Imperial War Museum North (IWM North)

The Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world's most iconic stadium: Old Trafford. Come and sit in the manager's seat in the dugout, walk through the players' tunnel towards the hallowed turf, and find the seat of your favourite player in the dressing room. Get a feel for life in the Premier League and immerse yourself in an unrivalled story, the greatest football story ever told. Manchester United welcomes groups of all sizes, from all over the world, every day to the home of Manchester United, from individuals and families to international group tours, providing the same world-class experience to all.

Play Factore is the UK's leading family entertainment centre. With facilities that cater for children from 6 months to 16 years old, Play Factore is the only family entertainment arena in the UK where parents can play with children on age-applicable equipment — meaning you can join in the fun with your little adventurers too! Play Factore's state-of-the-art venue houses the largest play frame in the UK, along with a host of other unique attractions that are second to none. Based in Manchester next to the Trafford Centre, Play Factore provides a complete day out for families shopping in the area and planning to entertain the children.

In the 90s, The Crystal Maze was one of the UK’s favourite television shows. Now it’s your turn to be the star of the show. The ultimate team challenge, in which you and your friends face challenges testing your skill, mental, and physical ability across four adventure time zones: Aztec, Industrial, Futuristic, and Medieval. For each challenge completed, your team will earn a Crystal. The more Crystals you earn, the more time you’ll get in the final challenge — The Crystal Dome! Build a team of 8 of your friends with a variety of skills to take on the challenge of the Maze.

Manchester’s Chinatown is one of the largest Chinese districts in Europe, centred around the ornate arch on Faulkner Street. The area mixes long-running Cantonese restaurants with casual noodle spots, bakeries, and late-night eateries, alongside Korean, Thai, and Indonesian cafés and shops.

Chester Zoo is home to over 21,000 endangered and exotic animals based in beautiful, award-winning gardens and is the nearest large zoo to Manchester. With over 500 different animal species in their 125 acres, visitors are sure to have an adventure discovering and learning about the amazing wildlife. Conservation and education are at the heart of everything at Chester Zoo. They are committed to providing the highest standards of care for their animals as well as protecting native and international wildlife. Their team of expert and knowledgeable staff work hard to prevent extinction and are passionate about connecting visitors to the natural world. Chester Zoo has a variety of tours and hands-on experiences, as well as daily animal talks to guarantee a day full of animal adventure. Stop for a snack at one of their many restaurants, cafes, and kiosks, including their recently refurbished contemporary British pub, The Oakfield. It's a huge zoo, but there are plenty of options for getting around, including the Zoofari Monorail and the Lazy River Boat Trip on the Islands. Don’t forget to stop in at the gift shop on your way out for a souvenir of your trip.

With a storied history stretching back to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the East Lancashire Railway is the steam-powered heart of the Irwell Valley, pumping goods and people around the region for nearly 200 years! The line runs for 12 miles through scenic Lancastrian Landscapes, from beautiful rural panoramas and postcard pretty villages to bustling Victorian towns and cotton mill-dotted horizons. Each station offers something unique, from historical Heywood to relaxing Rawtenstall, scenic Summerseat, and bustling Bury. Make the trip from Grandparent to Grandchild on a journey that spans generations on this heritage railway.

The Snow Centre Manchester is an indoor snow complex just outside the city with real snow year-round. The main draw is the play park, where sledging lanes, snow luge rides, and downhill donuts keep families busy for a couple of hours, alongside indoor ski and snowboard slopes for lessons and practice. It’s a popular option when the weather’s grey or plans need a change of pace from museums and shopping.

The IWM North explores the impact of war and conflict on people’s lives, both historically and in the present day. Designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the building itself is a striking representation of a world fractured by conflict. At its opening, Libeskind described his vision as creating a space that 'emotionally moves the soul of the visitor toward a sometimes unexpected realisation'. Located on Trafford Wharf Road in Trafford Park, the museum overlooks the Manchester Ship Canal, an area that played a crucial industrial role during World War II and suffered heavy bombing in the 1940 Manchester Blitz.

Hard hats at the ready! Standedge Tunnel is Britain's longest, deepest, and highest canal tunnel, hidden deep beneath the beautiful Pennine countryside. One of the seven wonders of the local waterways, this must-see attraction is located in Marsden, a charming Yorkshire village. A great day out for all the family, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Discover the history of Standedge in the visitor centre, which is free to enter. Learn the stories of the folk who built and navigated this tremendous tunnel. Meanwhile, the kids will be kept occupied in the indoor soft play area and the outdoor adventure play area! Feeling peckish? You’ll find the wonderful Watersedge Café in the old Tunnel End cottages. Enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake or visit for lunch on a lovely summer’s day by the canal. You may even see the resident ducks, Jemima and Duncan, float past the picnic tables.

FC United of Manchester (FCUM) is a community benefit society and a not-for-profit organization based on the outskirts of Manchester City Centre. They pledge “to develop strong links with the local community,” and our volunteers and supporter base make us what we are and, by doing so, make a positive difference in Manchester and help change football for the better. Whatever your background, story, or beliefs, you are always sure of a warm welcome at Broadhurst Park.

Opening all the way back in 1912, the Manchester Opera House hosts a constantly evolving lineup of theatrical and musical performances, from timeless operas and ballets to more contemporary concerts and artists.

The great outdoors is just around the corner, and the Lake District National Park in Cumbria is England’s largest national park. The Lake District offers some of the best scenery and outdoor pursuits in one of England’s few mountainous regions. With more than 3,500 kilometres of walking and hiking routes through the lakes, there’s a trail to suit everyone. For the daredevils, there is also hang gliding, paragliding, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, rock scrambling, abseiling, hot-air ballooning, paintballing, and much more.