Manchester or Birmingham weekend with two DCs

[LaviniasBigBloomers]

For very complicated reasons, I'm entertaining a DC9 and DC13 for the weekend. Would Birmingham or Manchester be a better bet? Looking for stuff for them to do (museums, shops, swimming or similar). I'm not able to drive at the moment which is why I'm thinking a city but can also consider places around there on the train. TIA for any ideas, I'm feeling a bit stuck.

I’ve done Manchester lots with similarly aged DC and it’s gone well most of the time. It’s fairly easy to get around on the tram network - you can get to The Trafford Centre on the tram which has stuff to do too like bowling, adventure golf, laser quest.

Manchester

Manchester every time. Birmingham is dire and the people are moany and rude!

Harsh. Some of the nicest people I know live in brum.

But yeh, Manchester is the better out the two for public transport as you've got the tram network and the Trafford centre

There more free museums in Manchester - or there was been a few years since last there - so we found much more to do in Manchester with kids than Birmingham where felt we struggled a bit more - we don't drive either.

Manchester. If they are interested football museum is brill.

I would agree that Manchester is great. Try Mackie Mayor for a fun food hall place in an old train station; if they are girls, Richmond Tearooms are very insta-worthy and mine loved the big Primark.

That said, I don’t know your circumstances, but it sounds like they may not be your DC? Are you sure you want to take them somewhere rather than just entertain/babysit them in your own home? I would find the latter much easier. Any old pool can be fun; take them somewhere that does ice cream/deserts; crazy golf or bowling usually go down well too. Plan one or two things a day and then let them chill; let them introduce you to some shows or films they like, or games; something like getting to choose dinner in a supermarket can be a bit of a treat too. Or cooking together if you are all that way minded.

Can't imagine why they were rude to you @lightningbanana 😂but yeah I agree Manchester would probably be my choice for a weekend away.

Thanks all, seems like Manchester is the way to go, which is what I was leaning towards. @GentlemenPreferBlondes I would very much prefer to have them in my own home but distance/time available makes it impossible Thanks though

There's tons of free / cheap stuff to do in Manchester City centre with kids

Manchester definitely has lots to do but if it’s a football match weekend you might find that hotels are £££££!