Plan ahead and save up to 65% by booking advance purchase train tickets with Northern!
Looking for inspiration for a great day out without breaking the bank? As well as teaming up with a whole host of great attractions across the North to offer you discounted tickets - including at Manchester’s Legoland Discovery Centre, SEA LIFE Manchester, Crystal Maze and Imperial War Museum, if you’re looking to Go Do Your Thing for less, then check out these great sights, experiences and places to visit in Manchester.
Advance purchase train tickets are available up to 12 weeks before travelling, with last minute bargains available up to 15 minutes before travel!
Visit National Rail to find out the list of dates currently available for booking our Advance tickets.
Before you leave the station…
Did you know we’ve installed new water dispensers at both Manchester Victoria and Manchester Oxford Road stations? Each water dispenser has a hands-free sensor and provides free chilled water, so you can fill up before you head out and save on the expense and plastic waste of bought bottled water.
Take in some art…
Just a short walk from the city centre, The Whitworth is part of The University of Manchester and houses over 60,000 works of art, textiles and wallpaper. With lovely gardens (and a café in the trees!) it has a regularly changing calendar of exhibitions as well as events ranging from early morning yoga to after hours socials… what’s more almost everything (not the café!) is free. Check out The Whitworth’s website for what’s on.
Renowned for its 19th Century British paintings, particularly its Pre-Raphaelite works, the Manchester Art Gallery on Mosley Street houses a stunning collection of fine art spanning six centuries and including many major modern and contemporary pieces.
This free gallery’s collection includes ceramics, silver, glass, furniture and costumes, with decorative arts from every era and culture, from ancient civilizations through to today’s designer makers.
If you’re an art lover, Salford Museum & Art Gallery is well worth a visit. A short walk from Salford Crescent Station, this free gallery holds an outstanding collection of British Victorian art, along with a small but significant collection of Modern British art and works depicting local landmarks and views.
Northern Quarter Street Art
Located between Manchester’s Victoria and Piccadilly stations, the Northern Quarter is home to some outstanding street art from world-class artists – perfect for snapping for your Instagram channel.
Ways to buy cheap train tickets
Discover something new…
A great day out, the free to visit Science and Industry Museum is filled with amazing objects and revolutionary ideas that changed the world forever.
Find out about Manchester's history of scientific discoveries in Revolution Manchester, discover how the city's heritage is interwoven with the cotton industry in the Textiles Gallery, see science in action in the family-friendly interactive Experiment gallery, play the best video games and consoles from the past 50 years in Power UP and enjoy special exhibitions like Turn It Up: The power of music. (Please note parts of the museum are currently being renovated – check the website for details).
Located a stone’s throw from Salford Central train station, the People’s History Museum tells the story of the past, present and future of democracy in Britain. The right to vote, time to rest, fair pay – what has led to the freedoms we have today and what still needs to be done for a better future. A fascinating way to while away a few hours, the PHM is a finalist in the 2022 Museum of the Year Art Fund Awards and is free to visit.
Free walking tours of Manchester
New to the city or just fancy discovering some hidden gems? Did you know every day at 11am you can catch a free Manchester Walking tour? Starting from the Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Gardens, the tours are hosted by locals who really know their stuff, providing an “informative and entertaining adventure”. No need to book, just turn up.
For the enthusiasts
Footie mad? Did you know that the National Football Museum is free to visit if you’re a Manchester resident? Located just around the corner from Manchester Victoria station, the National Football Museum claims to be the world's biggest and best football museum! Delve into the social history and culture of the much-loved sport and take in memorabilia including Geoff Hurst’s red England shirt, the ball from the 1966 World Cup Final and the infamous Diego Maradona Hand of God jersey.
The sky’s the limit…
Plane enthusiast? Just fancy sitting out in the sun while the kids have a run? Catch a train to Manchester Airport and check out the Runway Visitor Park, adjacent to the busy runways of the airport- weirdly it’s one of the North West’s most popular outdoor attractions. You can stand literally metres away from the planes as they thunder past – plus it’s home to a variety of retired planes.
For the giggles
Make sure you get the last laugh by taking in a free comedy night. Yes, you’ve read that correctly. The Laughięnda Comedy Club at Lions Den Bar in the centre of Manchester is a free comedy night showcasing up and coming comedy acts and pros trying out new material.
Great days out in the great outdoors
Fancy exploring the Manchester area? Love having the fresh air in your hair? Then grab your bike and head on the train into Manchester …
The city has recently announced 10-year plan to create a thousand miles of bike and walking lanes across Greater Manchester… and to get you going Visit Manchester has pulled together its top cycle routes in and around Manchester. Some of our favourites include:
- The Bridgewater Way - a series of resurfaced canal towpaths that link Manchester city centre to Altrincham, Castlefield and the intu Trafford Centre – you can easily access it from Trafford Park Station.
- The Ashton Canal Cycleway – a 10km traffic-free option, you can follow the newly resurfaced canal towpath between Manchester city centre and Ashton-under-Lyne, taking in sights including the Etihad Stadium and National Football Museum – and if you don’t fancy cycling back, you can simply hop on board a Northern train back into the city.
Read more about taking your bike on the train with Northern.
Go do your thing for less
A day out doesn't have to cost the earth! Discover discounted days out with National Rail and make the most of your time in the North.
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Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.