Manchester: Something for Everyone

When you’re heading off on a mini-break, you want to find somewhere that has something that everyone can enjoy. So, if you’re looking for a city that is cultural, quiet, lively, modern and historical all at the same time, Manchester is the perfect place.

Manchester is a city with pretty much everything: a big sports scene, fantastic music venues and plenty of culture. For this reason, it’s ideal for big parties looking for somewhere to keep everyone happy, as well as families and couples looking for plenty of sights to see. Here are a selection of areas to focus on in the ‘London of the North’:

Culture 

Manchester has always been a creative city, and there are a number of galleries that offer a glimpse into the city’s artistic background. The Manchester Art Gallery is certainly the biggest, but the smaller Whitworth is also worth a visit for its dedication to up-and-coming artists. For theatre and film, the Cornerhouse Theatre is a great place for catching rare and independent films and director Q&As.

Sport

Football. You can’t escape from this particular sport in Manchester, most particularly on derby days when the city’s two biggest football teams go head-to-head in one of the most competitive matches you’re ever likely to see. It may be a good idea to find a hotel near Old Trafford to be even closer to the action. 

Nightlife

Thanks to its lively student population (85,000 at the last count), Manchester’s nightlife isn’t just restricted to the weekend, most clubs open every night of the week. Head to the swanky Deansgate Locks for the trendiest bars, or for something a little more down-to-earth, try the Printworks (an ex-printing factory) for more pubs and clubs than you could ever need in a single night.

Food

Manchester has a large range of restaurants to suit every budget. For a reasonably cheap feed hit the Curry Mile, a long stretch of road filled with predominately Indian restaurants that offer authentic Indian cooking for a very fair price (especially if you’re prepared to haggle!). For something more upmarket, San Carlos does the best pizza in the north, and if you keep your eyes peeled you may see one of those footballers the city’s so famous for.

Shopping 

Try the Arndale or Trafford Centre for almost every high street store in Britain, or treat yourself to a window-shopping session in Selfridges or Harvey Nicks (conveniently stationed right next to each other). For individual, cool and creative style, Manchester doesn’t disappoint: head to Oldham Road, a street filled with vintage and one-off boutiques with a distinctly retro slant. Make sure to find accommodation in Manchester that’s easy to get to when you’re weighed down with shopping bags!

One of the best things about Manchester is that there’s always something going on to get involved in. One of the best ways of seeing what’s coming up in Manchester (or any city, for that matter) is to use a dedicated website or tool, such as the HotelClub map of Events 2012. This website will help you plan when’s best to visit your chosen city, and will give you the lowdown on what you can expect from the time you’ll be spending there. With a big city like Manchester organisation is key, so look now and get planning your visit – you certainly won’t regret it.