What to do in Manchester on the Weekend? | The Midland

Guide: 48 hours in Manchester

Vibrant, energetic and eclectic, Manchester is the perfect city for a cultured-yet-lively trip. Whether you want to explore the textile heritage of this industrial town, discover more about the city’s musical roots or experience world-class dining, Manchester has everything you could wish for on a city break.

While you could spend longer exploring this northern city, a weekend in Manchester is the perfect amount of time to get a taste of what the city has to offer. To help get you started with planning your trip, we’ve put together some of the best things to do in Manchester in 48 hours.

Day One:

Morning - Northern Quarter and Spinningfields:

The best way to start your two-day trip to Manchester is to explore the city on foot to get your bearings. For window shopping, head to the ultra-cool Northern Quarter. Famous for its independent shops, vintage stores and quirky establishments, you’ll find plenty to see here.

• How to get to the Northern Quarter: From The Midland, it’s a 15‑minute walk or about 11-12 minutes by public transport.

If designer shopping is more your thing, walk towards the Arndale Centre or Spinningfields. Spinningfields is the biggest commercial district of Manchester, with popular bars, restaurants and shops.

• How to get to Arndale Centre: From the Midland, it’s a 10-minute walk, a 6-minute trip by public transport, or a 4-minute walk from the Northern Quarter.
• How to get to Spinningfields: from the Midland, it’s a 7-minute walk.

Lunch:

Manchester is a foodie’s dream, and there are plenty of lunch spots to choose from. In the Northern Quarter, you’ll find everything from pizza to elegant Asian food. If you’re in the Spinningfields area, there are plenty of luxury dining options too.

Afternoon - Spinningfields:

After lunch, consider exploring one of Manchester’s exciting and innovative museums. The People’s History Museum is worth a visit and is ideally located next to Spinningfields.

• How to get to People’s History Museum: it’s a 12 minute-walk or 9 minutes by public transport from the Midland, or around 15 minutes public transport from the Northern Quarter.
• Location: Leftbank, Manchester M3 3ER, United Kingdom.
• Booking: Required for group visits of over 6 people free entry).
• Opening hours: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, every day except Tuesdays.

Alternatively, pay a visit to the neo-gothic John Rylands Library, which is an exquisite example of late Victorian architecture.

• How to get to John Rylands Library: it’s a 7 minute-walk from The Midland or a 6 minute-walk from the People’s History Museum.
• Location: 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH, United Kingdom.
• Booking: Not required, (free entry).
• Opening Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm (last entry at 4.40pm).

Dinner - The Midland Experience:

Once you’ve had your fill of Manchester’s cultural offerings, head back to The Midland for dinner. With incredible fine tasting menus The French at The Midland, enjoy intricate dishes of the highest quality created by chef Adam Reid. For after-dinner cocktails, stop by the beautifully designed Lounge and Champagne Bar.

Booking:

• The French: Required (Make a Reservation Now)
• Lounge and Champagne Bar: Not Required.

Opening hours:

• The French: Wednesday & Thursday 6 pm - 8.30 pm, Friday & Saturday 5 pm - 8.30 pm.
• Lounge and Champagne Bar: Food service times
  • Breakfast: 9:00 am - 11:00 am.
  • Afternoon & Evening: 11:00 am - 21:30 pm.
• Lounge and Champagne Bar: Bar operation times
  • Monday - Thursday: 8 am - midnight.
  • Friday & Saturday: 8 am -1:00 am.
  • Sunday: 8 am - 23:00pm.

Day Two

Morning - Brunch at the Midland: 

For your second morning in Manchester, enjoy a leisurely brunch at the Lounge and Champagne Bar at The Midland, with an exquisitely crafted brunch, in one of the city’s best breakfast establishments. 

• Booking:
• Opening hours: 7 days a week, breakfast from 9 am to 11 am, lunch starts at 11 am. 

Afternoon - Deansgate: 

For an afternoon tipple, head to Deansgate. Offering some of the trendiest bars in the city, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or two. Deansgate is also conveniently located near to the Manchester Arena and the Royal Exchange Theatre, making it a great place to enjoy a drink and dinner before seeing a concert or show. 

• How to get to Deansgate: From The Midland it’s a 6 minute-walk. 

Dinner - Relaxed at Mount Street Dining Room & Bar: 

Whether you’re looking for a post-show supper or a full dining experience after spending the day exploring the city, head back to The Midland for dinner. Our Mr Cooper’s Restaurant and Bar Mount Street Dining Room and Bar offers the perfect relaxed ambience for your last night in the city, with exceptional dishes that are sure to delight. 

• Booking: required. 
• Opening hours: Wednesday - Saturday: 5 pm - 9:30 pm. 

Travel tips for Manchester:  

• Manchester is easily reachable from across the country, with trains arriving from London Euston into Manchester Piccadilly in just over 2 hours.  
• For those travelling from the north, the city can be reached from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in under 3 hours and Leeds in just 1 hour. 
• Most of the city centre is walkable and one of the best ways to explore is on foot. With this in mind, choose a central hotel that gives easy access to the best things to do in Manchester.  
• The Midland, for example, is a stone’s throw from a variety of museums, galleries, restaurants and bars. With stylish and luxurious rooms, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a day (or night) on the town. 

From the Northern Quarter to Spinningfields, Manchester is the perfect location for a vibrant city break. For more ideas to inspire your trip to this exciting city, discover our selection of things to do in Manchester. 

FAQ 

What to do in Manchester with kids?  

Manchester offers plenty of family‑friendly activities. Some of the fun to do with kids in Manchester include: 

• LEGOLAND Discovery Centre: Perfect for younger children with rides, play zones, and creative LEGO fun. 
• SEA LIFE Manchester: Explore underwater worlds, meet sea creatures, and enjoy interactive exhibits. 
• Kids‑friendly museums: Many museums in Manchester offer hands‑on activities and exhibitions designed for kids. 

For more ideas, explore our guide. 

What to do in Chinatown Manchester?  

Chinatown Manchester is well known for its fantastic food scene, bakeries, supermarkets and also its cultural attractions. You can enjoy authentic Asian cuisine, browse specialist shops, or visit the Manchester Art Gallery nearby.  

Chinatown is only a five‑minute walk from The Midland Manchester Hotel. 

Is Manchester pedestrian friendly? 

Yes, Manchester is a very pedestrian‑friendly city. The city centre is compact and has several pedestrian‑only streets, making it easy to explore on foot. 

Is 2 days in Manchester enough? 

Two days in Manchester is generally enough to see the main attractions, especially because the city centre is walkable. With good planning, you can comfortably explore museums, neighbourhoods, and cultural highlights within a weekend. 

What is the posh area of Manchester? 

Manchester has several upscale neighbourhoods known for restaurants, bars, and premium living. Popular areas include: 

• Spinningfields: a 7 minute-walk from The Midland. Famous for its financial centre and cocktail bars. 
• Castlefield: a 20 minute-walk from The Midland. Great neighbourhoods with green space and numerous waterside bars and restaurants. 

What is the best month to visit Manchester? 

The best time to visit Manchester is generally:  

• From June to August as it is the best time for warm weather and packed calendar events, with a peak of tourists in July and August. 

• And April, May, September and October are also great times to visit Manchester, with pleasant weather and fewer tourists.