Spend a day in Manchester and it will quickly become apparent how much the city has transformed its industrial past into a trend-setting present and an ambitious future. From the Science %26 Industry Museum, housed in the listed buildings of the world's first interurban passenger train, to the Royal Exchange's monumental columns, which once held an international cotton bag, Manchester is home to some of the most impressive cultural attractions in the United Kingdom. The Manchester Art Gallery and the remodeled Whitworth are two of the city's world-class art and textile collections, which were accumulated as a result of Manchester's post-industrial wealth and global prestige. The Quays, which now houses MediaCityUK, Europe's largest multimedia center, the IWM North national museum and Manchester's most visited cultural attraction, The Lowry, is an area that has gone from being the busiest industrial pier in the United Kingdom to a 21st century cultural center in just over 100 years.
Football fans will find plenty to explore at the National Football Museum, while The Lowry offers a wide variety of shows and exhibitions ideal for a date night, family reunion or get-together with friends. Throughout the fall, visitors can view the permanent collection “The Lowry Collection, Salford” in the galleries. The Manchester Camerata and the Chetham School of Music have also embarked on a five-year collaborative project to perform and record all of Mozart's piano concertos, in a series called Made In Manchester. The rock musical RENT returns to the Hope Mill Theatre this fall after its huge success last year, both in person and online.
On October 22, the Chetham Symphony Orchestra will offer its first concert “at home” since before the pandemic at The Stoller Hall in Chetham's. If you're looking for something to eat while you explore Manchester's culture scene, Grub is your best bet for finding some of the best food stalls in town. Mackie Mayor is also worth checking out - it's a huge converted and listed Grade II building near Band on the Wall that promises 400 seats and delicious food from restaurants like Pizza Gods Honest Crust and seafood specialists Fin. The Craft and Design Centre is another must-see for anyone interested in art and design.
It houses more than 30 independent artists, designers and artisans under one roof. The Royal Exchange is another great spot for culture lovers - it's similar to a spaceship and creates a tempting mix of radically updated classics and bold new works. Ancoats is also worth visiting for its Hope Mill Theatre (known for producing excellent musicals) or HOME - Europe's largest multimedia center with a penchant for high-quality fringe shows and boundary-breaking performing arts. If comedy is more your thing, Gullivers or Frog and Bucket are great places to see local favorites take the stage.
Victoria Baths is another interesting spot - when it opened in 1906 it was described as “the most splendid municipal bathing institution in the country”. When it closed in 1993 everything from its ornate Edwardian tiles to its retro changing rooms were perfectly preserved. Now it hosts some of the best events in town - from antique fairs to food festivals - with their long-term goal being to turn it into a Turkish bath. Band on the Wall is also worth exploring for its rich musical history - especially its punk roots.
It became famous as a music venue in the 70s with iconic punk bands such as Buzzcocks, The Fall and Joy Division playing there. Nowadays it continues to introduce new talent and cult heroes from around the world. Finally, don't forget to visit The Pankhurst Center - this is where the first meeting of the Women's Social and Political Union (later known as Suffragettes) took place back in 1903.As always, culture in Manchester is a good starting point - there's plenty to see and do across this vibrant city!.
