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The Top 5 Things To See & Do In Manchester

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Enjoy Live Music At Manchester Academy

There’s something to please everyone at Manchester Academy. Found on the massive campus of the University of Manchester (one of the largest universities in the UK), this go-to spot for live music consists of four unique venues that each churn out a wide array of live tunes.

This is a live music venue with real atmosphere. With a capacity of approximately 2,600, the simply named Academy venue is the biggest, followed by the more modest Academy 2, Academy 3 and Club Academy, which can all pack in less than 1,000 spectators, allowing for more intimate experiences.

Manchester has a massive history of rock and indie bands; Oasis, Stone Roses, New Order, Doves, The Smiths, The Charlatans, Happy Mondays, are all from our city. Manchester Academy is where the best bands play. A live gig here is your passport to witnessing Manchester music history being made.

Manchester Academy

Have A Cocktail In Cloud 23 At Sunset

Up on the 23rd floor of the Beetham Tower, one of Manchester’s tallest buildings, you can enjoy a panoramic bird’s eye view and a cocktail whilst watching the sun set over the city.

You can even stay the night as the Hilton Hotel which takes up the top floors of this iconic Manchester building. There is a full drinks and cocktail menus as well as a restaurant. The Manchester skyline is changing at an incredible pace and there is no better place to view the skyscrapers that are shooting up.

One example of Manchester’s tall building boom is “Oxygen”, due to be completed in 2021. Once completed, Oxygen will become Manchester’s very own ‘vertical village’, offering both accommodation and living amenities. This unique three-step building design will stand 150m high with 32 floors. A combination of 345 apartments and 12 family townhouses will be surrounded by landscaped communal outdoor space.

Cloud 23
Oxygen Manchester

Go For A 5km Run In The Park

Do you not know what parkrun is yet? It is taking the world quite literally by storm. parkrun is a series of 5km runs held across the world in areas of beautiful open spaces. (NB – There are currently 92 separate parkrun events all across Russia.) parkrun is open to all, free, safe and easy to take part in. It is staffed entirely by volunteers, who give their time to keep runners safe. The events are on every Saturday morning and always start at 09.00 am. Every runner later receives an email or text with his or her finishing time. Parkrun welcomes runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and abilities. You can even run with your dog or pushing your baby in a pram! As well as the benefits of physical activity in the open air, parkrun brings people together for a chat and aa cup of coffee afterwards.

Manchester has got lots of individual parkrun events, each with their own character. One favourite is Heaton Park parkrun. It is well known for its hills, Heaton Park parkrun will certainly get your heart racing. Set in the vast park grounds, this 5k will have you weaving through the trees, up and down hills and racing past the historic 18th Century Heaton Hall.

Heaton Parkrun

Football Crazy?

How can you visit Manchester, but not got to a football match? The only question is: red or blue? Are you United or City? If you are a United fan, then you must visit Old Trafford, the home stadium of this legendary and historic football club that has been home to players like Beckham, Cantona, Scholes, Best and Charlton . You can book a guided stadium tour, visit the dressing room, take in the view from the dugout and walk down the players tunnel onto pitch side whilst imagining the roar of the crowd! Of course, you can do the same at the amazing and contemporary Etihad stadium on the other side of the city, if Manchester City are your team.

But, if after that, you still have a great appetite for English football, then you must visit the National Football Museum in Manchester city centre. Here, you will discover how football became the game of our lives, following the stories through fascinating objects and exhibitions. You can also get a selfie holding the Champions League trophy! Get in the game with a host of fun interactive challenges, from penalty-taking and shot-stopping to match commentary. Set in the futuristic “URBIS” building, this is a must see.

National Football Museum

A Typical English Pub

You really have not lived the Manchester experience if you haven’t stood in a typical British pub, with a pint of bitter beer in hand and some traditional fish and chips on a plate in front of you. And there is no better place to do this than “Mr Thomas’s Chop House”! Established in 1867, this is a beautiful old building is as impressive on the outside as it is on the inside. Once you enter the swinging pub doors, you will walk across the black and white paved floor and see the beautiful deep coloured mahogany bar, brass beer pumps and decorative ceramic tiles on the wall.

Who said the English don’t make good food? The award winning restaurant specialises in wonderfully tasty traditional British dishes like a bowl of brown onion soup and a steak and kidney pudding. At Mr Thomas’s you will get everything! A lively and friendly atmosphere, good cooking and the best of British ales and beers. Treat yourself after a hard day’s sightseeing in our wonderful city.

Mr Thomas’s Chop House

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