Manchester on a Budget: 42 Free Things to Do!

A guide to the best free things to do in Manchester

While Manchester mostly has people visiting for work rather than leisure, it beats me why the city’s tourism board does such a shoddy job at flaunt-bragging the myriad opportunities for tourists!

I mean, you have to visit Manchester to know that it’s way more than just a working class town.

This modest English city (Britain’s sixth-largest) is so much more than just a business hub.

Manchester should especially be on your list if you’re a museum geek but traveling on a budget. The majority of Manchester attractions are free to enter. Enjoy nerding out in free Manchester museums and galleries, attend free concerts, and admire the various nuanced shades of the city.

42 Free + Cheap Things to do in Manchester

By now you probably know I’m a fan. Here are the best things to do in Manchester for free (or really cheap, at the very least)!

Free Museums in Manchester

1. National Football Museum

Visiting the Football Museum in Manchester is a must, regardless of whether you’re a football fan or not.

Honestly it beats me that the museum is free to enter, given how elaborate the exhibits are.

The museum covers the social history and cultural journey of football becoming a global phenomenon, and everything is very lucidly explained and displayed. Even people who don’t follow football actively can learn a great deal from a visit.

The Hall of Fame pays tribute to some of the greatest football players in the history of the sport.

At the museum, you’ll see Maradona’s “Hand of God” t-shirt, the ball used in the first ever FIFA World Cup Final, and the original hand-written football rulebook!

Address: Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG

2. Museum of Science and Industry

The museum of Science and Industry is one of the largest museums in Manchester.

You can get a glimpse of how technology has changed and shaped the modern world.

The museum covers decades of innovation from locomotives, printing presses to the world’s first computer. Science fans can geek out as they go through the exhibits spanning some of the biggest inventions in the world.

Entry to the Museum of Science and Industry is free.

Address:  Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4FP

3. Manchester Museum

Lots of dinosaur fossils, including a T. Rex, immediately catch your eye upon entering the mammoth (pun intended) Manchester Museum.

There is also an exhaustive collection of Egyptian mummies and artefacts, and a terrarium with live and exotic reptilian species.

Visiting the Manchester Museum is especially one of the best things to do in Manchester with kids.

Address: University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester

4. Greater Manchester Police Museum

This is a one of a kind museum, and a surprisingly free place to visit in Manchester.

Housed in a former police station, the Greater Manchester Police Museum gives you a peek into local crime stories, how the police works, and how it has evolved over the years.

There are artefacts, a court room, cells, and police vehicles and uniforms through several decades on display.

The museum is open on Tuesdays and entry is free.

Address: 57A Newton St, Manchester

5. Imperial War Museum North

A visit to the museum will help you explore how modern conflicts have affected the British society at large.

The Imperial War Museum North is in Greater Manchester. It sits inside an unmissable aluminium building designed by Daniel Libeskind.

The exhibition takes visitors through all the 20^th century wars and conflicts Britain has been involved in, starting from World War I.

Address: Trafford Wharf Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester

6. People’s History Museum

The People’s History Museum, or the National Museum of Democracy, exhibits the entire spectrum of British social past, its present and future.

Visitors can learn about the history of working rights in Britain, women equality, social justice, voting rights and several other elements of the UK’s political and social fabric.

The collections at the museum include thousands of trade union banners, badges, political manifestoes and posters.

Entry to the People’s History Museum is free.

Address: Left Bank, Manchester M3 3ER

Free Art Galleries in Manchester

7. Manchester Art Gallery

The Manchester Art Gallery houses a collection of 35000 pieces, from historical ones to contemporary art. All the art pieces are distributed over three connected buildings.

Located in Manchester city center, a trip to the art gallery is one of the top things to do in Manchester for free.

Take the Grand Tour, a guided tour through the gallery which is packed with information and is free of charge.

The Manchester Art Gallery is free to enter and open all seven days a week.

Address: Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL

8. Whitworth Art Gallery

The Whitworth Art Gallery was founded in 1889 and is home to 55000 distinct art pieces.

There is a brilliant exhibition of Cezanne paintings and an admirable collection of textiles from various periods in history.

The art gallery is located in Whitworth Park and is a part of the University of Manchester.

Tickets are free, but make sure to book in advance to get priority entry.

Address: Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER

9. Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art

Another brilliant art gallery in Manchester which is free to enter.

Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA) is an effort to bring contemportary chinese art and visual culture to the limelight.

The museum hosts events, festivals, exhibitions and displays set up by Chinese artists in the UK and in China.

The museum is small but has a lot of interesting stuff packed in. You can cover the exhibits in about an hour, followed by a trip to Chetham’s School of Music which is located nearby.

