Manchester Buzzing and vibrant city packed full of events, attractions, and an interesting blend of neo-Gothic architecture.

Once an industrial metropolis, it was in the mid 20^th century that Manchester suffered from a depression in social and economic conditions after a decline in its industrial importance. After much investment, rebranding and reinvigorating in the 1990s, Manchester became what it is today - a buzzing and vibrant city packed full of events and attractions. The city’s skyline includes an interesting blend of imposing neo-Gothic architecture like the Town Hall and the ultra-modern buildings of present-day Manchester.

Home to two of the best-known English football teams in the world, Manchester United and Manchester City, the city of Manchester has long been a go-to destination for fans of the sport with a visit to Old Trafford high on the bucket list. A mammoth stadium that seats over 75,000, if you can’t get tickets to a Manchester United home game, you can still get close with a tour. Take a tour of Manchester City’s home ground at Ethiad Stadium or explore the world’s finest collection of football artefacts and archives at the National Football Museum with four floors of memorabilia and interactive experiences.

For a bit of culture, there are plenty of museums to explore in Manchester. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry; the Manchester Museum with 20 human mummies from Egypt and the cat scans that were taken of them in 2012; The Imperial War Museum North; the People’s History Museum or for art, the Manchester or Whitworth Art Gallery’s. Wander through the picturesque Fletcher Moss Park and Parsonage Garden, a tranquil haven renowned for its botanical beauty. Stroll along the banks of the city’s many picturesque canals or travel by boat through the locks for a different perspective.

Manchester is a great spot for shopping and if high street fashion isn’t your style, you’ll find plenty of vintage and retro shops with the indoor market, Affleck’s Palace a veritable institution for the quirky and alternative. For something a little different, try your hand at skiing or snowboarding in the UK’s longest indoor slope at Chill Factore; get a group together to visit Breakout Manchester where you get locked in a room for an hour and have to solve a series of puzzles to escape; or take a tour through the maze-like Stockport Air Raid Shelters, a series of underground tunnels used by thousands during the Manchester Blitz of World War II.

With music very dear to its heart and an impressive list of bands, singers and musicians coming out of Manchester, there is usually something going on at one of the city’s many live music venues.