Manchester or Liverpool for a last minute break with a 13 year old?

[NorthernGirlie]

We're up in Newcastle. Looking for a couple of days away - leaving tomorrow or Monday

We've not been to either (we did the football museum in Manchester last year on the way back from a wedding elsewhere but literally just that!)

Which would you choose and why? Both have cheap hotels available 🤩

What do you enjoy doing?

Liverpool 100%

Friendly, beautiful down by the waterfront, great museums, lots to do, excellent food eg down bold street.

Much nicer vibe than Manchester according to my 2 teens who love Liverpool!

I prefer Manchester and spend far more time there but I think Liverpool is a much better city to visit as a tourist, whereas Manchester is better to live.

Simple stuff like walking around the waterfront doesn't really have an equivalent in Manchester. Manchester is great for nightlife but that's not what you want with a 13 year old in tow. There's more museums and free stuff in Liverpool if that's what you are after. Both have loads of great places to eat. Shopping is arguably better in Liverpool these days (Manchester has the Trafford centre so the city centre suffers from that a little - you can do the Trafford Centre but it's a trek out on the tram).

Worse case scenario is you go to Liverpool and it's an hour on the train to Manchester if there is something you really want to do.

@DisplayPurposesOnly were quite lazy, we like to mooch, wander, eat... we like London but have done all the tourist stuff.

Night times are always hard in cities and hotel rooms with a child as most places are 'kids out by 8.30' so we try to eat late so we're not just stuck in a hotel room.

Are you set on those 2 options? I had a weekend in Manchester early this year with a friend - we did lots of arty stuff like art galleries, museums and so forth.
I haven't been to Liverpool in ages but agree waterfront is good. Last time I went, it was for the Art gallery.

If you'd consider other places, my teen loved York. Lots to do and see, and small enough to walk everywhere.
I was wondered about Edinburgh as a weekend away too. Again, lots of sightseeing potential and enough to keep a teen engaged for a few days. Was actually going to go this easter but it coincided with the festival and put accommodation outside our budget.

Thanks @RedToothBrush - Liverpool is the winner so far I think

@TeabySea we've done York and Edinburgh a few times. Love both 💗

Liverpool. They have the river of light at the moment too which is a nice way to spend the evening

I went to Liverpool with my 12 year old last year. We stayed in the YHA at Albert Dock . Agree about the having to be in early but in the hostel we went into the shared area and played some board games so it felt we weren't just stuck in a room

Edit - we're not set on them! We've done Chester (for the zoo) too London lots, Edinburgh and York lots.

We're all off for a week. Flight tines are all crap to do Spain etc for just a couple of days. Just looking to avoid sitting on our bums on the couches for a week 🤣

Liverpool - so many iconic buildings and locations. Manchester has no recognisable features.

I live near Manchester and there’s probably more stuff to actually see here but for general mooching for a couple of days with teens I’d go to Liverpool.

Liverpool. There's loads more to do.

Definitely Liverpool !
Enjoy yourself !

That's just not true. Both cities have iconic buildings and locations.

Liverpool has the docks and the river of light (this might be tempting!) plus the Tate.

Manchester has a range of great galleries and museums and some interesting family activities going on. Plus, half the city has had half term so it might be a touch quieter!

Both cities are great- I'd probably check the weather forecast and use that to decide!

Manchester has many fine buildings but none that would be easily recognisable by anyone who doesn't know the city. But many people the world over would recognise features such as Liverpool waterfront with the Liver Building, Albert Dock, the ferries, and the two cathedrals.

Liverpool definitely. I know both cities well and Liverpool is more interesting and compact. It was Bill Bryson who observed that Manchester has no recognisable buildings - completely agree. Even the town hall is covered in scaffolding atm

Liverpool 100%

People have already suggested good things for the day: museums, football clubs, shops, cavern club, bold street etc.
in the evening (early evening) you could try ghetto golf, junk yard golf or the golf place in Liverpool one, could try Roxy ballroom or pins but not sure if there’s an age restriction after a certain time? Worth a google.
theres at least one boardgame pub/place I just can’t think of the name.
or go to fact cinema, you sit on sofas and can get pizza (and more importantly wine) delivered to your seat. Or see if there’s anything on at the philharmonic, odeon, empire, Everyman etc?

the night time light displays on the dock are on from this weekend and look incredible! There’s the Liverpool eye too which is open until the evening.

I've just looked at the Liverpool light show and that's definitely swayed it!

Thanks all... now where to stay?! 🤩

I've stayed at Premier Inn at Albert Dock & Moorfields, both great central locations.

Liverpool 100% for kids tate modern, World museum, the dock has a ferris wheel too. Evenings on the docks seem more child friendly.
If staying in Manchester prefer salford quays a bit further out.

Liverpool. The River of Light is stunning. So much to do and for a 13 year old if she also likes a bit of retail therapy Liverpool One is fantastic.
Lots of great, informal places to eat.
Very friendly locals.
Went to Uni there and it’s now like a second home.

Booked the Leoardo in the docks 🤩

Enjoy! Tell us how it goes!

Great choice! I've lived and worked in both and would definitely recommend Liverpool, more to do and less sprawling than Manchester. Have fun!

We have been to many cities all over the world and Liverpool is still great, its compact and walkable, beautiful, loads of History and something for all budgets.
https://www.donthibernate.co.uk/liverpool/