FUN THINGS TO SEE IN MANCHESTER
Manchester isn’t just a place. It’s a pulse. A swagger. A city that knows how to mix brains with brawn and industrial grit with indie charm. If you’re in town and looking for fun things to see in Manchester, Streethunt Games has you covered with this fast-track guide to the must-sees. No guidebook required.
Industry – where it all kicked off
It’s no secret that Manchester is famous for its industrial history. As the first industrialised city in the world, there is much to uncover. Many artefacts and buildings exist as a testament to the city’s industrial heritage.
1. Railway revolution
The LNER arches on Corporation Street were originally built to support the expanding railway network during the Industrial Revolution.
These mighty redbrick arches aren’t just Insta-worthy – they carried the world’s first passenger railway.
The Liverpool and Manchester Railway opened in 1830, giving steam-powered travel its first real test run. Spoiler: it worked.
2. Coal canals
Once the coal-churning heart of Manchester, the Grocers Warehouse in the Bridgewater Canal Basin kept the city’s fires burning by loading coal straight from the canal to the cart. Today, a lone waterwheel remains, quietly standing in commemoration of this historic building. It wasn’t just coal that passed through here, though; Castlefield was also the backdrop to a case that made history.
Born in Deansgate in 1844, Jerome Caminada cracked the notorious Manchester Cab Mystery in just three weeks and left more than a few clues for Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of Sherlock Holmes. Channel your inner detective on your next StreetHunt Games adventure!
Music – where sound meets soul
As the musical capital of the UK, Manchester’s rhythm spills into every street. The most successful artists from the city include The Smiths, Oasis, the Bee Gees, New Order, and many more! Live music can be some of the most fun things to see in Manchester. From record shops to stadium shows, music is stitched into Manchester’s streets.
1. Successful symphonies
The bust outside of Bridgewater Hall commemorates John Barbirolli, a great musician, philharmonic veteran, and knighted conductor!
He worked for the New York Philharmonic, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, and many others.
After reviving the Halle orchestra, they now play at Bridgewater Hall. Manchester gave him a statue. You’ll give him a nod.
2. Record reputations
Piccadilly Records is an indie vinyl haven whose 40 years of back-catalogue cool contribute to Manchester’s strong musical ties. They are an independent business that specialises in a wide range of genres. Their wide selection is one of the most fun things to see in Manchester. They have a star-studded customer list including Tim Burgess and Johnny Marr. One of the longest-running record shops in the city, and their service makes them one of the best!
3. Opera options
Opening in 1912, the Manchester Opera House has a strong musical and cultural legacy. Its high-profile shows have included regional premieres of West Side Story and Phantom of the Opera. From 1979 to 1984, the Opera House served as a cinema and bingo hall! Proof that even grand theatres have their rebellious teenage years.
Science – the spark behind the scenes
Scientific discovery serves as one of Manchester’s greatest achievements. Many gifted scholars and scientists have walked its cobbled streets, and you will find many commemorations of their success.
1. Revolutionary realisations
Mulberry Passage, otherwise known as “Dalton’s Entry,” is named after the physicist, chemist, and meteorologist John Dalton. It is also referred to as “Five Parts Alley” for the five principles of his revolutionary atomic theory. Dalton’s theory was so impactful that it garnered international recognition and put Manchester on the map!
2. Comical computers
The Science & Industry museum is one of the most fun things to see in Manchester, as it houses years of history from the world’s first industrial city.
The museum is home to a replica of the Manchester Baby – the first modern stored-program computer. It was over 2 meters tall and weighed over 1000 kilograms.
It had a memory of only 32 words, and it once took 52 minutes to solve a math problem. ChatGPT now takes a millisecond…
3. Passionate prodigy
Alan Turing was a famous mathematician, scientist, and LGBTQ+ icon. His “Turing machine,” which helped to create computer algorithms, won him the title of father of theoretical computer science. In Sackville Gardens, you will find the Alan Turing memorial, including his statue seated on a bench. Turing once buried two silver bars near Bletchley Park in case of German invasion. Legend has it, he couldn’t remember the code to the cipher he’d used to keep the location secret. The bars are still out there somewhere, talk about a hidden gem in Manchester!
Statues – solid proof of bold ideas
Everywhere you turn in Manchester, you will find a commemorative statue. They serve as art pieces that adorn the city and as reminders of a complex history.
1. Civil connections
Abraham Lincoln’s influence reached the UK because Manchester’s cotton workers backed his anti-slavery stance during the cotton famine, even when it hit them in the pocket. In gratitude, Manchester’s Lincoln Statue was erected in Platt Field Park as a gift from the United States in 1866 to honour his leadership in the fight for freedom. The statue celebrates over 100 years of peace between the two countries!
2. Peaceful perseverance
Nearly 3 meters tall, there is a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Cathedral yard.
A posthumous response to the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, the statue was inspired by Gandhi’s timeless message of nonviolence and compassion.
The piece serves as a peaceful reminder to spread kindness, even when it’s hard.
Football – it all started here
As the originating country of the world’s most popular sport, there is a lot of football history to be learned in Manchester. The National Football Museum, for example, is a monument that commemorates this massive achievement.
