We all know Manchester’s reputation for rain – which is actually quite undeserved. After all, it’s not even in the top 10 cities in the UK when it comes to total annual rainfall.
But what happens when the rain does fall in Manchester? What do people do to have fun?
Why, they head indoors of course!
When it comes to entertainment, Manchester has a plethora of venues to choose from. I dare say they’d push London close for the top spot if they ran a poll on that.
So where are these places?
Well, including everything from escape rooms and museums, to libraries and indoor ski slopes, here are the 17 Best Indoor Activities in Manchester for adults.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Crystal Maze
- Address: St Johns, Lower Byrom St, Manchester M3 4FP
Situated just a one-minute walk from the Museum of Science and Industry, The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience is one of the best indoor activities in Manchester for adults.
Based on the popular 1990s TV show, initially hosted by Richard O’Brien, this fantastic interactive play area is set in four adventure zones – Medieval, Futuristic, Aztec and Industrial.
Collectively, you and your teammates will have to solve puzzles and test your mental and physical abilities to overcome various challenges.
Just like in the game show, this brilliant 3D experience allows you to win crystals that give you more time to catch tokens in the ever-popular Crystal Dome.
Extremely high-octane, this attraction is a lot of fun. Allowing you to run around at full tilt, shout until you start to lose your voice and wear some pretty funky satin bomber jackets. To play it you will be part of a team of eight people.
John Rylands Library
- Address: 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH
Located in Deansgate, in the heart of Manchester, the John Rylands Library is well worth a visit if you
have the time spare.
Situated within one of the most stunning neo-Gothic buildings in the whole of Europe, it is home to the John Rylands Research Institute and Library.
A dynamic and highly academic community of curators, conservators, researchers and imaging professionals who strive to understand the human experience in the history of time.
Founded by Enriqueta Rylands to commemorate the life of her late husband John Rylands, who died in 1888, the library now falls under the umbrella of the University of Manchester.
All up it took 10 years to build, eventually opening in 1900.
Today it is widely recognised as one of the best libraries in the world. It is free to visit on Wednesday to Saturday between 10 am and 5 pm and features a historic reading room that resembles the interior of a church.
Overall the library contains over 1.4 million items which include books, archives, manuscripts, maps, works of art and other objects.
READ MORE: 25 Best Free Things to do in Manchester
Museum of Science and Industry
- Address: Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4FP
The Science and Industry Museum provides one of the best day activities in Manchester for adults.
Situated on Liverpool Road, it maps out the evolution of science, industry and technology with a particular tip of the hat to the city’s main achievements in those fields.
Originally opened as the North Western Museum of Science and Industry back in 1969, the museum features a massive range of exhibits and displays across three areas.
This includes transport (locomotive railway, cars and rolling stock), as well as power (steam, water, gas and electricity) and other aspects of Manchester’s development, including textiles, sanitation and sewage, communications and computing.
The museum is adjacent to St John’s Quarter and sits on the historic location of the first railway passenger station in the world – the Manchester Liverpool Road, which was built back in the early 1830s as part of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway.
Both the impressive railway station frontage and its warehouse are Grade I listed buildings.
The MOSI is also a great place to visit with kids since there are many interactive attractions.
It’s also important to note that it’s free to visit the MOSI, making it one of the best free activities in Manchester.
Treetop Adventure Golf
- Address: The Printworks, Dantzic St, Manchester M4 2BS
If it does rain when you visit the city, one of the best indoor activities for adults in Manchester is the Treetop Adventure Golf.
Located within Printworks on Danzig Street, this awesome crazy golf course provides you with an epic adventure within a lush rainforest setting that features crumbling temples.
Open daily from either 10 am or 11 am to either 10 pm or 11 pm – depending on the day – you can choose to tackle either the Ancient Explorer or the Tropical Trail.
Both of these are indoor 18-hole courses that provide fun and a challenge in equal measure against the backdrop of a terrific ambience.
