Things to do in a weekend in Manchester( without Children)

[raisinbran]

Having a naughty weekend away next week and was interested in any personal recommendations for great ( romantic)places to visit and dine in. Nearly 40 yrs old so I'll give the night clubs a miss.

MacDonalds Hotel - restaurant and spa are beautiful.

The Printworks - lots going on but not too young.

Oh, take a walk around St Ann's Square and church and then along King Street.

The Cathedral might be worth a walk around - depends what you're in to.

I went to Manchester for the weekend once (in my misspent youff) don't remember much though sorry! Have a lovely time though!

Go for a cocktail at cloud 23. It's on the 23rd floor of the Hilton hotel. You have to queue to be allowed to go up, you get shown to a seat and the cocktails are hugely expensive - but amazing views over the city and fantastic atmosphere.

Wow that's quick responses thanks for posting.

Going with a new man so really open to suggestions. Any brilliant chinese resturants worth a mention..... or beautiful restaurants and would it be necessary to book.

Visit the Spa at the Lowry hotel behind Deansgate and have lunch on the terrace at the River Bar (overlooking the gorgeous Irwell ) No, it really IS nice.

I'd be schlepping round the City and Whitworth art galleries and just schmoozing round the city itself drinking coffee and reading papers if it were me. But it is my home town so I don't have to do everything!

Don't go to the Printworks!

The restaurant and the Bistro at Urbis museum are quite nice and good views.

Little Yang Sing and the main Yang Sing used to be THE places to go for Chinese but that might have changed now.

Ooh-er Wilf - I suggested the Printworks! Why would you say give it a miss?

Little Yang Sing or the big Yang Sing (not sure where it is these days) are always good.

Sorry

It is SO not my cup of tea but I appreciate it might be for others.

Ooh great stuff everyone I have it all written down. Thank you.

See a foreign arty film at Cornerhouse.
Hang out drinking coffee in Canal St.
Ride to the top of the escalator in Urbis (in the cathedral square) to see the view.
Shop in Afflecks Palace to bring back memories of student life.
Go to the bars around the Northern Quarter, on Oldham St and around. Pop Cafe, Dry201, Night and Day etc.

Is Afflecks still open?

Printworks is ok but may be full of hen and stag do's at w/e (the birdcage and Tiger Tiger are v close so ppl congregate for meals before hand!)

Depends what you like doing really, you could have a walk down deansgate locks and go "celeb" spotting (aka spot the Man U player/Corrie actress), have a go in the Manchester Eye (never done it myself).

Also depends how much you want to spend! You could go and see a show (not sure whats on) amd if you are that way do go to the Hilton that's supposed to be nice

Echo what others have said about the Yang Sing, also Pacific (Chinese and Thai) in China Town. The Modern at the top Urbis is lovely but more intimate is Lounge 10 (little street off Cross street), try it.

If you're feeling cultural Manchester Art Gallary is good. What about shopping - Harvey Nic and Selfridges (even for just window shopping).

Yang Sing for really yummy Chinese

It's not clear from here whether Afflecks is open or shut but it's been taken over by property developers.

Sorry, that "from here" was en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afflecks_Palace

Yang Sing for fantastic Chinese food. Agree with Cardy about Lounge 10 - it's really romantic and the food is fantastic.

If you fancy somewhere really swanky (and a teeny bit pretentious) for the best cocktails try Panecea on John Dalton Street. Restaurant Bar and Grill which is in the same building is also good for food and drinks.

If you fancy more casual drinks, head for the northern quarter bars. My favourites are Odd, Trof, Bluu, The Bay Horse and Socio Rehab.

During the day you could hit the shops. Urbis and Manchester Art Galllery are good. Imperial War Museum North is also worth a 10 minute tram ride to Salford Quays (also home to The Lowry Theatre and a rubbish discount shopping mall).

If you're into football you could do a tour of Old Trafford or City of Manchester Stadium.

Phew! Makes me realise that I should get out more in my home town!

Echo all that choppy suggested plus lunch in Harvey Nics is nice.

Try Sam's Chop House for traditional pub with good food.

If it's next week there will be lots of Chinese New Year celebrations going on.

For Chinese food, my new favourite is the Red Chilli on Portland Street/corner of Nicholas Street. Yang Sing is good, but Red Chilli is smaller and more atmospheric and the food is fantastic.

Chinese supermarkets good fun for a mooch round while you're there also.

Craft centre (can't remember the name of the road but head for Tibb Street and ask). Not quite as 'crafty' as it sounds. Lots of little galleries/shops in the 'Northern Quarter' worth looking at also.

I have been on the big wheel. I shat myself.

You can even do one of those open top bus tours in Manc (must try it one day ) but not sure if they run in the Winter.

Get on the Metro and have a run round Heaton Park (North) or go to Salford Quays and look round the Lowry Centre - galleries, bars, theatre etc. Walk over the bridge to the Imperial War Museum North.

Fantastic food at Red Chilli, but every time I've been I've found the staff really grumpy and it's a bit cramped.

Thanks everyone I have loads to do now with all the sightseeing recommendations.

I finally plumped and booked Lounge 10 with cocktails at cloud 23 because I am feeling very romantic but the chinese suggestions sound great and it will be chinese new year so may have to reconsider.
Plan to do aternoon tea at the Lowry Hotel and lunch at Harvey Nic's .... then I'll waddle home after an indulgent weekend

Oo, can I come!? Good choices. Enjoy.