24 hours in Manchester – A local’s guide to the perfect weekend

Are you planning a trip to the north of England and wondering how best to spend 24 hours in Manchester. Well this article is for you. In this guide we tell you everything you need to know about spending a weekend in Manchester, including where to stay, what to see and do, and most importantly where to eat and drink

It is often the case that when you live somewhere long enough, you stop appreciating it as you did when you first arrived. That is definitely the case for us with Manchester. That is why when we were given the opportunity to collaborate with hotels.com on a post about Manchester, we jumped at the chance to rekindle that initial enthusiasm for the city that has been home for the last 8 years. We wanted to spend a weekend in Manchester through the eyes of a tourist. We explored some new places and hidden gems the city has to offer.

Where to stay during your weekend in Manchester

There are a number of hotels in Manchester that you can choose from. Although if you are only planning a weekend in Manchester we do recommend that you try to stay somewhere central, as this will make exploring the city so much easier.

We would recommend staying around the Northern Quarter or Ancoats area. This is because there are lots of bars, restaurants, and things to do in this area. But anywhere around the city centre will make your 24 hours in Manchester a lot easier.

For a luxury break we recommend the following hotels:

• King Street Townhouse – a boutique hotel with an infinity pool with views of Town Hall
• Dakota Manchester – a glamorous hotel located in the Northern Quarter
• The Lowry Hotel – a five star accommodation close to the city centre
• Hotel Gotham – an art deco style hotel with a trendy design, and very cool rooftop cocktail bar.

And if you want something a little more budget friendly for your 24 hours in Manchester here are some suggestions.

• Ibis Styles Manchester Portland Hotel – for well located accommodation appealing to a younger crowd
• YOTEL Manchester Deansgate – this modern and funky looking hotel is centrally located and a good option for budget travellers

Tips for booking accommodation in Manchester

If you are booking accommodation for your 24 hours in Manchester, you definitely want to book this as early as possible so that you don’t miss out.

Weekdays will be a lot cheaper than weekends. And you should always check if there is a football game being played in Manchester as this can drive the prices of accommodation up.

Wondering is Manchester worth visiting? Here is a handy guide.

How to get around during your weekend in Manchester

In terms of getting around, Manchester city centre itself is pretty walkable. If you are planning to go further afield during your time in Manchester, then the tram and bus network in the city is easy to use. Most major tourist attractions are accessible by tram such as your football stadiums, and museums. You just need to tap your credit/debit card before you board and remember to tap off once you have disembarked.

What we got up to in 24 hours in Manchester

Here are some of the things we did during our 24 hours in Manchester. We will go into more detail later in this post about food and and drink, so if you are looking for inspiration keep reading.

Brunch at Federal

We all know how important it is to start the day with a good solid breakfast. Although in our case by the time we got up and dressed it was more brunch, but you get the point. We decided to head to the Northern Quarter, which is a trendy area in the city centre filled with bars, restaurants, and quirky shops. We settled on Federal, an Antipodean coffee bar that serves up an incredible breakfast along with top quality coffee. I opted for a classic eggs benedict whilst Dave and his sweet tooth went with a French toast with berries and salted caramel. A word of warning, if you do decide to visit, it can get busy, particularly at the weekend, and you may have to wait for a table. Trust us though, it really is worth it!

Explore the Northern Quarter

With full bellies, we spent the early afternoon exploring the Northern Quarter. What we really love about the area is that there are so many quirky shops. If you are after an inflatable flamingo, or a pug lamp, or anything in between, chances are there is a shop somewhere in the Northern Quarter that sells it.

Speaking of shops, somewhere that we have always meant to venture into was Afflecks, which is an indoor market with independent stalls and small boutique shops. Considering that it is pretty much an institution in Manchester, I am ashamed to say that we really hadn’t spent much time here in the past. Something we most certainly had to rectify.

One of the cool things about Afflecks is that it has become the go to place for alternative and indie culture. You can buy your indie band T-shirts, your retro games, and vintage clothes all in one space. And because Manchester has such a big music history, Afflecks has become a must for music lovers.

Another thing that we love about the Northern Quarter is the street art. You can get some really funky pictures here. Our favourite piece of street art that we discovered was the image paying homage to Tony Wilson, the legend behind some of Manchester’s most famous bands.

Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)

As afternoon approached, we decided it was time for another first for us in the city, and we made our way to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). The museum provides a fascinating insight into Manchester’s contribution in science and technology, particularly during the industrial revolution.

