To think that Manchester is awful?

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I came for the day to visit Elizabeth Gaskell's house museum (very nice) and have subsequently walked around, trying to find somewhere attractive, or with interesting shops (or any shop that isn't selling fast food).
Is there somewhere I've missed?

I really don't like Manchester either, much prefer Liverpool!

Woah, how rude. Yes, I'm Mancunian!
The Mancunian accent can differ so much as well you know.

Didn't really like any of them, but Leeds out of the three

It's a regional accent - whether it's awful or not very much depends on what you are used to. Though I can't imagine ever describing another region's accent as awful. It seems like a very arrogant and narrow minded way to view people who happen to be different to you.

It’s not amazing. It’s fine for shopping, some nice classy restaurants, occasional big name show on at the opera house. If you’re a student it’s probably great but to visit as a tourist it’s all a bit meh. Science museum is okay, likewise the art galleries, but once you’ve seen them that’s it. Chetham’s library is pretty unique but again, not somewhere you’d go again and again to find new things.

I think Manchester is way too big to randomly "browse" for a couple of hours, starting at some point outside the core city centre, and expecting to land on the kind of area you're interested in. There are too many different areas, too much variety, too many choices.

What kind of "interesting shops" are you after? Afflecks or Harvey Nicks? What kind of attractive? Architectural or greenery or cultural?

It's not like York or Chester where the "good bits" are obvious and central.

"Is there something I've missed?" Yes, obviously. You walked up two main arterial roads and thought you'd seen the city.

(I have no allegiance to Manchester, by the way, but I've spent some nice weekends there.)

Agree!

Its the way they say skewwwll for school.

Blimey, judgemental or what!

Do you ever watch council estate queen on the socials?

And where are you from that makes your accent so much better? Please enlighten us with your classism.
My dd has just experienced people like you on her freshers week.

And you're Judi Fucking Dench, are you?

If you live in Chorlton or Didsbury, essentially that affluent bit of south Manchester, maybe your viewpoint is different. North/East Manchester not so much.

Vast numbers of people come to Manchester as a student and settle here. This article suggests that only London has a greater rate of students choosing to stay.

Manchester is the second most popular city for new graduates | Centre for Cities

I've visited Manchester a few times as a tourist....usually as part of seeing a gig. It's not the best place in the world to just wander around. You kind of have to have a plan. Saying that I did do a brilliant free walking tour.

Op, you really haven't seen any of the good bits yet!
@Starlight1979 has given you a pretty good list to go at. There are some great places to visit, and the weather is gorgeous today.

I also visit Manchester periodically.

There are some nice boutiques in the vicinity of St Anne’s Square/King St. There is or was a lovely independent coffee shop with a Viennese vibe and excellent pastries not far from Victoria Station and the Town Hall. Sadly I have forgotten the name. Also many newer independent coffee shops in the Northern Quarter

Everyone gets mocked for something at freshers week.

I enjoyed the Bierkeller in Manchester.

I lived living there as a student in 90s and in going back pre kids to live in early 2000s - Science museum, Manchester Museum on Oxford road, Whitworth and central art galleries - town hall - all good never got to The John Rylands Library
but heard good things.

There was a large shopping area - expect some of that's still there. I have to say I do prefer Liverpool and obviously London - even York though that was very busy but it's not terrible and there are things to do.

Au contraire.
Came for uni in 1988
Left for 4 years in late 1990s to live in South
Couldn't wait to get back.
Never left since we got back in 1999. Would not.
Many of our friends are ex uni buddies who stayed here too.

I like it, it’s a really manageable city . Love a coffee in the Royal Exchange, a mooch round Chinatown, proper Sichuan food at Noodle Alley, hunting for vintage in the Northern Quarter. Great stuff for families too with the MOSI etc. Nice albeit fairly sparse galleries, but it’s all doable and perfectly possible to have a fun day. Not mad on the Arndale but it’s great for teens, and the Arndale market has some brilliant food options.

You will always get people who love and hate certain places.

I visited Barcelona and hated it.

I visited Naples and Athens (both of which we were told were rough and dangerous) and adored them both (mind you, I am from Manchester so probably helps with not being bothered about the "grittiness" of these cities 😂)

I think a lot comes down to knowing the right places and where to avoid. If you live somewhere or spend a lot of time in a place then you know the best spots and what suits your needs and interests. That's why Mancunians will tell you Manchester is amazing, because we know where to go and where not to go!

If you visit somewhere for a day or two then you might end up completely missing the buzzing, cultural areas and instead, gravitating towards the touristy and commercial areas.

Sadly Greens has closed down now. A real blow.

Elizabeth Gaskell's house is in a weird no-mans-land out of the city centre so no wonder you're not finding much between there and Piccadilly!

I do agree that there are parts of the city centre which seem a bit rum and are often the first things tourists encounter when they arrive so don't give the best first impression, but it's a city which gives more the more you explore. You've got to work for it but it's more than worth it! There's a hell of a lot packed into its compact size.

🎯😂

Not been to Manchester, but know what you mean by the above.

Bristol is also seriously depressing around Broadmead/Stokes Croft.

So many city centres are run down as shops close.