Best things to do in Manchester this Autumn
What’s better than an autumn city break? That’s right, an autumn city break to Manchester. This popular Northern city is easy to reach by train – only 2.5 hours from London – and has more than enough things to do to keep you busy for a weekend or longer.
We’ve hand-picked the very best Lovetovisit attractions and offers you can check out this autumn to make your visit to Manchester the best one yet.
And since Manchester also goes by the name “Rain City”, we’ve naturally included some of the best things to do inside.
Book your tickets to some of the top attractions in Manchester here:
Watch a football match
With two major football clubs calling Manchester their home, it may come as no surprise that catching a game is on our list of recommendations. Manchester’s a great city to visit if you like football, no matter which team you support. Plus, it’s a great excuse to spend some more time in the city.
Apart from the many fixtures that are on at Old Trafford this autumn, you can also visit the Football Museum or take a guided tour of Etihad stadium. Lasting around an hour and a half, this tour lets you take a look into the history and triumphs of Manchester City. A perfect opportunity to get even closer to your favourite club.
Taste Manchester’s own gin
It’s no secret that Manchester has enough pubs for endless pub crawls. But did you know that Manchester also has its very own gin? The Manchester Gin Distillery opened its doors in 2019, along with a bar and restaurant. Located in the city centre, this award-winning distillery occupies six grade-2* listed arches. Since it’s not far from any of the other highlights in the city, it would make a great addition to your Manchester itinerary, especially if gin is your drink of choice.
The distillery tour gives you the opportunity to drink, dine and distil with the most famous spirit of Manchester. Alternatively, they also offer a gin-tasting experience. It’s a great way to learn more about your own preferences when it comes to your favourite drink.
Go on a food tour
Manchester may not be world-famous for its food (yet!), but since it’s home to such a diverse community, you can easily find a restaurant of any worldly cuisine here. The Curry Mile, for example, is a famous area just outside the city centre where you can try some of the UK’s best curries. Manchester even hosts its own Food and Drink festival – usually at the end of September, so that’s one to check out next year!
But if you want to combine learning about Manchester while sampling the best food and drinks, check out the Manchester food crawl. The tour starts around 11:30 am and takes 3.5 hours, so don’t fill up on breakfast!
If you have any room left for dinner, we recommend visiting Manchester’s very own Hard Rock Cafe. The UK has more than enough musicians to be proud of, and at this restaurant, you can admire some (signed) memorabilia while enjoying some of the city’s best burgers.
Walk among sea creatures in SEA LIFE Manchester
Looking for a fun day out in Manchester with kids? SEA LIFE Manchester may be a perfect choice. With more than 2,000 creatures to admire in 11 discovery zones, SEA LIFE Manchester gives you plenty to enjoy. The Ocean Tunnel is our favourite spot – here you can walk through the bottom of one of the tanks. It’s a unique experience being able to see the fish (and the shark!) swim next to you.
Visiting takes around two hours, but since SEA LIFE is located at the Trafford Centre, you can easily pop over after your visit to enjoy some of the city’s best shopping experiences.
Get creative at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre
And whilst on the topic of great things to do in Manchester this autumn with kids, we cannot forget about LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre. It is located right next to SEA LIFE and the Trafford Centre, making it easy to access and giving you more than enough to do afterwards. Plus, since it’s indoors, it’s perfect for when it rains.
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre is filled with interactive activities. From a 4D cinema to building zones where you can get really creative, there is more than enough to do for a rainy autumn day in Manchester. You can also admire over 1.5 million LEGO® blocks portraying some of the most famous Northern landmarks in MINILAND®.
And if LEGO® is something you enjoy yourself, you can check out their special Adult Nights. They even host challenges where you can take home some fantastic prizes.