Manchester is a thriving metropolis of culture, sports, entertainment and fun filled days out! Whether you’re visiting to catch a football match, enjoy a show, or to simply discover all that Manchester city centre has to offer, this bustling hub of culture will not disappoint you!
Research we conducted found that guests who travel for business only get 36 minutes’ free time to explore a city they are visiting for work, despite over 90% saying they wished they knew more about the cities they visit!
Our hotel teams are experts when it comes to their cities and love to give our guests insider tips on their city’s hidden gems and the best things to see and do. So in response to this research, we asked our Manchester team to create a short video on how to see the best of their city in just 36 minutes on foot or just a short car ride from the hotel!
Their top tips are:
The Gift: King Street is the shopping mecca for a high-end, big-brand experience. (5 min taxi, 11 min walk)
The Caffeine Fix: Visit North Tea Power, the first café in Manchester to offer a 'tea espresso'. (5min taxi, 16 min walk)
The View: Enjoy fantastic views from Harvey Nichols, Manchester’s 2nd floor restaurant and balcony. (8 min taxi, 17 min walk)
The Stroll: Take a walk along the Deansgate Locks, the route is very atmospheric at night and extremely close to Manchester's nightlife. (2 min taxi, 4 min walk)
The Cocktail Bar: Using molecular drink-making techniques, the cocktails at The Alchemist, one of the best bars in the city, are sure to tickle your taste buds. (3 min taxi, 10 min walk)
The Theatre: Situated in the heart of Manchester, the Royal Exchange is an award-winning theatre with a history spanning five decades. (6 min taxi, 14 min walk)
If you want to explore beyond the city, there’s lots to see and do just a short drive or train journey away. Here’s our pick of the best things to see and do near Manchester.
For more recommendations, make sure you have a chat with our front desk team who will be happy to offer their tips and advice.
Looking for fun things to do in Manchester with the kids? This northwest city is brimming with exciting family attractions, ideal for kids and adults. Our top picks for family-friendly attractions in Manchester are:
Whether you’re continuing your adventures or returning home, our hotel in Manchester is perfectly placed for onward trips to some of the UK’s most popular towns and cities. To help plan the next part of your journey, here’s a snapshot of travel times from Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central.
Liverpool: 55 minutes by car via the M62 or 45 minutes by train
Birmingham: two hours by car via the M6 or one hour 35 minutes by train
Leeds: one hour by car via the M62 or 55 minutes by train
Sheffield: one hour 15 minutes by car or 50 minutes by train
Edinburgh: four hours by car or three hours 20 minutes by train
London: four hours 15 minutes by car or just two hours 15 minutes by train
From the whole team here at our hotel in Manchester, we look forward to welcoming you very soon.
Bridgewater Hall
Located across the road from the hotel, The Bridgewater Hall is ‘Alive with music’ for guests keen to enjoy more traditional entertainment. From philharmonic orchestra to mid-day concerts, The Bridgewater Hall is one of Manchester’s prime entertainment centres with over 250 performances a year. The hall is open from 10am-8pm Monday to Saturday – take a look at upcoming events today.
The Lowry
Named after the early 20th century painter L.S Lowry, this fantastic theatre and gallery complex is located in Salford Quays, just a 10 minute drive away from our Manchester hotels. With an ever-changing schedule of artistic offerings, The Lowry is a must-visit for visitors who love their culture!
This venue offers a versatile mix of museums, exhibitions, galleries, theatre shows and of course opportunities to experience shopping in Manchester, ensuring that there is something for everyone! The Lowry is open daily 11-5pm and admission is free for the exhibitions.
Imperial War Museum
Promising a free day out like no other, the award-winning Imperial War Museum North is located just 10 minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central and The Midland. This fantastic museum offers a glimpse into our history as well as exploring current conflicts, and providing thought-provoking displays and exhibitions centred around the effect war has on the world in which we live. Admission to the museum is free and open daily from 10am-5pm.
Artzu Gallery
This independent gallery offers a great Manchester city attraction for the books. With a range of interesting and unique collections and artists, the Artzu Gallery is perfect for those interested in soaking up some culture. The gallery is located just a ten-minute walk from our Manchester hotels and is open all year round.
Museum of Science and Industry
This internationally recognised museum offers an interesting and creative exploration of “how science, innovation and industry created and sustain modern society”. Along with exhibitions and collections, MOSI also offers workshops and activities for children from ‘Pablo Fanque’s Circus of Dreams’ to ‘Steam, Sweat and Sewers’.
The museum is open daily from 10am-5pm with free entry but voluntary donations are welcome. Located in the city centre, MOSI is just a 7 minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central and The Midland.
Manchester Cathedral
Dating back to the 13th century, Manchester Cathedral is a true cultural gem. At the Visitor Centre you can see the Hanging Ditch Bridge before relaxing at Proper Tea, the on-site tearoom. If you’re feeling hungry, make sure you order the impressive afternoon tea.
We recommend: taking your time appreciating the beautiful stained glass windows.
Chetham’s Library
A short walk up the road from Manchester Cathedral you’ll find Chetham’s Library, one of the oldest public libraries in the world. Chetham’s Library began collecting books in 1655, and today is home to an impressive collection of books, manuscripts, letters and prints.
We recommend: checking the website before you visit, as the library operates a timed entry system.
Artzu Gallery
If you love discovering new artists, make sure you visit Artzu Gallery in the Old Granada Studios on Quay Street. The independent gallery exhibits work from the likes of Tim Garner, Karenina Fabrizzi and Horace Panter.
We recommend: taking the short walk to the Museum of Science and Industry after your visit.
