Looking for an introduction to Manchester? If you’re a fresher, new to the city or have been here for a while and still not sure where to go, we’ve compiled a list of the top places you should add to your itinerary.
Why you can trust us:
Sour Cherry has been based in Manchester for over 8 years
Our staff love going out for a cute coffee shop, visiting museums and a night out, it's safe to say lots of places have been tried and tested!
Table of Contents
These are the top 7 things students should do in Manchester
1. Afflecks
Afflecks is located in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter. It’s an iconic building and a vibrant hub for alternative shops and small businesses. Known for its distinctive character, Afflecks is a must-visit for both locals and people visiting Manchester.
While we may be slightly biased, given that our store is located within Afflecks, we can confidently say Afflecks is home to an impressive array of small businesses that embody the spirit of the Northern Quarter.
As the Manchester shopping emporium is an eclectic mix of small businesses, it means the building can be a maze to navigate!
After navigating Afflecks, you might want a break. Third Floor Rising is the perfect spot for a drink and a quick bite. They’re a favourite among Affleck’s staff; everyone who works in our Afflecks store raves about their delicious iced coffee.
Affleck’s is a celebration of creativity and community; it’s always worth a visit, whether you're a long-time Mancunian or a first-time visitor.
2. Chapter One Books
- Open 10am - 9pm, Chapter One Books is the perfect location for a coffee catch-up with friends, study dates or a late-night revision session.
- With tables, armchairs and cushions on the floor, although it's based in Manchester city centre, it feels like you've been transported a million miles away.
- Connected is Mala Secret Garden, so you can order food and alcoholic drinks to your seat!
"Manchester has everything except a beach"
3. St Michael's Flags & Angel Meadow Park
Looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre?
Manchester has lots of parks on the outskirts: Platt Fields, Whitworth, and Peel Park, to name a few.
But if you're in the city centre looking for greenery, St Michael's Flags & Angel Meadow Park is the perfect spot for a rare bit of natural greenery in Manchester.
Although the park is quite small, it's the perfect spot to people and dog watch.
4. The Northern Quarter
If you're looking for somewhere to drink in Manchester that isn't a big chain, the Northern Quarter is your best bet. Nestled around Oldham Rd, there are so many spots to match your ideal night out.
Some of my favourites for a go-to drink spot are The Wayfarer and Lost Cat - make sure you check out their happy hour deals!
5. Media City
Taking you out of Manchester city centre, just a short journey on the tram or 50 bus, Media City is a great spot for just about anything. Surrounded by big TV media (BBC, ITV, Coronation Street), you can walk along the quays, get a coffee, or get food from my favourite food hall, Kargo MKT.
In Media City, you'll find The Lowry, The Imperial War Museum, or you could do a tour of the Coronation Street set. You'll never be bored in Media City.
6. Manchester Museum
Looking for some culture? There are some great spots, such as the John Rylands Library and the People's Museum.
The Manchester Museum, which is a free museum run by the University of Manchester, is famous for its life-size seven-meter cast of a Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil skeleton, which they've named Stan.
The museum has a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits, ranging from natural history specimens, an archaeological collection, fossils and dinosaurs. Alongside this, they have human-centric exhibits such as The Belonging Gallery that reflects on what belonging means for humans, species and places, as well as ancient Egyptian artefacts and The Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery that showcases the links between Manchester and China.
Love Dinosaurs? Check out our rawsome earrings
7. Roxy Ballroom
Roxy Ballroom, which has two locations in Manchester (the Arndale and Deansgate), is an entertainment facility where people can play a range of games such as bowling, beer pong, table tennis, shuffleboard, and many more, all for affordable prices.
Although it's a chain, we thought Roxy Ballroom was a great addition to the list, as moving to a new city can be daunting; it's a great way to bond with new friends.
"This is Manchester; we do things differently here"
Honestly, we could've gone on forever; we haven't even touched on the music or football scene in Manchester. There's just so much to do. We hope that you find the spaces that you love and feel safe in, and this can be a jumping-off point for you.
One of my personal favourite restaurants in Manchester is Chakalaka on Oldham Street, they do half price on mains Monday - Wednesday
For a fun night out, there are so many spots you could go; Canal Street, Deansgate, the Northern Quarter, each bringing its own vibe and aesthetic.
If you want to head out of Manchester city centre, Didsbury has it all: cafes (I recommend The Art of Tea), shops, and if you're brave enough, you can get a group of friends together for the pub crawl, the Didsbury Dozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the easiest way to get around?
The Bee Network has made it more affordable to travel around Manchester.
Especially their hopper ticket, where you can get on as many buses as you need to in an hour, making it extremely cost-effective if you're getting multiple buses.
Where is the best place for a matcha?
With its never-ending popularity, I've found Federal and Morning Glory are local businesses in Manchester that make a great matcha
What's with all the bees?
Manchester has had an affinity with bees for decades. The powerhouse of the north has become synonymous with the worker bee for countless reasons, so yes, you'll see a lot of bees around the city.
The Author: Ellie Easton
