Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Manchester has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
- Viewpoint
- The Beetham skyscraper on Deansgate is the tallest residential building in the UK , with a 24th-floor Sky Bar in which to sup bubbly and lord it over Lancashire.
- Arts and culture
- Take a tram (Metrolink: +44 (0)161 205 2000) from Piccadilly Gardens to Harbour City, where you’ll find the Lowry gallery (full of matchstick men and matchstick cats and dogs…) and the Daniel Libeskind-designed Imperial War Museum North. In town is the Manchester City Art Gallery on Mosely Street (+44 (0)161 234 1456) and the elegant Urbis building, Museum of the Modern City. For a lighter dose of Manc culture, head for the Comedy Store at Deansgate Locks (+44 (0)8705 932932), where stand-ups (good and bad) grace the stage from Wednesday to Sunday.
- Something for nothing
- The Museum of Science & Industry (msim.org.uk) lies by the site of the original Roman settlement of Mancunium, detailing Manchester’s industrial heritage. It also houses something that looks like the world’s first-ever train station and is, in fact, the world’s first-ever train station (does beg the question: where were the trains going to?).
- Shopping
- A shopper’s Shangri-la. Everything lies within easy walking distance – from Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and the boutiques of the Triangle (all based around Exchange Square); to stores such as Collezioni Armani and DKNY on King Street.
- And...
- Creative energy crackles through the studios and galleries of the Northern Quarter. Based around Oldham Street and Tib Street, it’s full of fiercely independent boutiques and bars. Well-loved drinkeries include Cord on Dorsey Street, and Bluu, on Smithfield Market, off Thomas Street.
Diary
Early March There’ll be music, comedy and Guinness at the Irish Festival (www.manchesteririshfestival.com). 22–30 July The Manchester Jazz Festival (www.manchesterjazz.com), with the Tord Gustafson Trio a star turn in 2006. 18–28 August The utterly fabulous Gay Pride. September Manchester Food and Drink Festival (www.foodanddrinkfestival.com), hailed as one of the best urban events of its kind. Mega music-industry schmooze-fest In The City (www.inthecity.co.uk) at the Midland Hotel. December Christmas markets in Albert Square and St Ann Square are perfect for giving you that festive-shopping tingle.
