So who can give me the lowdown on Manchester?

[loflo]

In true staycation style we have decided that this is the year to explore the uk and fancied Manchester. Have invested in a family and friends railcard so plan on having no car.

Anyone able to tell me where would be good to stay? We have one DS (5) and it appears that Salford Quay or City Centre seem to have lots of hotel choices. Any thoughts on which would be best?

Also would welcome any suggestions for eating out/day trips (using public transport) and general stuff to do with boys (DH & DS) who hate shopping......

TIA

Museum of Science and Industry (very good food)
Lowry Gallery
Manchester City Art Gallery
Whitworth Art Gallery (very good food)
Manchester Museum

Plan visits to these based around the often very good free/ cheap events that they lay on.

Unfortunately tram out of action for the summer in the city centre. Free buses 1, 2 and 3 very good resource.

Stay city centre rather than Salford.

Old Trafford tour?

Chill factor ski slope near Trafford centre?

You can't get bored in Manchester

Apartment style hotels are good value in Manchester often....'The Place' and 'Pad' are convenient and more space than a hotel room for DS.

you are a star bhb - thanks.

Tatton Park (brilliant playground)but you have to pay to get into the park
Heaton Park (it's free)
Head over Heels indoor play area in Chorlton is a nice one and has a lovely cafe.
The Aquatics Centre in the City Centre
Walks along various canals
Don't stay at Salford Quays, it only has the Lowry Centre and Old Trafford nearby.

check out council website to see if anything happening - international festival is on at some point and that was great last time.

nearby places to go by train - hebden bridge in yorkshire (nice walks/good pubs). Peak district (Edale is beautiful), national trust places (lyme park...love it, tatton park/)

great parks in manchester - heaton (can get tram),

my fav (and DS's) museums are the Manchester and science and industry.walk around Castlefield and get some good food at the Ox (near science museum).

great idea...we did a holiday from home one year and loved it.

have you considered doing a home swap, apparetntly that can be good.

tatton is a nightmare to get to with no car

salford quaysis a great place to stay as it central, looks pretty and has metro stops a few yards away so you are nr to main station.

science museum is fab
there is a war memorial museum (not been but heard its good)
man united tour
transport museum
china town
there are events on at the art gallerys and luibrarys too

all reachable by metro

can go to altrincham for ice skating (prob about 40 mins on metro-been along time since i have been)

there is probably someting on at theatre (lowry in salford quays, palcae theatre and opera house actually in town)
The lowry is also a museum/art gallery too

LOADS to do just in town itself!

lyme park is a 'mare with no car too but you can catch the 199 from Disley train station(make sure you go in the right direction ha ha!)
and tbh my boys don't like it all that much, all there is is deer and grass and a park with a hundred other children on. Tis good for letting them off the leash though

lyme's not that hard without a car, mind that was prekids I used to train it!

Its right in between 2 train stations! My DCs wouldn't walk that i don't think(unless there was a HUGE chocolatey bribe in it for them ;) )

we stayed at the holiday express in Salford Quays with two dd. It was a lovely trendy hotel with a good breakfast included. We got a deal off lastminute. Great access to city on the tram which was a fun ride too.

We spent the day traipsing around the museums which both dd loved (12 and 2 years old). All free which was nice for our pockets... and we filled our bellies at wagamama!!

Have fun... love, love, love Manchester.

city council events guide
city council leisure & culture (libraries, museums etc)
family friendly manchester

The other Manc boroughs all have their own museums etc too look here

Oh, and IWM North (near the Lowry) is brilliant