Days Out in Manchester

Last week’s blog looked at great days out in London, but the capital certainly isn’t the only city to offer fantastic activities, adventures and escapes. With stunning scenery in easy reach, the appetite for getting out and about whatever the weather is certainly high in the hardy North.

But with half term heading to a close and Easter looking a long way off, sometimes we all need a little inspiration for fun new things to do. Have no fear, we’ve come up with some great ideas for the whole family, all based around metropolitan Manchester - and you won’t need to wear a flat cap to get in!

Sea Life Centre Manchester

Ultra-conveniently located within Trafford Palazzo, right next door to the Trafford Centre, you don’t even need to get your feet wet to visit the underwater world of Sea Life Manchester. Prepare for astonishingly close views of everything from delicate starfish and seahorses to graceful rays and powerful sharks, colourful clownfish and friendly turtles.

With 30 display tanks and more than 5,000 sea creatures the aquarium is the perfect stop for family fun. Wander through themed zones including Ocean Tunnel, Rocky Hideout, Shark Shipwreck, Sea Ranger and Lair of the Giant Crab before heading through the amazing Ocean Tunnel: the ultimate selfie experience as sharks and rays swim around and over you. Budding Jacques Cousteaus can book a VIP turtle feeding or snorkel with sharks experience, the birthday gift of a lifetime.

Go Ape Rivington

Regularly topping the North West Tourism polls, Go Ape Rivington is one of Lancashire's best days out. With breathtaking scenery, amazing tree top obstacles and awesome zip lines, it’s a day of nonstop thrills right on Manchester’s doorstep, and within convenient reach of Bolton, Preston, and Leeds. Home to one of the most exciting zip wires in the UK, you’ll zoom across a bay of the sparkling Rivington reservoir, getting a bird's eye view over the water.

With its rugged hills, picturesque reservoirs and woodlands bustling with wildlife, Rivington is a gem in its own right, one of Lancashire's 'must visit' locations, with plenty of paths to walk cycle or even horse-ride once you’re earth-bound again- just give your legs time to stop feeling like jelly! Or if all this activity has worked up an appetite, head over to the historic Great House Barn and Tearoom for refreshment.

The Crystal Maze - Manchester

Bringing the cult TV action game thrillingly to life, immerse yourselves in Central Manchester’s Crystal Maze LIVE Experience. Conveniently located right in the heart of Manchester, between the Museum of Science and Industry and the St John’s Development, wave goodbye to the real world once you step over the threshold. Channelling the very best elements of the iconic TV show, test your team’s skills throughout fun physical and mental challenges, in four different zones: Medieval, Industrial, Aztec and Futuristic.

With the game’s trademark twists and humour, it’s a brilliant excuse to don those satin bomber jackets, run around wildly, shout yourselves hoarse! The more challenges you complete, the longer you earn in the iconic Crystal Dome- will you escape lock-in, and make it onto the leader board?

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester 

Get your kicks brick by brick at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester, next door to the Trafford Centre. With three awesome rides, ten LEGO build and play zones, a 4D cinema and even the chance to visit space, it’s family fun for all and a must for LEGO fans of all ages. Forget any idea of sit-down fiddly bricks; the Ninjago City Adventure includes a climbing wall, a crisscross maze, a spiral slide of lights and more, perfect for releasing your inner Ninja.

But for the brick fanatic, there's over 1.5 million to count in MINILAND- or forget the numbers and have fun seeing airships swoop and towers glow, as the little land switches between day and night. Then onto the rides, the pedal-tastic Merlin’s Apprentice world of spells and sorcery. Or Kingdom Quest, where you buckle in and ride a chariot to rescue the captured princess. Will you avoid the beastly trolls and sneaky skeletons?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have also put together a list of frequently asked questions at the link below, which include some Top Tips and Did you know information, which you can use to show off with your friends and family

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We hope that you have enjoyed reading our article called Days Out in Manchester and that you have found the information above include our FAQ page helpful in deciding on which venue you to choose for your Activities and Days Out