Advice for Manchester holiday

[BillieHolliday]

Hi,
We have a long weekend in Manchester coming up. Me, DH, 5 yo and baby.
Neither of us have been before. We're flying in.
What is good to do with kids? Any good hotels to stay/ definitely avoid?
All advice welcome. Thank you 😊

Debenhams, Karen Millen, Oasis, Warehouse, Monsoon, Dorothy Perkins, Topshop…

OK, true enough but these have gone from all shopping venues and the Trafford Centre doesn't have any empty spaces. Other shops have replaced them all.

I’d stay at premier inn Salford, team nearby to get about

Ah, have you been in the past six months? A lot of those units remain empty, sadly.

Not been to the Ship Inn for ages, think it's time for a visit.

Ah, have you been in the past six months? A lot of those units remain empty, sadly.

I was there on Sunday and didn't see any empty units?

All shops someone towing a 5yo and baby and looking for child friendly entertainment would be desperately interested in?

The monster trail around the centre and all the pumpkins on the trees at the moment look fab. 40 mins by train from Piccadilly station is Eureka, the National Childress museum in Halifax. Could be a great option for your little one

I think that’s a good point @MimiSunshine I live in Edinburgh and when they come to visit my friend’s kids are excited by a ride on a double decker bus! We actually took a ride on the tram just for the sake of it one day because they were so excited by it. It’s easy to forget the little things that appeal to 5yr olds!

Do not stay at Sachas.

I would stay in the city centre - take a look at Dakota, the Alan or Moxy. For kids recommend:

• Manchester museum
• a trip out on the tram to Heaton park
• MOSI
• go to escape to freight island - it’s loads of different food places and has a roller rink
• assuming you’re coming soon have a wander around the Xmas markets

Food Breakfast / brunch

• Dishoom
• Federal
• pollen bakery
• trove
• albert schloss
• Smithfield social
• cocoa cabana does the best hot chocolates.

Dinner

• escape to freight island
• Rudys
• Sugo
• Fazenda

Ezra & Gill is my favourite for breakfast, you queue no booking but if up early with children thats not a problem to get there before the queue.

Yes and theres a good dinosaur crazy golf near Trafford centre too. Sea Life, Legoland and Play Factore can be paid for with clubcard points so save you some dosh.

Science and Industry museum is always interesting.

I'm back to update 😊
The trip was great, thank you all for the ideas
Train from airport to City centre was so handy. We stayed at the Kimpton Clock Tower - beautiful. I'd definitely recommend it.
We went to Bury and got the steam train the first day.
The second day we went to the Aquarium which DC loved. The soft play area was a big hit! The shopping centre was overwhelming so we just hopped on the tram and got off close to the Museum of Science and Industry and had lunch there. They have a whole floor of fun experiments for kids.
Dinner we had one night in an Italian, one night in a Caribbean restaurant. Great food both nights. Breakfast in the hotel was a highlight of the weekend!!
Then got the tram to the airport the following morning.

It was really easy to get around Manchester and everyone was so kind and helpful. It's a really multicultural, young city which was great, we are very heterogeneous (is that the word) where we live so I loved being somewhere more vibrant.

Thank you all for your input, I would have had no idea what to do otherwise. Much appreciated 😘

Kind to give an update and that you enjoyed it.

I'm glad you enjoyed it OP. I couldn't believe how negative some people were early in the thread. I love Manchester.

I love a thread update myself so it's only fair 😃

December?

The Christmas markets are on all round the city centre.

Science and industry museum
Theatre
Cinema
Football stadium tours
People's history museum
Media city
Imperial war museum
GM Police museum

Nevermind just saw your update!

Sounds like a fab weekend! I have to say, I’m partial to a hotel breakfast myself ;)

Glad you had a good time OP

northern quarter is great for a wander and lunch

theres a good playground in Piccadilly gardens

if they like reading, Waterstones on deansgate is the biggest bookshop I think in the UK And wonderful.

we love Trafford centre and legoland with the kids

Dovestones 10 miles out of the city is beautiful for a country walk.

What a lovely update!
Glad you had such a great weekend - hope you’ll come again 🥰

I am surprised at all the Manchester hate. I know OP has been but I will add the things we liked with small dc.

I am from Manchester and its got so much to do for young dc.

Mine loved legoland at preschool to infants ages. Loved it. We had annual passes and used to go early on to do the rides before it got really crowded.

Manchester museum is excellent we love MOSI especially when the school holidays are on and they put on great activities.

Heaton Park with its two play areas

Various excellent petting farms

Going to the airport to watch the planes.

Soft play at chill factor-e

ZenNudist

which petty farms are you favourite?

my gs is 11 months and near urmston so interested in things to do with him in the new year, as will be looking after him a lot

OP, glad you enjoyed your trip to Manchester. xx