Birmingham or Bristol for day out with 9yo?

[Curlewwoohoo]

I would like to take 9yo Dd out for the day to a city. Birmingham or Bristol would be easy on the train. Any tips for what to do in either? Can't see anything specific that's on. So thinking museums, mooching, different foods, even things like shopping centres would be a new experience to be honest..

I don't know Bristol very well so will leave that to others but DD is at uni in Birmingham and I love it - such a vibrant city. You can have a walk down by the canals, wander round the bull ring shopping centre, there's the library, botanical gardens- lots of nice things to see and do!

The museum in Birmingham was closed last time I looked which was a pity. A good day in Bristol would be to get the boat from the train station to the S S Great Britain - that should take some time. After lunch at somewhere like the Arnofini or Mud Dock or one of the places around M Shed go to the M Shed. If you still have energy go up Park Street to the museum - back down Park Street and opposite the cathedral at the bottom of Park Street is a place that sells the best ice cream out of Italy.

ThinkTank in Birmingham is brilliant, a science museum with loads of hands on stuff. Easy walk from Bullring / train station.

I've been to Bristol a few times by train. The harbourside where the SS Great Britain is situated isn't far from Temple Meads train station. The Aquarium is nearby and also museums. We stayed in the Travelodge Mitchell Lane which isn't far from the train station either.