Located on England’s culturally distinct northwest coast, Manchester is a lively, bustling city that is defined by its place in history as the hub of Britain’s cotton industry during the Industrial Revolution. Manchester grew from an average sized settlement in 1750 to become one of the most important industrial cities in the world. So significant was the city that by the time of the Industrial Revolution 100 years later, Manchester had been dubbed ‘Cottonopolis’.

And it is this period of incredible growth and industry that dominates the feel of the city and forms the basis of many of its great attractions with numerous buildings, exhibitions and museums relating to this incredible boom period. But modern day Manchester is also a very progressive city that is leading the way in urban regeneration with eye-catching buildings such as the Urbis center (see Key Attractions). Manchester is also proud of its status as a style icon and the city has a well deserved reputation as a great place to shop, with plenty of independent shops as well as big name retailers (see Shopping).

This is the only Visitor Information Center in the city center and it is located in the Town Hall Extension, just a couple of minutes’ walk southwest from Piccadilly Gardens. There are more Visitor Information Centers at other places of interest in Greater Manchester including at the airport (see Getting There By Air), Altrincham.

Passes

As part of a citywide initiative, many of the museums and galleries have free admission so there are no tourist discount passes currently available.

Key Attractions:

Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
This huge complex is set at the site of the oldest passenger railway buildings in the world, and is a great place to learn more about the city’s industrial beginnings and scientific achievements.

People’s History Museum

Housed in an old Edwardian hydraulic pumping station, the museum is the national center for material relating to the history of working people in Britain and provides a fascinating insight into the often harsh working conditions of those employed in the city’s cotton industry. Also part of the museum, an Archive and Study Center is located a short walk away on Princess Street.

Manchester Cathedral

The Cathedral is actually the third to have been built on the site since the ninth century and boasts the widest nave of any church in England. A hi-tech visitor center at the site includes interesting interactive displays covering the history of the Cathedral and mediaeval Manchester.

Urbis

Close to the Cathedral, Urbis is a striking glass-panelled building that is worth a visit even if only to view the groundbreaking triangular architecture that takes on a different appearance on each side. Epitomising Manchester’s pioneering spirit, the unique exhibition inside explores urban culture and the way we relate to cities.

Castlefield

Heading south to the edge of the city, Castlefield was a largely neglected former industrial area until the 1990s when it was transformed with a thriving bar, restaurant and cafe scene. As well as a mock-up of the original Roman Fort, the area is a fantastic testament to the city’s industrial age with labyrinthine canals, viaducts, iron bridges and warehouses. It is surprisingly quiet during the day and a great place to escape the hustle of the city.

Further Distractions:

Salford Quays

The easiest way to get to the ‘Quays’ is on a tram from the city center, which offers great aerial views across the canals and some of the industrial parts of the city. The Quays complex is another one of Manchester’s successful urban regeneration schemes having transformed the area into a thriving visitor attraction including a shopping mall (website: www.lowryoutletmall.com), cinema, the Imperial War Museum North and the excellent Lowry center . As well as a permanent Lowry exhibition and displays from contemporary artists, the Lowry center also includes the Lyric Theater and the more intimate Quays Theater.

Manchester United Football Stadium

Having enjoyed a 10-year reign at the top of the English Premiership, Manchester United are one of the richest football clubs in the world, whose success peaked with a dramatic treble winning season in 1999 when they won the Premiership, the FA Cup and the European Cup - a record feat that has still not been beaten. The team has a worldwide fan base, and visitors flock to Old Trafford (also known as the ‘Theater of Dreams’) from all over the world to buy shirts in the shop or take a tour of the famous ground.