After your round, you can head off to the Amazonian village for some post-golf cocktails and mocktails, as well as delightful coffee and exceptional pizza.
They even have a terrific special ‘early bird’ offer from time to time where you can play both courses for the price of one!
Junkyard Golf
- Address: 2 First St, Manchester M15 4RP
Another excellent crazy golf course to consider is Junkyard Golf.
If you love places that are loud, high-energy and flashy, you are in the right venue. Their trio of courses possess strobe lights, loud music and UV lights, all of which will blow your mind!
Affectionately known as Bozo, Gary and Pablo, these courses challenge you with everything from fairground creeps and circus freaks to a UV disco room and even pirate speedboats.
They are not for the faint-hearted.
Like Treetop Adventure Golf their bars dish up a cool selection of beers, cocktails, mocktails and spirits. They also stay open until midnight or 1 am on six nights a week.
Situated on First Street, please be mindful that if you are thinking of taking the kids with you, they are only permitted on Sundays to Thursdays up until 6 pm. They must also have an adult present with them at all times.
Black Dog Ballroom
- Address: 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW
When it comes to indoor activities near Manchester, Black Dog is hard to beat.
Located underneath the iconic Afflecks Palace, within the city’s famous Northern Quarter, this trendy late-night bar and pool hall is a great place to hang out.
Modelled on a New York speakeasy, the bar is a popular venue for casual lunches, quick after-work drinks and partying through the night.
Open 7 days a week until 4 am (5 am on Saturdays), the sleek pool hall features tables that have leopard skin prints. There are regular tournaments held here too.
When not playing pool you can enjoy one of their signature range of cocktails which incorporate a wide range of sophisticated and refreshing flavours.
They also offer a killer food menu within their Black Dog Ballroom, which is laid on Salt & Pepper.
No, not the famous female rappers from the 1990s, but rather a popular local brand that used to be based in Manchester Arndale and presents a fantastic menu of modern and authentic Chinese street food.
People’s History Museum
- Address: Left Bank, Manchester M3 3ER
If you find yourself with some time on your hands, then it is worth paying a visit to the People’s History Museum.
Situated at the Left Bank, this acclaimed establishment is renowned for being the national museum of democracy.
Although it is free to get in, a donation of £5 is suggested. But it is well worth it because the museum relates the story of how Britain has developed and embraced democracy from a past, present and future perspective.
More specifically it is the United Kingdom’s national centre for the conservation, interpretation, collection and study of materials that convey the lives and history of the working class.
The museum is an excellent place to visit if you want to learn, be inspired, or get involved in ideologies you believe are worth fighting for.
This includes concepts like social justice, equality, cooperation and freedom and a fair world for all.
As well as being a museum, PHM is also an independent charity that helps disadvantaged people.
Chill Factore
- Address: 7 Trafford Way, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M41 7JA
Costing a jaw-dropping £31M to construct, Chill Factore houses the longest indoor Ski Slope in the United Kingdom.
Nestled at Trafford Park, in the heart of Stretford, this real snow centre is fantastically set up for everyone from athletes to families to enjoy.
A great way to enjoy some snowy fun or learn a new skill, the main slope here is served by a brace of
drag lifts that are suspended from the ceiling. This serves to widen the available piste area and provide easier slope maintenance.
This is unique from other UK ski centres where the lift supports are situated on the piste.
Open from 7.30 am to 10 pm, depending on the day of the week, to compliment the main slope, the centre also boasts a beginner’s slope.
It also has tubing and a dedicated snow play area, as well as a luge track, sledging, air boarding and a snowscoot which will provide you with plenty of entertainment.
iFLY Manchester Indoor Skydiving
- Address: Leisure Village, 9 Trafford Way, Manchester M41 7JA
If you are looking for fun things to do in Manchester for adults, then you should look no further than the iFLY Manchester Indoor Skydiving school.
