Manchester is a dynamic and lively city packed with so many exciting places and activities, with something that every time of person can enjoy, all within a short walk or a short bus or tram ride away.

For folks interested in perusing at a museum:

• Manchester Museum – A free museum perfect for those study break days or a time out with friends or family. Features amazing live reptiles and amphibians inside and a wide number of natural history exhibits.
• Whitworth Art Gallery and Whitworth Park – An incredible free art-gallery with a cafe that overlooks Whitworth Park. Additionally, exhibits change out here very often, so it’s always worth a re-visit.
• People’s History Museum – A free museum dedicated to the history of democracy and working people in Britain.
• Salford Museum & Art Gallery – A free museum with a portion of a recreated portion of a genuine Victorian era street. Lots of incredible pieces covering art and local history.
• The Lowry – Free gallery space with live theatre.
• Aviva Studios – Museum and event space all in one with world-class artists stopping for exhibitions or concerts.
• HOME Manchester – Exhibitions, film screenings, and theatre productions, this place is ideal day or night arts centre.

For the live music and entertainment lovers:

• Manchester Academy Venues – Live music venues on the University of Manchester campus. Hack: book tickets in-person to avoid the online booking fees!
• YES – A multi-story venue serving freshly fired pizzas and a mixture of live music.
• The Deaf Institute – Perfect spot for those themed club nights ranging from Disney Channel throwbacks to y2k and 2010s hits.
• Band on the Wall – Variety of jazz, folks, blues, and international music live performances in an intimate venue.
• Palace Theatre – Catch your musical theatre performances here located on Oxford Road.
• The Bridgewater Hall – Tours are available here and you can snag discounted student tickets for symphonic and orchestral concerts.
• The Blues Kitchen – Venue with plenty of live music on every day of the week with the warm and funky Soul, Motown, R&B, neo-soul music to liven up your evenings.

For those looking for some green spaces to take a break and the enjoy the scenery:

• Castlefield Viaduct – A National Trust site and beautifully crafted spot of greenery in an unexpected location in the city.
• Sackville Gardens with Alan Turing Memorial – A peaceful inner-city garden in the Gay Village and home to the statue of modern computing pioneer, Alan Turing.
• Cotton Field Park – Perfect area to picnic with benches and patches of grass.
• Peel Park – A quiet and wide green space with trails and near the water. Perfect for picnicking or casual strolls.
For those interested in visiting sites with rich history:
• Manchester Cathedral – A stunning medieval Gothic style church in the city centre and open to the public for general visiting.
• John Rylands Library – A neo-Gothic library with rare manuscripts and the feel of Hogwarts.
• Manchester Central Library – A grand circular library with a beautiful domed reading room. Has loads of events happening weekly inside.
• Gay Village – A vibrant and lively area that is the soul of Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community with a rich social and cultural history.
• Victoria Baths – A budget-friendly spot in Manchester with an intriguing history of public pools in Manchester.

Manchester is the city for those that want the feel of a bustling city, but without the overwhelming very big city feeling. It provides the perfect balance and is THE place to be a student and since moving here, I never regretted it.

Written by Katera, a current postgraduate student in SEED. 

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