Address:  Market Buildings, 13 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1EU

10. Manchester Craft and Design Centre

You’d never imagine that the Manchester Craft and Design Center was formerly a fish market building.

The beautiful Victorian building still has its typical fittings and fixtures to remind visitors of simpler times.

The centre attempts to promote the appreciation of contemporary design and craft. You can spot a lot of artists committed to their skill, displaying their collections with pride.

Fine art and handicrafts can be found here like jewelry, ceramics, bags, homeware and souvenirs.

The Manchester Craft and Design Centre is located in the Northern Quarter.

Address: 17 Oak St, Manchester M4 5JD

Free Libraries in Manchester

11. John Rylands Library

The John Rylands library is located in Deansgate, and is a part of the University of Manchester.

Founded as a memorial for John Rylands by his wife, the library houses a fine collection of rare books, original manuscripts.

Even if you’re not much of a reader, make sure to visit the library for its sheer architectural brilliance.

The victorian neo-gothic building is a sight to admire and looks like the set of a Harry Potter movie.

Especially enchanting is the Reading Room which looks like a Victorian castle with vintage bookshelves touching the ceiling, rustic tables and chairs and a very vintage feel.

Entry to the library is free.

Address: 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH

12. Visit Chetham’s Library

Considering this is the oldest public library in the English speaking world, you can’t visit Manchester and not stop by at Chetham’s Library.

Founded in 1653, the library stocks 100,000 volumes of printed books and thousands of manuscripts and texts from medieval history.

You’ll get a chance to share a table with Karl Marx, who amongst several noted philosophers, scholars and researchers studied here often.

Chetham’s Library is located opposite from the National Football Museum, and entry is free.

Address: Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB

13. Portico Library

Manchester has no dearth of free-to-visit libraries.

Portico is a subscription based library which tops the list of things to do in Manchester for free.

The four columns upfront and heavy cornices inside are some of the features that stand out in this Greek Revival style building.

Portico was established in 1806 as a combined alternative to a newsroom and a library.

It currently stocks London newspapers from the 19^th century, amongst thousands of books on subjects like history, literature and travel.

Address: 57 Mosley St, Manchester M2 3HY

Free Outdoor Spaces in Manchester

14. Heaton Park

Heaton Park lies a little outside the city centre, but is also a pleasant contrast from the unabating bustle of Manchester.

Covering a sprawling area of 600 acres, Heaton is the biggest municipal park in Manchester and one of the biggest in Europe.

You can picnic in the park on a Sunday, go boating in the lake, even play golf. There is also a playground for kids.

Heaton Park offers the perfect day out in Manchester and is also completely free to visit.

Address: St Margaret’s Rd, Manchester M25 2GT

15. Piccadilly Gardens

This massive central square with swathes of green is exactly what your mornings have been missing.

Grab a coffee from one of the cafes nearby, sit by the beautiful fountain in the middle of Piccadilly Gardens and people-watch for hours on end.

Address: Manchester M60 1AY

16. Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens

Located in south Manchester, both the Fletcher Moss Park and the Botanical Gardens offer a beautiful green respite from the otherwise fairly industrialized city.

The rock gardens in the park have abundant natural foliage.

Spread over 21 acres, the park and botanical garden are amazing to walk around, and one of the best free things to do in Manchester on a sunny day.

Address: 18 Stenner Ln, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2RQ

17. Prestwich Forest Park

The Prestwich Forest Park offers 200 hectares of stretched out lush, green spaces.

It consists of a network of parks, with a lot of open area and a playground for kids.

Though Prestwich isn’t as well known as the other parks in Manchester like Heaton and Fletcher, it is well worth a visit if you are looking to be outdoors, and especially if you are traveling with children.

Address: Park Ln, Prestwich, Whitefield M45 7QJ

18. Platt Fields Park

The Platt Fields Park offers an extensive floral space in Manchester to soak up the rare but invigorating British sun.

The park is an ideal spot for potlucks or beers on a sunny day. Throngs of locals can be found here, especially on weekends.

Address: Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6LA

19. Runway Visitor Park

The Runway Visitor Park is a public viewing area at the Manchester airport.

You can roll out a picnic blanket and enjoy a beer while watching aircrafts flying in and out, but also explore some retired aircrafts on display like the Cocorde G-BOAC.

The park is free to enter but parking is paid, if you’re arriving by car.

Address: Sunbank Ln, Altrincham WA15 8XQ

20. Bridgewater Canal

The Bridgewater Canal runs from Castlefield Junction with the Rochdale Canal, in Manchester, to its terminus in Runcorn.

Enjoy a run or a long walk along the canal while admiring the water boats and the pretty buildings in the background, affording picture perfect views.