Manchester Walks
There are a number of guided tours around the city, with various points on interest. Some examples of tours you might find interesting are: Strangeways Prison, The Manchester Music Tour, The Football History Tour, Manchester Architecture, and the Alan Turing tour.
The Printworks
Located in the heart of Manchester (just a 20 minute walk from Leonardo Hotel and The Midland), The Printworks offers a “state of the art” entertainment centre bursting with restaurants, clubs, bars, and a cinema. Whether grabbing a bite to eat, enjoying live music or heading to the cinema with the kids, The Printworks has plenty to keep you entertained – we recommend ‘The Hard Rock Café’ for a fun/unique dining experience for all the family.
Tatton Park
Tatton Park offers a great day out for all with a stunning neo-classical mansion, beautiful gardens, working farm, an old Tudor Hall, a deer park, and stables! With a plethora of exciting activities to explore and interesting heritage to discover, Tatton Park is the ultimate day out for those visiting Manchester!
Located a short 25 minute drive outside Manchester city centre, Tatton Park is open all year round from 10am-5/7pm, depending on low/high season. The mansion is only open between March and October. Admission for the mansion, gardens and farm costs £11 for adults and £5.50 for children (4-15 years), with £5.00 for parking.
Dunham Massey Hall
Dunham Massey Hall is a beautiful Georgian house with Edwardian additions, located in a stunning 250 acre deer park with a charming Winter Garden. The house and mill are closed during the winter months but the garden, park and restaurant remain open daily between 9/10am and 4/5pm. The house re-opens in March until October with entry open roughly between 11am and 5pm. Admission for the whole property costs £14.00 for adults and £7.00 for children- the car park costs £6.
Dunham Massey is a short 25 minute drive from Manchester City Centre.
Manchester Arena
Before your visit to the city, make sure you check out what’s on at Manchester Arena. From pop concerts to children’s shows and comedy, there’s an unmissable events programme throughout the year.
We recommend: going for a post-show drink in the vibrant Northern Quarter.
Invisible Manchester
Experience Manchester in a truly unique way! Invisible (Manchester) is a social enterprise that trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of the city. We offer fun, friendly and local tours that give you the opportunity to see things differently.
Manchester and football can be considered synonymous with the city’s TWO world-famous football teams: Manchester Utd and Manchester City. Along with matches, both clubs offer guided tours of the stadiums, with Old Trafford (the home of Manchester Utd) offering a museum dedicated to its eventful history.
Old Trafford Museum and Tour
Old Trafford Stadium is one of most famous football grounds in the premier league and is home to one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the world. Enjoy a fantastic interactive experience as you discover the ins and outs of Manchester United’s unique story at the museum and immerse yourself in the action with the stadium tour. If you haven’t quite had your fill of the Man Utd journey, head to the Red Café for the ultimate football themed dining experience! The museum costs £11 for adults (£18 with stadium tour) and £8.50 for children (£12 with stadium tour).
Our Manchester hotels are ideally located just a 10 minute drive from Old Trafford Stadium, or alternatively, you can get there by tram. The tram stop is just across the road from our Manchester hotel and is also around a 10 minute journey.
Man City FC
Rival football club Man City also offers visitors a chance to explore their stadium grounds with a range of different ‘experiences’ from ‘The Legends’ Tour’ to ‘The Matchday Experience’. Enjoy unforgettable tours of the Man City club from its heritage to the present, and onto its ambitions, offering visitors a fully immersive peek behind the scenes. Booking is recommended – admission prices and tour dates vary between ‘experiences’.
Man City FC is situated approximately 10 minutes from the Manchester city centre.
National Football Museum
Learn about the history of “the people’s game” and its heritage as a key part of England’s “way of life”. With an impressive collection of over 140, 000 items, the National Football Museum is proud to offer extensive collections and exhibitions of all things football. Explore all aspects of the game, discover its power to change and improve people’s lives and learn the stories it has to tell, this museum is open and welcoming to all visitors!
The National Football Museum is open daily, offers free entry, and is just a short 20 minute walk from our Manchester hotels!
Manchester Arndale
Just a 15 minute walk from our hotel is Manchester Arndale shopping centre ready to serve all your retail needs! Whether you just need to pop in for something or want to indulge in a day of retail therapy, Manchester Arndale is the place for you.
Lowry Outlet
Next door to The Lowry sits the fabulous Lowry Outlet bursting with fantastic brands at 70% discount! With stores covering fashion, accessories, beauty, and sports, you will not leave this outlet disappointed. The Lowry Outlet is a less than a ten minute drive from our Manchester hotels.
Spinningfields
For a spot of luxury, make sure you head to Spinningfields where you’ll find up-market restaurants and designer shops in a stunning new quarter of the city. Spinningfields is also home to The People’s Museum and John Rylands Library, and is just 11 minutes away from our Manchester hotels on foot.
We recommend: going for an exotic drink at the popular cocktail bar, The Alchemist.
The Northern Quarter
If you love discovering quirky independent boutiques, vintage stores and vegetarian cafes, a visit to Manchester’s Northern Quarter is a must. With its distinct New York vibe, the Northern Quarter has been used as a filming location for movies including Captain America and Alfie.
We recommend: browsing the off-beat concessions at the iconic alternative department store, Affleck’s.
The Trafford Centre
For out-of-town shopping all under one roof, the intu Trafford Centre is as good as it gets. From designer shops to high street stores and homewares, there’s a huge range of shops just waiting to be explored.
We recommend: taking the kids to the Lego Discovery Centre at Barton Square.