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Discovering Manchester: 5 Days of Budget Fun

Discover Manchester on a budget and experience the charm of this vibrant city.

21 June 2023

A trip to Manchester on a budget is an exciting experience that offers a host of free and cheap attractions. Visit museums like The Manchester Museum and The People's History Museum, or explore the Manchester street art scene with a walking tour. For affordable food and drink options, the Northern Quarter is a must-visit, with plenty of independent cafes and bars to choose from.

Travel plan

• Check into your hotel, the affordable and funky Hatters Hostel Manchester, located in the center of the Northern Quarter.
• Start your day with a cup of coffee from the famous Takk and explore the vintage shops and street art of the Northern Quarter.
• Visit the Afflecks indoor market, a hub of alternative fashion, jewelry and cool art.
• Have lunch at Rudy's Neapolitan Pizza, where you can enjoy authentic wood-fired pizza that's worth queuing for.
• Spend your afternoon browsing the vinyl at Piccadilly Records, and indulge in a glass of craft beer at the famous Port Street Beer House.

• Get up early for a walking tour of the city's industrial past with Manchester Guided Tours.
• Follow the Rochdale Canal through the city and visit the Castlefield Urban Heritage Park.
• Enjoy lunch at the Oast House, a beautiful historical building converted into a gastro pub where you can try local dishes and craft beers.
• Continue your tour with a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry to learn about Manchester's role in the industrial revolution.
• Round off the day with a drink and a snack at the Northern Monkey Brew Co taproom, where you can taste some of the best locally brewed beers.

• Take a bus or a train to the Intu Trafford Centre, one of the largest shopping centers in the UK.
• Spend your morning browsing the hundreds of shops, from high street to luxury fashion brands.
• Indulge in an afternoon tea from the cozy vintage decor of the Tea Room, or a burger from Five Guys.
• Afterward, catch a movie at the Odeon cinema, one of the largest screen complexes in Europe.
• Return to the city center and have a late dinner at Bundobust, a popular vegetarian Indian restaurant with a hip vibe.

• Take the tram to Old Trafford for a stadium tour of Manchester United's iconic football ground, or to the Etihad Stadium for Manchester City's stadium tour.
• Lunch at the nearby Sam Platt's Old Trafford Pub, an old-school football pub with historic memorabilia.
• Spend your afternoon immersing yourself in music at the legendary Salford Lads Club.
• Have dinner at the trendy Mackie Mayor food hall in the Northern Quarter, where you can enjoy the best of street food and craft beers.
• End the night at Matt & Phred's, a hang-out for live Jazz music, soulful cocktails, and some of Manchester's finest musicians.

• Visit the stunning Manchester Central Library, the largest public library in the UK.
• Walk over to the Manchester Art Gallery, where you can appreciate a diverse collection of Victorian and contemporary art.
• Grab a quick lunch from the Koffee Pot, and head to the People's History Museum, which offers an insight into Britain's working classes' social and political history.
• You may also like to visit the John Rylands Library, one of the world's finest collections of rare books and manuscripts.
• Conclude your day with a traditional English dinner of fish and chips, washed down with a pint at The Briton's Protection in Castlefield, a charming old pub with a homely atmosphere.