Another venue based in Trafford City, you will be able to experience what it is like to soar like a bird within the first 14-foot diameter wind tunnel constructed in the UK.
Open from 8 am to 10 pm every day of the week, this fantastic experience is run by instructors who are highly trained. It also provides wheelchair access and is open to flyers of all abilities.
This includes kids aged from three years old to adults aged 103!
The experience of flying is exhilarating and whilst you’re in flight, the wind controller will take photos and videos of you, which you will be able to purchase later.
You’ll be properly briefed as to the best technique and safety procedures before you go and you’ll even get feedback on how you did for next time!
The Pankhurst Centre
- Address: 60-62 Nelson St, Manchester M13 9WP
60 – 62 Nelson Street, Manchester might seem like an innocuous address, but it is one of the most significant in Manchester, if not in the whole of the United Kingdom.
Better known now as The Pankhurst Centre, it served as the birthplace of the Suffragette movement and remains an iconic site for women’s rights and activism.
Formerly the home of Emmeline Pankhurst and her three daughters Sylvia, Christabel and Adela, it now is a museum that tells their story and how the Suffragettes were launched in 1903.
One of the best day activities in Manchester for adults, the museum, is only open on Thursday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm, and you will need to pre-book your tickets.
A Grade II listed building, Pankhurst’s villas are part of a women-only centre that creates a safe and unique environment for females to socialise, learn and work together on projects.
National Football Museum
- Address: Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG
The National Football Museum is arguably one of the most fun days out in Manchester for adults who love the beautiful game.
Situated just a 3-minute walk from Manchester Cathedral, within the Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens on Todd Street, this much-loved venue preserves, conserves and highlights England’s most important and impressive collections of football memorabilia.
Originally located at Deepdale, in Preston, which was one of the founder members of the football league in 1888, the museum moved to Manchester in 2012.
If you love football you will be in your element here as the museum displays shirts, trophies and memorabilia from years gone by.
This includes George Best’s Northern Ireland youth cap, Geoff Hurst’s world cup winning shirt of 1966 and Pele’s world cup winners medal of 1962.
You can even have your photo taken with the Premier League trophy, or beat their virtual goalkeeper in a penalty shootout!
Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing
- Address: Great Northern Warehouse, Unit 20, Atrium level, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
Fancy something a little different? Then how about a spot of axe throwing?
Over at Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing, within the Great Northern Warehouse in Deansgate, you can channel your inner Viking.
It is the perfect spot for those who want to set out of their comfort zone and experience something new.
Led by expert instructors, this buzzy venue pumps out a lively soundtrack that is sure to get your juices flowing.
It is open every day except Monday and all sessions are designed around the needs of first-timers. Don’t worry if you’ve never thrown an axe before. You’ll be taught the proper technique before being let loose on the targets!
As well as the axe throwing, there are also excellent drinks, food and prizes available. Whether you visit with a large group of people or just a couple of friends, you are sure to have a fabulous time here.
Flight Club
- Address: Ship Canal House, 98 King St, Manchester M2 4WU
If you are looking for something fun to do in Manchester city centre, then head straight to Flight Club.
This dart bar offers very fun dart experiences. Here is how it works. You can book your slot online (make sure to do that in advance because it’s a popular activity and slots go fast!).
Once this is done, you can head to the bar and will be given a dart area which includes the target but also a tablet and screen with your scores. It’s basically set up like a bowling alley but with darts.
Several dart games are available and you can choose the ones you want. The target is electronic which means it counts your points automatically.
They also offer a wide range of drinks, cocktails and food.
READ MORE: 15 Best Activity Bars in Manchester
Tour of Manchester Gin Distillery
- Address: 10-15 Watson St, Manchester M3 4LP
If axe throwing is something you can’t get a handle on (see what we did there!), then how about a tour of a Manchester Gin Distillery?
