Are you a teenage hipster who loves to explore the history and culture of a place while possessing a modern outlook on everything?
Do you hunt for trending things whenever you enjoy food in a restaurant, engage in energetic activities, and go shopping?
Then all the fun things to do in Manchester for young adults are made to explore, especially for people like you!
Believe us or not, Manchester fixes your boredom. It calls for adventure and celebration of all the young minds who are prepared for a whirlwind tour in the city and have an adrenaline rush for exciting activities.
Want to know what the best things to do in Manchester are? Then let’s take a virtual ride to the city and start our discussion on the same.
Our Criteria for Selection of the Fun Things in Manchester
- The appealing feature of the activities and their popularity among young tourists and the locals.
- The uniqueness of the things and how many lasting memories they can create.
- Accessibility and affordability (for your convenience, we have added some free things to do in Manchester to our list).
- How diverse are the activities or their fields?
- How safe are the activities for the tourists? Will they provide them with the appropriate level of security they expect?
- Reviews and recommendations.
- Will the activities give the young tourists the level of enjoyment they expect in exchange for their money?
Fun and Free Things to Do in Manchester – Some Tips to Follow During the Trip
- Know beforehand about the public transport system of Manchester before planning the activities.
- Don’t miss the signature cuisines of this city. You can either search for the best restaurants or hire a local chef to get the best flavours of their local dishes (like Eccles Cake).
- Find out all the hidden neighbourhoods of Manchester and feel the history, culture, and charm of the places. Some of the sought-after places are the alleys of Castlefield. Also, tourists never miss the Northern Quarter region of this city during their visit.
- Manchester offers a great discount for students. So, before you rush in to pay the visiting charge at any fun place in Manchester, check if they have special offers for students or not. Also, don’t forget to check your eligibility for the same.
Things to Do in Manchester for Young Adults – Our 7 Picks
1. Whole Night Celebration in Canal Street
Ready to embrace diversity and the inclusive vibe of the city of Manchester? city? Then Canal Street is the ideal place for you to spend the evening or night in a party mood and experience the fun things to do in Manchester for young adults with merrymaking people.
It’s the street where a lot of restaurants, bars, and cafes have found their place of establishment. Being an LGBTQ+ friendly area, they organise an honorary event for them.
This event is named Manchester Pride, where partying and a festive mood mix with parades and gestures of respect. Once you visit the eateries of this street, they will set your mood for the night with tempting food, relaxing beverages, alluring music, and energetic dances.
The friendly crowd and energetic atmosphere of Canal Street will charm you to the fullest. The bars of this place are cosy enough to warm up your heart.
Best Bars for Celebration:
- Canal Street – The Bars & Clubs.
- Oscar’s Bar Manchester.
- On Bar Manchester.
The Amount it May Cost: £30 (approx.), including food, visiting charge, and drinks.
Time Range: 4:30 PM to 3:30 AM (depends on the place you visit).
2. Getting into the Rich Musical History of this City
The city of Manchester has always been known for its music. The music culture of this place, set by renowned musicians and bands like The Smiths, The Stone Roses, etc, is still heard in the air once you visit this city.
So, if you can’t explore the history of the music, know about its different genres, and experience its culture, unless you visit Manchester’s famous, massive, and intimate music venues. Some of those venues, etc.
- Manchester Arena.
- O2 Ritz.
- Salford Lads’ Club.
- Northern Quarter’s Manchester Music Walk of Fame, etc.
Besides, if you have a great interest in music, you can get involved in the Annual Manchester International Festival as well.
Attending music concerts and exploring the rich music heritage at these places and events is one of the best things to do in Manchester as a teenager.
Other Best Musical Places to Explore:
- Palace Theatre, Manchester.
- The Albert Hall.
- Band on the Wall, etc.
The Amount it May Cost: Free entry at some places, while others charge more than or equal to £19 (approx).
Time Range: 5:30 PM to 2:30 AM (approx).
3. Satisfy Your Gastronomical Appetite At The Northern Quarter and Surrounding Regions
Visit Manchester and return home without tasting the iconic foods there? Don’t make this mistake in your lifetime again!
This is because Manchester is renowned for its culinary hotspots and bustling food halls, and visiting most of them is a free thing to do in Manchester.
However, you have to pay for the food and beverages. The delicious international flavours of the food they serve will keep you licking your fingers.
