Manchester Travel Guide
As one of the UK&rsquos leading cities for short breaks, <a href="http://www.superbreak.com/short_breaks/city_breaks_in_manchester.htm">Manchester</a> is full of exciting attractions and events to keep visitors busy. Our Manchester guide can help you plan the perfect trip and discover just how amazing the city is. With such a busy centre, it&rsquos helpful to know exactly how to make your way around and what to expect once you get there. With our Manchester guide you can learn everything you need to know about the city&rsquos transport links, where to eat out, where the main hotspots are and all the little details that make <a href="http://www.superbreak.com/manchester-hotels-CN5.htm">taking a short break</a> that bit easier. <br /><br />Whether you&rsquore a keen shopper, love your football or want to see some of the world&rsquos leading performers, Manchester has a brilliant variety of attractions and events. The Trafford Centre has every shop you could possibly think of along with some delicious restaurants and cafes, and The Manchester MEN Arena hosts some of the biggest names in music and comedy throughout the year. Manchester&rsquos diverse culture is also a major highlight, and using our Manchester guide you can find a whole host of great museums, art galleries and theatres to keep the whole family entertained whatever the weather. If it&rsquos a bright, sunny day and you don&rsquot feel like being inside, you can venture to Albert Square where it&rsquos rarely empty and filled with bustling food festivals and, in the winter months, an enormous Christmas market. Manchester is one of the UK&rsquos busiest cities for business as well as visitor attractions, so great transport links allow people to travel to the city with ease and efficiency. With one of the largest UK airports, visitors flying into Manchester can begin their holiday as soon as they take off and when you land, trains and taxis will be waiting to take you directly to the centre of the city. Excellent motorway links connect the city to roads leading in every direction across the country, and frequent and efficient rail links can get you to or from London in just over 2 hours. The city centre is very much in walking distance, although you can also hop on and off the free city shuttle buses that nip around connecting the 4 main railway stations and bus terminals. Trams traverse the city too, and passes known as 'daysavers' are available for all the principal forms of transport from £4. Free maps can be gained from tourist information centres at Piccadilly Train Station and the Town Hall Annex. Hotels will often have copies available too. The main attractions are all signposted really well so planning your trip around the sights is easy. Just pick up an all day ticket or hire a bike and head out exploring the best that Manchester has to offer. With two huge shopping centres in the Arndale and Trafford Centre, shopping in Manchester can take up a lot of your time. If you love shopping, Manchester will make you feel like a child in a sweet shop. From designer labels to quirky boutiques, Manchester&rsquos shopping scene is as varied as the rest of its attractions. There are a lot of &lsquohidden gems&rsquo to keep your eyes open for, whether it&rsquos a cute vintage store or somewhere full of local produce there&rsquos definitely somewhere for you to find what you&rsquore looking for. With over 300 restaurants in Manchester city centre to choose from, eating out in the city is a real treat. A hugely diverse restaurant scene means you have pretty much every cuisine you can think of to choose from, and all in high quality and fine dining establishments. From Indian to French, Greek to Australasian, the variety in nationality is huge and gives visitors the chance to try things they may never have had before. Eat somewhere different every night and discover the taste of the world&rsquos cuisine.Night time in Manchester usually means going out drinking and hitting the best clubs for most visitors of the city, but for those who want a more cultured and relaxed evening, there are plenty of attractions to keep you busy. Whether it&rsquos a night of laughs in one of the many comedy clubs, a family night out at the cinema or a trip to the MEN Arena for your favourite singer, Manchester&rsquos nightlife has something to offer everyone. The bar scene in Manchester is one of the reasons why so many people visit the city each year. Total diversity awaits you as the vibrant and cultured night life unfolds. From reggae bars to high-class cocktail bars, real-ale pubs to live music venues, Manchester has something to offer everybody. The Northern Quarter is the place to be for a more bohemian and alternative evening, but if you head towards Deansgate, you&rsquoll find the best cocktail bars around, as well as some high