Manchester is one of the UK’s big cities and attracts hundreds of locals and tourists each year. There is so much to do that it can be overwhelming deciding on where to go - which can be even harder if you are only there for the day. From shopping to architecture, sports to art galleries we have picked six top places to visit in Manchester.

Museum of Science and Industry

Manchester has many museums and one of the first ones to visit should be the museum of science and industry. The city is the birthplace of many important inventions and discoveries. There are many exciting exhibits that enthusiasts will find particularly interesting including a collection of steam trains and early aircraft. Best of all you can take in some of the fascinating experiments which are housed upstairs.

Manchester Art Gallery

Art lovers will marvel at the city’s free to enter gallery which showcases stunning exhibits from world-renowned artists including Pierre Adolphe Valette and Thomas Gainsborough. The collections also offer an array of oil paintings and decorative arts making it the perfect place to lose yourself for a morning or afternoon.

National Football Museum

Football fans should not come to Manchester without visiting the National Football Museum. Situated inside the stunning glass building once known as the Ubris you will be able to learn more about the beautiful game, including England’s 1966 World Cup victory. The National Football Museum is great for kids (and adults) who can test their football skills on the interactive exhibits.

Northern Quarter

You cannot visit Manchester without doing a little retail therapy and the Northern Quarter is the ideal place. There are plenty of great independent shops to choose from with an eclectic mix of streetwear and modern-day fashion. You can also grab a rest in one of the many coffee shops in the city or visit an array of bars and restaurants catering for all world cuisines.

Manchester Museum

The Manchester Museum is attached to the city’s university and has an impressive collection of artefacts and natural history. If you love your history then you’ll find everything from dinosaur skeletons to Egyptian mummies. You can spend hours here with plenty of interesting things to see and do including the vivarium and an exotic collection of reptiles and rare frogs.

Manchester Cathedral

Lastly, there is one of Manchester’s oldest buildings, the cathedral which is a must-see for anyone who has a love for architecture. You can walk around at your leisure or for a more informative experience why not book a guided tour which will go in detail about the cathedral’s history. It’s also a unique place for the occasional gig so keep an eye out to find out who is performing