Manchester with teens

[thaegumathteth]

Will be in Manchester in July I think with Dd (12) and ds (16) .

Dd into shopping and pretty much anything reallly, animals, music, still happy to spend time with us.

Ds into football and gaming. Might do a football stadium tour or something.

Any top tips of things to do? Was wondering about maybe a theatre show too. I am disabled and will be using a mobility scooter.

Any advice of somewhere to stay would be good - parking, disabled access, ideally central, ideally self catering. Not keen on air bnb.

We are also heading to alton towers on the same trip.

There are shops and a theatre in Manchester City centre. The Trafford Centre isn't far away. I have not been to the Trafford Centre for some years but believe it still has a good offering for retail, leisure and food and beverage.
I think there is a football museum in Manchester too, if that might be of interest to your dc who likes football.
You could perhaps visit Chester zoo, it's a fair size and an easy day trip from Manchester in terms of distance.
Sorry, I have no recommendations of where to stay.

Hi. If your DC like football there is the National Football Museum just near the Cathedral. It is close to the Arndale Centre for shopping too. It used to be free entry but I'm not sure now. The best tram stop is called Exchange Square I think.

The football stadiums aren't that central. We did a Manchester United Old Trafford tour years ago which we all enjoyed. You can get a tram to Old Trafford on the Altrincham line. It is a bit of a walk from the station to the stadium though.

There are lots of shopping areas all with a different feel. Chain stores in the Arndale, trendy shops in the Northern Quarter and posher shops in Kings Street West and St Ann's Square.

We go to the Royal Exchange theatre regularly but I'm not sure what is on in July. The Palace and Opera House are central and have touring shows. So does the Lowry in Salford Quays.

I've seen that there is a free circular minibus going around the city centre if you need it. You may want to Google where it stops.

We took my niece into Manchester a couple of weeks ago and a highlight for her was coffee in Twenty Stories. It is actually a bar in 20th floor with great views. Mid afternoon on a Saturday is was quiet and we could just pop in for a quick coffee and photo opportunity.

Thanks both. Will google your suggestions tomorrow.

Unfortunately we need to drive rather than use public transport because my scooter is too big for teams etc apparently.

We did Chester zoo a while ago and loved it so might do there again.

Will look up those theatres and see what's on.

*trams

Also thanks for the museum idea

Check again about the trams.

Football museum and perhaps worth considering the Imperial War Museum which is in Salford Quays.

You can also go in the Blue Peter garden outside the tv centre.

Thanks @LlynTegid sadly trams are a no go

Ds would actually love the imperial war museum I think, thanks!