10 hidden activities in Manchester (that aren’t just the usual stuff)
Manchester offers endless activities to do, but not all of them leave a mark. If you’re looking for experiences that feel rewarding, satisfying, or unforgettable, this list has you covered. From unique cafes to immersive meals, these are the activities Manchester locals and curious visitors actually enjoy. Consider it the insider guide to seeing the city differently.
1. Morning Glory matcha
Start your day and fuel up for your activities in Manchester with a Morning Glory matcha or coffee. Each drink is freshly handcrafted and poured into a can on the spot – smooth, vibrant, and ready to take with you for a quick pick-me-up that sets the tone for the day.
📍Location: Northern Quarter
💰Price: From £3 per drink
2. Vintage photobooth
Slide inside a photobooth, strike a pose, and snap retro-shots with friends. Quick, fun, and a bit nostalgic, these photos make memories that you can keep on your walls forever.
📍Location: Northern Quarter
💰Price: £5 per strip
3. Makerspace Kampus ceramics class
Escape the everyday routine and craft pieces with your own hands. During a pottery session at Makerspace Kampus, learn a new skill and leave with something you can take home.
📍Location: Makers Quarter
💰Price: £45
4. Oopstay art cafe
Personalise jewellery boxes, mirrors, or hair clips, and channel your inner artist at this quirky cafe. As your masterpiece dries, grab a pastry from the counter – the kind of reward every artist deserves! Hands-on, fun, and playful, it’s an activity you’ll want to come back to again and again.
📍Location: Chinatown
💰Price: From £20 per item
5. Chetham Library
Step back into the 1600s in Chethams Library, full of gothic charm, hidden staircases, and centuries of literary history. It’s as if you’re wandering through Hogwarts; you’ll feel the dark academia come to life around you.
📍Location: Medieval Quarter
💰Price: Free
6. Sea Life Manchester
From jellyfish to sharks, Sea Life offers a marine experience that’s equal parts fun and fascinating. Walk through tunnels surrounded by stingrays, marvel at bright coral displays, and get up close to creatures you don’t normally see every day. Explore an underwater world, without leaving the city.
📍Location: Trafford Palazzo
💰Price: £30
7. Big Manchester bake-off
Test your kitchen skills (and friendships) in a classic bake-off challenge. This hands-on activity is fun, competitive, and delicious – just be ready to share (or sneak!) extra treats when no one’s looking.
📍Location: Salford
💰Price: £44.90
8. Taste Film cinematic dining
Taste Film turns films into an immersive experience. Enjoy a film while sampling dishes inspired by the scenes presented on screen. Previous films include Ratatouille and The Grand Budapest Hotel – each one a feast for the senses.
📍Location: St. Peter’s Square
💰Price: £82.50
9. Side Street 1970s – themed bar
End the night with cocktails in classic 1970s fashion. Side Street transports you back in time with Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, and other vinyl classics spinning in the background. Perfect for winding down the night while soaking up nostalgia.
📍Location: Deansgate
💰Price: From £12 per drink
10. The hidden gem activity in Manchester – StreetHunt Games
For a story-driven adventure through the city, try StreetHunt Games. Pick a mystery hunt and solve puzzles scattered throughout the city centre. Take a stroll down back streets and stumble upon hidden architecture you didn’t even know existed.
📍Across Manchester
💰Price: From £16.50 per person
🧠Age: 10+ (Will Breaker), 13+ (Colombia’s Finest)
⏱️Duration: 60-120 minutes
Choose your adventure:
- The Case of Colombia’s Finest – Something’s brewing in Manchester – and it’s not just the coffee. Step into the world of Colombia’s Finest, where every clue leads you deeper into a tangled empire of secrets and scandal. Can your team crack the case?
- Will Breaker – Your uncle’s gone, but his secrets live on. Follow a trail of riddles that guide you to strangers, and uncover the secrets of your uncle’s past. Can you put together the pieces before time runs out?
Manchester’s best stories aren’t found – they’re uncovered
There’s no shortage of activities in Manchester – but finding ones that are memorable and a little out of the ordinary can be tricky. That’s when the real fun begins. From hands-on workshops to retro cocktail bars, this city rewards the curious and those who like to do things differently.
So, next time you’re wondering what to do in Manchester, skip the same old plans. The city’s full of surprises if you know where to look. Explore, play, and uncover a new side of Manchester with StreetHunt Games.