Weekend in Manchester - what can I do with myself?

[Holidaytan]

At the end of November I’m going to have a free weekend in Manchester while my DH attends a conference during the day on Saturday and Sunday.

We’ll be staying in a hotel on canal street, so super-central.
I’m not too bothered about shopping, but I’m interested in galleries, walking, fitness, cake and animals.
I’ll also have a car, so I can travel away from the city if needed.

Any suggestions of what I can do to entertain myself during the day would be appreciated!

Bump

Try to visit the John Rylands Library - it's a beautiful building inside. Manchester Art Gallery is nice too.

You're staying near the Richmond Tea Rooms which used to do a great afternoon tea, though I've not been for a while.

Slatterys is also great for cake, though it's a tram ride out and I think you'd probably have to book.

There's a few walking tours of the city but you'd have to bring your waterproof

You could drive out to Dunham Massey for a lovely walk, wander round the house and cake in the cafe!

Thanks for the suggestions - these sound great.
An option for a walk and then cake is always excellent and I’ll definitely check the library out.

I'd second the John Rylands library, it's awesome.
The police museum is good for an hour and there's the museum of science and industry of you want to spend longer.
I know you said not shopping but the northern quarter is good for a look round, lots of alternative stuff, outdoor artwork and the Affleck Palace. Lots of places to get cake around there too. Unfortunately the cat cafe closed down though 😥

Those would have been my top suggestions too! There's also a number of parkruns within easy reach of the city centre if you fancy a jog on Saturday morning.

John Rylands is a good suggestion.

But then you need an equal amount of time for the Whitworth Gallery, the loveliest space in Central Manchester - where cake is usually available in the glorious glass cafe.

It would be a shame to miss the Royal Exchange interior, even if you don’t book a ticket for a play.

For city walking - take the tram to Salford Quays, stroll the length of the waterfront and then either cross over the bridge to Imperial War Museum North or, in the other direction, go past the Lowry arts centre and around Media City.

Alternative, grittier walks: along Oxford Road, taking in Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM); the Art School; Manchester Museum; ending up at the Whitworth. This is a superb use of a day.

Or simply loitering around the Norther Quarter, drinking coffee and poking around little independent shops.

Next time, or maybe in better weather, just drive over the Penines …

Came here to say John Rylands Library too. Go all the way to the top floor.

Oh also if you like interesting buildings try and find The Hidden Gem church.

The Lowry on Salford Quays is lovely

The Christmas markets start this weekend so you could have a wander round them. Very festive even if you don't want to buy anything.

Based on my own experiences so far, I'd drive to Liverpool. But I think I probably missed the good bits of Manchester and it's clouded my view a bit

No suggestions to add but be prepared for it to be insanely busy. The markets are fab on weekdays but they attract huge crowds. They obviously weren't on last year and they are in different areas this year I think due to buildings work but I would imagine they will be just as crazy as usual. It would be worth looking up where they will be situated (definitely near Piccadilly but I'm not sure about St Ann's square, king street etc this year) so you can avoid those areas!

I'd go to the Whitworth Gallery, the central library for a mooch and coffee/cake, and John Rylands. Northern Quarter and Afflecks are a good shout.

The Lowry gallery at Salford Quays, along with the Imperial War Museum North there are really worth visiting. Lots of good food options at Salford Quays too.

If you like animals, Chester Zoo isn’t too far and is the best zoo in the UK IMO. Also if you like political history, the People’s Museum is excellent - lots of stuff about trade unions.

If you like classical art more than modern, the Manchester Art Gallery is a better bet than the Whitworth, especially for the fab pre-Raphaelite collection.

The Town Hall has a series of Ford Maddox Brown murals.

It’s true there’s some lovely stuff at Manchester Art Gallery, (I seem to recall a roomful of 15th century pictures?) and it’s a moderately impressive space - but it can feel a bit soulless. By contrast, whenever I visit the Whitworth, I never want to leave.

daisyjgrey I adore Liverpool! But Manchester has plenty to recommend it if you know where to look.

There's the Van Gogh live exhibition at Salford Quays

For a walk without driving too far Fletcher Moss in East Didsbury is nice and nice cafes around the area too

Bridgewater Hall for classical music - often have Christmassy stuff on

Home for independent cinema

Madox not Maddox - auto correct knows nothing about art!

PS - Manchester Museum is closed for refurbishment currently!

Science museum...its not just for kids. Theatre/Musical.
Manchester Bee walk.
Afternoon tea at lowry hotel.

I’d forgotten Home! Don’t really think if it as a place to ‘visit’ - more just a welcoming embrace. But you could definitely relax there for the better part of a day, OP. Coffee and croissants, browse some magazines, see a film, late lunch, lounge outside, G&T, catch whatever’s on in the theatre … It’s wondrously easy and convenient and great for a really relaxed day.

@daisyjgrey

Based on my own experiences so far, I'd drive to Liverpool. But I think I probably missed the good bits of Manchester and it's clouded my view a bit

Agree!

@WhatonEarth1

You could drive out to Dunham Massey for a lovely walk, wander round the house and cake in the cafe!

Be aware that at least earlier in the year you had to pre book and pay a full entry, I think for a car load to wander in the grounds which makes it expensive for a short trip. As a pp has said Fletcher Moss is nice for a wander with the Alpine Tea Room inside or plenty places in Didsbury. Likewise Sale Water Park and Chorlton both have parking and are accessible my tram.

@WhatonEarth1

You could drive out to Dunham Massey for a lovely walk, wander round the house and cake in the cafe!

Dunham Massey deer park is fab with free roaming deer.