Manchester is a vibrant, exciting city with something for everyone.  The restaurant scene sees influences from all over the world, especially with the world famous 'Curry Mile' in Rusholme and China Town in the centre.

Nightlife:

Top of your list is the pub and nightclub in the New Union in the vibrant Gay Village as well as a wide range of bars and clubs.  The closest place after the village is the Oxford Rd student area.  Deansgate Locks offers chain bars, as does the Printworks.  Deansgate itself has a small number of trendy bars.  The Northern Quarter has more independent, quirky bars and Fallowfield is the main student area outside the city centre.

Tourist Attractions:

Museum of Science & Industry Liverpool Rd, Manchester, M3 4FP
A massive museum which spans Manchester's industrial development.
Open: Daily 10:00-17:00 FREE

Manchester Art Gallery Mosley St, Manchester, M2 3JL
Over 2000 exhibits includes British & European art.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-17:00 FREE

Manchester Museum Oxford Road, Manchester, M12 9PL
15 galleries. Known for Egyptology collection & Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton.
Open: Tue to Sat 10:00-17:00 / Sun to Mon 11:00-16:00 FREE

Old Trafford Sir Matt Busby Way, Manchester, M16 0RA
Tour around the stadium of Manchester United & visit the Museum.
Open: Museum: 09:30-17:30 daily.  No tours on match days.
Prices: Museum: Adult £5.50 Child £3.75 / Museum & Tour: Adult £9 Child £6

Imperial War Museum in the North
The Quays, Trafford Wharf, Manchester M17 1TZ
See large exhibits, including a genuine tank & interactive opportunities.
Open: Mar to Oct 10:00-18:00 / Nov to Feb 10:00-17:00 FREE

The Lowry Pier Eight, Salford Quays M50 3AZ
Displays the works of L.S. Lowry, one of Manchester's most famous artists.
Open: Sun to Thu 11:00-17:00 / Sat 10:00-17:00 FREE

Theatres:

Palace Theatre Oxford Rd, Manchester, M1 6FT, +44 (0)161 245 6600
Hosts a range of touring performances, including West End musicals.

Opera House Quay St, Manchester, M3 3HP, +44 (0)161 828 1700
Hosts big productions, especially touring theatre & musical productions.

Contact Theatre Devas St, Manchester, M15 6JA, +44 (0)161 274 0600
Promotes music, dance & drama to showcase contemporary works.

Lowry Theatre Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ, 0870 787 5780
Hosts dance, drama & music.  Promotes new & innovative productions.

The Green Room 54-56 Whitworth St, M1 5WW, +44 (0)161 615 0500
Small venue hosting modern, avant-garde productions to promote the arts.

Live Music:

Manchester Evening News Arena
Victoria Station, Manchester, M3 1AR, +44 (0)161 950 5000
Hosts large concerts of big name acts.

Bridgewater Hall
Lower Mosley St, Manchester, M2 3WS, +44 (0)161 907 9000
State-of-the-art venue hosting mainly classical & operatic performances.

Academy 1, 2 & 3
Academy 1, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PR, +44 (0)161 275 2930
Hosts up-&-coming & alternative artists for intimate gigs.

Carling Apollo
Stockport Rd, Manchester, M12 6AP
Hosts well known & up-&-coming artists.  Just outside the city centre.

Roadhouse
8 Newton St, Manchester, M1 2AN, +44 (0)161 237 9789
Small venue with new & unsigned bands.

Comedy:

Comedy Store
34 Deansgate Locks, Manchester, M1 5LH, +44 (0)161 839 9595
Showcases new talent as well as established performers.

The Frog and Bucket
102 Oldham St, Manchester, M4 1LJ, +44 (0)161 236 9805
Peter Kay, Steve Coogan & Johnny Vegas appeared here early on.

Shopping:

Arndale Centre Manchester M4 3AQ
Dozens of high street stores, as well as two eating areas & a market.
Open Mon to Sat 09:00-20:00 & Sun 12:00-18:00.

Triangle 37 Exchange Square, Manchester, M4 3TR
Contains mainly designer stores, including Molton Brown & Ted Baker.
Open: Mon to Fri 10:00-19:00, Sat 09:00-19:00, Sun 12:00-18:00.

Trafford Centre Manchester M17 8DF
Contains high street & designer shops, including Selfridges.
Shops open Mon to Fri 10:00-22:00, Sat 10:00-20:00, Sun 12:00-18:00.

Lowry Outlet Mall The Quays, Salford Quays, M50 3AH
Up to 50% off well known brands including Karen Millen, Nike and Flannels.
Open: Mon to Fri 10:00-18:00 (Thu 20:00), Sat 10:00-19:00, Sun 11:00-17:00.

Harvey Nichols 21 New Cathedral Street, Manchester, M1 1AD
Sells many designer brands and products.

Selfridges 1 Exchange Square, Manchester M3 1BD
Contains many designer brands across electrics, clothing and furniture.

House of Fraser 60 Deansgate Manchester M60 3AU
Offers clothing, household goods, beauty products and designer items.
Open: Mon to Sat 09:30-19:00 (Thu 20:00), Sun 11:00-17:00.

Northern Quarter
As well as independent shops, there are also two independent shopping centres, which house a variety of small, quirky stalls:

Affleck's Palace 52 Church Street, Manchester, M4 1PW
Sells unusual products including clothing, jewellery, music and posters.
Open: Mon to Fri 10:30-18:00, Sat 10:00-18:00.

Manchester Craft & Design Centre 17 Oak Street, Manchester, M4 5JD
This centre sells a range of handmade jewellery & ceramics, clothing.