The MOSI is pretty interactive and we actually learnt a lot by visiting. One of our favourite parts of the museum is that it is home to the oldest surviving passenger railway station in the world. The Manchester to Liverpool line was the first steam powered intercity train line in the world, and heralded a revolution in the way we travelled. Entry to the museum is free although you are encouraged to make a small donation to help with the upkeep.

Visir the John Rylands Library

After visiting the MOSI we took a quick detour to the John Rylands Library, before making our way back to the Norther Quarter for some dinner and evening drinks. A lot of people compare the inside of the library to something out of Harry Potter and so we had to see for ourselves. We have walked past the library so many times while living in Manchester, and we are so glad we finally decided to venture inside.

The exterior whilst quite ornate and striking is nothing compared to the interior. In particular the reading room, with its incredible collection of books, and cosy alcoves is breathtaking. It really is a fantastic place to visit to take your mind away from the hustle and bustle of the Manchester City Centre outside.

Drinks at the Whiskey Jar

In the evening we decided to enjoy a few cocktails and dinner in the Northern Quarter. There are so many amazing bars in the area which makes it really hard to choose where to go. But considering we were in the mood for cocktails we decided to visit the Whiskey Jar for a salted caramel old fashioned which tasted as good as it sounds.

Cocktails at a secret bar

The next place we decided to go is a bit of a secret. Or at least a badly kept one. I had heard so much about this secret bar called The Washhouse in Manchester, where you enter what appears to be a laundromat, pick up the phone and discuss how many loads of washing you wish to put on. So knowing we were writing this post we decided to book ahead earlier in the morning. Thankfully they had room for us, and we finally got the chance to be let in on the secret.

As you would expect with any secret bar, the cocktails are extravagant and a little on the pricey side. But the whole thing is a lot of fun and really adds to your evening in the city. My favourite cocktail was the ‘Waffling On’ which was served with some ice cream and a small waffle, whilst Dave’s was the Matsuri Ol’ Fashioned.

Dinner at Mackie Mayor

After some very nice (and very strong) cocktails, food was definitely on the agenda. We decided to head to Mackie Mayor to fulfil all our food loving needs. Located in a grade II listed early Victorian building, it has now become a must on the Manchester foodie scene. There are a number of places to eat and drink within this indoor market setting. It is a great place to end your night after a few cocktails in the Northern Quarter. I opted for a roast whilst Dave went for a classic margherita pizza.

Brunch in the Northern Quarter

The next day we woke up bright an early to conclude our 24 hours in Manchester itinerary. We decided to start the day in good stead so we made our way to Teacup Kitchen which is a tea and brunch spot located in the Northern Quarter. There always seems to be a line every time we walk past this place, which is a good sign. But thankfully on the day we decided to try it, we were seated straight away.

If you love good tea, and delicious cakes then this place is for you. There is a really good selection of loose leaf tea, which comes served with a timer so you know exactly how long to let it brew for the perfect cup. Teacup is great especially if you are spending a weekend break in Manchester, as it gives you the chance to sit down and reflect upon your time in the city whilst drinking some amazing tea.

Unfortunately teacup has recently closed but in place of this we recommend exploring the Northern Quarter and visiting the Smithfield Social for some tea, coffee, and brunch instead. Alternatively you also have places like:

• Evelyn’s cafe and bar
• Ezra and Gil
• Feel Good Cafe

These are all located in the Northern Quarter,

Manchester Town Hall

Feeling fully hydrated, we decided to spend the rest of the morning exploring the Manchester Art Gallery. On the way though we made a quick detour to Manchester Town Hall. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city with its neo-gothic architecture and clock tower, and a must see on a weekend break in Manchester.

Manchester Art Gallery

And so we concluded our 24 hours in Manchester itinerary with a visit to the Art Gallery, because who doesn’t love a big old slice of culture to end a weekend break? The gallery is free to enter, and it is a great place to learn all about Manchester’s art history as well as admiring paintings from international artists.

One of our favourite sections is where you can travel back in time through paintings of the city where transport was a horse and cart, and no cars to be seen. The interior of the gallery is also pretty cool so it is worth stopping by even to admire that, if you aren’t hugely into art.

For us a great way to conclude our 24 hours in Manchester was visiting the mindfulness exhibition in the gallery. It is here you can explore the relationship between art and mindfulness. You can even take a seat in front of a painting and practice the art of being mindful. And so we will leave you with this image.

Other things to do during a weekend in Manchester

Here are some other suggestions for things to do during your 24 hours in Manchester.