Certainly, one of the most attractive things to do in Manchester city centre for adults who like a drink, the Tour of Manchester Gin Distillery is a great place to enjoy a leisurely exploration of different labels.
Located just off Deansgate, they offer a wide selection of distillery tours, as well as tastings of their award-winning labels and gin-making experiences that are sure to please even the most discerning of visitors.
The best thing about this tour is that as all production is performed onsite, you will be able to see first-hand what the process involves.
After you have seen this, your guide will also explain to you the different flavour profiles they work with. This should be very useful in helping you decide which one is your favourite!
Escape Reality Manchester
- Address: The Printworks Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS
Like Treetop Adventure Golf, Escape Reality is also located in Printworks. Although this one is based in Withy Grove.
As escape rooms in the city go, few can compare with what is on offer here. With rooms dedicated to the horror, adventurer or thriller vibes, there is plenty of immersive theme variations to enjoy.
All of which are supported by state-of-the-art technology.
Suitable for between 2 to 6 players, teams have 60 minutes to solve a challenging series of puzzles in order to escape.
If you escape in one of the quickest times, you could even find yourself on the all-time leaderboard!
Open from 12 pm to 8.30 pm every day there are eight rooms you can tackle overall. These range in degrees of difficulty and are suitable for all ages.
Although it is recommended that children under the age of 15 should be accompanied by an adult.
The Archertype
- Address: Unit 10A, Universal Building, 37 – 49 Devonshire St N, Manchester M12 6JR
If you are looking for fun activities in Manchester for adults, then be sure to check out The Archertype.
Located in the Universal Building on Devonshire Street North, it is renowned for being the number one place to play Archery Tag – or combat archery as it is often referred to – in Manchester.
Essentially a cross between archery and paintballing, participants will feel like they have found themselves in a real-life Hunger Games situation.
The adrenaline rush is massive as you run around the arena, fully donned in your armoury, trying to accumulate as many points as you can by taking out members of the opposing team – which are always black and white.
If you have not played this fast-paced activity before, you are sure to love it.
In a marketplace where escape rooms, mini golf and axe throwing are competing for the public’s attention, The Archertype provides something a little bit different.
Parthian Climbing
- Address: St Benedict’s Church, Bennett St, West Gorton, Manchester M12 5ND
Fancy a bit of rock climbing? Well, Manchester might not have too many peaks to scale within its city limits. But if the urge grabs you, be sure to head on over to West Gorton.
There you will find the Parthian Climbing Centre. A contemporary and inclusive facility for climbers of all ages and abilities.
Better known as the Manchester Climbing Centre, this venue was established more than a decade ago.
It is situated just over a mile and a half from Manchester Piccadilly and provides bouldering walls and roped climbing walls of varying degrees of difficulty to tackle.
Whether you are an absolute novice or a seasoned enthusiast, there is a path for you to attempt. The venue also has a cafe and shop which sells excellent food, coffee and kit.
As it is open until 10 pm during the weekdays, it is the perfect place to let off steam after work or a day of sightseeing.
Baseball at Base Bar
- Address: 5 Millow St, Manchester M4 4DR
Baseball might be America’s national pastime, but if you’re a British fan of the sport, you don’t have to go all the way to the USA for the chance to hit a home run!
Instead, simply head to Millow Street to Base Bar. Where you will find Manchester’s only bar and baseball batting cages.
Tucked away on Millow Street, in the city centre, just behind Victoria Station, these cutting-edge facilities offer a fantastic selection of baseball batting cages.
Effectively an enclosed tunnel with netting around it, the balls come at you between 30 mph and 90 mph. You’ll have to watch them closely if you want to smash them out of the park!
Open from Wednesday to Sunday the warehouse-style venue boasts psychedelic, neon graffiti paintwork that lends it a distinct nightclub feel.
As well as the baseball cages, the venue features a cool, kitschy bar that serves delicious pub food and an excellent range of cocktails.
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