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Heading to Northern England soon and wondering what are the best things to do in Manchester alone? We are here to help!
As a Manchester local, I know the city very well and I have spent a lot of time exploring it on my own so I have loads of recommendations for you.
Manchester is a very lively city and there is so much to do. While it is famous for its nightlife and music scene, there is so much more to that!
It’s not as touristy as other cities in the UK but yet there is plenty to do in Manchester for solo travellers.
Here are my top 22 things to do in Manchester alone.
1. Visit the Manchester Art Gallery
If you love art, then the Manchester Art Gallery will be the perfect place for you.
It’s located on Mosley Street, at the corner with St Peter’s Square.
It’s open every day except on Mondays, making it a great option for any traveller.
It was founded in 1823. The building features stunning greek-style architecture.
Inside, you will find several exhibitions with local art, British art and more.
The collections change regularly so if you are a local, you can go on several occasions and will get to see different things.
It’s also important to mention that they often have temporary exhibitions on and some of them are simply amazing.
To give you an idea, a few years back, we had the drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci.
Make sure to check their website to see what’s on.
Finally, it’s important to mention that it’s free to visit, making it a perfect activity for people on a budget.
2. Take the free walking tour of Manchester
Manchester has an incredible history and going on a free walking tour is the perfect way to learn about it.
If you are a local, you will enjoy discovering the history of the city and will probably be surprised by some of the facts you’ll learn.
If you are a visitor, not only will you learn about the city but this will also give you the opportunity to discover most of the city centre.
The free walking tour runs every day at 11AM. It starts in Sackville Garden and will take you to the Vimto bottle, Canal Street, St Peter’s Square and more.
It’s also worth mentioning that the tour guides are very friendly and knowledgeable.
You will also meet other fellow travellers and won’t actually be in your own. If you want to talk to other people while you’re walking, you can.
Please note that although this is a called a free walking tour, it’s actually tip based so make sure to take some cash with you.
3. Explore the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is located near Spinningfields, in the old railway station building where the first passenger railway in the world was.
It’s a great place to learn more about the industrial background of Manchester.
As you probably know, Manchester grew during the Industrial Revolution and the textile and manufacturing industry was huge here.
Another cool fact, the first modern computer was invented in Manchester. It’s called Baby and can be seen at the MOSI.
It’s free to visit, making it perfect for travellers on a budget. Inside, you will find several exhibitions about transport, textile industry and science.
Not only is it interesting but it’s also quite interactive which is why it’s a popular spot for families as well.
READ MORE: 14 Free Museums in Manchester You Must See
4. Take a walk in Castlefield
Castlefield is one of the oldest areas of Manchester. It’s located near Deansgate and it’s often a forgotten spot but yet such a wonderful place to visit!
It’s an area full of canals, viaducts and cute bars, making it a fantastic place for a walk in the city centre.
You can admire the old buildings and get a glimpse of what Manchester looked like during the Industrial Revolution since a lot of the buildings around and the bridges were built at that time.
The area is very charming and a great place to get a drink too.
There are a lot of restaurants and bars by the canals and on a nice and sunny day, you will love sipping on a cocktail at the terrace of one of them.
While having a drink by yourself is not always the most appealing thing, this is a good place to do so since it’s so peaceful.
Please note that if you are a fan of Peaky Blinders, this area was used as a filming location so you might recognise some of the places.
It’s also worth mentioning that during summer, there are several events taking place in Castlefield such as music festivals, food festivals and more. They take place at Castlefield bowl which is an outdoor venue.
5. Do a food tour in Manchester
While Manchester is not necessarily that known for its typical dishes (though we have a few delicious ones!), there is actually an amazing food scene!
From street food to the Michelin-starred restaurant, there is a bit of everything and joining a local food tour is an excellent way to discover the best spots!
Manchester Bites is a local company that runs daily food tours. They start in New Islington Marina and go around Ancoats and the Northern Quarter, two of the best neighbourhoods for food.