Visit Old Trafford

If you are a football fan you certainly have to visit one of Manchester two Premier League Football Stadiums. Admittedly we’ve not done the Manchester City stadium tour, so will have to stick to the Manchester United (Old Trafford) stadium tour instead for the purposes of this guide. It’s a fantastic tour and you get to take a peak in the dressing rooms, as well as having the opportunity to walk from the tunnel to the pitch.

Tours don’t operate on match days (for obvious reasons) so do make sure you book and plan in advance.

And just in case you are a Manchester City fan, here is the link for the tour of the Etihad stadium instead.

Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour

A hop on hop off bus tour is always a good way to orient yourself with a city. If you have 24 hours in Manchester this is a great option because not only do you get the chance to learn all about the city’s industrial past, but it is also a great way to explore Manchester and Salford Quays by simply hopping on and off.

Visit Salford Quays

If you have time on your weekend in Manchester we recommend visiting the nearby Salford Quays. It’s a very quick tram ride from the city centre (just hop on the Media City UK Line and get off at Media City). Salford Quays is home to a number of water sport activities,  a monthly makers market, restaurants, bars, and of course the BBC and ITV studios. Also worth a visit is the imperial war museum.

Do a canal cruise

Spend 24 hours in Manchester and you will certainly hear about the city’s industrial past. The canal network was obviously a large part of this, so a canal cruise is a must do when visiting. You start in the centre, and cruise down past Old Trafford, to Salford Quays.

National Football Museum

To say Manchester is football mad is an understatement. The game has certainly influenced the city as well as the whole of the UK, and you can learn all about this at the National Football Museum. It’s quite interactive and you can take your photo with some of the trophies – if that is your thing.

Coronation Street Tour

Good news for TV lovers, Manchester isn’t all football! It’s also home to the set of Coronation Street. Located in Media City, you can explore the set and get to grips with a day in the life of your favourite soap characters. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.

Romantic things to do on a weekend in Manchester

If you are lucky enough to be spending your weekend in Manchester with your significant other here are our suggestions on some of the most romantic things to do.

Enjoy a night out in the Northern Quarter

The Northern Quarter is one of our favourite parts of Manchester. It’s filled with quirky shops, cool street art, and some really cool bars and restaurants. It’s basically the perfect place to plan a date night during your weekend in Manchester. Some of our recommendations include:

Cocktails at Dusk Til Pawn

Old Fashioned’s at the Whiskey Jar

Prohibition era drinks at Fitzgerald’s

In fact, there are so many awesome places to go in the Norther Quarter, you might need more than 24 hours in Manchester.

Brunch in the city

Manchester does some pretty good brunch which is pretty much perfect for dates. From Federal – which we mentioned in our main article, to Moose Coffee you will find something tasty to munch on before a hectic weekend in Manchester.

Drinks and activities

My perfect date night has to be drinks, and an activity. And Manchester has so many cool places you can choose from. You can drink beers, whilst playing baseball at Base Bar. Or why not crazy cocktails with some even crazier gold at Junkyard Golf. Or one of my favourites, try your hand at darts, at Flight Club.

Afternoon tea with a view

Another romantic option for your weekend in Manchester is to book in for some afternoon tea at Cloud 23. Located on (you guessed it) the 23^rd floor of Manchester’s Beetham Tower, also known as the Hilton hotel is a bar with a pretty incredible view of the city. They do cocktails and dinners, but one of our favourite things has to be the afternoon tea.

Take a stroll around Castlefield  

One of the most romantic parts of Manchester has to be Castlefield. This picturesque area is located on the canal, and honestly, it’s great to stroll around or sit and people watch. It’s also where some parts of Peaky Blinders was filmed so see if you can spot where.

How much money do I need for a weekend in Manchester?

Manchester is probably mid range when it comes to expense. It certainly isn’t as costly as London for example, but not as cheap as your towns or rural areas. A lot of the attractions are cheap or free (especially the museums), and you can do things cheaply if you want. On average we would recommend about £100 per person per day not including accommodation. This recommendation though is factoring in trying some of the bars and restaurants the city is famous for.

Eating and drinking during your weekend in Manchester

Manchester has no shortage of incredible bars, and restaurants, and you certainly will be spoilt for choice during your weekend in Manchester. Here are some of our absolute favourite food and drink spots that we highly recommend trying.

Food for your weekend in Manchester

If you are wondering where the best places to grab a bite to eat during your 24 hours in Manchester are, this bit is for you. Here are some of our favourite spots in the city.

Ramona

This is our absolute favourite place for a meal on the weekend in Manchester. They serve Detroit style pizza, with cocktails in a very chilled out environment.  You should probably book a table in advance especially on Friday and Saturday nights but they do usually allow some walk ins too.

