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16 fun things to do in Manchester

1 month ago

When the children go back to school, the grown-ups come out to play. Here we’ve listed 16 fun things to do in Manchester now that the queues (and noise levels) have died down.

Playgrounds and petting farms aren’t just for the under-10s, you know. There’s a lot to be gained from a day of larking around and laughter – especially one that doesn’t come with any post-booze anxiety and low mood.

Our fun things to do in Manchester list ranges from posh cinemas to gamified workouts to nostalgic shopping trips. If you need to cheer yourself up, or fill an empty afternoon, or if you just feel like meeting somewhere other than a pub, this list is for you.

Want more ideas? We’ve plenty more Manchester recommendations in our Things to Do listings.

  • Tour group from Jonathan Schofield Manchester Tours at the Peterloo Memorial Manchester
    Book Now Oxford Road

    Jonathan Schofield Manchester Tours

    Tours

    Even if you’ve lived here all your life, you’ll likely learn something new on a Jonathan Schofield Manchester Tour. And if you’re visiting from further afield, they’re one of the best ways to discover the city’s stories, secrets and hidden gems.

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  • Sunset over Salford from a Manchester River Cruises tour
    Salford Quays

    Manchester River Cruises

    Activities

    Want to fall in love with your city all over again? Take a boat tour from Manchester River Cruises, and you’ll see its iconic views from a new and surprising perspective.

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  • Afflecks, an alternative shopping centre in the Northern Quarter, Manchester.
    Northern Quarter

    Afflecks

    Markets

    Afflecks, previously known as Afflecks Palace, is a hip indoor market spread over four floors. Established in 1982, it’s a Manchester institution.

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  • Manchester City Centre

    Barry’s Manchester

    Gyms

    Like all the gyms in this US-born franchise, Barry’s Manchester is known for challenging classes and workout studios that look and feel like a high-tempo club night.

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  • The sauna at King Street Townhouse Gym and Spa
    Book Now Manchester City Centre

    King Street Townhouse Gym & Spa

    Salons

    The King Street Townhouse Gym & Spa opened at this boutique luxury hotel in 2022, making it one of Manchester city centre’s newest spas.

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  • Chaos Karts interior, an activity in Manchester
    Spinningfields

    Chaos Karts

    Activities

    Chaos Karts puts you in the driving seat of an immersive augmented reality experience, bringing real-life karting and gaming together.

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  • Marvin Tomlinson coaching at Corner HQ, a boxing tech gym in Manchester.
    Ardwick

    Corner HQ

    Gyms

    This boxing gym next to Mayfield Park doubles as the headquarters of boxing tech company Corner, hence the name Corner HQ. While the tech developers tap away on their computers upstairs, the downstairs is devoted to the sport itself with a boxing ring, bags, strength equipment, and indoor and outdoor workout space, plus changing rooms.

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  • The plush interior of cinema Everyman Manchester St John's
    Manchester City Centre

    Everyman Manchester St John’s

    Cinemas

    With its red velvet seats, waiter service, and ultra stylish bar and cafe, Everyman Manchester St John’s is a far cry from your local multiplex. This deluxe cinema chain is expanding across the UK and now has two venues in Greater Manchester (the other is in Altrincham). 

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  • Lane 7 Deansgate
    Manchester City Centre

    Lane 7 Deansgate

    Activities

    With its glowing neon graffiti, low lighting, and hip hop soundtrack, Lane 7 in the Great Northern on Deansgate looks more like a punky 1980s nightclub than a wholesome, All American bowling alley.  

    As well as bowling, there is fancy-pants bowling with neon zig zags. A bit of a cross between a new restaurant opening and Blade Runner. All the bowling is pretty sleek and shiny though with the standard graffiti décor.

    Non-bowling entertainment includes just about everything that could possibly be construed as competitive with the exception of tiddlywinks.

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  • Kickair Manchester
    Green Quarter

    Kickair

    Activities

    Kickair, an “indoor freestyle park” behind Victoria Station, is the kind of place that fills kids (and big kids) with glee. 

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  • Puppy having cuddles at Paws Yoga - one of our 16 fun things to do in Manchester
    Castlefield

    Paws Yoga

    Activities

    Two things that are guaranteed to release endorphins: puppies and yoga. Paws Yoga combines the two, and was the first yoga class of this kind to touch down in Manchester.

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  • Dance Dance Revolution at NQ64, Manchester
    Northern Quarter

    NQ64

    Activities

    Return to your youth and relieve the stresses and strains of adult life by whacking baddies Double Dragon-style or jumping gleefully from platform to platform in Bubble Bobble at NQ64. Get your arcade thrills as well as cocktails and craft beer at this underground bar.

    From shoot-‘em-ups to pinball, classic platform games and button-bashers, you’ll find them all at NQ64.

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  • Point Blank Shooting Manchester
    Manchester City Centre

    Point Blank Shooting Manchester

    Activities

    Point Blank Shooting is an interactive virtual shooting range designed to test yours and your teammates quick-draw skills.

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  • Goats at Tatton Park Farm.
    Knutsford

    Tatton Park

    Historic Buildings & Sites

    Tatton Park is a historic estate on the edge of Knutsford, home to an opulent neo-classical mansion, landscaped gardens, woodland, a farm, a huge deer park and a medieval Old Hall.

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  • The Cube Live at Urban Playground Manchester
    Manchester City Centre

    Urban Playground Manchester

    Activities

    Urban Playground Manchester is the place to go for an adrenaline-fuelled, ultra-competitive night out. Located in Manchester Arndale, it brings together high-tech games with bars and big-name dining from gourmet burger brand The Butcher.

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  • Christmas party at Whistle Punks Axe Throwing in Manchester
    Manchester City Centre

    Whistle Punks

    Activities

    Hearing the thud of axes can be a little unnerving as you leave the cinema in the Great Northern – especially after a slasher film – but the axe throwing at Whistle Punks is about letting off steam not cutting off limbs.

    It’s competitive and a bit like darts really, only you’re throwing whacking great axes at the target instead. A bullseye with an axe is very satisfying indeed.

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