The local guides are very knowledgeable and they will tell you loads of interesting facts about Manchester, show you some hidden gems and take you to amazing food spots.
Pizza, Indian curry, bread, ice cream… you will get to try so many delicious foods.
It’s a great thing to do on your own in Manchester since you get to discover the city and food spots while being in a group.
6. Do the canal and river cruise
Manchester is full of canals and rivers and what better way to discover them than on a boat?
The canal cruise will take you from the city centre towards Salford Quays passing by stylish buildings, old bridges and more.
It’s an experience that everyone should try when in Manchester. The tour lasts a bit over an hour.
It is a fun and unique way to discover the city.
You can easily book online here and head to the meeting point in town or in Salford.
Once again, you will have company since other people will be on the boat as well.
7. Discover the murals in the Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter is one of the most vibrant districts in Manchester and it’s full of street art which includes incredible murals, smaller graffitis as well as hidden street art gems such as the space invaders.
They are all around the neighbourhood and you can easily go for a stroll to discover them.
What we love about this activity is that it’s free and a great way to explore an area as well.
Start on Stevenson Square because that’s where you will find most of them but make sure to check out Thomas Street and Newton Street as well.
You will quickly notice that street art is all around and can just get lost in this beautiful neighbourhood.
If that’s something you’re particularly interested in though, you should consider joining the street art tour of Manchester.
It’s very affordable and will allow you to learn more about the local artists and see some hidden gems you wouldn’t have found on your own.
8. Explore John Rylands Library
The John Rylands Library is a beautiful neo-gothic building located in Deansgate. It’s part of the University of Manchester and it is open to visitors, free of charge!
It’s one of the most beautiful buildings in Manchester and its library has an incredible collection of books and manuscripts, some dating back to the 5th century.
It’s an incredible place to visit and if you are a Harry Potter fan, you can be sure to love it!
While Harry Potter was not filmed here, the John Rylands library has some unarguable Hogwarts vibes, making it one of the best Instagram spots in Manchester.
It’s open from Wednesday to Saturday. You can find the entrance near the restaurant Australasia.
Once you get there, the staff at the entrance will tell you everything you need to know but you can then just keep walking and discover the exhibitions.
The corridors are very pretty but make sure to go all the way up to the main reading room because that’s absolutely stunning.
While you can spend as much time as you want in the library, most visitors spend about an hour.
Also, it’s good to note that it’s a good thing to do in Manchester on a rainy day since it’s entirely covered.
9. Go hiking and make new friends
If you’d love to go hiking near Manchester but don’t want to do it on your own, you’ll be happy to know that it’s entirely possible!
There are several walking groups in Manchester such as MAD walkers, the Manchester Girl Walking group or the Manchester weekend walkers group on Meetup.
All of these groups organise group hikes near Manchester. They always make sure that the destination can be reached by public transport which makes it easier for visitors.
If you check their website, Facebook or Meetup page, you can find all the events to come and can also get in touch with other participants.
We have so many great walks near Manchester so going hiking is an excellent thing to do.
If you are on your own, you may not want to go but these groups are a great way to have company and also to make friends.
10. Visit Manchester Museum
Manchester Museum is also one of the best things to do in Manchester alone.
Located near the University, this museum has a lot to offer: from natural history collections to dinosaurs and more.
The museum is entirely free so you won’t have to spend any money (well, apart from some refreshments maybe!).
It’s a great place to visit at all ages. Since it is mainly about natural history, it’s a great place to visit with kids but it’s also very enjoyable on your own.
Also, it was recently refurbished so it’s all pretty now!
The museum is open every day apart from Monday. You can go anytime you want. No need to book or anything.
The only thing you might have to pay for is the temporary exhibition if that’s something you’re interested in.
They change very often but have included in the past exhibitions about Egyptian mummies, dinosaurs and more.
11. Visit the Whitworth Art Gallery
If you are a big fan of art, the Whitworth Art Gallery is definitely something you should not miss.
