[andysimo123]

Welcome to Manchester

Visitor to Manchester or Visiting Manchester? Post your questions here!

Visitor Information

Travel
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If your travelling from over seas the easiest way is it fly into Manchester Airport. From there you can travel by taxi, bus, train, coach or drive into Central Manchester. I'd recommend either the train or if you have bags a black cab. The Metrolink Tram service will be connected to the airport in the next few years.

Visit the links below for more information.

Manchester Airport
Airport Forum

Travelling around Manchester on the train is easy. We have 2 main train stations we which serve most local towns. These two main stations are Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria. Greater Manchesters train network covers 142 miles with 98 stations.

Travelling into Manchester on the train is quite easy and trains come from all over the country. Visit the link below to plan your journey.

National Rail
GTMPE Trains
Transport Forum

1st of August 2009 to 31st August 2009 no trams are running on Eccles and Altrincham lines a replacement bus service in in place. Until November there is no City Centre Service with a replacement bus service in place. The 3 areas are closed for line upgrades and station improvements.

The Metrolink is the fastest way to travel around the city and the places it serves. It serves in the City Centre along with routes to Bury, Altrincham and Eccles.

The Metrolink system is currently being expanded over the next few years to the Airport, Oldham, Rochdale, Wythenshawe, Cholton, East Disbury & Ashton-under-Lyne.

Metrolink
Metrolink Forum
Metrolink Extentions

Manchester has large bus network which has a number of companies operating the network. Buses go to all areas in the city and other surroundings areas. Visit the link below for more information.

GMPTE Buses
GMPTE
Transport Forum

Accommodation
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Manchester has a large amount of Hotels in the City centre and a number in the surrounding area. There are also number based around the airport. The prices are normally between £60-£110 a night but check to get the best deal. They can get very busy when large events are on. Examples as large concerts/events at the City of Manchester Stadium or the weekend when the football is on at Old Trafford. It has been known for nearly all hotels to be completely booked so check before hand but Manchester has been and is increasing hotel room numbers around the city centre and other areas. Check the Hotel forum for developments.

Hotel Map
Hotel Forum

Shopping
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Shopping is one of Manchesters big things. In the City Centre or outside the city, there are many places to shop. The big two are Manchesters Arndale and The Trafford Centre(located outside the Centre). Both are massive and have over 200 shops each. Other than the Arndale are 100s of other shops cover the city centre streets. Such as King Street, Market Street and Deansgate. Alot of the local independent shops can be found in Manchesters famous Northern Quarter along with Cafes and Bars. There is also the Lowry Outlet Mall in the heart of Salford Quays and the upcoming Massive Media City development.

Retail In Manchester Forum
Arndale
Trafford Centre
Northern Quarter
Lowry Outlet Mall

Sport
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If you want sport, Manchester doesn't let you down. From the past to the present it only seems to get better. Manchester is currently at the top of its game. In the 1990s Ice Hockey team Manchester Storm had massive crowds that filled the 17,000 seater MEN Arena, they are now died off but have been replaced by the Manchester Phoenix who play in Altrincham. Manchester also is also home the world famous boxer Rickey Hatton who has fought into front of a 55,000 crowd at the City of Manchester Stadium. The three most popular sports in Manchester are Football, Rugby and Cricket. Local, National and world wide they are all huge in Manchester.

Manchester Phoenix

Football
Greater Manchester has a fair number of footballing sides. Infact it has alot. Most local towns have there own sides such as Stockport County , Rochdale A.F.C, Oldham Athletic, Bury F.C , Bolton Wanderers etc. The big two which have Manchesters name on and are Manchester United and Manchester City. Alot of people travel from all the country and overseas to watch either there team away in Manchester or to watch one of the home teams. More than likely its one of the Premier League teams which bring in bigger crowds. Old Trafford home of Manchester United is a very popular to tourists during all times of the year due to its history and success. Manchester City have also recently come into world spot light with their new owners hoping to bring some success to the club.

Manchester United
Manchester United Forum
Manchester City
Manchester City Forum

Rugby
Rugby Union in Manchester isn't as large as football but it does have a team in the Guinness Premiership. Sale Sharks originally from Sale in South Manchester now play at 11,000 capacity Edgley Park in Stockport.

