The first city that comes to mind when visiting the UK is London, but Manchester is definitely worth your while too! As the first modern, industrial city, you will find canals, warehouses, cotton mills and viaducts. The city has a lot of great architecture, varying from Victorian to modern style, and it also has a lot to offer when it comes to culture, nightlife, shopping, science and sports. The perfect place for a all-round city trip!
History
A lot of beautiful architecture like the Town Hall and the Cathedral contribute to the history of the city. But one of the most important inventions when it comes to mechanisms was the Liverpool Railway Station in 1830, worlds first railway station. You can still find some of the Railway station there as well!
Also when it comes to science Manchester has a rich history, because it was the first place an atom was split. If you have interest for science, you should definitely check out the Museum of Science Industry!
Soccer
Not one, but two Premier League soccer teams call Manchester home: Manchester City and Manchester United. The stadium of Manchester United, Old Trafford, has a capacity of 76.000 people and is one of the biggest stadiums in the United Kingdom. On match-day Manchester gets eventful, so that’s an experience itself! And they also have the National Soccer Museum, where you will find out everything about the history of this popular sport.
Shop till you drop
In the heart of Manchester you will find Arndale Centre, with over 200 stores one of the biggest indoor shopping malls of Europe. If this isn’t enough shopping for you yet, you can always go to intu Trafford Centre. This mall has three more floors of stores to explore!
Nightlife
The vibrant nightlife is one of the biggest attractions in Manchester. The city has the most European students, what shows in the amount of places to go. Manchester offers a lot of choice when it comes to bars, nightclubs and cafés that go on till deep in the night. One of the most popular squares is Shambles Square, where you will find a lot of pubs. The city is also popular among the gay scene, especially Canal Street.
Are you a comedy fan and up for a laugh? Go to the Comedy Store. From Thursday nights till Sunday nights you will find the funniest (stand-up) comedy shows. Make sure you get your tickets on time, because there are limited seats available!
Don’t get me wrong, I like London (for several reasons), but there’s just something about Manchester that stole my heart. There’s such a great vibe, a crazy atmosphere and people are super laid back and friendly. And besides that, it’s not that crowded most of the times, so a big pro if you ask me!
Have you visited Manchester before?
I would love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
If not, make sure to add this great city to your TravelLustList!