prices. Whatever your style of drink or music, there&rsquos a huge variety waiting for you in Manchester. Manchester is full of attractions to keep visitors entertained, and the wide variety means you can do something completely different on every day of your stay. There are a lot of museums in the city, all with diverse collections of everything from industry items to prehistoric creatures, music to football. There are also some great areas around the city to visit, including the picturesque Heaton park, and some delicious dining choices down intricately designed Chinatown. Whatever you feel like doing, there&rsquos a Manchester attraction to keep you busy.With one of the largest UK airports, visitors flying into Manchester can begin their holiday as soon as they take off. Excellent motorway links connect the city to roads leading in every direction across the country, and frequent and efficient rail links can get you to or from London in just over 2 hours. With four key train stations around Manchester city centre, travelling to the city by train is a very popular choice. Deansgate, Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Victoria are the four stations, with Piccadilly bringing in most of the visitors due to its size. Manchester&rsquos main ring-road connects the city to motorways heading north, south, east and west across the country. These excellent links make driving to the city very easy, and each of the major attractions are well signposted so you can find them with ease.  Over 100 airlines offer flights to 190 international destinations from Manchester Airport. The airport connects visitors to more destinations in the world than any other UK airport, making it the perfect gateway to the North West of England. A comprehensive network of buses links the whole of Manchester to the city centre and beyond. In the city centre, you can hop on one of the Metroshuttle buses. These are free and link to all the main rail stations, shopping districts and businesses in the city centre As Manchester&rsquos city centre hosts most of the attractions getting around is quite simple by bike or on foot. However, the Metrolink tram system is great if you need to travel further afield, and the free Metroshuttle buses can take you to and from any of the stations. Manchester is a bike-friendly city with many marked cycle lanes and dedicated routes throughout the city centre and beyond. You don&rsquot even have to take your own bike as cycle hire points are located all around the city. Manchester's Metrolink tram system has been developed to encourage easier and faster travel in the city centre and beyond. Connecting all major railway stations and tourist attractions, the Metrolink runs every five minutes making it the perfect mode of transport for those who don't require a strict timetable.  Get cultural at the Royal Exchange TheatreVisit Delta Force for the UK&rsquos best paintballingEnjoy some laughs at The Comedy StoreMake the kids&rsquo day with <a title="Legoland Discovery | Superbreak" href="http://www.superbreak.com/themeparks-a
ttractions/attraction-198.htm" target="_self">Legoland Discovery Centre</a>Head to The Molly House for a warm welcome and chilled atmosphereExplore the history at the Manchester Utd MuseumWhen in the city centre, you can hop on one of the Metroshuttle buses. These are free and link to all the main rail stations, shopping districts and businesses in the city centre and operate from 7am – 7pm Monday to Saturday, running approximately every 10 minutes. The Metroshuttle can take you from car parks, stations and tram stops around the city centre's main attractions so you can visit as many places as you have time for, without paying for travel.Manchester Airport is the only &lsquoGlobal gateway&rsquo to Northern England. One of the busiest airports in the UK, Manchester Airport is used by more than 100 airlines, connecting 22 million passengers to more destinations in the world that any other airport in the country. Flying to 190 destinations, visitors come and go from all over the world, making it really easy if you&rsquore coming to the city from abroad. Trains run from the airport to the city centre train stations every ten minutes, and a large tai rank waits outside for passengers not wishing to take the train. Manchester is well connected to the rest of the UK by excellent motorway links. The M6 in both north and south directions is the busiest motorway in the UK, and can bring visitors from Scotland and most cities in the Midlands. The M62 Eastbound is the main motorway with links over the Pennines to Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. National Express run coaches to Manchester from all major UK cities, so if you don&rsquot fancy driving that&rsquos a great option. Cheaper too!There are four main railway stations located in or around the centre of