Places to visit near Manchester

There's lots more to Manchester than just soccer, shopping and music.

Manchester was the world's first industrial city and many industrial and scientific firsts were pioneered in the city.

Why not explore the city with the Manchester: Then & Now audio walking tour?  The tour can be completed in just over two hours.  You can hire the tour, disposable headphones and tour map for £6, on a preloaded MP3 player from the Manchester Visitor Information Centre on Lloyd Street (off St Peter's Square).

Alternatively, you can download the tour from:
http://www.walktalktour.com/manchestertourfull.html [nofollow]

I think you'll be surprised at Manchester.  There is tons to do expecially if hubs is going to be busy during the day.  I agree w/ Racheee book yourself into a boutique hotel the one in Dids has a fabulous reputation.  If you stay there you can walk into Didsbury village itself and enjoy a fabulous meal.  You don't want to waste the time together driving anywhere so I'd stick to Manchester

There are a TON of art galleries and museums in town in Manchester, the Museum of Science and Industry is a great way to pass a few hours!

I'd definitley recommend Manchester, but it is a big city.  If you want somewhere smaller and calmer, try Buxton in the Peak District.  It's about 1 hr by local train from Manchester and is a really nice town: parks, gardens, Georgian architecture, good shops and cafes, etc.  ... it's a little bit like Bath and a lot like Harrogate if you know those two towns.

Well, I've booked my tickets so I'm going!  Now off to check out the boutique hotel prices.  I think we are planning to stay in the city centre as we only have one fully free day which is the Saturday.  Our flights out at are 10am on Sunday.  YAY!