Rudy’s

This is the best place in Manchester for pizza hands down. You don’t need to book in advance because it is walk in only. I don’t know what they put in the dough but these pizza’s are so good, and probably the closest thing you will find to Napoli in Manchester.

El Gato Negro

Tapas fans should try El Gato Negro located in the city centre. It can be a bit pricey but the food is good and so is the service. Booking are highly recommend.

The Sparrows

The Sparrows is a true hidden gem in Manchester and the ultimate in comfort food. You do need to book in advance to get a table, but if you do you will be treated to attentive personalised service and some really good food. It’s a central European style eatery specialising in dumplings and pasta, and you can pretty much taste the love and care in every dish that you order.

Bundobust

If you don’t want anything too fancy for your 24 hours in Manchester, one of our favourite dinner spots has to be Bundobust. They do a modern take on Indian street food, plus they serve some top quality beers as well.

Cottonopolis

This is one of my favourites for food, although it can be a bit pricey. It’s Japanese style food, where you can order lots of little plates. The food is really well prepared, and it is really popular so you do need to book in advance.  

Porta

This is probably one of the best tapas restaurants we have been too, although in fairness it’s not quite Manchester – rather Salford. The food is good, and so are the prices.

Tattu

For something a little fancier we recommend Tattu. It’s great for those special occasions like anniversaries or birthdays. The food is modern Chinese style. You can order a number of small plates here. Plus the cocktails are incredible.

Brunch for your weekend in Manchester

Federal

Federal is an Australian/ New Zealand themed café that has two city centre locations. It’s walk in only but do get there early because it is really popular. The food is fantastic especially the French Toast!

Moose Coffee

Another popular brunch spot is Moose Coffee. It’s great for your weekend in Manchester especially if you are trying to nurse an intense hangover. There are so many different food options it can be hard to decide sometimes.

19 Café Bar

Spend just 5 minutes perusing 19 Café Bar’s Instagram and you will immediately want to come here. This is another great brunch spot in Manchester, but do keep in mind it gets super busy so you are best to get up early!

Feel Good Café

Adding this one if you want positive vibes only on your weekend in Manchester. They have some really tasty brunch options, in a chilled out space.

Cocktails for your 24 hours in Manchester

Schofields

If you go anywhere for cocktails during your weekend in Manchester – make it Schofields. They do cocktails and they do them well. The staff are also so welcoming and despite the prices it really isn’t in the least bit pretentious.

Dusk till Pawn

Located in the Northern Quarter Dusk til Pawn is a pawn shop themed bar, serving some really fun cocktails. They also have an outdoor seating area for those rare sunny days.

Behind Closed Doors

If you find this bar, then well done. This secret bar kind of has an old school pornography theme going on. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s trashy though. This bar is a lot of fun, hidden in a Northern Quarter basement. They do some great drinks and there tends to be a really fun atmosphere especially on weekends.

Fitzgerald’s

For a prohibition themed bar head to Fitzgerald’s. It’s a very dark atmospheric bar in the Northern Quarter and it does transport you back to the 1920’s.

Blinker Bar

Blinker Bar is one of the newer cocktail bars in the city, and is very worth checking out. They do really good versions of classic drinks like Old Fashioned’s and Martini’s. The staff are super friendly too and it has such a great vibe.

20 Stories

Located in Spinningfields this bar is great if you are looking for sweeping city views. The drinks are a bit on the pricey side, but the views make up for it.

Chilled out drinks for your 24 hours in Manchester

If you want something a little more casual when it comes to drinking in Manchester these are our recommendations.

Ad Hoc

If you are in the Northern Quarter and in need of wine head to Ad Hoc. They sell bottles of wine and beer for takeaway or you can pull up a chair and drink on premises.

Terrace

Terrace is great if your weekend in Manchester coincides with some sunny weather. Head up to the rooftop garden terrace and grab a few drinks in the sunshine.

Corbiers

Indie music lovers should definitely head to Corbiers for some good music and good drinks. This bar literally has the best jukebox in Manchester, and is a great place to chill out.

Day and Night Café

For live music Day and Night Café is a really cool place to go. It’s very chilled and probably one of our favourites in Manchester.

Wine bars for your 24 hours in Manchester

Here are some of our favourite wine bars for the perfect 24 hours in Manchester.

Petit Paris Deli

Petit Paris Deli is perfect when you have 24 hours in Manchester and you are craving wine and cheese. It’s a French deli, where you can buy all sorts of goodies to take home. But there are also seats where you can sit outside and sip on French wine and cheese.