1. Football origins
Following the booming industry, football became very popular, with regular competitions starting in Manchester. The first competitive football competition occurred in 1888 after the formation of the Football League. The rest is history – and penalty shootouts.
2. Iconic apparel
One of the most fun things to see in Manchester, the National Football Museum, has one of the world’s biggest football collections in the world, with around 140,000 items in total being held there.
Among the items is the world’s oldest football shirt, which was worn in the first international football match in 1872!
3. Rooted rivalry
Manchester has not one, but two main football teams! Each has been in operation for over a hundred years. Manchester City and Manchester United have a fierce generational rivalry and are always butting heads. For years, United held the upper hand – but these days, it’s City turning heads and tables. They have loyal international fan bases drawing crowds and drama wherever they play. Their games are one of the most fun things to discover in Manchester.
Libraries – where silence says plenty
With all of its rich history, Manchester takes pride in its very intricate and influential libraries. Tucked into neighbourhoods, these libraries do more than lend books – they build belonging.
1. Beloved books
Chetham’s Library in Manchester was the first public library in the UK, and the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. Opening in 1653, it is still going strong with 100,000+ books and centuries of notable visitors. Chetham’s has quietly hosted some of the sharpest minds — from Karl Marx to Engels, their footsteps still echo in these stacks.
2. Notable novelists
The Portico Library gets its name from its entrance; a portico is known as a roof supported by columns.
The library offers the “Portico Prize” of £10k to a writer who evokes the spirit of the North of England. Notable winners include Nick Hornby (High Fidelity and About a Boy) and Jeanette Winterson (The Daylight Gate).
Discover the library that celebrates northern spirit with every page.
3. Crazy collections
The stunning neo-Gothic architecture of the John Rylands Library inspired many set designs for the Harry Potter series! Take a peek inside, the library houses the Papyrus P52, known as the oldest known fragment of the New Testament from the original bible. It starts with a selfie. Ends with a scroll.
Suffrage – voices that rose up
Women’s suffrage is a vital part of world history that originated in Manchester. Social justice is embedded in the city’s history and is a great source of pride for many of its inhabitants.
1. Victorious voting
Emmeline Pankhurst was a leading champion of women’s suffrage in the UK. She campaigned for over 40 years, advocating for women’s right to vote.
Just weeks after her death, the voting age for women was lowered from 30 to 21, achieving full electoral equality with men. “Rise Up, Women” reads her sculpture in St. Peter’s Square – fitting for the woman who led a movement and changed the vote forever.
2. Strong sisters
Manchester gave rise to the Women’s Social and Political Union – a fierce and determined group that shook the foundations of British politics by demanding women’s right to vote. The city was also the first to rally behind the bold act of unveiling suffragette banners, making its streets a stage for change. In 1913, three young activists from the movement made a sharp, deliberate statement against Emmeline Pankhurst’s imprisonment by damaging artworks at the Manchester Art Gallery – a protest that echoed far beyond the city walls.
Architechture – bricks with backstories
Manchester’s history is built into its streets. From Gothic churches to old warehouses, the city’s architecture tells a story of industry, ambition and change. These buildings don’t hide the past – they make it part of the present.
1. Roman roots
Roman ruins meet cobbled canals. Manchester was occupied by Rome starting around the year 70 CE.
Castlefield, the United Kingdom’s first Urban Heritage Park, is one of the best hidden gems in Manchester.
The area was built on the remains of Mamucium, a Roman fortification that stood for hundreds of years.
2. Resilient restoration
In the year 1940, the Manchester Town Hall was bombed during the Manchester Blitz, a long series of air raids during World War 2. The building survived and was rebuilt with pride. Still standing and still as iconic.
3. Miraculous meetings
The Midland Hotel in Manchester doesn’t just do luxury – it does legacy. In 1904, a certain Charles Rolls sat down for a meeting that would change the course of engineering. Opposite him? Henry Royce. Rolls-Royce wasn’t born in a boardroom or on a factory floor. It started here, over coffee and conversation. The Midland might not make engines, but it helped make the name.
3. Antiquated areas
Built in 1421, the Manchester Cathedral is scarred with markings from centuries earlier.
A small carving found on the wall can be dated back to the year 70 CE.
The site may have been used for worship for over 1,000 years!
Stories lie carved in every stone.
THERES MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM
Manchester’s history wasn’t meant to sit on a shelf. There is something at every corner, from libraries to landmarks. If you’re looking for a unique way to take it all in, look no further than Streethunt Games!
Our scavenger hunt game turns the city into a living, breathing puzzle, with a bit of clever fun thrown in. From red-brick streets to the old canals of Castlefield, two mysteries are waiting to be cracked.
Unlock hidden secrets along the way to your Uncle’s inheritance with Will Breaker, or uncover the truth about a coffee company crime using clues in The Case of Colombia’s Finest. Your game’s afoot!
Why choose StreetHunt Games as a way to discover Manchester?
- Part story, part escape game – you’re not just solving clues, you’re deep in the mystery.
- Self-guided and flexible – go at your own pace or race against the clock.
- Designed for thinkers and doers – smart puzzles for all levels, woven into the city around you.
- Better than your average scavenger hunt – every step reveals a clue, and every clue gets you closer to the truth.
By the end, you’ll have uncovered more than a mystery. You’ll have a story to tell.