This museum has an incredible collection of art from all over the world and it’s definitely a very special place to visit.
The permanent collection includes works by William Blake, John Robert Cozens and Richard Parkes Bonington.
Altogether, there are over 60,000 pieces so that will keep you busy for a while.
The Whitworth Art Gallery is located in Whitworth Park, on Oxford Road. It’s not too far from Manchester Museum and can be reached on foot from there so you can hit two birds with one stone.
12. Go to the cinema
Going to the cinema on your own can be a great way to spend an afternoon in Manchester.
The Vue Cinema at The Printworks is one of our favourite places and it’s very convenient since it has several screens showing many different films.
It’s also relatively cheap compared to other cinemas so that makes it even better.
Another one worth mentioning is Everyman cinema in Spinningfields. It’s one of the fanciest cinemas in the UK. Red velvet sofas, drinks… it has it all!
13. Visit the stadiums
If you’re a sports fan, Manchester is definitely the place for you.
Since we have two of the most famous football clubs in the world, it’s only normal that we also have two incredible stadiums: Old Trafford and The Etihad Stadium.
Both stadiums offer guided tours so that’s an excellent thing to do if you are alone.
You will get to see the changing rooms, learn about the history of the clubs and take loads of photos!
The tours can easily be booked online here and you should definitely check them out if you’re a fan.
If that’s something that sounds like you, we also recommend checking out our article about the best football tours in Manchester.
14. Visit the National Museum of Football
Speaking of football, why not visit the National Football Museum when you’re in Manchester?
It’s located very close to Victoria Train Station and it’s a great place for football fans.
The museum has lots of interactive displays about the history of football, from the 19th century until today.
You may not that but the Football league (now known as the English Football League) was founded in Manchester. And of course, we have two great football teams here.
All of that to say that everything in Manchester is linked to football so you can only imagine how good the museum is!
You can book your ticket online here.
💡 PRO TIP: If you are a Manchester local, you can visit this museum for free.
15. Go see a play or musical at the Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre is a beautiful building located in the centre of Manchester, near Oxford Road.
It’s one of the oldest theatres in the city and has seen hundreds of performances over its long history.
If you’re alone, going to the theatre is a great way to spend time and since we always have so many musicals and plays, it would be a shame not to!
The theatre is own by the ATG group so you can easily book online.
That having been said, since you are on your own, there is something else I’d recommend.
Go directly to the box office and say that you just want one seat.
Since they always have some ‘orphan’ seats that nobody want to book, they usually give you a discount if you take one of these seats.
You could end up in one of the front rows and pay what you would for a back seat. It’s definitely worth it!
Make sure to also check out the Opera House in Spinningfields.
It’s a smaller theatre but they have some cool things on as well!
Click here to see what’s on at the Palace Theatre
16. Take a day trip to the Lake District
The Lake District is an incredible place to visit. It’s one of the most beautiful national parks in Britain and a great day trip if you’re in Manchester.
If you have a car, you can easily drive there. It takes a couple of hours.
But since you are on your own, I highly recommend booking one of the Lake District tours from Manchester.
They are run by local companies and the guides are incredible.
You will discover amazing places such as Windermere or the house of Beatrix Potter.
Plus, they usually take you to a few small villages that are really beautiful as well.
It’s also possible to book boat tours on Windermere which is something I definitely recommend if the weather is nice.
The tour lasts the entire day and the meeting point is in the city centre.
You will be with other people and since they are small groups, you will also get to chat with the others which is quite nice.
17. Visit Central Library
If you’d like to do some more sightseeing, make sure to visit Manchester Central Library!
It’s located on St Peter’s Square and was designed by E. Vincent Harris in the 30s.
It features a stunning rotonda and is an absolutely stunning building.
Inside, you will find books of course but since it’s also home to the archives, you can find an exhibition about Manchester, especially during the war.
It’s very interesting!
You can also go upstairs in the reading room and get to see the dome. It’s stunning!
