If you’re looking for somewhere to go for a weekend in the UK that isn’t going to leave you searching for pennies down the back of the sofa when you get home, Manchester is the place to go. With plenty of free activities to get involved in and lots of things to see and do that aren’t going to break the bank, it’s the ideal city to visit if you fancy doing some cultural bits and bobs – followed by a cheap night out.
Here’s 5 things to do in Manchester for under £5:
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Museum of Science and Industry
One of the most popular museums in the North West of the UK (and for good reason!) the Museum of Science and Industry is completely free to get in. Sound boring? We can assure you it’s not! Check out the Space Gallery in particular – the triplane and fighter craft are incredible, and you can explore space age technology until your heart’s content. Our favourite bit is the unique barcode you get in the Revolution Manchester Gallery that activates loads of games and challenges whilst you’re there!
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The Northern Quarter
No matter if you fancy a cheap bite to eat in a trendy restaurant, somewhere to have a few cocktails that isn’t going to break the bank or simply want to browse some vintage record stores – the Northern Quarter is for you. The trendiest area of Manchester city centre, the Northern Quarter is home to some of the coolest yet most affordable cafes and bars in town. Embrace your inner hipster and head down for a drink or two.
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People’s History Museum
The best bit about Manchester’s People’s History Museum isn’t the fact that it’s free to get in. Nor is it the fact that the location is perfect – slap bang in the middle of the city centre. The best bit about the People’s History Museum is that whether you are an art lover or not, you will be blown away by this gallery. With almost 13,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs and other art forms on display, you will be able to browse for as long as you wish. The atmosphere here is pretty chilled, too, so perfect for an afternoon visit.
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John Rylands Library
“Why would I want to visit a library on a weekend away?!” we hear you ask. Well, if you’re a bookworm, you’ll be in your element here – there’s more than 200,000 books on display. Alternatively, if you’re not into your books but you’re a bit of a film buff, it’s worth visiting simply for the architecture. The inside of the library has been likened to Hogwarts and Beauty and the Beast, making it the perfect Instagram shot!
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Levy Market
Between March and December, every Saturday Levy Market is held in Levenshulme (South Manchester), with countless stalls for you to browse through. If you have a bit of spare change, you’ll find lots of street food, unusual gifts and vintage homeware available for extremely low prices. It’s worth heading down for the atmosphere alone – there’s always street entertainment nearby to get everyone at the market buzzing!
