Manchester tours and tickets
Manchester has few sights that sell out, but several that depend on the football calendar. Old Trafford and Etihad stadium tours stop on match days, and hotels and gigs book out around fixtures. Museums and the library are free or low cost and rarely need a slot, apart from free timed tickets for some galleries. Liverpool, Chester and the Peak District are easy by train.
Book these first
- Stadium tours
- A few days to a week ahead. Tours run on set days and not on match days, so you need a slot that fits the fixture list.
- Hotel rooms on match and concert nights
- As early as you know the dates. Home fixtures and big arena shows push up rates and fill the center, so check the dates before you pick yours.
- Restaurants in Ancoats and the city center
- A week or two ahead for Friday and Saturday. The popular restaurants fill at weekends, and a few take walk-ins only, so check each one first.
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Museums and galleries
John Rylands Library
A neo-Gothic library on Deansgate with a cathedral-like reading room, rare books and exhibitions. Entry is free, and guided tours run on certain days. It opens for only part of the week.
Which to pick. Check the opening hours before you go. Join a guided tour if one is running, and arrive early.
Not needed, entry is freeVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorScience and Industry Museum
A museum on the site of the world's first passenger railway station, covering the Industrial Revolution, textiles and power. Entry is free, and some galleries ask you to book a free timed ticket.
Which to pick. Reserve the galleries you want online. It suits a wet afternoon, and children enjoy it.
A day or two ahead for busy daysVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorNational Football Museum
A museum of the game, with the World Cup trophy replica, shirts and interactive games. Tickets are sold online and at the door, with a discount when booked ahead.
Which to pick. Buy online, especially at weekends and in school holidays, to skip the queue. Allow two hours for a visit.
A day or two aheadVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorThe Lowry and Imperial War Museum North
Two buildings on Salford Quays, one an arts center with LS Lowry's paintings and the other a war museum in a Daniel Libeskind building. Both have free entry, with shows ticketed.
Which to pick. Go by tram and combine both in an afternoon. Book a show at the Lowry separately.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Old Trafford stadium tour
A guided tour of the home of Manchester United, with the dressing rooms, the tunnel and the museum. Tours run on non-match days and last about 90 minutes. Weekends and school holidays sell out.
Which to pick. Check the fixture list and book a morning slot. Choose a tour with the museum if you are a fan.
A few days to a week aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorEtihad Stadium tour
A guided tour of the stadium of Manchester City, with the players' areas, the tunnel and the trophy room. Tours run on non-match days.
Which to pick. Book a morning slot. It suits fans and can be combined with a visit to the Etihad Campus.
A few days to a week aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorA gig or a match
Big shows at the arena and stadiums and Premier League matches sell out months ahead. Smaller venues in the Northern Quarter take tickets days before.
Which to pick. Buy match and arena tickets from the official seller as early as you know the date. Pick small venues for last-minute plans.
Weeks or months ahead for big showsOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
Northern Quarter street art walk
A guided walk of murals, record shops and independent bars in the Northern Quarter, explaining the artists and the changes in the area. It lasts about two hours.
Which to pick. Join on a weekend morning, when it is lively but not crowded. It is an easy first outing.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on ViatorCastlefield and canals walk
A walk along the oldest canal basins, the Roman fort, viaducts and warehouses, with the story of the cotton trade. Walks last about two hours and finish near Deansgate.
Which to pick. Choose it if you like industrial history and old brick. In summer, add a canal boat trip afterwards.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Liverpool
A port city about 50 minutes by train, with the waterfront, museums and Beatles sites. Tours cover the main sites in a day.
Which to pick. Go alone by train and focus on the waterfront and one museum. Book a Beatles tour ahead if you want one.
A few days ahead for toursOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPeak District
Moors, edges and villages, with trains to Edale and Hathersage within an hour. Guided walks take the stress out of navigation.
Which to pick. Take a train to Edale for a walk, or join a guided day with a car. Check the weather and bring waterproofs.
A few days ahead for guided walksOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorChester
A walled Roman city about an hour by train, with a ring of walls, the Rows and a cathedral. Tours are short and can be done alone.
Which to pick. Go alone and walk the walls. Add a river cruise if the weather is good.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Manchester
Can I tour the stadiums on match days?
No. Tours stop on match days and often the day before or after. Check the fixture list before you book, and pick a weekday for the best choice of slots.
Do I need to book the Science and Industry Museum?
Entry is free, but some galleries use free timed tickets on busy days. Reserve online if you want the Power Hall or special exhibitions.
Is the John Rylands Library free?
Yes, entry is free. It has limited opening days, so check the hours. Guided tours run on certain days and are worth joining if you are there.
How do I get tickets for a Premier League match?
Through the club's official ticket sales, usually to members first, and then to the public. Hospitality packages and tours are alternatives if you cannot get a seat.
Can I visit Liverpool and come back in a day?
Yes. Trains run every 30 minutes and take under an hour. Plan the waterfront and one museum, and check the last train.
What can wait until I arrive?
Museums, the library, the Northern Quarter and Chester can be done on the day. Book stadium tours, big gigs and Friday or Saturday dinners ahead.