From the airport
Train: trains depart every 10 minutes for the city.
What to do: shopping on King Street, on Saturday fashion market at Tib Street, Manchester Art Gallery (free), have a wander around the Castlefield Canal Bassin.
Oklahoma is the Northern Quarter's only cafe, shop and video store in one. The walls are decked in art-house films to ren and there is a boutique with Perspex rings, notepads and gadgets.
Oklahoma is the Northern Quarter's only cafe, shop and video store in one. The walls are decked in art-house films to ren and there is a boutique with Perspex rings, notepads and gadgets.
Info: Metroshuttle is free-on-Saturday
Manchester gents typically come in one of two moulds: sporty or dandy.
In 2011, Piccadilly Gardens was overhauled by Japanese architect Tadao Ando to incorporate a fountain complex and striking concrete wall.
The Trafford Centre is great for shopping but there is more to this epic mall too. The multiplex cinema is open until 3am on the weekend while fast Mexican food from Barburrito and Tampopo's authentic noodles are both must-trys.
Manchester was created during the Roman occupation and 1500-year-old ruins still litter the Castlefield basin.
Day tripping
Formby. The sand dunes and salty forests of Formby couldn't contrast more with Manchester's urban bustle. It's just an hour's drive to this coastal haven, which is home to red squirrels and huge, sandy flats. A perfect afternoon out in good weather.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Home to collections by Barbara Hepworth, Andy Goldsworthy and more, the lakes, crumbling bridges and forests of the park are worth a forage, too, while the alpine-style cafe has hot chocolate for the day'end.