The restaurants, bars, and cafes there have something or other in their bucket to satisfy the gastronomical desires of different human beings. Some of the foods they are famous for are:
- Mexican delights in town.
- Vietnamese street foods.
- Artisanal pizzas.
- Gourmet burgers.
- Eccles cake, etc.
Best Eateries:
- Ezra & Gil.
- Mackie Mayor.
- El Capo.
- Viet Shack.
- Earth Cafe.
- The Koffee Pot.
- The Whisky Jar.
- Cane & Grain.
The Amount it May Cost: £20/individual or more (approx.).
Time Range: 10 AM to 11:30 PM (varies depending on the exact place).
4. Shopping in the Stores of King Street
Love shopping? Then, this premier shopping destination is waiting for you! Yes! King Street has everything that you would like to purchase: every kind of object, clothes, boutiques, gifts, etc, almost all types of brands.
Visiting this street is one of the most relaxing things to do in Manchester for young adults. If you have a tight shopping budget, there are shops here that will fulfil your desires at an affordable cost.
At the same time, if you spend luxuriously and has a preference for high-quality boutique or branded items, a series of stores is there to serve you with that. Some of the brands available there are:
- Apple.
- Selfridges.
- Zara, etc.
Best Shops and Arcades for Shopping:
- Vivienne Westwood (fashionable clothes store).
- Reiss (fashionable clothes store).
- The White Company (high-class homeware).
- Victorian Shopping Arcade (a series of separate stores, boutiques, etc.).
- Arndale Centre (the largest UK-based mall).
The Amount it May Cost: It depends on how luxuriously you spend on shopping and the brands you choose to buy.
Time Range: 8:50 AM to 8 PM (differs from one shop to another).
5. Exploring the Art Galleries, Museums, etc
Visiting Manchester and leaving the city without touching its cultural heritage—isn’t that a foolish thing? The impressive art collection and other masterpieces of great artists will literally curse you if you do! Hey!
The museums and galleries of this city are calling you! Whether you want to impress your eyes with prominent British and other global art collections or stay happy with the local ones, these places of interest will please you with both types. They are the best things to do in Manchester.
Go through the Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces. If you can manage time, wander your eyes through the contemporary works and more!
The arts and crafts on Egyptian artefacts, Manchester’s industrial heritage, and scientific models will capture your heart in no time.
Best Cultural Heritages:
- Manchester Museum.
- Manchester Art Gallery.
- Specially organised exhibitions, etc.
The Amount it May Cost: £5 or more (approx).
Time Range:10 AM to 5:30 PM (depending on the cultural hub you choose to visit).
6. Feel the Refreshing Beauty of the Picturesque Outdoor Sceneries of Heaton Park
The different regions of Manchester are filled with beautiful gardens and other scenery. The most beautiful among them is the refreshing vibe of Heaton Park. It’s far from the pollution of the city and is an ideal place for strolling in the morning and evening.
This region is spread over a large area of land. You can rent a boat for paddling in its lake, play sports in the pitch area, fly a kite, set up a picnic, and do all the things that give you happiness.
The nature of this place is healing. Various events are organised in this park. You will see many farm animals roaming here and there on the farm.
Best Scenic Spots in Heaton Park:
- Historic Heaton Hall.
- Animal Centre.
- Golf courses.
- Tennis courses.
- Pitch-and-putt course, etc.
The Amount it May Cost: Basically Free of Charge. Still, some places claim a minimal entry charge of £4 or more.
Time Range: Early morning to 7:30 PM in the evening (approx).
7. Visit Old Stadiums of the City
Manchester is mainly famous for games and sports. So, many old and new stadiums exist in this city. The stadiums make your games thrilling by creating an electric atmosphere.
The city remembers and pays tribute to the legendary players. The teenagers must follow in their footsteps. They must know the sports culture of the city and experience the thrill of winning a match.
Visiting these stadiums may not be a free thing to do in Manchester. But, entering these stadiums with money is worth it. The thrill of the sports in these stadiums will give you is immense.
Places to Visit:
- Old Trafford Stadium.
- Etihad Stadium, etc.
The Amount it May Cost: Depends on the ticket prices of the matches and the stadium tour prices.
Time Range: 10 AM to 4:30 PM or more.
Conclusion
So, whenever you visit Manchester, don’t miss the fun things to do in Manchester for young adults. After all, your age deserves something energetic, fun-filled, gastronomically satisfactory, and knowledgeable. So, why let your teenage years pass without enjoying the best sides of life?
