Solo travel is one of those life adventures that many never find themselves courageous enough to endeavor. But, for those of you who contain the wild spirit that spurs you to travel the world alone here are eight things to do and see in Manchester.
Choose a Hotel
InterContinental Hotels are an experience in their own right. When traveling abroad, you will find many hotels where the buildings themselves date back hundreds of years that provide unique architectural elements, historical value, and beautiful ambiance at every turn. So, take some time to look up hotels outside of the normal chains and locate an establishment that will add color to your visit.
Purchase your Tram Travel card
After checking into your one of a kind hotel your next stop should be to purchase your tram travel card. This is the most inexpensive way to get around to all of your sight-seeing venues as well as get a firsthand look at a day in the life of locals. The tram provides access to Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, a variety of parks, and the countryside.
The Police Museum
Whether you are a Sherlock Holms fan or just enjoy museums, you are bound to find something interesting in the Police Museum that is located in the North Quarter of Manchester. Exhibits walk you through the history of battling crime in the city. In fact the building itself is a piece of history since it is an old police station.
King Bee Record
If you are a music fan you will not want to miss this old time record store. It was established in 1987 and specializes in selling second-hand records and CD’s. They carry all genres and have become the local record collectors go to for finding rare albums.
Levenshulme Market
With more than 50 vendors selling everything from vintage clothes, to plants and homemade crafts, to amazing street food this is the place for anyone who enjoys a great flee market. To visit this attraction you will have to plan your trip to include a Saturday and fall between March and December, because those are the only time the market is open.
Manchester’s Underground Tours
Not for the faint of heart, you can take a tour of the underworld of Manchester. Each tour treats you to ghost stories and tales of hauntings while you travel beneath the streets of Manchester.
The Paramount Bookshop
Step back in time while exploring the vast collection of books as you listen to top rate Jazz and Classical music. This historical shop first opened its doors in 1965 and carries a broad selection of sci-fi novels, paperbacks, comics, and an assortment of other printed materials.
Castlefield the Original Roman fort Mamucium
To get a real understanding of Manchester you must visit Castlefield. The name Manchester is a descendant of the former Roman name. With iron bridge work red brick warehouses, and overhead commuter trains and trams you can’t help but to get a sense of this areas industrial past. Although this neighborhood has transitioned over time into a residential area, the charm and historic value still persist and are enhanced by the quarter’s night time activities.
There are many activities and places to see and experience in Manchester whether you travel alone or with a companion. All you have to do is check out the local sites online to create a list, or simply stop one of the friendly locals on the street and ask them where their favorite place to go is. They will be happy to point you to your next adventure in their wonderful community.