Cool Things to Do in Manchester (You Haven’t Done Before)

Did you know that Race Across The World: The Experience is now available in Manchester?

Race Across The World: The Experience is the official live experience of the award-winning hit TV show, brought to life in a high stakes adventure across Manchester.

Important Info: You must be 18+ to purchase tickets. The experience is designed to be accessible and inclusive. See FAQs for details.

A top choice for cool things to do in Manchester with friends or family, these WhatsApp-led treasure hunts help you discover hidden corners of Manchester with a twist.

As you solve riddles and hunt for clues, you’ll uncover fascinating stories and landmarks often in the unlikeliest of places.

Well, sort of! Fortunately, you can’t leave a banana peel to undercut your opponents, but you can live out most of your Mario Kart dreams at Chaos Karts. 

Drive through tracks, dodge obstacles, and fire virtual power-ups in this adrenaline-pumping experience. Ideal for gamers and thrill-seekers alike!

If you’re new to the Shuffleboard trend, prepare to find your new obsession.

Electric Shuffle brings a modern twist to a classic pub game with high-tech shuffleboards and an energetic atmosphere. The rules are easy to master (anybody gets the gist of it in about, five minutes, and that’s coming from someone with zero coordination). 

My verdict: a perfect middle ground between competitive fun and a chance to sip incredible cocktails!

For culture lovers, visiting this museum is one of the most meaningful yet cool things to do in Manchester (and that’s a high bar).

Housed in a striking modern building, the Imperial War Museum North tells powerful stories of war and its impact on society through immersive exhibitions and personal accounts.

You’ll learn a lot, gain some perspective and look at the history of a very dark subject in a new light.

If you’ve never been before, now’s the time to do it.

Up there as one of our favourite galleries in the UK, the Whitworth Art Gallery has stunning contemporary exhibitions and an impressive permanent collection, so if you’re an art lover, you won’t be disappointed.

It’s also tucked away in a gorgeous park so, if the weather permits, take a walk around and enjoy the lovely surrounding green enclave.

One of the most underrated facts about Manchester is that it’s home to the second largest Chinatown in the UK, and like its London cousin, it’s packed with authentic restaurants, shops, and colourful streets.

Don’t forget to check out the bakeries (especially the mooncakes at Wong Wong Bakery).

Visiting an opera house might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to cool things to do in Manchester, but trust us on this one.

Opera might not be your thing, but the good news is, there’s a lot more than just operas that get staged here. Musicals, West End productions, comedy shows, lectures, live podcast recordings… you name it, it’s here. 

Find out what’s on and see if you’re lucky enough to blag last minute tickets!

Easily one of the most glamorous and cool things to do in Manchester, Cloud 23 is a bar with breathtaking panoramic views.

You’ll find it up on the 23rd floor of the Beetham Tower, and on the menu is a mix of creative cocktails and a top notch afternoon tea, if that’s more your vibe.

Free comedy nights don’t get better than this, and yes, I said free. 

In case you missed it, The Laughienda is a pun on Manchester’s legendary Hacienda but instead of great tunes, it’s where you go to get your fill of stand-up comedy.

Now, the calibre does vary but as you’re not spending a penny to get in, you can expect a great night out if you do get in (because of the price, this spot is very popular with students!).

Looking for cool things to do in Manchester that stop your tummy rumbling? 

Follow the irresistible aroma of roast chicken (and incredible sandwiches) to Trading Route, a foodie favourite tucked away near the River Irwell. 

The beauty here is the simplicity of the palace: juicy rotisserie chicken, loaded sides, and great craft beers make this hidden gem a serious contender for the city’s best comfort food (in our opinion, at least!).

You know those incredible drinks you see on Instagram that look almost too beautiful to drink? They’re probably from here. 

This is Matcha Kyoto, a minimalist Japanese café dedicated to incredible matcha drinks. Each cup is carefully prepared, and you can get a whole range of flavours if you have more of a sweet tooth (I can vouch for the Crème Brûlée).

Ordinarily, the Corn Exchange is known locally as a foodie hub, but a lot of people forget (or have no idea) that there’s actually a whole calendar of activities available here.

A quick glance at the upcoming events shows acoustic music sessions and cooking classes, so if you want to do more than just nibble something delicious, you know where to go!

Gamers, this one’s for you.

Located just outside Manchester, Arcade Club offers three massive floors of retro and modern gaming (including everything from Pac-Man and pinball to VR and cutting-edge consoles). 

It’s nostalgia and competition rolled into one, so if that’s your cup of tea, head here!

How do we describe Junkyard Crazy Golf? Well, it’s a million miles away from a drab, seaside course, we can tell you that much.

Essentially, Junkyard Golf Club turns crazy golf into a full-on party. Neon-lit themed courses, outrageous obstacles, and plenty of cocktails flowing, the unlimited rounds here are easily one of the most vibrant and cool things to do in Manchester.