Manchester, the cultural capital of Lancashire, is considered one of the biggest centers of media, arts, and higher education globally. The county of Greater Manchester consists of Salford and eight other municipalities, which is home to five million people.
The history of Manchester has a powerful relationship with mythology. The Smiths, the Hacienda, and the Stone Roses are why Manchester has a place in the musical legends. The past of Manchester is undoubtedly beautiful, but so are its present and future. The Victorian markets and the independent art hubs have everything that anyone would ever need to see.
Manchester is a city that has everything for everyone regardless of age, budget, gender, interest, or race. If you have plans to visit Manchester for this vacation, here are some places that you need to see in Manchester.
Manchester Art Gallery
Art is something that could heal everything, something that helps people recreate, express, and communicate. With more than 25 thousand art pieces on display, Manchester Art Gallery serves all the artistic purposes it can. Manchester Art Gallery is one of the most beautiful and most incredible art galleries globally, founded in 1824 and today is owned publically.
The Manchester Art Gallery doesn’t require its visitors to buy entry tickets, i.e., you can admire the work of great artists such as Monet, Henry Moore, Stubbs, Max Ernst, and Manet without spending a penny. Pre-Raphaelites’ paintings, work of German artists, and the art of the 17th century Flemish masters, all the pieces are displayed in this museum elegantly. Either you are an art lover or not, visiting the Manchester Art Gallery is a must.
Castlefield Urban Heritage Park
Castlefield Urban Heritage Park is another must-visit place in Manchester, especially when on a family vacation. The park was originally the Roman fort site named Mamucium, later called the Castlefield Urban Heritage Park.
The heritage park is excellent for taking a stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the city; moreover, it also allows the visitors to admire the Victorian heritage with the presence of Victorian houses. You can visit the Roman fort and grab a cozy meal with your family or friends. Moreover, you can also enjoy a boat ride to explore the Bridgewater Canal. The heritage park has its art gallery, called the Castlefield Art Gallery, where you can watch and admire contemporary artworks or enjoy a concert at Bridgewater Hall in the Halle Orchestra.
Chetham’s Library
Chetham’s library is not a place that everyone would suggest you visit in Manchester, as the library is not considered a tourist place. However, if you are in Manchester, ensure that you visit this famous library as well.
Chetham’s library is known as one of the oldest libraries in the UK. Established in 1653, this library is home to more than 1 lac books, most printed somewhere in the 1800s. For bookaholics and history buffs, Chetham’s library will feel like heaven. Some of you might even know Chetham’s library as the place where Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx used to meet whenever Engels visited Manchester.
Affleck’s Palace
Affleck’s Palace, which is now known as Afflecks, is one of the most popular indoor shopping centers in the UK. This architectural wonder is situated at the junction between Dale Street and Church Street. If you are wondering where you can find the best souvenirs for your friends and family back home, this is the place you need to go to. Besides souvenirs, Affleck’s Palace is famous for its food, massage services, clothes, and several other unique items.
Heaton Park
Manchester is full of some world-class parks, and Heaton Park is one of them. A vacation means you need relaxation, and Heaton Park can provide you with that. Heaton Park measures up to 600 acres and is the largest park in Greater Manchester county.
Even though it has been renovated, the park still holds most of its original architecture, especially its vistas. As a visitor, you can enjoy several activities on the premises of Heaton Park, such as playing golf, mini putt, tennis, as well as driving range. The park also has a lake in it and some fantastic playgrounds for kids.
Moreover, you can also admire the beauty of the museum and woodlands and the ornamental gardens of Heaton Park. Do not forget to enjoy a boat ride before leaving Heaton Park.
Royal Exchange Theater
No one can ever wholly explore Manchester without visiting Royal Exchange Theater. This building with genius architecture offers a seven-sided stage that allows the audience to enjoy the best ever watching experience. You can either enjoy a show in the theater or simply take a walk and explore the history of this unique theatre.
Manchester Museum
The Manchester Museum is situated inside the famous University of Manchester and is considered the best university museum in the UK. Most tourists visit the Manchester Museum to witness the outstanding collection of the historical artifacts that it holds. You can explore displays of all sorts, say it be anthropology, archeology, or earth sciences.
Some other exhibits inside the museum include mummies, a reproduction of a T-rex fossil, a huge Japanese spider crab, Egyptian sarcophagi. There is also a vivarium in the museum, where you can have a closer look at several reptiles and frogs. The viral Neb-Senu statue is also displayed in this very museum.
Museum of Science and Industry
Also known as MOSI, the Museum of Science and Industry is a great place to visit, especially for a technology geek. Everything is displayed in the Museum of Science and Industry, from the world’s oldest railroad station to the latest industrial advances.
There are twelve galleries that you can explore, each of which exhibits different technological and industrial artifacts. The Station Building in the Museum of Science and Industry is a must-visit, as it tells the long history of Manchester from the Roman era till present times.