Manchester. Deansgate, Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Victoria are all busy stations, with Piccadilly transporting the majority of visitors. Virgin trains run services throughout the UK and can bring or take visitors to London in a little over two hours. TransPennine Express operates services North of Manchester to destinations such as Newcastle and Edinburgh. For shorter journeys, Northern Rail trains transport travellers around to the more nearby cities around the North.Manchester's Metrolink tram system has been developed to encourage easier and faster travel in the city centre and beyond. Connecting all major railway stations and tourist attractions, the Metrolink runs every five minutes, making it the perfect mode of transport for those who don't require a strict timetable. Trams run from the early morning until late in the evening, and you purchase your ticket from the machine at the platform before you board. Be ready though as some ticket machines don&rsquot accept card payment.Manchester is a bike-friendly city with many marked cycle lanes and dedicated routes throughout the city centre and beyond. With most of the main attractions and venues being around the city centre, cycling is a great way to avoid the main traffic and discover the city at your own pace. You don&rsquot even have to take your own bike as there are numerous bike hire points around the city. The one inside Piccadilly Station is the most popular due to its convenient location.Top 5 Shopping Centres in Manchester Top 5 Vintage Shops in Manchester Top 5 Designer Shops in Manchester Top 5 Fine Dining Restaurants in ManchesterTop 5 Family Friendly Restaurants in ManchesterTop 5 Restaurants for International Cuisine in ManchesterTake an interesting look into the history of  the city, with galleries spread across five historic buildings and collections ranging from early textile machinery to modern X-ray equipment.Book your train tickets in advance to save as much money as possibleCounted as a world landmark Jazz club having played host to artistes such as Wynton Marsalis, Jamie Cullum and The Small Faces, It&rsquos open 6 nights a week with cocktails, food and live music every night. Afflecks is legendary in Manchester, and for good reason. This towering indie emporium kick-started the careers of many a local entrepreneur, including Red or Dead founder Wayne HemingwaySelfridges offers high end and shopping on a huge five floors. Combining big-name fashion, accessories and cosmetics with the edgier high street brands, positioning it firmly ahead of other retail leaders. Wonderful family-friendly pizzeria in the Northern Quarter, offering fresh traditional, whole-wheat, gluten-free & dairy-free pizzas. Kids eat for only £3.50A huge centre of fashion, dining and leisure including a cinema, high-ropes adventure course, laser quest and Lego DiscoveryLand Book your train tickets in advance to save as much money as possibleAntique pharmacy cabinets and an almost gothic feel give this Northern Quarter cocktail bar plenty of character and atmosphere for a relaxed and soulful eveningFashionable restaurant and cocktail bar, the menu features such worldly delights as Fish & Chips, Special Fried Chicken in a Basket, Mexican Fajitas, salads and fantastic breakfasts2AA Rosette accredited restaurant, set in the grand surroundings of the former Reform Club, which offers classic British dishes, all produced with a unique contemporary twist. Make sure you set off early as queues on the motorway can get bad at peak timesThe well-know, international luxury brand has expanded from its flagship store in London and opened up in fashion haven, Manchester Every high street store you can imagine all under one roof, with delicious food courts and all in the heart of the city With a strong and simple menu of firm family favourites – have something special straight off the barbeque or off the rotisserie.This basement Tiki dive bar and Caribbean rum shop is packed every night of the week, selling the largest rum collection in town and some of the best tropical cocktails around.A Eurassian restaurant next to the town hall in a basement just off Albert Square, serving homely Armenian and Persian delights at great pricesExcellent value for money, plush fine dining British restaurant inside the lavish Manchester235 casino, making it one of the most impressive dining arenas in ManchesterThree theatres, an art gallery, bars and restaurants are all enclosed within its walls making for a great place to discover some of the country&rsquos greatest talents.An award-winning Theatre in the centre of Manchester showing everything from original Shakespeare and Wilde to hundreds of brand new plays each year.This neat boutique stocks a good range of clothing from the '50s to the '80s, alongside its own reworked garments. There's a great choice of