Manchester

[TiredInPerpetuity]

Hi
We're in Manchester this weekend for Disney on Ice but have the whole of Saturday to fill (seeing the Sunday show).
Husband and I don't know Manchester at all. We're staying at Premier Inn, the one called arena/printworks - m3 postcode.
Can anybody recommend what we can do to fill the Saturday? It'll be 2 adults, a 7 year old and a 4 year old. Any restaurant recommendations would be great too - something that toes the line between kid friendly but still nice for adults. We're driving down and will likely be parking near hotel and abandoning the car for the weekend ideally.

If anyone has any tips would really appreappreciate it!

The print works is a good base, we spent a happy afternoon bowling and playing on arcade games there with my niece and nephew in the summer! There's also the cinema and all the usual chain restaurants. You're right next to the arndale for shopping too.

If you like museums, the People's History museum is good and has activities for the kids, so is the museum of science and industry.

The Christmas markets will still be on for German sausages and overpriced mulled wine if you want to wander around...

If you don’t mind spending more money on top of the Disney on Ice I’d recommend the Legoland Discovery Centre at the Trafford Centre for those ages, and just bring a packed lunch.
MOSI is also good for kids. I’m not 100% if the poo exhibition is still running - there’s an entry charge but that’s great for the age group.
There’s so many places to eat now in Manchester, but this time of year I can’t recommend you enough to book in advance or you’re going to have a nightmare finding somewhere to sit for a sit down meal.

MOSI is easily walkable for you, Trafford Centre easy by tram or bus.

Poo exhibition is still on.

Corn Exchange has some nice restaurants in, and is right by the arena/ printworks. Or there’s a couple of good food halls too - Mackie Mayor and New Century Hall.

MOSI (museum of science and industry) is good and has the Operation Ouch exhibition on at the moment.

You’re right by the National Football Museum if there is any interest in that.

Aventure golf, bowling, cinema all at the printworks. Immersive Gamebox in the Arndale (shopping centre).

mayfield park if the weather is nice - there’s a light trail there (you might have to book). It’s by Piccadilly station so you could get the tram over that way.

Town is currently mental due to the Xmas markets 😁 I’d go to mosi as you can walk there (15-20 mins down deansgate from where you are). I think you have to get tickets now so look on the website first. You can also go to the peoples history museum, John Rylands library or Manchester art gallery. All should be free and you can walk to them. If you want to pay for activities there’s ice skating, cinema, mini golf etc on at/ near the printworks. If you want a sit down meal in a restaurant I would try and book now, walk in places near the arena get hammered when there are shows on.

I would not, and I stress this as strongly as possible, go anywhere near the Trafford centre on a weekend before Christmas 😁There is enough to do in the city centre you don’t need to be getting buses/trams or driving to fill a weekend. Have a great time 😊

National Football Museum is great and you don't have to be a football fan to enjoy it. The Manchester Art Gallery is nice and chill and we also like MOSI. The Manchester Museum has a great Egyptian exhibition and cool dinosaurs.

Mackie Mayor and Freight Island are good places to eat and the Corn Exchange has a good choice.

MOSI definitely

I would not, and I stress this as strongly as possible, go anywhere near the Trafford centre on a weekend before Christmas 😁There is enough to do in the city centre you don’t need to be getting buses/trams or driving to fill a weekend. Have a great time 😊

This! There’s loads to do in town, the Trafford Centre will be insane and there’s really nothing to be gained by trekking there.

Theres an ice rink in Cathedral gardens right near the arena as part of the markets, the Corn exchange has some good food options.

https://www.visitmanchester.com/shopping/manchester-christmas-markets-p327351

er.... Poo exhibition ???

Agree, don't go to the Trafford Centre. It's too far out for what's there and too many people to enjoy it.

Saku Samba is great, mine loved ordering everything through the iPad.

sakkusamba.co.uk/sakkusamba-our-restaurants/

Yes, it's the Operation Ouch temporary exhibition at the science and industry museum (aka MOSI)

www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/operation-ouch

thanks @CharlotteFlax

I can think of a lot of people that would w(ould have) appeal(led) to

Well if I'm being honest, I took DD7 and it wasn't that amazing! Not so much about actual poo (which she IS fascinated by!) and more about the whole digestion process.

And another unpopular opinion - MOSI isn't a fraction as good now as it used to be in the 80s and 90s! Bring back Xperiment! and the air and space museum!

Ooh yes can’t believe I forgot Manchester Museum!

Thank you all so much! Super useful and helpful

I agree that Trafford Centre is mental this time of year, however, the lego bit is a different section of it and it you’re not taking the car you’d be just fine. I went to Sea Life last weekend (same bit) with the car and had no issue at all. You’d definitely wouldn’t want to go have lunch in the main TC though or park in the usual car parks.

the appeal is definitely for the 10 and under crowd! 😁my 3 and 6 year olds were thrilled with their poo hats

There are lovely restaurants in the corn exchange opposite the paintwork but quite likely to be booked up. Check because the kids' meal times could still be available.

@TiredInPerpetuity What did you end up doing? Hope you had a good weekend.

@MikeWozniaksMohawk we went round the markets and to Harvey Nichols and then out for dinner. We ended up not having too much time to kill as the traffic was horrific getting there!
And then Disney on ice on the Sunday morning which was absolutely brilliant.
A lovely weekend thank you. Will deffo be back up in Manchester for more of a grown up look about next year, the pubs looked very inviting

What a shame you didn’t get more time, I’m glad you had a good weekend though 😊

Hi, my son attends our local Boys' Brigade group and this weekend they are having a jumble sale to support their activities. It's lots of fun with an auction and children's clothes and toys for 30p an item!
It is at 2:30pm on Saturday the 2nd of March at Cornerstone South Manchester (see the link for more info).

5bb jumble sale