Fun Things To Do In Manchester (You Haven't Already Done!)

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.

Keen for an adventure? Explore Manchester like never before with an immersive treasure hunt where you solve clues, uncover hidden gems and learn quirky facts along the way. 

Perfect for couples, groups, families and more, these routes take you on a twisting trail through Manchester’s history, pubs and street art.

Combine the thrill of an escape room with the beauty of the outdoors in one of these interactive experiences. 

Great for appeasing reluctant teens and easily one of the most fun things to do in Manchester for young adults, these trails awaken everyone’s inner puzzle lover. 

Explore, solve clues and discover what’s been hiding beyond your back garden all these years…

Planning a special occasion? Don’t miss our Birthday Ideas in Manchester article.

Since Staircase House is tucked away in nearby Stockport, it might not strictly count as a fun thing to do in Manchester. However, if you are willing to hop in the car, I’d really recommend heading here.

Experience life from the 15th century onwards at this beautifully restored townhouse, complete with one of the last remaining Jacobean staircases in the UK.

If you’re a movie buff or you’ve never seen a film at Stockport Plaza Cinema before, I cannot recommend this place highly enough.

It’s not the place to go if you’ve seen a trailer for a recent film that caught your eye, but if you’re into vintage films or happy to give an unheard title a chance, you’ll likely love it.

This glorious Art Deco cinema is a timeless venue for culture lovers, and there’s more than just films on here, too: shows, tribute bands and the odd bit of theatre also takes centre stage.

We said we wouldn’t include obvious choices but this one is an exception because it feels like it really doesn’t get the credit it deserves.

If you ask me, Manchester Art Gallery is a must-see for art fans. With collections ranging from Pre-Raphaelite to contemporary, this gallery ranks so highly on my list that it also made the list as one of the best free places to visit in Manchester.

Speaking of Manchester Art Gallery…It might have escaped your notice that the incredible Platt Hall is actually a part of it. 

Aside from being a gorgeous Georgian townhouse stuffed with artefacts, this place is also the world’s first dedicated fashion museum (which makes sense, given Manchester’s historic ties with fabric). 

I won’t spoil too much here about what you’ll find inside but suffice to say, it’s a very cool (and interesting) way to discover how style has evolved through the ages.

As Manchester's oldest building and the oldest public reference library in England, Chetham's Library has been open in continuous use since 1653 and has witnessed some momentous events in that time. It even hosted Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1845 when the duo were researching their seminal 'Communist Manifesto'. 

Follow in their footsteps and maybe even read some of the manuscripts they read!

It feels unfair to me that John Rylands Library is often compared to Chetham’s, because anything would look young compared to its rival. But what it lacks in age, it more than makes up for in beauty and historical significance. 

This architectural marvel blends Neo-Gothic design with modern research and rare collections, and even though it’s called The John Rylands Library, its very existence is actually down to John’s wife, Enriqueta, who commissioned and paid for the library in her husband’s memory.

It wouldn’t be a list of fun things to do in Manchester if we didn’t include this masterpiece on the list. 

What is the People’s History Museum? In short, it’s a powerful, interactive museum that tells the story of working-class history and political activism in Britain and an absolute must-visit if you’re in the area.

Looking for more unique experiences? Check out our Quirky Things to Do in Manchester.

Whatever your fave cuisine, you’ll find it here guaranteed. After all, Mackie Mayor is pretty much the Mercato Mayfair of Manchester!

From pizza to ramen, beef cuts to tacos, fried chicken to Thai with a twist, this Victorian market turned modern foodhall prides itself on serving a broad variety of dishes suitable for every occasion. And the building it is housed in is just as stunning.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Manchester that involve sensory-rich destinations, this is where you need to go. 

As the second largest Chinese community in the UK and the third largest in Europe, Manchester’s Chinatown is marked by its stunning traditional archway installed in 1987 and perfect for a foodie adventure. 

Tucked between Faulkner, Portland, Mosley and Princess Streets, you can get your fix of flavours from China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore and more.

The Frog & Bucket is Manchester’s iconic comedy club and what some might call the birthplace of the city’s stand-up scene. 

Known for its legendary Beat the Frog open mic nights, this venue has launched the careers of top UK comedians and it’s just as good for catching rising stars.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Manchester, you just can’t go wrong with an arcade bar.

