Manchester has been named one of the best places to visit in 2024 by The New York Times in its annual guide. The city joins 51 other cities across the globe including Paris, Singapore and Brisbane in the US publication’s annual list of where to travel to in the year ahead.
Manchester, which was the only location in England that made the list, features as a ‘music-mad city’, placing at number 12 in the global destinations that The New York Times recommends visiting in 2024. Major musical milestones for the city are cited, including the opening of Co-Op Live, which will be the UK’s biggest music venue when it opens in April, and the Worldwide Music Expo (WOMEX), which will bring over 2,600 music professionals to the city in October.
The listing opens by stating: “Music has long been at the core of Manchester’s gritty soul, from Joy Division and the Stone Roses to Oasis and, now, Harry Styles, who is backing Britain’s largest new music arena, Co-op Live, set to open in April. Stars like Liam Gallagher, Eric Clapton and Barry Manilow are booked to inaugurate the 23,500-capacity space, which will complement the reopening of concert halls like the post-punk incubator Band on the Wall and New Century, where the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Tina Turner have all graced the stage.”
The article also mentions recent cultural investments in the city as reasons for Manchester’s inclusion in the prestigious list. The article makes reference to Aviva Studios, which opened as the home of Factory International in October 2023, and large-scale events including Beyond The Music, which brings a four-day music festival and conference to the city’s venues between October 11 and 14, 2024.
Speaking about Manchester’s inclusion on the list, Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “It’s further great news for Manchester’s visitor economy that the dazzling array of music venues in the city has been recognised. Inclusion in this prestigious list underlines how much is on offer for people living in, working in or visiting Manchester.
“This is the latest in a growing list of global accolades for the city and shows that we are really striking a chord when it comes to global profile.”
Victoria Braddock, Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, added: “Manchester is loud and proud about its music heritage, and we’re thrilled to see the city make the prestigious ‘52 Places to Go’ list in The New York Times.
“It is a great time to plan a visit to Manchester in 2024; our cultural offer has ramped up with new venues like Aviva Studios, innovative and exciting food and drink openings such as Diecast, which takes over a former metal factory, and of course, world-class music venues offering live shows across the region every night of the week.”
The news follows the Manchester area of Spinningfields receiving recognition by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the best places to go in 2024.