We locals can often forget or overlook some of the most wonderful tourist attractions in Manchester, but we’ve set out to shine a light on them both for people new to the area, and those who have never thought to have a mooch. From museums and cultural spots, to streets we walk past every day and commemorations of some of our most famous people, there’s plenty to see, old and new. Here’s our guide to the top tourist attractions to visit in Manchester.
1. Manchester Museum
A classic spot when it comes to entertaining and educating the whole family, Manchester Museum is part of the University of Manchester, showcasing history, art and culture in all its glory. Not only does the exhibited collection provide education an knowledge for kids young and old, the building itself is astounding.
Works of archaeology, anthropology and natural history sit within the walls of the university’s group of neo-Gothic buildings, making Manchester Museum one of the best tourist attractions, whether you’re a newbie to Manchester or a local wanting to explore your own city.
💸 Free entry.
🕒 Monday: Closed, Tuesday: 10 am–5 pm, Wednesday: 10 am–9 pm, Thursday: 10 am–5 pm, Friday: 10 am–5 pm, Saturday: 8 am–5 pm, Sunday: 10 am–5 pm.
📍 The University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL.
2. National Football Museum
Another iconic museum, the UK’s National Football Museum is, quite rightly, housed in Manchester. Pretty much the first thing you see when exiting Manchester Victoria station, the National Football Museum is a must for football fans and those interested in culture alike, with collections spanning the entire history of football, not just in the UK but globally.
One of the most overlooked tourist attractions by Manchester locals, it boasts the world’s largest public collection of football objects and archives. From the Lily Parr exhibit, showcasing the early women’s football trailblazer, to the most famous football shirts in the world, the National Football Museum grounds visitors in the culture that is inherent in Manchester, and the events calendar throughout the year gets everyone involved.
💸 City of Manchester residents go free, under-5s go free, everyone else £8-£16 (family tickets available for £36-£42) here.
🕒 Open daily, 10am – 5pm (last admission 4pm).
📍 Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG.
3. Manchester Central Library
Potentially the most famous building in the city, Manchester Central Library is a wonderful example of the Art Deco architecture you’ll notice all over town. Not only is the striking circular building awe-inspiring from the outside, but the way it functions as a library is pretty great, for locals and visitors alike.
With local and national archives housed here, spanning culture, history, music, art, news, astronomy, sciences, and all the subjects you could think of, it really is a mecca for knowledge. The library also hosts events and exhibitions throughout the year which anyone can get involved in, and it serves as a safe space for those who have no other warm place, and those who wish to have their voices heard. You can’t get more Manchester.
💸 Entry is free.
🕒 Monday−Thursday: 9am−8pm, Friday & Saturday: 9am−5pm, closed Sunday.
📍 St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD.
4. The Etihad Stadium & Old Trafford
You can’t hear Manchester and not think of football, so why not pay a visit to either Manchester City or Manchester United‘s stadium? Whether you have allegiances or not, these two amphitheaters are really a feat of engineering, and honestly, why wouldn’t you want a sneak peek inside one of the most famous football grounds in the world?
If you fancy having a look into the world of the likes of Marcus Rashford or Phil Foden, you can even book onto official tours for both the Eithad Stadium and Old Trafford, and once you’re done, make sure to have a selfie and perhaps stick around for a game (if you’re lucky enough to nab a ticket).
💸 Manchester City and United game tickets start around £40, tours vary depending on provider.
🕒 N/A.
📍 Etihad Stadium, Etihad Campus, Manchester M11 3FF | Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M16 0RA.
5. Deansgate
OK, this one is a bit non-conforming, because how can a street be a tourist attraction? Well, Deansgate just so happens to be the longest street in Manchester, so tell us that doesn’t warrant being on the tourist attractions list. That length is put to good use, with countless amazing bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops and other landmarks in their own right being housed along it, so you’re probably best just having a good old stroll the one mile from one end to the other.
You’ll pass the famous Hilton Hotel (yes, those Hiltons), which can be seen for miles around, the industrial setting of Great Northern Warehouse, the bright lights and modern glass of Spinningfields, and even the Classic Football Shirts shop, reminding you exactly where you are.
💸 Absolutely free (unless you’re tempted into a cheeky tipple or souvenir).
🕒 Deansgate never sleeps.
📍 Atlas Bar at one end: 376 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LY | Manchester Cathedral at the other: Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX.
6. John Rylands Research Institute and Library
A striking Gothic-style building along Deansgate, John Rylands is many Mancs’ favourite landmark in Manchester, meaning it should be a top tourist attraction, too. The gorgeous interior and exterior are mesmerising, and you almost feel as though you’ve stepped into another world − in fact, some scenes in the Harry Potter films were actually filmed in here, so you’d be entirely right.
The spectacular building does also function as a working library, and many research fellows and professors from the University of Manchester, which happens to own it, use the historic rooms as their offices (dreamy, right?). John Rylands also hosts regular exhibitions to enrich the knowledge it provides, and it is an absolute joy to speak with those who know the building best.
💸 Free entry.
🕒 Open Wednesday−Saturday, 10am−5pm (last entry at 4.40pm).
📍 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH.
7. Mancunian Statues
Of course, Manchester commemorates some of its most iconic people with statues, immortalising their contribution to the city and the world. Famous Mancs with statues include suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, who stands tall in St Peter’s Square, and code-breaker and LGBTQ+ icon Alan Turing in Sackville Gardens, both of which are well worth visiting.
One statue that many miss is one of perhaps the most iconic Manc output: Vimto. If tourists need to know anything, it’s the importance of this indescribable drink and the chokehold it has on us. We’d say a bottle of Vimto can be found in around 90% of Manc homes, and the surrounding areas, and as such, there’s a larger than life statue you can visit, hidden between some university buildings and the train line going from Oxford Road to Piccadilly − you’re welcome.
📍 Emmeline Pankhurst, St Peter’s Square, M2 3AA | Alan Turing, Sackville Gardens, Fairfield St, M1 3HB | Vimto, Vimto Park, Manchester M1 3BU.
8. Canal Street
You’re not a real tourist in Manchester if you haven’t visited Canal Street, the LGBTQ+ capital of the city. Canal Street is, of course, paralleled by a canal, the Rochdale Canal to be exact, and all kinds of fun, loving and occasionally raucous scenes can be taken part in here. Whether you’re after a cheeky afternoon tipple, a meal out, or an all-nighter in a safe and colourful space, Canal Street can cater to you.
Sequins, drag queens and hilarious people are the norm on this cobbled street, and as long as you respect the place, the place will respect you. Now, we’re calling it a tourist attraction because we want you to have a good time, so go see, do and love it − but if it’s not your thing, leave it alone.
💸 Free to have a walk, bars and clubs vary.
🕒 The street never sleeps, bars and clubs vary.
📍 Canal Street, Manchester M1.