The people of Manchester are proud of their city. As the ever-growing metropolis has an impressive collection of attractions with options to appease even the most cultured visitors.

Football and great music aren't the only things it's about. Awesome art galleries, museums with free entry, and all sorts of festivals are possibilities for your itinerary. I don't know where to start. There are many things to do in Manchester.

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1. Go to a gig

Manchester's musical spirit is still very much alive even though the Haienda is gone and the Madchester years have ended. The city is home to many live music venues.

One of the best things to do at night is attend a concert. Band on the Wall has an eclectic mix of up-and-coming acts, while the MEN Arena is home to superstars. You can listen to classical masterpieces at the Hallé Orchestra at Bridgewater Hall, as well as listen to live jazz at Matt and Phreds.

The Science and Industry Museum's Turn It Up: The power of music exhibit lets visitors get hands-on with music making, with displays that include odd and ground breaking instruments and a space to create their own masterpiece.

2. Explore the Northern Quarter

Manchester's hippest neighborhood sits a stone's throw from Piccadilly Gardens and is home to many refreshing alternatives to the chain cafes and high street stores.

The Northern Quarter is filled with vintage clothing shops, independent record stores and quirky themed bars.

You can find some of the best restaurants in Manchester here. You can get a cheap and delicious lunch at Northern Soul Grilled Cheese.

The Northern Quarter is a great place to stay in Manchester because it has a lot of boutique hotels.

An Arabic family, a father and son visiting the The National Football Museum - using interactive exhibits about the game of soccer and its history.
Football fans flock to the National Football Museum with interactive exhibits about the game and its history © Andrew Pickett / VisitBritain

3. Indulge your inner football fan

Two legendary football teams are located in Manchester. You can find a lot to amuse you at the National Football Museum. One of the most popular attractions in Manchester is behind the cathedral.

Do you want to see a ball being kicked? The first games of the season will be hosted at the Old and the City of Manchester. If you want to go on a private stadium tour, you can pick up tickets for as little as 20 bucks.

4. Tick off some museums

You can spend a day in Manchester. It's an excellent place to expand your knowledge on a range of different subjects with ten museums within the city limits.

The Pankhurst Centre is a great place to learn about the Suffragette movement. The Imperial War Museum North is very similar to the London museum.

Are you visiting with children? The Science and Industry Museum is a great place to go with your family. It is located inside the oldest railway terminal in the world and has some great interactive exhibits.

 A couple walking along the balconies past book stacks in the galleries in the historic Reading Room in John Rylands Library, part of the University of Manchester.
Peruse the historic Reading Room in John Rylands Library, part of the University of Manchester © Simon Winnall / VisitBritain

5. John Rylands Library

The John Rylands Library is more than just a storehouse for rare books, it is a place with a Gothic facade and dramatic interiors that wouldn't look out of place in a detective novel. The most impressive heritage site in the city is located on Deansgate.

One of the best things to do in Manchester is to go to the library. It takes less than an hour to see the wood-paneled reading rooms, sweeping stone staircases and glass cases.

6. Eat your way around the city

You should always come to Manchester with an appetite. The city is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. It's on the menu too.

The Northern Quarter's equally cool neighbor, Ancoats, is also known as Little Italy and is where you'll find stonebaked pizza. The brightly decorated restaurants of Chinatown are the best places to eat dim sum.

If you're looking for a Sunday lunch spot, here's a local tip. Sam's Chop House is a good place to book a table. When it opened in 1868, it was one of the best pubs in Manchester and still has the same style of décor.

7. Check out the city’s craft beer scene

Manchester is catching up with the capital in terms of craft beer. A short walk from Manchester Piccadilly station lies a good chunk of its brewery. The trendy Cloudwater Brewing Co is included.

Do you prefer a G andT? There are great tasting tours at the Manchester gin distillery.

8. Hit up a market

Is it a bad idea to sucker for a good market? There's a lot in Manchester. There are treats to be had at Altrincham Market and Mackie Mayor. If you're looking for vintage treasures, make your way to Church Street. The Didsbury Maker's Market is open on the last Sunday of every month.

Cold early spring evening at Salford Quays, Manchester.On the foot bridge by MediaCity UK looking towards the Imperial War Museum North.
Salford Quays is the modern waterfront home of MediaCityUK as well as the Lowry © alex_west / Getty Images

9. Salford Quays

Outside of Manchester City Center, there are things to do. You can hop on the tram and go for a walk. On the site of the former Manchester Docks, the modern waterfront district is home to the BBC and ITV.

The Quays is a shopping complex. One of the top-performing arts centers in the region is within it, and you can hire a paddle board or kayak to explore the surrounding canals.

10. Attend one of Manchester’s many festivals

There will be a festival no matter the season. If you want to celebrate, you can either go to the Parklife music festival or line the streets of the Gay Village for the parade.

The Manchester International Festival and the lunar new year festivities in Manchester's Chinatown are both great places to go for film screenings and performance art.

People Swimming in the Men's First Class Pool at Victoria Baths in Manchester, which is having an open swim day to raise funds for restoration work
Dip into this historic swimming pool turned cultural events venue, Victoria Baths © PA Images/Alamy

11. Take a dip at Victoria Baths

Oxford Road is home to a swimming pool turned cultural events venue. The Victoria Baths have retained their period beauty. There are original tiles covering the walls of the entrance hall and changing cubicles with red and white striped curtains near the female baths.

The goal is to make it a public pool. The Victoria Baths are open for tours during the months of March and September.

The Vintage Home Show is held in June and a festive cinema is held in December.

12. Embark on an art-themed tour of the city

People who love art will be inManchester. The Whitworth Art Gallery has a large collection of prints by Renoir and Cezanne, as well as a room devoted to colorful wallpaper.

The Manchester Art Gallery is located in the city center and is a great place to see art. At Castle Fine Art Gallery on King Street, you can find works with high prices.

The local tip is after a unique date idea. One of the top things to do in Manchester as a couple is to take a stroll through the Northern Quarter and Ancoats.

The article was last updated about 5 hours ago.