You can even rent a bike and ride along the stretch.

Free Concerts in Manchester

21. Attend a Musical Recital at Chetham’s School of Music

Much like the library, Chetham’s School of Music is known the world over and has produced many notable alumni.

Every weekday at lunch during the term, the students put up a show at Chetham’s. The programme is varied and covers a wide range of musical instruments.

Enjoy a free concert which is completely free of charge. Walk-ins are allowed and no prior registration is needed.

The concerts happen in the Carole Nash Hall and run from 1:30 to 2:15 in the afternoon.

Address: Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB

22. Live Performance at Matt and Phred’s

Northern Quarter is where all the action in Manchester is!

Matt and Freds is a bar in the Northern Quarter area. They have free live persformances from Monday to Thursday every week.

Their music is essentially jazz, but the perfomances happen across genres like RnB, blues, salsa, and even swing.

Address:  64 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LW

More Free Things to Do in Manchester

23. Say A Prayer At Manchester Cathedral

The Manchester Cathedral is only a few steps away from the National Football Museum, and is resplendent in quaint English Gothic architecture.

It was built in 1421 and is an important part of Manchester’s history.

The cathedral survived massive bombing during WW2 although it has now been restored completely.

Don’t miss the stained glass windows decking up the cathedral interior. The look and feel on the outside as well as indoors will surely take you back in time.

Address: Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX

24. Visit Trafford Center

This is an indoor shopping and leisure complex in Greater Manchester.

Everything about the Trafford Center screams opulence. But that doesn’t imply by any means that you must spend a fortune here.

There is a plethora of stores from designer labels to high-street favorites. It is also great to walk around.

Visiting the Trafford Center is indeed one of the best free things to do in Manchester on a rainy day. Which happens quite a bit.

I’d recommend, though, that you visit for the food – The Orient in the Trafford Center is the largest food court in the world, with over 30 restaurants and bars!

Address: Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AA

25. Shop Vintage At Oldham Street

The Oldham Street is nestled in the Northern Quarter.

The graffiti-strewn walls and the avant-garde atmosphere make it such a perfect setup for all the retro boutiques and jewelry stores. If you love vintage style, Retro Rehab, JUNK and Blue Rinse offer tailored wear.

You can also stop by at Piccadilly Records to pick up classic albums or new releases to add to your collection.

[You Might Like: 10 Typical English Things To Do In London]

26. Go To Chinatown

The second largest in the UK, Machester’s Chinatown is a visual and culinary delight.

There are bakeries, restaurants, even massage parlours in case you fancy one!

The annual Chinese New Year festival in February is the highlight, with a parade, food stalls and dancing dragons to teleport you to China.

27. Make A Day Trip To Salford Quays

This beautiful water-side destination, just ten minutes from the city center, has to be on your list of free stuff to do in Manchester.

The Quays are a melting pot for culture, history, food and sport, and will take you a day to cover end from end.

You can also visit The Lowry, a museum that houses some of the best pieces by LS Lowry, one of Britain’s most loved artists.

Address: Manchester M50 3AZ

28. Window Shop At The Market Street

For a shopaholic, Manchester’s Market Street is like waking up in a Disney movie. You’re spoilt for choice, ranging from a (relatively) modest Primark to House of Fraser and Debenhams.

The Arndale Center is a massive indoor shopping mall that houses over 240 brand stores, including flagship branches of Next, Topshop and Oasis.

You’ll also find the popular European chain TK Maxx (Alert: Big discount on big brands!) and one of the biggest M&S showrooms in the world.

29. Have A Drink At The Gay Village

Canal Street, popularly called Gay Village, is lined with bars, pubs, hotels and cafes, and is perfect for a nightout and some fun dance with some really happy, life-embracing folks!

You can spot the street from a distance courtesy of the Pride Flags and tons of colourful lights to perk up the area.

Canal Street is positively one of the liveliest areas of the city. Get a drink at one of the many bars and shake that booty a little!

30. Eat At Wagamama

Even though this restaurant chain is no longer exclusive to Britain, you’ve got to have at least a meal at Wagamama. They’re known the world over for delish Japenese food, and you absolutely must try their signature Katsu Curry.

31. Get Curried Away At The Curry Mile

The Curry Mile is a stretch running through the center of Rusholm in the south of Manchester. It’s a food paradise for kebabs and curry lovers.

You can get a cheap yet delicious meal at the Curry Mile.

You’ll have some 70 outlets to choose from, service boys brandishing menus and vying for your attention, and neon lights to transport you to the streets of Lahore.

Address: Rusholme, South Manchester

32. Get Lunch at Levenshulme Market

Levenshulme is a community-run social enterprise market that runs on weekends, from March until December every year.