accessories, jewellery and bags, but dresses are the specialty. Make sure you set off early as queues on the motorway can get bad at peak timesIf you’re flying, make sure you plan your connecting transport to your hotel for when you land, although taxi’s will be waiting outside if you need oneIf you're flying, make sure you plan your connecting transport to your hotel for when you land, although taxi's will be waiting outside if you need oneWhether you need clothes, home ware, electrical or beauty products, this high street leader has everything under one roof Sat in the heart of Manchester&rsquos shopping district, this refurbished corn exchange is a haven of boutique stores and great health and beauty brands A huge family-friendly entertainment complex located next to the Phones 4U Arena, which is home to over fifteen restaurants, with something to savour for everyone's tasteOne of the most popular cocktail bars, its drinks are carefully crafted using a variety of molecular drinks-making techniques making presentation as important as their extraordinary taste.In the heart of the city's Chinatown, this vibrant and modern Thai restaurant is one of Manchester's favourites – try the traditional Thai dishes straight from the grill.Excellent multi-award winning restaurant & piano bar in the beautiful Castlefield canal basin, offering local dishes with a fine-dining twistWhether you l
ove football or not, this museums collection of memorabilia, facts and figures and quizzes are sure to keep you entertained.The Comedy Store offers a unique blend of stand up comedy, fine dining and live music so you enjoy a full evening of great entertainment in one place Cow faces PiccadillyGardens with the boldness of a vintage American Apparel. The innumerable handbags and shoes offer an easy way to bring an edge to a modern outfit. One of the oldest vintage shops in the Northern Quarter, Pop Boutique purveys carefully selected clothing, accessories and furniture from the 50s to the 80s across two floors.His museum is home to an array of treasures from the natural world and the many cultures it is home to. Highlights include a T.rex and fossils of other pre-historic creatures. Housed in a striking art-deco building, the store offers the best of the high street and those harder-to-find brands under one rather large roof.A very modern complex housing cinemas, bars and bustling contemporary stores. The place to be, day or night Probably the biggest food portions in Manchester can be found at this family-friendly branch of the legendary chain. Great cocktails, grills and music next door to the MEN Arena and the shopsWinner of 'The Best Pub in Manchester' title for the past 2 years, this tardis-like haunt boasts over 200 whiskeys, great ales, a beer garden and two roaring firesRio Ferdinand's plush Italian restaurant and celebrity haunt stands proudly at the top of Manchester's prestigious King Street in a stunning 116-year-old Grade II listed buildingA legendary restaurant, taken over by Simon Rogan in 2013 and re-established as one of the finest in the city expect creative and highly seasonal dishes on the menu.Showing some of the greatest musical and comedy talent the world has to offer, this is a great place to visit for some world-class entertainmentBuying fashion has never been so rewarding. Oxfam Originals sells the best of donated designer clothes so you can enjoy a one-off piece for the fraction of the price while assisting Oxfam in their good work.This stunning Spanish restaurant and wine bar with excellent tapas and terrific a la carte dining too – their Sea Bass is a famed speciality.For a night of great food, quality bars and a little bit of gambling, this casino is a great venue for your whole evening&rsquos entertainmentManchester&rsquos Chinatown is one of the largest outside of China. It&rsquos home to great shops and delicious restaurants and is the centre of the city&rsquos Chinese community.With the world&rsquos leading designers, floor to ceiling glamour and some of the nicest food courts you&rsquoll find, Harvey Nichols is the perfect place to go I you&rsquore looking to splash some cash. Located just half a mile from the city centre, this late night shopping centre houses great fashion, food and fun for all the family This Japanese restaurant boasts a unique dining experience with all the entertainment and theatre style of Teppanyaki cooking. Great chef shows to keep the kids entertained during meal time Located on the 23rd floor of the landmark Hilton Beetham Tower, Manchester's sophisticated sky bar offers amazing views of the city and beyondA family-run Chinese restaurant that's incredibly popular with the locals, The Rice Bowl prides itself on having the best Chinese food in town.This European style bread and wine bar offers great traditional ales and an impressive wine list with over 70 