heaton park - it’s huge and has a Go Ape if you like that kind of thing.

Restaurants there’s loads! Bundobust and Allotment are veggie. Also recommend refuge.

The museum of science and industry is fun. Definitely go to Afflecks Palace and Ancoats. Ancoats feels very new and fresh - Pollen bakery is amazing.

These are all EXCELLENT tips! Thank you so much!

ChinaTown (arch and restaurants) or Rusholme curry mile (bus down Wilmslow Road or paid car park in centre of Rusholme).
ChinaTown - the city art gallery is nearby.
City centre you also have Printworks cinema but
if watching new Bond I'd go to Home (indie cinema)
homemcr.org/app/uploads/whats-on/home-listings-2021-10-15.pdf?access=2021-10-12-19-14-36
You are also near to Deansgate/Castlefield that way so could do Greek tapas at Dimitris or go to Dukes 92 next to the canal
dukes92.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dukes-92-Menu-March-2021.pdf some vegan fayre
You are a stone's throw from the Science and Industry museum (more fun than it sounds) or Castlefield roman fort remains (less fun than it sounds).
If driving out of town, you have Trafford centre - with minigolf nearby www.dinofalls.co.uk/
Have a good time!

I'm so excited about this trip now! It looks like the John Rylands library is only open Thursday to Saturday, so sadly we won't be able to go there.

On The Eighth Day cafe is a veggie cafe on Oxford Road.

It's down just past the national computing centre, and what used to be The Corner House cinema, but now seems to be called Home (still a cinema and arts venue)

Afflecks palace deffo.
Junkyard golf
V Rev for vegan (junk) food

Ruyi in Chorlton is amazing veggie/vegan food if you’re down that way

We're going to Manchester next year with the kids and are thinking about IWM Manchester and the People's History Museum.

For vegan stuff
Bundobust, noi quattro for pizza.

Stuff to do, football museum, science and industry museum.
If they like football it’s usually pretty easy to get seats for city games.
Afflecks palace is fun to browse
If they want to do outdoorsy stuff hop on the train to Greenfield for a stroll round dovestones.
Heaton park has go ape
The art gallery is cool - lots of original lowrys but they do use that rooms for functions a lot. I think the Grayson Perry exhibition is still on?
Manchester has some lovely parks if the weather is nice. In particular fletcher moss and chorlton water park (with kenworthy woods the other side of the river).

The People's History Museum is pretty good. Definitely one for starting a conversation with your kids

Gregson Perry's Art Club is on at Manchester Art Gallery until the end of the month. It's free but you need to prebook

I second junkyard golf! If you like shopping the Trafford centre is good. Escape to freight island is great, Mackie Mayor in NQ also good. Ramona is a new trendy (but kid friendly) pizza place so would work great for your age family!

Do the free street art tour of the northern quarter. You can download the map of Google.
Tram to Salford quays for a look around.
Drink in the Hilton bar , with views over the city.

Currently in Afflecks... It's amazing! I'm eating the gooiest vegan brownie while the kids shop.

I'm not a true Manc as I've not lived there for a few years but I'd save your money and avoid Grease, it's not that great a show!

My daughter saw it this week and loved it so horses for courses I guess?

A lot of MOSI (Science and Industry museum) is closed/being redone, so I'd avoid there.

In the city centre:
Afflecks
Northern Quarter
Manchester Art Gallery, People's History Museum, Football Museum

Elsewhere
Trafford Centre - On the tram line now so easy to get to - Has a number of shops that the City Centre doesn't have that would appeal to teens. Obviously lots of restaurants, cinema etc.

Whitworth Art Gallery - On the bus down to Fallowfield and possible if you're interested.

There are various outdoor places and you could go to a trendy suburb - Chorlton/Didsbury, but TBH I'd stay in the city as there is so much to do

Oh yes - look at Home too

Ended up getting a shag cut with a fringe at afflecks palace barbers. YOLO 🤣

Take the tram to Salford Quays. Visit THE LOWRY (art gallery, theatre, coffee shops).....and see the permanent exhibition of Lowry's paintings...it's FREE. Walk across the footbridge over the Ship canal, and visit the IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM.....it's FREE. Walk back over the bridge and tour the BBC studios (book ahead)....it's FREE. Or, do the City river boat tour (60 mins) of the canal.....which will tell you all about the history of the Manchester Ship Canal. Finish by going into the Lowry Shopping Centre.

ps....unfortunately BBC studio tours at Salfrod Quays are currently suspended.