Manchester Central Library is open every day except Sunday and is free to visit.
Also, there is a cafe inside so you can grab yourself a drink and a treat.
18. Go on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus in Manchester
This is a great way to see the city if you’re on your own since you’ll get to discover all the best landmarks.
Usually, I prefer recommending the walking tour of Manchester.
Since our city is very much walkable, it’s worth doing the walking tour.
But it’s not possible for everyone and let’s be honest, if it’s raining (which happens a lot), the idea of a bus is more appealing.
Also, you will go all the way to Salford and see the BBC studios as well, which is not something you’d do with the walking tour.
So all in all, you cover most of Manchester in the space of a few hours.
It’s very practical if you’re only here for a day or two.
You can buy a ticket online and then hop off at any stop to explore the area.
There is also live commentary on the bus as well as WiFi.
19. Take a day trip to the Peak District
The Peak District is very close to Manchester and is one of the most beautiful places in England.
If you want to do something a bit more adventurous, why not take a day trip there?
You could hike in the hills or visit some of the charming villages around there.
If you’re into hiking, Kinder Scout and Mam Tor will be the perfect places.
For cute villages, Edale and Castleton are excellent places to check out.
There are also a lot of caves you can visit in the Peak District such as Peak Cavern or Speedwell Cavern.
You can reach the Peak District with the train. The one to Edale for example only takes 20 minutes from Piccadilly Station.
But since you are on your own and probably want to cover more ground, you can also opt for a day tour to the Peak District from Manchester.
It includes stops at Poole’s Cavern, Bakewell (great place to try a Bakewell tart) and loads of view points.
You will meet the driver and guide in the city centre and come back in the afternoon.
20. Go for a walk in Heaton Park
If you want to go on a nice walk in Manchester and enjoy some nature time, it’s entirely possible and Heaton Park is the perfect place for that!
It’s one of the biggest parks in Europe and it is located only 15 minutes from the city centre.
You can use public transport to get there, it’s very easy!
You simply need to take the tram from Bury (you can do so from Market Street, Shudehill, Piccadilly or Victoria) and get off at Heaton Park, just after Prestwich.
Once you get there, you will be in front of the entrance so you can easily walk in.
Heaton Park is very big so you can walk around for a long time but make sure to check out the boating lake, Heaton hall, a stunning 18th-century country house and the Heaton Park Farm and Animal Centre.
21. Discover Manchester’s hidden gems
If you want to do something a bit different in Manchester, then looking for all the hidden gems is a great thing to do.
This is a nice (and free) activity for both locals and visitors.
When looking for things to do in Manchester, you will always find the famous landmarks and famous places. While they are of course great places to check out, there are also a lot of hidden spots that are worth seeing.
And to find them, you may need the help of local.
Well, you’re in luck because we have an article about all the best hidden gems in Manchester!
You will find everything you need to know about these secret spots, what they are, their history and of course how to find them.
Statues, hidden windows and paintings… there is a bit of everything.
And if you’d like to discover hidden spots while sipping on a cocktail, you can also head to one of the cool speakeasies in Manchester.
22. Take a day trip to North Wales
Manchester is perfectly located for taking day trips to North Wales, a region that will absolutely amaze you.
North Wales is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, seaside towns and charming villages so if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway, this is the place to go.
From Manchester, the best way to get there if you don’t have a car is with a day tour.
You will leave from Manchester city centre in the morning and head to Chester first. That’s one of the best cities near Manchester and home to wonderful city walls, half-timbered houses and a stunning cathedral.
You will then discover Snowdonia national park before heading to the coast and visit Conwy Castle.
North Wales is one of the most underrated regions in the United Kingdom but as a true Manc, I know how pretty this area is so if you have a day to spare while in Manchester, don’t hesitate.
As usual, the tours are all organised and you will be with a group which is quite fun.
Now that you know everything about the best places to visit in Manchester alone and what to do, it’s time to explore! Have fun!
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