There is a wide range of stalls, from handicrafts for sale to build-it-lego-clubs, and even live music performances.

The market also has many street food stalls if you are looking for cheap eats in Manchester.

Besdies, you can buy local breads, cheese and wines at the Levenshulme market.

Address: Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3PJ

33. Visit A Tiki Bar For A Slice Of Hawaii

You know the English weather in the north can be a bummer, which is all the more a reason to hit some Tiki themed bars for serious tropical feels.

Recommended: Hula Bar and The Zombie Shack

34. Eat at Handmade Burger Co.

Handmade Burger Co. has the best burgers in the world, period.

Located in the Old Courthouse on Deansgate, the burger joint has beautiful interiors and great service too, so you cannot miss it when you’re in Manchester.

They also have vegetarian and vegan options. It’s a treat to eat there and also one of the cheap things to do in Manchester.

35. Visit The Northern Quarter

This Bohemian part of the city houses the best places in Manchester to shop, eat, drink and party at.

There are many speakeasy bars, cool cafes, pubs and restaurants. It’s THE place to be in Manchester at night.

That said, what I LOVE about the Northern Quarter is all the street art, especially in Spear street and Stevenson square.

You can spend hours admiring the brazen graffiti and vivid, vibrant street art as you walk through the Northern Quarter’s meandering streets. A whole other side to Manchester.

Make sure to also stop by at Magma Shop and Vinyl Exchange to browse through some great books and old vinyl buys.

36. Visit Manchester’s Christmas Markets

If you’re visiting at the end of the year, make sure to drop by at the Manchester Christmas markets.

The markets are spread out across various parts of the city center, with over 300 stalls in all.

You can drink mulled wine, enjoy savory Christmas delights, or just walk around the markets and bask in that festive cheer.

There are also gift stalls if you’d like to wind up your Christmas shopping.

The Christmas markets in Manchester start in the first half of Novemebr and goe up through December until Christmas eve.

37. Count The Number Of Worker Bees You Can Find

The Worker Bee was adopted as a motif for Manchester during the industrial revolution, and is an inextricable part of the city’s character.

You’ll chance upon tons of Worker Bee sculptures everywhere. How many can you find? I got 5. Nope, 7.

Math is not my strong suit.

38. Visit Castlefield

Castlefield is the industrial area of Manchester, and also the “Roman” part of the city.

It has the Roman era fort of Mamucium, which incidentally gave its name to Manchester.

Britain’s first urban heritage park, it has a labyrinth of canals amidst blanket green spaces, besides old mills.

Castlefield is becoming an increasingly up-and-coming area of Manchester with many waterfront bars and upscale restaurants and great accomodations.

The Castlefield Bowl, an outdoor pavillion in the area, hosts many open-air gigs through the year.

39. Spend an Evening At The Printworks

There’s so much to do at The Printworks!

Watch a movie at IMAX, have dinner at Nandos, and then kick back with a drink at one of the bars as you watch hen parties flock in and out of the area.

Address: 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS

40. Sign up for a Free Walking Tour

Walking tours are an excellent headstart to your visit as you get an opportunity to learn more about the city you’re all set to explore.

And in a place like Manchester, no less. There is so much to see, and my recommendation for free walking tours is FREETOUR.com.

A local guides you through the various parts of Manchester, sharing all kinds of did-you-knows, dos and don’ts, among other fun trivia.

You can ask questions to satiate your curiousity about the city, and also seek local tips about where to eat, best pubs in Manchester, things to do in the evening, etc.

41. Cuddle with Rescues at the Donkey Sanctuary

Visiting the Donkey Sanctuary is another one of the top things to do in Manchester with kids.

I visited a similar shelter in Morocco as well, and it’s amazing how much donkeys and mules love cuddling and petting like dogs.

This is a great activity to spend time with the furry beasts and perhaps even befriend one or more, in the process.

While a visit to the Donkey Sanctuary is free, you can also choose to sponsor a donkey or mule.

Address: Green Fold, Manchester M18 8RJ

42. Participate in the Manchester Pride Week

If you happen to be in Manchester in August, I don’t even have to tell you anything – the energy during Manchester Pride Month is palpable and wildly contagious.

You can see huge pride decorations and paraphernalia all over the city, but especially in Canal street and Mayfield.

Issa BIG vibe.

Especially during the “Big Weekend”, the Pride Parade walks through the city center and is a treat to watch and cheer on.

Attending the Manchester Pride Parade is not only one of the top free things to do in Manchester, but is also sure to be the highlight of your visit.

 

Now tell me there isn’t much to do in Manchester, eh?

Pack your bags and make a visit, oh, and make sure to keep this list handy!