City break in Manchester

Manchester city break

Looking for a short break with older children? Make it Manchester - says Conor Black. Plus: Our Top Ten City Shopping Breaks.

MANCHESTER shrugged off its dour industrial image long ago and underwent a Cinderella-like transformation into a cosmopolitan city ideal for short breaks with younger and older teenagers. First stop for history-loving kids has to be the Imperial War Museum - where you can lose half a day - and grab a bite in the family-friendly cafe. For young sports fans there’s the City of Manchester Stadium and both City and United teams have their own museums.

If you are bringing teenage shoppers they won't be disappointed, there’s The Arndale Centre, King Street, Exchange Square and The Triangle for upmarket designers.

For young music fans there’s a seminal music scene and renowned clubs. Most major acts play here, from The Spice Girls and Celine Dion to the city's own Oasis.

If you're on luxury family break The Lowry hotel is well placed for seeing everything, perched on the banks of the River Irwell in the recently developed Chapel Wharf area on the border
between Manchester and Salford. The Lowry offers a gym, sauna, health suite and the river restaurant, where dishes like roast Scottish halibut with mussels and scallion sauce grace the menu.

Or take the kids to The Room in King Street for British food with an edge. For cheaper but great value dining there are a host of eclectic restaurants in the city centre, try Chinatown and the Yang Sing in Princess Street.

Our Top Ten City Shopping Breaks:

There are several theatres and panto is big in Manchester with glitzy casts a speciality. And they still make Coronation Street in the city, but sadly Granada no longer offer tours of the set.
Manchester's architecture gives it an edge over other cities, and its modern buildings sit comfortably with the historical side. The result is a thriving centre, where shops, bars and restaurants jostle with music and sport. Many families who visit find themselves staying longer than they intended. Come for the culture and activities, and you may never leave.

CHILD FRIENDLY VENUES:

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)
Liverpool Road
Castlefield
Manchester
M3 4FP
Tel: 0161 832 2244 http://www.mosi.org.uk/

Chill Factore
Trafford Way,
Trafford Quays Leisure Village
Manchester, M41 7JA
0161 749 2222 http://www.chillfactore.com/

Urbis
Cathedral Gardens
Manchester M4 3BG
Tel: +44 (0)161 605 8200 http://www.urbis.org.uk/

Manchester Museum
The University of Manchester,
Oxford Road
M13 9PL
0161 275 2634 http://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/

Imperial War Museum North
The Quays,
Trafford Wharf,
Trafford Park
M17 1TZ
0161 836 4000 http://north.iwm.org.uk

GO MANCHESTER

TRANSPORT: Manchester Airport, serving 225 destinations, is a short taxi ride from the town centre.
Manchester Piccadilly station is in the city centre. Three Virgin trains an hour arrive from London.
The Metro shuttle bus to shops and major sites is free.
Eco-friendly trams run across the city.
LOCAL DRINK: Boddingtons
LOCAL DISH: Manchester tart: made with custard and jam. The city’s top restaurants now serve a delicious Retro version.
PLACES TO STAY: Five star: The Lowry, Malmaison and Radisson; there are also numerous well placed budget hotels.
MORE INFO:
www.visitmanchester.com
www.creativetourist.com