Granted, if you dislike noise and you don’t have a competitive bone in your body, this probably isn’t for you. 

But if you like sipping on drinks based off your favourite characters (mine’s an Aku-Aku punch, as a Crash Bandicoot super fan), gloating at your victories and blasting some Guitar Hero like it’s still 2010, you’ll have a great time.

Housed in a repurposed railway depot, Freight Island is one of Manchester’s coolest hangouts.

This open-air venue is a must-visit for anybody looking to go somewhere quirky, especially if you’re into eclectic street food vendors, craft drinks and a packed calendar of live music, DJs, and pop-up events. 

Perfect for everything from chilled afternoons to big nights out!

With four floors of music, food, and rooftop vibes, Yes is perfect for summer evenings or casual fun things to do in Manchester.

This bar has secured its reputation as something of an indie paradise in the city, and it’s got everything you’d want: live sports, street food and standout rooftop views. Plus, an Aperol Spritz is only a fiver here. 

Oh and just as an aside, the wood-fired pizza here is great!

Need ideas for a romantic evening? Try these Date Ideas in Manchester.

If you ask us, one of the most fun things to do in Manchester is to take a relaxing stroll around the stunning Fletcher Moss Park. 

With a botanical garden, a wildlife habitat, football pitches and a family-run cafe it has everything you could ever want in a park, and to top it all off it also has a fascinating history: it was the birthplace of The Plumage League, a hat-hating early precursor of the RSPB.

It still blows my mind that one of the largest municipal parks in Europe is just a tram ride away in Manchester, and there’s a good chance you’ve never visited it.

Ideal for picnics, scenic walks, and family days out, look out over the lakes, stroll through the woodlands, check out the farm, and keep an eye out for regular events.

A grand Victorian bathhouse that was once (back when houses with bathrooms were rare) an essential part of everyday life in Manchester, Victoria Baths is a beautiful and fascinating building, well worth a tour.

Plan your visit right though and you'll get a lot more than just a look behind the scenes. The bathhouse has, since the new millennium, been used as a concert and party venue on multiple occasions and is a great option for an alternative night out.

World-leading observatory, UNESCO Heritage Site and home to the mindbogglingly large Lovell Telescope, Jodrell Bank is a fascinating day out just outside of the city centre. 

Come for the telescope, stay for the Cold War history and amazing science. Or, if you pick your day right, the music. Like Victoria Baths, Jodrell is another unexpected concert and festival venue.

Looking for something different to do with your partner? Explore these Fun Things to Do in Manchester for Couples.

Afflecks is a local institution spread across multiple floors in the Northern Quarter, and it’s packed with fun things to do in Manchester. 

Inside this eclectic emporium you’ll find vintage fashion, alt art, handmade goods, and indie retailers. In other words, it’s a paradise for creative souls and alternative shoppers.

If, like me, your idea of fun involves the smell of books, the sounds of turning pages and a comforting mug of something, this is probably for you.

One of my favourite hidden gems near the city centre, Chapter One blends indie bookshop charm with cosy café vibes. I am obsessed with the vintage décor, and it absolutely helps that the seating is super comfy. Enjoy the quiet atmosphere perfect for reading, writing, or unwinding over coffee.

If I haven’t made it clear yet, I love a theme, so of course I’d enjoy a delicious, Instagram-worthy doughnut and coffee. And that’s just what you’ll get from Siop Shop.

While Wimbledon is on, you can get your hands on a treat that looks suspiciously like a tennis ball. In fact, just about any notable day or time of the year you can expect a creative piece of deliciousness on offer. Trust me on this one!

If you subscribe to the philosophy that life is better with a furry friend in your life, this is the place to go.

Unwind in the company of feline friends at Manchester’s Cat Café and enjoy unlimited drinks and a calm, cosy setting as you do so. It’s the purr-fect (sorry!) place to relax, read, or simply enjoy the therapeutic joy of hanging out with cats.

Last but certainly not least on our list of fun things to do in Manchester, a gallery that you might never have heard of before. 

Located in the Northern Quarter, ESEA Contemporary is the UK’s only gallery dedicated to artists from East and Southeast Asia. Expect thought-provoking exhibitions, innovative programming and fresh global perspectives on contemporary art.