A Saturday in Manchester

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Staying just outside the airport (3 miles) We won’t have a car.
Have a late flight back Saturday and wondering where is best for shopping? Preferably a shopping centre.
Or is there anything else worth having a look at? We have a full day really as flight isn’t until 7pm so need to be at the airport for 5.
Thanks all..

Trafford centre is the best especially if you've got kids with you as there's arcade etc on ground floor and lots to look at fountains, fake new Orleans style shopfronts, fake Chinatown etc. easily accessible from city centre by tram, not sure about airport. In city centre there's the arndale centre but it's not what it was. Manchester science museum is good, a little trip to Afflecks maybe..there's lots to see and do and the tram gets you round nice and easy.

Town rather than the Trafford centre would be quicker/easier to access via public transport from the airport. I think you’d have to go via Piccadilly station/town anyway. Plus the Trafford centre on a Saturday a month before Xmas would be horrendous.

Id go into town and the Arndale centre, selfridges, Harvey Nicks, loads of other shops like Uniqlo. What sort of shops are you after? Personally I can’t stand Afflecks but it’s certainly a Manchester experience

Do you actually need to shop? There are other things to do in the city, particularly if you have children with you. And as noted above - shops will be rammed at this time of year and not a leisurely experience.

What does your party consist of? Children / teens / adults?

Thanks for the replies so far. We would like to have a look around the shops if at all possible but not spend all day shopping. Me,DP, DS13 and DD6.

The football museum in Manchester is really good for football fans.

There is lots that’s not shopping at the Trafford Centre (LEGO, aquarium, cinema, golf) and there’s an indoor ski slope over the road. So you could easily spend a day there if it’s handy for you but it’s a bit soulless compared to the city.

You could wander around Spinningfields for shopping - there’ll be a tree, and ice skating, lots of places to eat.

Afterwards, this would probably be my top choice (and may be slightly less heaving with visitors than any central Manchester attractions on a Saturday near Christmas):

Imperial War Museum North

Particularly fun if you take the tram from St Peter’s Sq, alight at Salford Quays and walk along the canal and over the bridge next to the Lowry Centre.