Provence

Sticking with the wine and cheese theme – because can you ever get enough? Provence is out in Spinningfields, but still in the city centre. They too have a really good selection of wine, and excellent nibbles, when you want something to eat but you aren’t starving per se.

Salut Wines

If it’s wine you are after then head to Salut Wines, located close to St Peter’s Square. You will get to choose from a large amount of wines on the menu as well as trying out the wine vending machine.

The Mews Bar and Charcuterie

This is another favourite for wine and cheese in Manchester. They do a really good wine flight paired with cheese which we highly recommend.

Best areas for Nightlife during your weekend in Manchester

If you are planning a night out during your weekend in Manchester here are some of the best areas.

Spinningfields

Spinningfields has a bit of a fancy vibe to be honest. It’s home to places like 20 Stories, and The Ivy, where the drinks are a bit more expensive. A lot of offices are in the area so you will probably find a lot of business types flocking here after work on a Friday.

Northern Quarter

The Northern Quarter is our absolute favourite area for a night out in Manchester. There are so many different bars and restaurants. From your grungy dive bars, to you fancy cocktail spots and pretty much everything in between.

Ancoats

Ancoats is the new trendy area in Manchester. There are lots of bars and restaurants, with a more chilled out vibe.

Canal Street

Canal Street also known as the gay village is world famous, and a huge part of Manchester history. It’s a very lively night out, and always good for a party.

Oxford Road

This is the more studenty area as it is close to both University of Manchester and Manchester Met. The bars are a bit cheaper around here, although probably best to avoid it during freshers week!

When to plan your 24 hours in Manchester?

Manchester is obviously a city, with lots to see and do, and so you might be wondering when is the best time to plan your 24 hours in Manchester? We think Manchester is somewhere you can visit year round. But your experience is very much dependant on the time of year you visit.

For instance 24 hours in Manchester in winter will be very different to spending the same amount of time in summer.

Winter in Manchester is great if you plan to visit the museums, and want to do a bit of a cosy pub crawl around the city. The Christmas Markets usually spring up mid November and they add to the festive fun in the buildup to Christmas.

That being said winter in Manchester can be quite rainy, and a little miserable, so you don’t want to be doing a lot of outdoor activities.

Summer is a lot nicer, with some sunny days. You will find a lot of outdoor activities including food and drink festivals throughout the city. A lot of bars also have outdoor seating especially in the Northern Quarter which can be great for cocktails in the sun.

A couple of events you may want to avoid in Manchester (unless of course you are attending) are Pride weekend which is usually the end of August, and Parklife, which is in June. Accommodation tends to book out quickly, and the city is crowded. The atmosphere is great, but it might not be ideal if you are trying to fit in as much as possible to your 24 hours in Manchester.

Another thing that may impact hotels and availability are football (soccer) games. Manchester United and Manchester City often play home games between August – June so it can get a little busy during those weekends.

Wondering when the best and worst time to visit England is as a whole? Here is a helpful guide.

Longer than 24 hours in Manchester

If you have longer than 24 hours in Manchester, you might be wondering what the best day trips are that will allow you to explore more of the UK. Here are some recommendations.

Peak District

A day trip to the Peak District is one of the best things to do if you have longer than 24 hours in Manchester. It’s filled with some beautiful nature spots, including our favourite the Chee Dale stepping Stones. You do need a car to visit though.

Lake District

The Lake District is another option for a day trip out of Manchester. It’s around 2 hours drive, depending on which part of the Lakes you want to visit and definitely worth your time.

Liverpool

Liverpool is another bustling city incredibly close to Manchester. There is a lot to do like visiting the Beatles Story or even one of the incredible galleries or museums in the city.

For a full guide on the best day trips from Manchester here is a helpful post.

So should I spend a weekend in Manchester?

I know that we are completely biased here, but yes we absolutely think you should spend a weekend in Manchester. There is a lot to do, and see, and the nightlife in Manchester is absolutely phenomenal. It’s a really walkable city too, and perfect for a weekend break.

Don’t forget to pin this guide to 24 hours in Manchester to look back at later.

If you are thinking of moving to Manchester and not just visiting here is a helpful guide.

Manchester truly is a wonderful city with so much to explore, and we really hope this piece has inspired you to book your own weekend break in the city. Also if you are looking for some of the best photo spots in the city you might enjoy this article.

And if you are trying to decide between London or Manchester this might help.

This post was written as a collaboration with hotels.com. The spending money was gifted by Hotels.com, but all views are our own.