Rugby League in Greater Manchester is also popular. Wigan Warriors compete in Super League at the 25,000 capacity JJB Stadium. In National League One Leigh Centurions and Salford City Reds Compete. Both teams are building new Stadiums with Salford City Reds building a 20,000 capacity stadium.

Sale Sharks
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds Stadium Forum
Wigan Warriors
Leigh Centurions

Cricket
Cricket in Manchester is mainly based around Old Trafford Cricket Ground. It hosts the local team Lancashire County Cricket Club and also hosts International Games that involve the National Side England. The ground is currently going through a redevelopment phase to increase capacity to around 30,000.

Lancashire County Cricket Club
Old Trafford Cricket Ground Redevelopment Forum
Old Trafford Cricket Ground

Museums and Galleries
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Central Library
City Art Gallery
Cornerhouse
CUBE
John Rylands Library
The Lowry
Manchester Museum
Museum of Science and Industry
Museum of Transport
Urbis
Imperial War Museum
Whitworth Art Galley
Police Museum

Venues
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Manchester Academy
AMC Cinema
Apollo
Bridgewater Hall
Contact Theatre
Manchester Central (GMex)
MEN Arena
Opera House
Palace Theatre
The Printworks (cinema and bars)
Royal Exchange Theatre
Royal Northern College of Music

Special thanks to lamarkia1 for input.

 

[lamarkia1]

Museums and Galleries

Central Library
City Art Gallery
Cornerhouse
CUBE
John Rylands Library
The Lowry
Manchester Museum
Museum of Science and Industry
Museum of Transport
Urbis
Imperial War Museum
Whitworth Art Galley
Police Museum

Venues

Manchester Academy
AMC Cinema
Apollo
Bridgewater Hall
Contact Theatre
Manchester Central (GMex)
MEN Arena
Opera House
Palace Theatre
The Printworks (cinema and bars)
Royal Exchange Theatre
Royal Northern College of Music

 

[andysimo123]

I'll also bang them in the main post, so if in 10 years if gets to 500 posts it doesn't get lost.

 

[kebabmonster]

Nice idea for a thread, just a couple of observations:

Rugby

You've missed off

Swinton Lions
Oldham Roughyeds
Rochdale Hornets

The Metrolink is the fastest way to travel around the city and the places it serves

Probably best in the city centre and to get to Bury/Altrincham, but the Eccles line is a joke. I'd say the best way to get about the inner-city is bus and outer city heavy rail

How about a section in your first post for decent places to view the skyline (from afar and from buildings?)

 

[andysimo123]

Union or League?

Could do that skyline thing. I think we'll need a map with the locations on and also how to get there.

 

[Castlefield Andy]

Downloadable tourist guide reveals Manchester's secrets
Explore Manchester past and present with free audio guide

Visit Manchester, the tourism website for Greater Manchester, has just launched an electronic alternative to the traditional guidebook – giving visitors and interested residents a chance to take a guided tour of the city for free.

Called hearmanchester.com, the downloadable audio guide covers various topics from Manchester’s music to wildlife to underground Manchester. The guide is split into ten episodes which can be downloaded for free and listened to on a PC, iPod or mobile phone. It takes listeners on a trail around the city and centres on Rochdale Canal which connected Manchester to the wider world during the Industrial Revolution.

The ten episodes are presented by musician and journalist John Robb and include interviews with over 30 personalities and professionals associated with Manchester. The audio guide aims to highlight Manchester’s vibrant heritage and compliment the North West-wide campaign 'Industrial Powerhouse' which celebrates the region's industrial-themed attractions.

Visit Manchester has launched the audio programme with funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project is supported by Marketing Manchester, British Waterways, Mersey Basin Campaign, Cityco and Manchester City Council.

Download the guide at www.hearmanchester.com Go to www.industrialpowerhouse.co.uk for more information on the regional campaign.

From: http://www.piccadillymanchester.com...ble_tourist_guide_reveals_Manchesters_secrets