styles to choose fromWith Manchester City Hall and some wonderful statues, this square is a great place to see some fantastic architecture and the busy markets that fill the space.Enjoy the latest cinema releases in the comfort of a high quality cinema. Whether you like a gory horror or prefer a light-hearted chick-flick there&rsquoll be something to make your night complete.This is a huge park with a number of facilities including a public golf course and a small farm that is great for young children. Perfect on a sunny day.Situated in a stunning position with a huge patio on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal, this Mancunian institution is without doubt Manchester's busiest bar when the sun is outThe biggest music, theatre and comedy stars in the world take to the stage at the Phones 4U Arena, so if you have a favourite name in pop get your tickets and head to this huge arena.Located underneath the Georgio Armani store, this beautiful Pacific Rim themed cocktail bar boasts impressive drinks whilst the DJ emulator is a real talking pointOne of Manchester&rsquos best theatres for the biggest shows on the stage. The likes of The Lion King, Madame Butterfly and Grease are showing there during 2012/2013Great for all ages, this award winning venue hosts some of the country&rsquos best Scalextric racing. Compete against your family on 5 full themed tracks.This great bar is an unpretentious, bohemian styled, haven to relax in, spread over three floors with regular live music and a fantastic jukebox.With two huge teams in the same city, competition is high and the level of anticipation makes for a great watch. Head to a night time match and see the beauty of the play under the floodlightsThe University Library of Manchester provides an extensive range of services and resources to actual and virtual visitors, and is one of the most popular attractions in the city.Central American influenced classic rock bar, which is open until 3am every night of the week, serving fantastic cocktails and an eclectic soundtrack of rock, indie, funk, soul, reggae and 80sWith a beautiful, ornate interior these baths are a stunning memory of past designs. See the incredible stained glass and tile work, along with the pools themselves, and enjoy some vintage fairs.Famed club and cabaret bar, The Birdcage offers an experience you won't forget – if flamboyant Drag performances, showgirls and sexy male dancers are your thing, this is the place to be.An utterly perfect spot for shopping for both men's and women's fashion, a plethora of designer labels and luxury brands, this store in Spinningfields is well worth the trip. Fantastically located, the Renaissance Manchester puts you right in the heart of the vibrant city centre. Just a short walk from the city’s top shopping destinations and attractions – such as the Arndale Centre, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, the Printworks and the Manchester Arena – the hotel is the ideal base from which to explore Manchester. A mere stone’s throw from the train stations at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria, and with onsite parking available too, the Renaissance is spectacularly easy to get to.Hidden off the main street, this restaurant is easily missed but is definitely worth finding. Serving what is said to be the best tapas in Manchester, El Rincon de Rafa is a basement haven with a quirky and laid back Spanish atmosphere. Join the UK’s biggest festival of St Patrick’s Day paradesWith so many great stores, shopping in Manchester can easily take up your whole trip so make sure you plan and visit your favourite stores With a really diverse culture, Manchester&rsquos food and drink scene is great. From top-end restaurants to delis and local produce, whatever your taste in food there&rsquos guaranteed to be something you&rsquoll love. Enjoy live performances in the city centre from the world’s best classical musiciansLive music venues sell-out and some of the biggest names in music hit the streets. Full of culture and excitement there&rsquos a great range of activities for a night time in Manchester. Head to Tatton Park for a marvellous display of floral exhibits!Have some family fun at The UK's largest indoor Christmas theme park!From real ale pubs to cutting edge club nights, Manchester&rsquos pub scene is as varied as it gets. There&rsquos a great selection of cocktail bars too, all popular with the local celebrities. See the spectacular lights switched on for the start of the festive seasonManchester Guide – A City Guide to Manchester – SuperbreakBrowse our&
nbspManchester Guide and make the most out of your break. You'll find tips and inspiration on the best attractions, events, restaurants and hotels in Manchester.
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44%
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