There are so many things to do in Manchester when the sun is shining and when the weather turns to rain the city also has lots of places to visit that are bad weather appropriate! From museums to cinemas, Manchester has your rainy day needs sorted.
First on the list is the Trafford Centre, having been built in 1998, the grand shopping centre has been a main attraction in Manchester ever since and attracts thousands of locals and tourists every year. Being the biggest centre in Manchester, the shopping centre has many different shops including a Selfridges, mini golf courses, cinemas, an aquarium and a huge food court with lots of choice. The grand interior also holds one of the world’s largest chandeliers in the world and adds to the cruise ship aesthetic.
Another great place to visit in Manchester when it’s raining is NQ64, a retro arcade and bar where you can play many different and classic British arcade games, like Pac Man or Nintendo. You can also enjoy a soft drink or funky cocktail whilst you play on the consoles. Based in Manchester’s funky Northern Quarter, this quirky bar is a must visit when the weather outside is grim.
Third on the list is Junkyard Golf Club, another fun indoor activity, perfect for you and your friends to let off some steam with a bit of healthy competition. Home to three weird and wacky mini golf courses, you can make your way through all three whilst enjoying a drink or snacks with your friends. The themes of the courses are, a scrapyard, a carnival and a tropical jungle!
Manchester Art Gallery is another great place to visit during the day when the heavens have opened. With many different exhibitions open at one time and frequently changing, you can make your way round the gallery and take in all the amazing artwork. Located near Piccadilly Gardens, the huge gallery is easily accessible. Some of the current exhibitions include ‘Trading Station: How hot drinks shape our lives’ and ‘What is Manchester Art Gallery?’. The latter will give you an insight into how the gallery was started and also some information about Manchester.
Mackie Mayor indoor food hall is a must see when you’re feeling hungry and don’t fancy sitting outside in the cold or rain. The traditional English cosmopolitan food hall is home to stalls such as Honest Crust Pizza, Finn Fish Bar and Baohouse. You can enjoy dishes for breakfast, lunch or dinner and there is a wide variety of choices and prices, so you can definitely enjoy the food here if you’re on a budget. The building is a grade II building from 1858, set over two floors and can be found in The Northern Quarter.
Last on the list is The Science and Industry Museum, Deansgate. The museum proudly states that you can walk around and ‘explore 250 years of innovations and ideas that started life in Manchester and went on to change the world.’ This is a great place to go if you fancy learning about some of the science and engineering that makes Manchester the powerhouse it is today. For example you can learn about scientists such as Joseph Whitworth and Richard Roberts,
‘who helped the wheels of industry to turn.’ The museum also has some interactive experiences on offer and a nice cafe where you can sit and grab a coffee after your visit.
